Texas Fall/Winter thread!

[Western]

A question for you guy's that have a backhoe (Jim, Brandie, anyone). I have to remove about 10 stumps in an area I want to garden, also would like to dig out the edges on my dinky pond to thwart the cattails.

I was thinking of renting a small to medium BH, but have never operated one and was wondering if the learning curve would be worth the rental fee for a day or two vs hiring dozer for $500 for 4hrs. Would be "funner" to rent the BH, but dont want to throw money away. Haven't priced renting the BH yet, may be more thn I'm thinking ($200-250 day guess)


EDIT. called and got a quote for $150 day w/trailer from rental store in Azle, the one in Decatur wanted $235!. This was for a 40hp tractor/ BH, is this sufficient??

Thanks!!

 

[txdon]

Dennis, I would say about 20 minutes on each stump. I would dig on two sides, reposition dig the other two, drag out the stump and the cover up with FEL (if no larger than a 24" stump). Smaller stumps might require just 10 minutes. Check the reach and the steepness of the bank for the cattail removal.

This is based on a 50hp tractor with BH added.

Learning curve: add 1 hour for the first stump.

 

[Western]

Thanks Don, that is about the timeline I was thinking based on watching others (after the learning curve) Largest stump may be 12", so digging "should" be relatively quick. The cat tails would be a bonus if I have extra time. I am a bit concerned if the HP is enough, but since the stumps are small, I think it will do.. I will fill the holes with my tractor after the fact and spend all the rental time digging.

 

[bindian]

Dennis,
If I was renting to dig out stumps and clear a pond's edge..............I would rent a midi excavator. About 6-8,000 pound machine. You have a front end loader right? For the dirt movement and grading?
A BH would be fine for just the stumps..........but an excavator can get down into softer spots the BH can't, especially when you try to put down stabilizers. If.................... you have firm ground to dig out cattails, it is still hard for a BH to move the spoils where your loader can reach them. An excavator can swing 180 degrees and dump the stuff into you tractor's FEL bucket. Something to think about. I would say an midi excavator would be easier to learn, as they are easier to move around a dig site without that much planning.
But a BH would do in a pinch...just all depends on what rental units are available to you. Both are fun machines.
hugs, Brandi

 

[jinman]

What Brandi said ^^^^^^. A mini-ex would be my choice for rental. It will do fine on the cattails and you'll be able to swing 180 degrees with your pond edge loads. With my backhoe, I have plenty of power, but have to place the spoils within the swing limits of the backhoe. If you place the backhoe parallel to the shoreline, you lose about 18" to 24" of reach compared to coming in perpendicular. I love my backhoe for moving dirt because of the big bucket, but for the jobs you're talking about, the mini-ex would be my choice.

 

[bindian]

The BH you mentioned above will do for your intentions. I imagine it is a Kubota?
hugs, Brandi

 

[Western]

Yes, I believe what they carry is largely Kabota, and I didn't even consider a mini excavator??? Great idea young lady!! (no offense Jim, but she did beat ya to it:laughing I was thinking BH primarily for the stumps, but the mini makes more sense!, especially around the pond.. I will have to check tomorrow on availability.:thumbsup:. My plan was to dig, then deal with the spoils with my Kioti anyhoo

 

[Lou66]

I have a Case 580c backhoe/front end loader,, it is a three stick,, now the new ones have a joy stick,, I like the three sticks cause it keeps both hand busy,, not that, that matters,, but it will take you 53 minutes to become proficiency with the three stick and 41 minute with the joy stick,, based on inside information,, lol.. it doesn't take long,, for as taking down a tree it depend on how big it is.. a 20" oak can take sometime.. where a 20" pine not long at all,, but a 12" tallow,, I take my time cause I hate those dang trees.. 20 minute for them to suffer,, then out of the ground.. digging out a pond may want to get a pro,, if you take your liner out (clay) you may have to replace it,, if you know what you are doing then skim it out.. but a excavator would be better on the pond,, wide bucket and 180 degree turn.. but you could do it in a week end with good weather.. Lou

 

[Western]

Thanks Lou, Pond is 60' diameter, I could almost use a shovel if I wasn't so lazy:laughing: I only want to steepen the edge so there is less room for the cattails. I have used a Bobcat with a "joystick", it was OK, I suppose I didn't use it enough to like it one way or other over the old style BC controls. The trees are mostly cut, remaining ones I will cut down prior to digging out the stumps. If I was going to hire a dozer operator, I'd leave 3'-4' out of the ground for leverage. I'm shoot'n for a 37 1/2 minute learning curve:laughing:

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions so far, I knew you guys and gals could help me out. I just hope I dont like enough to want one!!

 

[jinman]

Dennis, I always find that what I want to dig around a pond is usually about 6" farther than I can reach. If you can make a measurement so you know what you are needing to reach, then you'll be way ahead of the game. I think the backhoes with extenda-hoe dippers are cool, but you don't see them in compact tractor hoes and almost never in excavators. As Brandi suggested, you may need a mid-sized excavator rather than a mini just so you'll have the reach needed. I just did what you are suggesting along my lake frontage and found myself handling dirt two or three times because of my limited swing with my backhoe. If you can move dirt once and be done, you'll save yourself a ton of time.