What can your Mini excavator do?

[mike69440]

Let me clarify my needs. I like the digging speed, and maneuverability of the Mini excavators. However You can pick up a very nice 580m used for around 25-30K A used Mini, in very nice shape in the 10000-15000 pound range, is 30-40K. I need to be digging out stumps, and digging ditches, and fixing roads. I find that the older backhoes I have used are very slow to maneuver. My tlb is very good for small stuff, like footings etc. But It wont handle the bigger stumps. I want to know from you all if a mini will dig say a 15 inch stump out, in a reasonable amount of time. So price, and transportability with a 1 ton truck are issues, but at the end of the day will a respected name brand Mini be able to handle the occasional bigger job, like a larger rock, or stump? I guess, I am trying to get the perfect all around "digger," at a reasonable price.

$10,000 in favor of the Case. That being said I think the BH wins, unless you are jobing from site to site and have a lot of work lined up. The Ex will be faster and earn more money. The KX161 or PC50 are the size you need and still can haul (slowly and very carfully) with a HD PU. If the majority of work is on your property, and ocasionally you need to Road a machine the BH is better. Another consideration is how big your property is. I hate tracking my my PC75 1/4 to 1/2 mile or more for a small job if I can do it with my L39, even if it takes 4-5 times as long.

Also if something breaks on a TLB, it is big money. On an excavator it is bigger money.

 

[Builder]

I am trying to get the perfect all around "digger," at a reasonable price.

If an "all around digger" is what is needed, then a backhoe wins because it is a more "all around digger" (I take "all around" as versatile).

 

[TonyF]

Thanks for the reply, This is what I am looking for. By the way, I was a Bradley Gunner, so I know about not using pivot steer in Gravel the hard way.

Glad you got some useful information out of this thread, besides the entertainment value

Couple things to add...

For getting big stumps out of a hole, I usually build a little ramp, then roll it out with the bucket. it only takes a few minutes to cut the ramp with the bucket.

Something someone showed me is to start back filling the hole with the stump still in it, then wiggle the stump around, the dirt will work its way under the stump and very slowly raise it up. ( I don't have the patience for this)

I've been stuck 3 times with it, each time the mud was just the right consistency to allow the machine to sink until the mud hit the bottom of the frame and support the machine. Each time I was able to get some logs under the tracks and use the bucket to help push it out. Learn to use the foot controls.

Some of the parts between models (Kubota) are interchangeable, for example the track rollers are the same between the 71 and 91. Do your homework and you may be able to get parts cheaper or quicker when the time comes.

You mentioned speed, you can drive right up to a tree, dig it out out and move on to the next one pretty easily. With my TLB, its back up to it,turn the seat around, put down the outriggers, dig, raise the outriggers, flip the seat, drive to the next one, repeat. It got tedious after just a few trees, not to mention slow.

If I had to do it over, I'd determine what size machine I think I needed, then go one size larger -never enough power -- but mainly for the motive force.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Builder]

Question?
You went from an L39 to a 580M to that beast LB115? Why did you get rid of the Case?
The Case hoe is about in digging force to my Komatsu PC75, but that LB115 is like a 12-14 Ton excavator and a front end loader combined.

No you've got it all wrong.
First (late 90's) I had an L-35 and a Ford 555. Then I traded the L-35 on an L-39 in ~2006 and kept the Ford backhoe for a while. Then I sold the Ford & L-39 and bought the Case 580 SuperM. I loved the Case, but unfortunately work (I use these machines to make a living) slowed to almost nothing. In anticipation of the slowdown, I sold the Case and luckily made a nice profit. I'm not the kind of guy who has barns full of paid off toys to brag about. :laughing:

The best course of action for me was to pay cash for the '00 LB-115. I got a great deal on it with lots of buckets and a compactor. I also leased a Yanmar vio excavator.

"Bet it is really awkward though"

Heavens no......It's more agile than my Case was. Ever heard of 4 wheel steering? :thumbsup:

Are you limited to one machine, because the Case and a 12 Ton excavator would get a heck of a lot of work done much faster.

Well it's good to hear you know so much about what I need. Last time I told someone what they needed, they insinuated I was an alcoholic. :laughing:
I couldn't use a 12 ton excavator for for much of anything. Even with my CDL and truck to pull it, I wouldn't get much use from it. I use the LB-115 for all around work and snow removal. I use the Yanmar for tight jobs.