CK20 and backhoe options

KiotiJohn · May 20, 2006

( No John, you are mistaken )
Yes, Bob, I am and that's why I put it that I coud swear you said that, and that's a good example of why I shouldn't swear! I remembered the parts about you saying that BHs on compacts are useless, and that's why I couldn't remember that you have one, but I do now vaguely remember you making reference to having one you don't use much.

I am, however, glad that I already had mine before I ever read your posts about them, or I might not have bought one, and it's something I use very frequently and find to be one of the best investments I've made.

It may take me a little longer to get some jobs done with my little 6.5' hoe, but I've never had to wait for delivery, never had to pay for the insurance and delivery and have been able to save a few thousand in hire-outs and rental fees.

I think for many of us, a hoe on a compact tractor is just right.
John

KiotiJohn · May 20, 2006

( No John, you are mistaken )
Yes, Bob, I am and that's why I put it that I coud swear you said that, and that's a good example of why I shouldn't swear! I remembered the parts about you saying that BHs on compacts are useless, and that's why I couldn't remember that you have one, but I do now vaguely remember you making reference to having one you don't use much.

I am, however, glad that I already had mine before I ever read your posts about them, or I might not have bought one, and it's something I use very frequently and find to be one of the best investments I've made.

It may take me a little longer to get some jobs done with my little 6.5' hoe, but I've never had to wait for delivery, never had to pay for the insurance and delivery and have been able to save a few thousand in hire-outs and rental fees.

I think for many of us, a hoe on a compact tractor is just right.
John

VictorW · May 20, 2006

I have a 7.5 foot on my CK30hst and it's about half paid for from the work I've done so far in the past year. I've used an excavator before and like you said they are faster and dig better than the small bh. But that excavator was rented and insurance was a must. If you use the bh enough, it will pay for itself. Also, it has to fit the jobs you want to do. I've done a few jobs for people that like the tractor with bh because I can dig with the tractor/bh doing very little damage to the lawn.
I think it comes down to what you want to do with the bh and how much you're going to use it along with how fast do you want the job done. If using it is maybe a once a year thing, then you're correct, rent an excavator. Otherwise, get your own bh and have some fun. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

VictorW · May 20, 2006

I have a 7.5 foot on my CK30hst and it's about half paid for from the work I've done so far in the past year. I've used an excavator before and like you said they are faster and dig better than the small bh. But that excavator was rented and insurance was a must. If you use the bh enough, it will pay for itself. Also, it has to fit the jobs you want to do. I've done a few jobs for people that like the tractor with bh because I can dig with the tractor/bh doing very little damage to the lawn.
I think it comes down to what you want to do with the bh and how much you're going to use it along with how fast do you want the job done. If using it is maybe a once a year thing, then you're correct, rent an excavator. Otherwise, get your own bh and have some fun. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob_Skurka · May 20, 2006

John, I understand your position, please go back to my initial post, I clearly said others may disagree. 

Now I also will say, I have rented mini-excavators, I've never paid for delivery, so you and I are even on that score. I've also never paid for insurance, so we are even on that one too. As for waiting for delivery, I schedule the delivery to arrive when I need it. I can't walk out and use it unless it is there, but I schedule it so that it is there when I need it.

What I do know is that when I use it, it get the job done in a FRACTION of the time, and while you may not value your time as much as I value mine, but as much as I enjoy my "seat time" what I don't enjoy is spending hours on a task that can be far more easily accomplished when I use the right tool for the job.

Now it could be that the original poster has many uses for a small backhoe. But one of those uses is a 400' utlity trench. Another is popping out 10" stumps. Neither of those tasks are well suited to a small tractor backhoe.

The lovely Mrs_Bob wanted to go on a safari. She is not a hunter, but wanted the thrill of the hunt and suggested using a paintball gun. Now I imagine it would be sort of thrilling to pop a lion with a big blue paintball, and a rhino with a red paintball . . . but I did get her to admit that a paintball gun is the WRONG TOOL for the TASK. We settled on a photographic safari. Got the thrill and got out alive too.

I think you get my point. You hire yourself out for jobs, you probably can easily justify a small backhoe because you probably face more different jobs than most of us. Others who hire themselves out can justify the purchase. I don't have the time or the desire to work for others and value my time too much to waste it on other people's property.

Bob_Skurka · May 20, 2006

John, I understand your position, please go back to my initial post, I clearly said others may disagree. 

Now I also will say, I have rented mini-excavators, I've never paid for delivery, so you and I are even on that score. I've also never paid for insurance, so we are even on that one too. As for waiting for delivery, I schedule the delivery to arrive when I need it. I can't walk out and use it unless it is there, but I schedule it so that it is there when I need it.

What I do know is that when I use it, it get the job done in a FRACTION of the time, and while you may not value your time as much as I value mine, but as much as I enjoy my "seat time" what I don't enjoy is spending hours on a task that can be far more easily accomplished when I use the right tool for the job.

Now it could be that the original poster has many uses for a small backhoe. But one of those uses is a 400' utlity trench. Another is popping out 10" stumps. Neither of those tasks are well suited to a small tractor backhoe.

The lovely Mrs_Bob wanted to go on a safari. She is not a hunter, but wanted the thrill of the hunt and suggested using a paintball gun. Now I imagine it would be sort of thrilling to pop a lion with a big blue paintball, and a rhino with a red paintball . . . but I did get her to admit that a paintball gun is the WRONG TOOL for the TASK. We settled on a photographic safari. Got the thrill and got out alive too.

I think you get my point. You hire yourself out for jobs, you probably can easily justify a small backhoe because you probably face more different jobs than most of us. Others who hire themselves out can justify the purchase. I don't have the time or the desire to work for others and value my time too much to waste it on other people's property.

bncsauve · May 20, 2006

You certainly make some good points Bob. In my case, my backhoe replaced my shovel. Any tool that allowed me to throw away my shovel can't be all bad. Its a keeper for me.

bncsauve · May 20, 2006

You certainly make some good points Bob. In my case, my backhoe replaced my shovel. Any tool that allowed me to throw away my shovel can't be all bad. Its a keeper for me.

KiotiJohn · May 21, 2006

( you probably can easily justify a small backhoe because you probably face more different jobs than most of us. Others who hire themselves out can justify the purchase. I don't have the time or the desire to work for others and value my time too much to waste it on other people's property. )
Just to be clear, most of my backhoe work has been here on my own properties. I have hired out some BH work, but very little compared to mowing and loading jobs.

I know you said "others may disagree" I'm not illiterate, and certainly read your post. I can't rent equipment around here without paying for delivery, and insurance which only pays half of the equipment is required as well.

Sometimes it seems as though you feel others are as privileged as you seem to be and that the money isn't important. Some of us have to work hard to get the little we get by on. Long term ownership of most of these implements make them more affordable than the hassles and the extras of renting can lead to.

I agree with you that in many cases, renting is the best way to go, but compact backhoes that I've used, including my own, can handle 10" stumps pretty quickly, even if only to dig down far enough to cut off the top portion and cover it back up.

I certainly value my time as much as you or anyone else. I happen to enjoy the challenges of doing some of this work, and schedule my work around what I want to do around here, not the other way around. I am priviledged in that respect that I can get away with living my life as though on vacation most of the time! Sorry you have to work so much. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

John

KiotiJohn · May 21, 2006

( you probably can easily justify a small backhoe because you probably face more different jobs than most of us. Others who hire themselves out can justify the purchase. I don't have the time or the desire to work for others and value my time too much to waste it on other people's property. )
Just to be clear, most of my backhoe work has been here on my own properties. I have hired out some BH work, but very little compared to mowing and loading jobs.

I know you said "others may disagree" I'm not illiterate, and certainly read your post. I can't rent equipment around here without paying for delivery, and insurance which only pays half of the equipment is required as well.

Sometimes it seems as though you feel others are as privileged as you seem to be and that the money isn't important. Some of us have to work hard to get the little we get by on. Long term ownership of most of these implements make them more affordable than the hassles and the extras of renting can lead to.

I agree with you that in many cases, renting is the best way to go, but compact backhoes that I've used, including my own, can handle 10" stumps pretty quickly, even if only to dig down far enough to cut off the top portion and cover it back up.

I certainly value my time as much as you or anyone else. I happen to enjoy the challenges of doing some of this work, and schedule my work around what I want to do around here, not the other way around. I am priviledged in that respect that I can get away with living my life as though on vacation most of the time! Sorry you have to work so much. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

John