k0ua
Epic Contributor
Answer to my own question: Because it would have been much faster than using the excavator
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Answer to my own question: Because it would have been much faster than using the excavator
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diesel lover
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I was definitely thinking that. They have no positives for the backhoe!
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Bottom line I think the Mini Ex is better for many jobs, and doubtless more fuel efficient, and the ability to swing 360 degrees is a plus, but filling that trench back up is not one of them. That JCB could have used his FEL to fill the trench in half or less the time the MiniEx took. Heck my Kioti could have filled it in half the time.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
i have operated both kinds of machinery over the years, and each have their uses. As stated above, a mini excavator is much faster digging a trench. no question about it. They suck at filling in the trench. That little blade doesnt do a great job.
As far as digging a large hole, say for a light standard , i doubt theres any difference in the 2.
The amazing thing ive found with the really small sized mini excavators are their amazing digging abilities. I rented a micro sized Kubota unit that had adjustable tracks, and was able to shrink the tracks so i was able to drive thru a 3' stall door and enter a horse coral to run power and water lines. It was amazing.
I also used the same machine to dig a 200 foot x 36" deep trench on a job with limited spacing along side a road. that little guy couldnt be stopped even by boulders larger than its bucket.
I used to run a Cat 416 & 420's for an electrical contractor and believe me, with that machine you can dig JUST about as fast as a trencher can. it has the power to push itself forward when needed so operator doesnt have to raise outriggers and fiddle with moving the machine. But it takes lots of practice. After many years running a 4 stick machine, the cat system really was nice.
My experience with smaller backhoes mounted to compact tractors hasnt been too good. ive tried them on a few smaller jobs and though they did the job, i found them very slow. Now if i was just tinkering around my property than thats not a problem. but while im paying 2-3 guys and charging homeowner a sizable chunk of $$, i have to show production.
At least with a mini excavator i can open up alot of trenches in a short amount of time. And since i have to leave them open till inspection, i just bring in a loader when its time to fill the trench.
As far as digging a large hole, say for a light standard , i doubt theres any difference in the 2.
The amazing thing ive found with the really small sized mini excavators are their amazing digging abilities. I rented a micro sized Kubota unit that had adjustable tracks, and was able to shrink the tracks so i was able to drive thru a 3' stall door and enter a horse coral to run power and water lines. It was amazing.
I also used the same machine to dig a 200 foot x 36" deep trench on a job with limited spacing along side a road. that little guy couldnt be stopped even by boulders larger than its bucket.
I used to run a Cat 416 & 420's for an electrical contractor and believe me, with that machine you can dig JUST about as fast as a trencher can. it has the power to push itself forward when needed so operator doesnt have to raise outriggers and fiddle with moving the machine. But it takes lots of practice. After many years running a 4 stick machine, the cat system really was nice.
My experience with smaller backhoes mounted to compact tractors hasnt been too good. ive tried them on a few smaller jobs and though they did the job, i found them very slow. Now if i was just tinkering around my property than thats not a problem. but while im paying 2-3 guys and charging homeowner a sizable chunk of $$, i have to show production.
At least with a mini excavator i can open up alot of trenches in a short amount of time. And since i have to leave them open till inspection, i just bring in a loader when its time to fill the trench.