110 tlb & 50d mini-x

[Timark80]

Need input on anyone owning and/or operating both machines.
Which one requires the most maintenance?
If you compared each, which would be the best investment for starting a one man business in the SE US?
It seems the backhoe would have more job options but the mini-x would be less maintenance?

 

[kennyd]

I do not think you can compare the 2 as they perform much different jobs.

Knowing what your business would be would help with more useful answers as well.

 

[AKfish]

I agree with kennyd - a response to your question would be more detailed if we knew what your business plan was or the kinds of work you had in mind.

I've been looking at the 50D as well and I currently own a 110. But, only a few jobs are directly comparable between the 2 machines. It's really more of an apples vs oranges discussion.

That said - I'm not sure I agree with one of your initial assumptions; however. The undercarriage and track system of an excavator is one of the bigger aspects of owning or maintaining those machines. Depending upon the severity of use, rubber tracks can need replacing in less than a 1,000 hours. And the drive sprockets, etc. in the undercarriage can also need replacing in 2,000 hours or less.

Those are expensive components. Tracks will be close to 3X more expensive than a set of new tires for the 110.

And of course, the upfront costs of the 2 machines is way tilted with the 50D costing $10K or more than a 110. The 50D is ~10.6K lbs. The 110 is just over 8K. You'll need a 14K trailer for the 50D at the very least and you could get by comfortably with a 12K trailer and the 110.

But... if all your work is stricly small excavation/trenching (septic tank installs, etc.) jobs then the argument is moot - the 110 won't even hold a candle to the 50D. However, if you've got landscaping projects (3pt use) or loader work in mind; then the 50D is not the machine to be seriously considering.

AKfish

AKfish

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

The apples to oranges analogy works here. A TLB can't be compared to a mini ex. The 35d would be closer in ablitys to the 110 though. A mini is without a doubt more expensive to own an operate. As Ak mentioned the tracks system and UC are big dollars and need replacement well before the 110 will ever need big money. A 110 and 35d share the same buckets and can use augers and a few other attachment since the mounts are the same.

Matt T.

 

[Timark80]

Looks like a tlb 110 would be the most all around useful machine.
What I really want is something to keep busy with and make some money with in the process.
I really enjoy operating any type of equipment.The most bang for the buck looks like the tlb 110.
Maybe a mini-x later.

 

[JiminGa]

wow, $40k+ for a machine to keep you busy and make some money...wish I could throw that kinda cash around without SWMBO screaming bloody murder! just remember the weight of the machine will require a big trailer and truck, and insurance will not be cheap for the whole setup. you'll probably need a seperate policy to cover it for business use, plus liability insurance to cover your butt.

 

[CurlyDave]

I don't know about this.

Around here all of the people who do backhoe work for hire have ~100 hp machines. I think the charge about $50/hr.

I know for sure the when my neighbor had his retaining wall fail, my 110 could not move the 16 cubic foot concrete blocks it was made of to re-stack them. The backhoe he hired moved them with no problem at all.

While I don't doubt that you could do a septic installation, or a culvert with a 110, your productivity is going to be a lot lower than a bigger machine.

Unless you specialize in limited access applications you are not going get many return calls, especially from house builders.

If you want to stick with JD, think about a 310.

I haven't looked into this a lot, but the most common machine for small, independent operators is Case in this area. The bigger excavating and paving companies have a lot of JD backhoes. Whenever I see 8-10 machines lined up for a job, it is a good bet the backhoes will be Deere. OTOH, one guy hauling his machine out to a site behind his dump truck is almost always going to have a Case.

 

[AKfish]

I think this bears repeating - you need to have a detailed idea of what it is you want to do - a business plan, maybe.

The 110 and the 50D are not big job machines; either of them. Small projects; like a leach field or septic install or landscaping work. Niche markets.

Even in Alaska - anyone you see with a 5-10yd dump truck and a 24K-30K trailer has a 16K backhoe or 20K track hoe. Whenever you see a 110 or a JD27zts-50D, it's the Utility company or gas company or local government crew working on buried power lines or gas lines that are close to buildings, structures, etc.

With the building and construction economy nationwide in a major slump - I don't look at small excavation and construction work as a big moneymaker right now.

AKfish

 

[MACDABS]

I agree with AK , I use my 110 TLB a lot in my tower construction business to move material and site finish work. The machine is more like a third hand and a fork lift for rough terrain . We farm out foundation work to local excavators with trackhoes and much larger equipment, the time saved with big equipment to churn a dollar a small machine can't compete with. Now if you could bid grass cutting , brush hog work,small cemetary digging or work with large landscapers in your area you might make a side buck$$$.

Macdabs

 

[Timark80]

wow, $40k+ for a machine to keep you busy and make some money...wish I could throw that kinda cash around without SWMBO screaming bloody murder! just remember the weight of the machine will require a big trailer and truck, and insurance will not be cheap for the whole setup. you'll probably need a seperate policy to cover it for business use, plus liability insurance to cover your butt.

I know,I know,it's alot of money.
Got the 10 ton trailer and 1 ton truck, LLC and State Farm no problem.
Oh yea,and a class"A"cdl.