Well in my case I set a cost limit of around $6K. That was the pain threshold of buying versus renting. As said, if I can get one that cheap than it's there and ready to use anytime I need it. I still have some trees to clear, downspouts I want to run underground to get away from the pole building and house, water line from well, and propane line from tank to house. Plus all the other jobs once I get moved down there. I'll be paying cash so it really is just a matter of how much is it worth to me. Of course then there is the fun factor of having a back hoe just find things to do with it.
**** backhoe's are expensive
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Well in my case I set a cost limit of around $6K. That was the pain threshold of buying versus renting. As said, if I can get one that cheap than it's there and ready to use anytime I need it. I still have some trees to clear, downspouts I want to run underground to get away from the pole building and house, water line from well, and propane line from tank to house. Plus all the other jobs once I get moved down there. I'll be paying cash so it really is just a matter of how much is it worth to me. Of course then there is the fun factor of having a back hoe just find things to do with it.
Oldoak
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Yep, if I felt I had to justify the cost of everything I purchased, I would have made fewer purchases and have lot bigger bank account. It's not just cost verses rental , contracting out, etc, but also convenience.
And when owning various attachments and equipment I always find there is more I can find to make use of it than I originally had planned.
Industrial Toys
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- Kubota R510 Wheel Loader + Cab and backhoe, JD 6200 Open Station, Cushman 6150, 4x4, ten foot 56 hp Kubota diesel hydraulic wing mower, Steiner 430 Diesel Max, Kawasaki Diesel Mule, JD 4x2 Electric Gator
I always wanted a back hoe. Just to be able to know how to use one, appealed to me. Don't get me wrong, I love having one, but I don't use it as much as I thought I would. Yes, there have been projects that paid for it. I guess, when you live in boney ground, it's nice on the one hand, you can't stick a spade in the ground anywhere, but on the other side of the coin, there is always a lot of clean up after an excavation.
xcgreene
Platinum Member
Perfect applicant to have a backhoe, as far as the discussion between dedicated trackhoe or backhoe, in my opinion. A backhoe means one less engine and aux systems to take care off. Basic corrosion protection maintenance and that's about it. Can sit for a long time before it comes to the rescue, ready for action. Much more difficult to utilize a dedicated excavator like that.
Phantese
Bronze Member
They are expensive I've had two now, just bought a DK4210SE Cab with a KL2485, (had one on my Kubota as well), if your looking to get your moneys worth I don't think a Hoe's the answer, BUT they have got me unstuck about 12 times in 4 years, cause I don't care what's in front of me - I just go in, as long as I can reach something I'm never stuck for long. That peace of mind is worth something (how much is debatable) but I've had two machines and two hoe's and if I bought a third I'd by another hoe. I move stumps, dig french drains, put in culverts and drive through soupy mud. If you ever sell the tractor you'll get back some of the investment for the hoe, it's not a money maker but it really completes the machines I have. My Opinion only but I wouldn't own a machine under 50HP or so without one. Bigger machines are just more capable to uproot stumps and not get stuck. Hope this helps
fried1765
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I have an older 48HP Ford (former cemetery machine) with a 10' hoe.
Am looking to upgrade to a newer Kubota 48HP with an 11' hoe.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
Im an electrical contractor and i ran the figures years ago to see if it was worth having one for my tractor..... nope. The times ive needed one i have always needed 100痴 of feet of trenching done and a tractor mounted hoe is too slow. A mini excavator can run circles around one. Every time ive needed one i simply rent one for about $200 A day. Ive dug 600 feet of trench in a day. In 10 years ive only needed to rent one maybe 12 times at most. It would of never paid for itself. Ive known plumbers that buy them all the time, they dig more than us electricians i guess. Around my property i needed hoe when i built, and 1 other time.... in 23 years.
4570Man
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Locally it’s not $200 for a rental. I’ve never priced a tinker toy one but a 5 ton mini is about $450 plus tax plus $150 transport. That’s way out of my play around with a quick project budget. I think my tractor backhoe was a solid investment and my only regret was not buying a L48 or m59 instead of my tractor backhoe. In the end I recouped most of my money and got several years and 800 hours use from the tractor.
Diggin It
Super Star Member
The rent it guys are starting to irritate me. Aside from the unrealistically low rates they often quote, they don't consider that many rural areas don't have rental places at all. If they do, they probably don't have a hoe of any kind for rent. On the off chance that a rural rental place does have one, you still have to schedule and transport it. Then who's to say it will be available when you need it? Or will you have to take time off from other projects to meet the rental schedule?
We're not talking about cutting thousands of feet of trench on a schedule. We're talking about a couple of hundred feet of water line or trench that we can do as wee feel like it.
We're not talking about cutting thousands of feet of trench on a schedule. We're talking about a couple of hundred feet of water line or trench that we can do as wee feel like it.
ovrszd
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So the guys that can and do rent hoes efficiently and effectively should just be quiet and not participate in this discussion.
I'm in a county of 8,500 people. Six miles from my farm I can rent a 10' hoe for $250 per day. Free haul if I do it.
I'm in a county of 8,500 people. Six miles from my farm I can rent a 10' hoe for $250 per day. Free haul if I do it.