Backhoe Backhoe rates

SteveInMD · Jul 16, 2005

I have a BH on my 33 Hp tractor. I rarely dig out stumps because you end up with a monster size hole for a mid size stump. It takes a lot of digging to get them out. I prefer to grind them off.

I find it much easier to have a wide enough trench to work in, than deal with a trencher dug trench. If you decide to go the trencher route, get a much bigger machine than you think you need.

Since I got my backhoe I've found many uses for it. If you can swing it, get one.

Dachshund · Jul 16, 2005

Don't know what kind of trencher you rented, but I'm not talking the kind you put in a pickup - rent a real one. Around here, nobody will pay $55 an hour for 5 hrs for a BH, when a guy with a trencher will do it in 1/4 the time for a LOT less. Brother had trench work done for phone lines (went down 4'). Done in less than an hour (150'). Backhoe guys wanted $650 - he paid $75. You may have rocks, but as long as they are small ones it should be ok. Threw up a couple of bricks while digging mine.

escavader · Jul 16, 2005

I get 40 bucks an hour,for my little bx-23,thats a pretty good ditch,for a 12 inch hoe.Did a ditch today 4 ft wide,ft and half deep,3oo ft long,also pulled a dozen 6 to 8 inch stumps.done in 11 hours.couldnt find any one else to do it, big contracters,dont want the hassle of the small work,they sub it out.I got a similar well line to do asap,told the home owner,my rate and that i had a small tracter,and that it might be cheaper to hire a big machine thats 3 times faster. my point is,small tracters have there place,and escavaders have theres.your tracter will do it,but at what cost.
ESCAVADER

chevyorange · Jul 16, 2005

Hello,
If you hire yourself out don't forget excavating insurance.Plus never dig without a stake out. One good hit and it could cost you more than you payed for your backhoe.Utilitie company's love hits that aren't called in for stake outs,10 plus guys 5 trucks ,and a backhoe and you are paying the bill for all that.If you get into buss. excavating always have a 35 mm cameral with you, so when that gas line comes out of the ground on your teeth and thiers no yellow paint in that spot you got proof. when the gas company gets thier they'll probley be paint their for thier pictures.

DmansPadge · Jul 16, 2005

Ok! A heavy duty trencher would work... but, your not going to rent a heavy unit for less than several hundred a day and you have to do the work. Not a bad way to go as long as the trencher is right for what you need to do. That would probably be your cheapest route. I can't say for sure... but I don't think anyone with a trencher would do it for $75! I know I wouldn't!

A backhoe (a true BH, not a small one on a 30 hp tractor) will do it with ease and shouldn't take longer than one day. That shouldn't cost anymore than say $750. Also, you don't have to do the work! If somebody wanted $2k to dig that ditch... I would laugh at them and tell them I'll call somebody else. Maybe rates are WAY higher in your neck of the woods... but I can't imagine anybody around here charging that.

And finally... if you can afford a BH for your tractor... more power to you! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif But this job is not a justification to buy a $5000+ unit. If you got one... I'm sure you would use it for other things as well. But you need to look at the bigger picture and think if it's really worth it.

Good luck... and take some people's posts with a grain of salt. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

irnivek · Jul 16, 2005

FYI: Regarding renting trenchers, I've found many rental company franchises have policies dictating that if they don't have a certain piece of equipment, they must get it from another franchise to service a potential customer. So don't take the "we don't have a 4' trencher" as a lazy excuse.

jim_wilson · Jul 17, 2005

You should look around at your local rental places and see what they have for equipment - one of the small TLB's that you typically see at rental shops - like an Almand or the Terramite should be able to dig that trench in 2-3 days in the absolute worst case. A small trackhoe would do an even faster job. Around here (Northeast MA) equipment like that goes for about $180-$250 a day (with a day being 8 hours).
About 3 years ago I had a sewer line put in from my house to the street - which is a run of about 50 feet tops. It took about 4-5 hours work for the Co. that I hired and cost me about $3000. Even if I figure that the pipe and assorted fittings cost $500 ( which I know they don't) that is a pretty good rate.

If it was me I would look around at all the other jobs that you think you might be able to make use of a backhoe for and start adding up the costs of those jobs too. If you plan on keeping your tractor a number of years and there are jobs here and there that will have to be done - even if all those separate jobs add up to a $500 of rental cost here and and $1000 there you will have a better idea whether the backhoe makes financial sense. If this water line is the first and last job you can imagine doing with the backhoe then it probably makes more sense to rent.

Dachshund · Jul 17, 2005

Yup - check around at several. I rented my "heavy duty" trencher for $140 a day and a small BH for $140 a day. Took a couple of hours to trench and 3 more to BH what I needed. Rates where you're at are PROBABLY higher.

2nstonge · Jul 17, 2005

( (a true BH, not a small one on a 30 hp tractor) will do it with ease...That shouldn't cost anymore than say $750. If somebody wanted $2k to dig that ditch... I would laugh at them and tell them I'll call somebody else. )

To the person who doesn't own anything more than a lawnmower a 'small BH' on a 30hp machine (or even a 20hp machine as in my case) is a "true BH"! The big jobs are the domain of the big machines but as I mentioned, in my area there was - and still is - no one other myself wanting to take on the half or single day jobs. It's a great niche and I charge a premium for my time because again, no one else will do it. And, to add insult to injury, the closest rental center that might even have a trencher is almost 90 minutes away. I'm glad you can laugh and call someone else but that's not an option in my area.

( ... and take some people's posts with a grain of salt. )

And take into account it's going to come down to local options, equipment availability and rates in Bob's immediate area - not the options available 2k miles away.

As others have said, if Bob can swing the cost of a BH and has a bunch of potential projects he won't regret owning it.

-Norm

DmansPadge · Jul 17, 2005

I understand where your coming from.

I'm not knocking a 30hp tractor with a BH... just saying that a full size hoe will work circles around one.

I realize that Bob might not have as many choices as me... and if I had to pay somebody $2k to do it... I think I would just buy my own BH for my tractor.

I wasn't commenting on your post in particular... just pointing out the fact that people are ranging in prices from $75-$2000. I was tring to encourage Bob not to take every post (that includes mine) as fact because, like you say, his option may be totally different than somebody elses.

Thanks