What kind of machine do I need?

[zmoz]

Long story short - I plan on buying some acreage soon and building a big house and shop. Somewhere with few building codes where I can do whatever I want. Construction will be my "job" for the next year or two. Or three. Or five...however long it takes. I'm doing it all myself.

I'm in the early planning stages trying to get some ballpark numbers to work with. I haven't chosen any property yet, so I don't know what I'll need to do exactly. My guess is that I will need to:
1. Cut a driveway
2. Dig a septic system
3. Dig foundations
4. Dig basement

I'm a city boy with very little time on a tractor. Can somebody tell me what kind of machine I'm looking for for all this? What kind of budget should I be thinking about? Can I do it for less than $15k for something used? Digging a basement will be the biggest chore. I've always wanted a basement. I may sell it when I'm done building to recoup at least some of the cost, but maybe not. I'll still need something to maintain the property. I realize there will be something of a learning curve here, but, I'll have the time.

 

[PHPaul]

First, you COULD do it all with a shovel. Obviously you won't, but what I'm saying is, size isn't critical. In fact, too big is as much of a hindrance as too small.

Second, digging a basement requires moving a LOT of dirt. IMHO, you'd be well served to hire that out rather than spend the money on too much machine when it'll only be needed for that portion of the job. The rest of your major digging jobs can be handled conveniently by a smaller machine.

Third, consider other jobs you'll want to do other than earth moving when you pick a machine. Strictly for earth moving, a dedicated TLB (Tractor/loader/backhoe) would be the hot ticket. But, if you want to do general work around the property as well, something with an easily removable 'hoe (and possibly loader) would be a better choice.

Given the above, and assuming you hire out the basement, a mid-sized CUT or small utility tractor in the 40 horsepower range would seem to be a good starting point. DO spend the money on 4 wheel drive. For loader work, concentrate on hydrostatic or shuttle-shift transmission. You don't say where you are, but if weather extremes are a factor, consider a cab.

$15K is a reasonable starting point, but finding something large enough, with the features you want, that isn't all beat to crap or very high hours may be a challenge. If you're willing to wait for the right deal it could be doable, but I'd be prepared to spend a little more for the right opportunity.

Like a lot of tools that are considered "extravagant conveniences", you'll be amazed at just how "necessary" a tractor becomes once you've had it for a while. All sorts of jobs are made faster and easier with a tractor and hydraulics.

 

[zmoz]

Third, consider other jobs you'll want to do other than earth moving when you pick a machine. Strictly for earth moving, a dedicated TLB (Tractor/loader/backhoe) would be the hot ticket. But, if you want to do general work around the property as well, something with an easily removable 'hoe (and possibly loader) would be a better choice.

I'm starting to think whatever machine I need for moving earth is not the same machine I'll want later on for property maintenance. I'm thinking maybe I should spend the money now on a more dedicated earth moving machine, and then sell it once I've done most of the major work and buy something smaller with more attachments.

I might hire out the basement but I'd really like to do it myself. Even if it cost more, takes longer, and doesn't come out quite as good. I'm just stubborn like that. I expect it to be a very long digging project. I will hire out the concrete work because my body just can't keep up with that, but hopefully I can do most other stuff.

I also forgot to mention I've got some delusions of playing with some geothermal trenches and maybe building a large pond if the property allows for it. I'll probably end up in the North Carolina area, but honestly, it could be anywhere in the world at this point.

I figure if I find some bare land that needs everything I could easily spend $15 or 20k paying somebody else to do all the digging...might as well just buy a tractor!

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Are you thinking of a walkout basement? How long of a driveway and how much elevation change? What area of the country are you in? A track loader could dig the basement and grade the driveway. For the septic and foundation, I think that a backhoe is about the only realistic choice unless you are ok with purchasing two machines. The backhoe could also do the basement easily. The driveway grading is definitely not backhoe territory depending on how much earth needs to be moved and in what conditions.

 

[terryknight]

depending on where you wind up, i think easiest most sensible and economic option is to buy a used full size backhoe think Case 580 or similar. a decent used machine can easily be had within your budget. a worn out full ize backhoe will easily out dig any backhoe on a compact tractor. do what you need to do and sell it. my father bought this Case 580 8 ish year ago, for 6500 we have put about 1500 into into maintenance and repairs wise and put 300ish (could be higher) hours on it. is it perfect nope, it it too big for me to want to haul it on my trailer yep. but it does what we need it to do. this might not work for you, you may not have the tools or experience to work on a used backhoe.

 

[RPW]

Ambitious projects. That said what are your skills?land development is one thing building structures is another. If you are going to build a basement an excavator would be my first choice. Rent the equipment as it's cheaper. And if it breaks down the rental company is on the hook to repair or replace it. I doubt if you can build a home without some inspections especially septic systems.

 

[Piston]

You really need to buy a parcel of land first, before being able to know what you need.

You may buy land that's all field and easy digging, or you may buy a mature forest. You'd need different equipment for each.

For the sake of discussion though, if I were you I would be looking into spending 20-30 grand on a 20k-30k pound excavator with thumb. That is the ideal machine for clearing land, putting in a driveway, digging foundations, and many other tasks.

To stay within your 15k budget I do agree that an older backhoe is the way to go.

I think my father and I paid 10-12k or so for our JD 410B in very good condition. It would do all those tasks but after owning one and also running an excavator, I'd rather an excavator for the specialty job of land clearing and home site work.

 

[zmoz]

you may not have the tools or experience to work on a used backhoe.

That's never stopped me before.

I don't want a used up POS though. I need to find something at least sorta reliable. I don't have a problem working on most older stuff but I'd rather use the tractor for a project, than it be a project. Not being an expert I'd probably have to have any machine checked by one before I buy it.

Rent the equipment as it's cheaper. And if it breaks down the rental company is on the hook to repair or replace it.

Well, that's kind of what I want to do if I sell it when I'm finished. I hate deadlines, knowing I'm paying for the tractor by the day would drive me nuts. I want to take my time with this project, I know it's going to take a while. I'll probably sell it for less than I paid after I put some hours on it though.

Of course maintenance and reliability is much much better with a rental. Does anyone have a ballpark of what it would cost to rent a big backhoe for a month?

That said what are your skills?

Little bit of this, little bit of that. I wouldn't say I'm an "expert" with anything building related but I'm pretty good at figuring things out as I go. I don't even have a high school diploma, everything I've ever done has been self taught, and I've been lucky enough that I can semi-retire at a young age. My new "job" is going to be my property for a while. I don't want most things if I can't design it/build it/fix it all by myself. I'm really gonna be a stubborn SOB when I get old! LOL

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I know that you are just doing preliminary research now, but I think that you really need to increase you equipment budget by 2-3 times just to get started. Unless you just happen to stumble onto some super deal, you are not going to find equipment that will do the work that you want to do for the money that you want to spend and have the equipment be where you don't have to be working on it all the time for one thing or another.

I know that is not what you want to hear, just saying how it usually is. Reliable used equipment is not cheap, broken down, warn out equipment is cheap. I know this first hand, some of it has been worth it to me, some has not. But it ALL has taken money and time and you say that you do not want to be working on the equipment, so, the budget needs to go up to avoid the constant repair- maintenance.

Good luck with your endeavor.

 

[newbury]

If you look at old iron auctions, Iron Planet, county/state sales, and PublicSurplus auctions you can find what you need. Try and get a diesel/heavy equipment mechanic to help you.
For example here is a 1998 John Deere 710D Backhoe with Auxiliary Hydraulics that went for about $17K.

Oh, and to the owner of , give it some air!