Backhoe Backhoe rates

   / Backhoe rates #21  
Bob, if you have enough work to justify the expenditure and can aford the BH then go for it. If you have 100 hours wor more of work to do the BH will pay for itself.
 
   / Backhoe rates #22  
It's amazing how different areas of the country/world go about charging people and such a large difference in rates /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. I have my own woods backhoe and have been trying to decide what to charge. I had a water line put in (before I bought the hoe) and they charged by the foot. It was $3.50 a foot for up to 4' deep. Myself I'm not big on paying by the hour, I like to pay per job quote and then extra if something comes up.
 
   / Backhoe rates #23  
Bob,

Make a few calls and get somebody out to your place for a quote or two for the trench and the stump removal. In Vermont it seems every Joe that four years ago bought a a pickup truck and lawnmower to start his mowing service is now buying a dump truck and a small excavator....A guy can find their ads in the backs of all the local papers and tacked to the wall of local hardware stores.

I'm fairly certain it'll be a lot less than 9K. But, then you won't have a backhoe. Can you forsee any other uses for a backhoe in the next five years? If so, get the hoe, if not, sub it out. I think you're over-thinking the situation. You need to get some real quotes, then decide......Unless of course, the ultimate and underlying goal is to aquire a backhoe /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / Backhoe rates
  • Thread Starter
#24  
I've pretty much come to the same conclusion, Jim. Get in contact with the local real-world, get some quotes and let someone else do it. Unless it's exorbitant, the backhoe idea will stay on the shelf. Don't need either the expense or hassle of more equipment at this time.

I let the town supervisor spook me, I guess. He muttered "You've got a long way to go." several times (referring to the trench.......I think /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif) and left here shaking his head.

I've noticed the proliferation of small operators with equipment. No need for me to add to the glut.

Thanks to all for the responses and thoughtful input.
Bob
 
   / Backhoe rates #25  
Jim,

I agree with your advise for Bob. Unless things are different in his area, it seems there are plenty of folks willing to take on "small" jobs such as his. I'd be taking them on but can't swing the truck and trailer needed to transport.

A couple of things come to mind that I don't recall being addressed:

I would think the nice neighbor should be granting a "right-of-way" for that line, not just word of mouth. Things get sticky when property changes hands and there's no record of permission in the Town Clerk's Office. Believe me, I have almost all "New" neighbors and I'm the only one who knows where all the property lines really are and all the right-of-ways. I've had to deal with two major line and right-of-way issues just this year.

Does the pipe need to be laid in stone, or sand? Asking as I'm not sure and it could well make a difference in the equipment best suited for the job (maybe excavator or backhoe AND dozer or at least the bucket loader). In either event, I would think an excavator would be faster at the job.

Bob,...are you planning on transporting the tractor (and maybe that new BH /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif), or do you already have means of transport. The BH will require more trailer than just the tractor and FEL.

Now, if I just had that truck and trailer.... Oh well, guess I'll go dig some more stumps and move some more rocks around this place.

Tom
 
   / Backhoe rates #26  
All good advice above.
The easiest way is to have someone else do it, no question about it.
Depending on your local government things can be quite involved.
Several permits may be needed.
You may need additional insurance to work on property other than your own.
Get the DIG-SAFE people to mark the road and the entire path and take photo's when they leave.
If you need a road cut be ready to hire an officer, a pavement sawing company and to post a bond for the resurfacing.
You may need a state licensed plumber, registered with the town, to perform the actual tie in.
If a neighbor has paid to bring in the water line to the current extent, you shoud be prepared to compensate for the previous outlay.
The utility ROW is a must and needs to be recorded on both deeds in detail. Utility easements or ROW's are never grandfathered and must be granted in writing. Even aerial lines that cross another property need a ROW.
Things like this get way out of hand real quick around here.
Think this project all the way through. What kind of problem can you encounter and what you will do to get around it. Have a workable plan and stick to it. If you have to deviate make sure to get an "as built" if needed to protect yourself in the future.
In a case like yours I would be perfectly happy to do all the work on my side of the line. If you work on someone elses property, get insurance, situations can arise ($$$$ happens).
Owning a BH just for home use can rarely be justified. But it provides independance that is invaluable for the DIY type of person.
So here's the real questions... just what type are you and can you deal with all the red tape if you have to?
Have fun with your new BH.
All the best,
Martin
 
   / Backhoe rates #27  
In the two years I have been on this site the rate question always raises more questions than answers.

It seems prices vary greatly in the USA. Northeast, Colorado and West Coast being very high. Midwest in the middle and the south much lower.

For example, brush hogging here in Central Michigan is $45.00 to $65.00 per hour. Backhoe work with a TLB is $80.00 to $110.00 per hour.

I always look at the location when judging a reply. What is needed is a country wide rate chart with a complete list by area and operation. Maybe it already exists?

ksmmoto
 
   / Backhoe rates
  • Thread Starter
#28  
Hi tr,
Truck and trailer are covered. Got a 10,000lb GCW 20' Big Tex pipe trailer. Pull it with an old, low mileage '94 Cummins Dodge that gets 18mpg /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif whan hauling. Not pretty, but it works.

Your points about what to lay the pipe in and getting "right-of-way" permissions in writing are well taken. Issues I'll bring up with whoever I get to do the job.

Thanks.
Bob
 
   / Backhoe rates #29  
Bob,

If you ever run out of places to park your truck and trailer, feel free to leave them here. Just don't pay close attention to the odometer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

Hope all goes well with the job.

Tom
 
   / Backhoe rates #30  
Bob,

I saw a ride-on type trencher with a backhoe at a rental yard today. Have you considered that route? BIG trencher blade, looked like it could trench 4' easily. The backhoe had a narrow bucket the width of the trencher blade. That sounds perfect for your situation. The BH would come in handy if you hit a large rock. I'm guessing it couldn't be more than $300-400 for the weekend. I've also seen the big ride-on trenchers with a front blade for covering the trench when you're done. The power company uses those to bury service laterals. They did mine in no time a few years ago.

I would NOT use a walk-behind trencher. They will rattle your teeth and work you till you're sore in muscles you didn't know you had /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Yep, learned that the hard way.

Remember to call your local utilites protection center before you dig!
 

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