Buying Advice BH? Is it worth it?

[Hotrocks]

Evening everyone,

I want a backhoe in the worst way. My budget doesn't allow for it right now, but when it does, is it worth the money? My dad (who makes a living with his BX25), says he would be lost without it. My step father and nearby Kubota dealer said it wasn't worth spending all the money on it when you can rent a small backhoe when needed. This is not a convenient as having it already sitting in the garage.

This would be for a B2920, to be used for landscaping, planting trees etc. I hear it's great for digging out rocks. Thanks in advance to all for opinions and advice.

 

[crash325]

Once you have a BH, you will never want to be without it. haven't taken mine off the tractor in over 3 years. Save your pennies. :laughing::thumbsup:

 

[JiminGa]

I think if you have a landscaping business owning a backhoe sets you apart from alot of your competition...being different is a good thing

 

[Cat_Driver]

I'm going to have to agree with the renting. I've always has a backhoe on my tractors but I don't use them that often. Don't get me wrong when I NEED them they are invaluable, buy to gave that much cash sitting around isn't worth it.

Noe if you use it every wee, or every day, or even every moth that's different.

If I had it to do over again I would rent when needed. I've got a 12K backhoe attachment sitting around not being used when I thought I would / could use it it often.

 

[NOTV8]

It really depend on what are you planning to do with it and what is your time worth. Big job needs big toys and make it easy and that is where the rental is handy. But if you like me that only do it on my own time whenever I want, owning is better. I found a used Woods BH7500 and really love it.

 

[Mounted Madness]

Considering the price of a back hoe, it would be difficult to justify the expense if you plan on using it for business.

I had a BX24 with FEL/BH and when I replaced it with the B3030, I figured I'd go with another BH. Once I got the price though, I realized very quickly, that it'd take a large number of jobs to, at the very least, earn back the cost of the BH, let alone make any money.

I'd had some BH jobs over the course of 3 years, but certainly not enough to justify the expense of buying one again. If I get a call for backhoe work, I'll rent one.

Renting a unit as and when required, would be your best bet in my opinion. When your operation grows and you can 'justify' the expense, then go for it. They are a lot of fun, handy and a great toy. :thumbsup:

 

[radioman]

Oh gee, I dont know-- I just love mine and love having one. if your dad has a
BH, don't you get the father discount when you need to use one?

I am surprised the dealer talked you out of one.

 

[Hotrocks]

Oh gee, I dont know-- I just love mine and love having one. if your dad has a
BH, don't you get the father discount when you need to use one?

I am surprised the dealer talked you out of one.

The only problem with the father discount is that he lives 1200 miles away. Othewise...I'd be knocking on his door.

And, I think the dealer felt by not pushing the BH, due to my budget constraints, that he might be able to make the sale with just the FEL, keeping me within budget. JUst my opinion.

 

[charleyfarmall]

The bottom line is, it comes down to the bottom line. If you can afford to tie up the money, in my opinion, it's worth having. Saturday in january - my waterline failed. I had water in 24 hours. Every rental place was closed, thankfully Lowes wasn't.

Some projects take longer. i put in an 800 foot irrigation line over a period of several months as time permitted. I could not have done that if I had to rent. I also could not have compressed the time into a weekend or a few days if rental was my only option.

Planting trees on the spur of the moment? Dead animal to bury? For me, the flexibility of the BH made it worth having. I could hook it up no matter when and no matter what. Is it limited? yes. an excavator has more power and every once in a while you might need an excavator, but in 8 years, I never had to but I used the BH very frequently. 8 years cost me $1000 on the hoe in depreciation when I sold it. Just over $100/ year. One weekend of rental costs what? plus picking it up and dropping it off. I used the hoe 6 times per year for a couple days at a time.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[Combustix]

I got mine when I got my tractor a B2710. If I had rented one I probably would have bought it twice by now. I just use it for my own needs and have helped out a neighbor or two. I was also able to keep my house from flooding by digging drainage ditches away from the house back in 09, that alone made that purchase worth it. Sounds like you will be using it a lot for your business so it would make sense and be much more convenient to have your own.