Backhoe tractor backhoe vs. mini excavator

[Botabill]

That's what I thought until I operated a JD300C with Extend-a-Hoe. It will out work any mini excavator, and is far more versatile. You can get a good used one for $25-$40K. The 1-1/4 yard loader is priceless, and so is the traveling speed.

I tired to google a JD300C to see what this excavator eater would look like and all I could find is artiulated trucks. What is a JD300C?

 

[Ken45101]

I was thinking more like dollar for dollar. I have no idea what a mini excavator costs, but assume they aren't cheap.

Roughly $25-50K new. Similar in range to a new TLB. Used prices are a lot less.

 

[BJN644]

I was thinking more like dollar for dollar. I have no idea what a mini excavator costs, but assume they aren't cheap.

You can buy a well worn out mini for $10,000, a brand new hoe for your tractor can be had for less. I guess if you have the cash and do a lot of digging go with the mini. If you are digging occasionally a new hoe for your tractor would be less troublesome maintenance and repair wise.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

You can buy a well worn out mini for $10,000, a brand new hoe for your tractor can be had for less. I guess if you have the cash and do a lot of digging go with the mini. If you are digging occasionally a new hoe for your tractor would be less troublesome maintenance and repair wise.

Dunno where you're shopping..but I know that you can get a REALLY nice gently used import Mini for 10-12k, One of my dads friends bought a really nice Komatsu PC45 for 13k....cabbed, digging bucket, ditching bucket, wrist & thumb....IF you know where to look, deals can be easily had...in the current economic climate, I've heard stories of 2-4 year old mini-ex's (and the mini articulated front end loaders for that matter) go for +/-10k at auctions...seems like during the "boom cycle" every landscape/nursery/etc bought one even if they didnt need it...

I guess I should say, that a used machine of ANY Nature isnt for some people..., in that case, your right, buy the new...Me...I'm a tinkerer and have no problem rebuilding a swing motor or engine if needed to save a buck or two... Being "Mechanically Inclined" I personally dont like what a Hoe does to a normal tractor...only TLB I'd be interested in at any price or condition would be something like a JD 110 or the Kubota M59 type setup...

 

[wedge40]

I tired to google a JD300C to see what this excavator eater would look like and all I could find is artiulated trucks. What is a JD300C?

That's what I thought until I operated a JD300C with Extend-a-Hoe. It will out work any mini excavator, and is far more versatile. You can get a good used one for $25-$40K. The 1-1/4 yard loader is priceless, and so is the traveling speed.

I tired to find this as well, it doesn't sound MINI at 30ton.

One of the other advantages I found with the mini is it gets into places I couldn't get to with the tractor and hoe or TBL. I'll agree having one of these would be a luxury for most of us, but if you purchase a new backhoe that is almost as equivalent in power you're better off spending a few more $$ to get a good used mini. The mini I rented has more digging force than the Woods BH 90X. And I could pick up a used one for 10K or less.

Wedge

 

[20 20]

excavator vs BH kind of like comparing tires to tracks. they'll both do a job but one will work soooooo much better. BUT with the ability to work better comes more maintanance.

 

[Ken45101]

excavator vs BH kind of like comparing tires to tracks. they'll both do a job but one will work soooooo much better. BUT with the ability to work better comes more maintanance.

I don't think either unit is high maintenance beyond greasing the fittings.

 

[Duffster]

I tired to google a JD300C to see what this excavator eater would look like and all I could find is artiulated trucks. What is a JD300C?

I tired to find this as well, it doesn't sound MINI at 30ton.

One of the other advantages I found with the mini is it gets into places I couldn't get to with the tractor and hoe or TBL. I'll agree having one of these would be a luxury for most of us, but if you purchase a new backhoe that is almost as equivalent in power you're better off spending a few more $$ to get a good used mini. The mini I rented has more digging force than the Woods BH 90X. And I could pick up a used one for 10K or less.

Wedge

I think he may have meant a JD 310C

 

[amigauser]

I thought I was the only one who thought that way, I agree totally that a mini-ex is the way to go and not much more $$ than a new Woods or Kubota backhoe. When I have the funds I would love to pickup a used Kubota KX41 sized machine. There are a LOT of deals to be had right now with the economy the way it is.

 

[herd]

Intersting thread, I have been wondering about the mini's and how good they are. I have a 5 acre tract by my house that we clear cut two years ago, mostly pine, some oak. I want to get in there later in the year and remove the stumps and turn this acreage into pasture.

I was going to buy a used BH but I would be forever on the pine stumps. With the pine's tap root, you have to dig deep with a backhoe and end up with a hole that you could park a car in. So, does a mini ex have enough kick to break loose and pull up a 30'' diameter pine root? Or, would that be too big of a job?