Either I'm Freaking Slow or...

[Haoleguy]

I underestimated how much work I can get done in a week with an excavator. After a couple of days it appears to be a bit of both. On Monday I took delivery of a Case CX130B(~14ton) to (a) remove rocks that i can't get with my backhoe, (b)prepare a vineyard test plot(100' x 125') with tile drainage, (c) prepare a 500 ft section of driveway base, & (d) bury rocks(1-12K lb size) under said driveway. It turns out that I was a bit cautious to start and settled on a small submerged boulder, in the vineyard plot area, which as I dug deeper grew in size to be a large 12K lb mass. I think this is as big a boulder this machine can pull up(not by clear jerk method). My excavator *** mildly lifted up getting it out. My priority is the vineyard site so that I can lime it next week and get it ready for planting next Spring. So from what I've learned so far is to lower my expectations a bit, concentrate on the vineyard and also clear the topsoil from the proposed driveway. I'm finding moving boulders, ~100 total, to bury under the driveway is a slow process that chews up serious daylight time and thus must be left for last. Whatever is left over from this week will be passed down to next Spring to tackle then. Must go and get back at it in today's rain.

 

[scoutcub]

Assuming you rented the ex for a week....or did you buy it?

 

[Haoleguy]

Assuming you rented the ex for a week....or did you buy it?

Rented it. It's a clean current spec Case CX130B with 1100hrs.

Despite the driving rain, love that cab, got a good days of work in burying large rocks and moving others to stage their burial under the road. A lot more logistical thinking than I expected....where to put topsoil, subsoil, and rocks when making and filling roadway trench. I'm exhausted each day from the intense concentration on the project and equipment. Need to find the heater fan switch for tomorrow's colder weather. I would definitely loose money if I did this for a living. Cheers!

 

[DarrylH20]

Rented it. It's a clean current spec Case CX130B with 1100hrs.

Despite the driving rain, love that cab, got a good days of work in burying large rocks and moving others to stage their burial under the road. A lot more logistical thinking than I expected....where to put topsoil, subsoil, and rocks when making and filling roadway trench. I'm exhausted each day from the intense concentration on the project and equipment. Need to find the heater fan switch for tomorrow's colder weather. I would definitely loose money if I did this for a living. Cheers!

Need pictures

 

[ustmd]

This question is always my justification for buying as opposed to renting tools/equipment.

My justification/rationalization is that the first few times, I will be so slow (because of the learning curve ) that I will end up paying more in rental fees than it would cost me to buy.

Also with buying you have the additional flexiability of working when and at the speed you want as opposed to when the tool is due back.


Of course all of this is just my rationalization to keep buying more tools and equipment...:laughing:

 

[wedge40]

Owning one of these would be great if you got $50-$60 GRAND :shocked: lying around to purchase one. I didn't realize how big it was till I went looking online. There are times when economics dictate you rent. There are a lot or construction companies that needs these and only rent the equipment.


Wedge

 

[scoutcub]

I had the same dilemma.....needed an excavator to dig out a LOT of stumps....but I've done so much more since I've bought it, I figure I've already earned 4-5K in rental fees.
There definitely is a learning curve, but talk about some fun stick time!
I shopped around, and got a killer deal on mine. I should be able to sell it for what I paid for it.

This thing is like a swiss army knife, you never realize the versatility.....!

 

[20 20]

I have to agree with the shop around and find a good used one{you can find them cheap if you take the time}. IMO an excavator is worth it's weight in gold if you have a lot of work to do. I have rented in the past {even for a month at a time}, and still find there are jobs to be done when the rent time is over. My last monster that I bought{20ton plus) was old and worn out, but still paid for itself before the engine blew. I do own a nice small unit that Has paid for itself over and over, it may be small and take more time then a big one, but it does get the jobs done. Once a person learns the tricks to operating an excavator even a smaller one can do amazing work. Of course if there is just one small job to do and the weather is on your side then renting may{???} be the best way to go.

 

[20 20]

Haoleguy; I forgot, if you're interested in buying check out machinerytrader. Once you get into the site find what you looking for truck, excavator, dozer, etc. click on it then when it goes into the search there will be a place to reduce your search to area, price range, make, hrs etc.

 

[wedge40]

Haoleguy; I forgot, if you're interested in buying check out machinerytrader. Once you get into the site find what you looking for truck, excavator, dozer, etc. click on it then when it goes into the search there will be a place to reduce your search to area, price range, make, hrs etc.

That is where I went to get guessimate on prices.
I love that site. Nice to dream about what you buy if you were rich.

Wedge

 

[jinman]

I underestimated how much work I can get done in a week with an excavator. After a couple of days it appears to be a bit of both.

Gary, it's easy to underestimate times when you are one guy working one machine with no other help. Often, two people can get a job done much faster than a factor of two because you don't lose time getting on and off equipment and doing the 100s of things you can't do from the seat of the excavator. I have lots of empathy for your saying how mentally exhausted you are because you have to plan every move and what to do with spoils or each bucket full of rocks. Every move takes planning and an eye to safety to ensure you don't screw something up or get hurt. At construction sites with lots of folks, additional equipment, and a good plan, things just go much quicker than doing a job by the seat of your pants. You will get quicker over time, but you will never compete with the speed and ease of a full crew with experience. I'm so thankful I'm retired and own my equipment. If I decide to take a day off, nothing suffers and the job is there for me when I return.

 

[rd_macgregor]

Its true that you can get great bargains on old equipment, but, if you aren't mechanically adept, you are asking for big maintenance/repair bills. For somebody who is equipped and competent to do their own maintenance (including fairly major mechanical repairs, welding, etc.), then an older, bargain unit is a great way to go (many hours of entertainment!). For the rest of us, who have to rely on expensive mechanic's shops to keep things going, renting often makes more sense.
BOB

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I love that site. Nice to dream about what you buy if you were rich.

Wedge

Yep...

 

[Haoleguy]

Some pics as promised in the next two messages. First pic of my JD5325 with the Case CX130B. Second pic is the rock garden. The piles were accumulated during a tree clearing a few years back. Third pic is road at subsoil level with rocks on side getting ready to be buried tomorrow. Later in the day today I moved more rocks to the staging area with the Case ex and my JD with a grapple attachment ....... Gary

 

[Haoleguy]

Second set of pictures unrelated to the work I'm doing but all happened within eyesight as I worked. The first pic is my buddy Rich pulling out a deer he bagged on our property. Second pic is him posing with the grape eater. Third pic in this set is the National Guard's own version of a non-Case(Lockheed) 130 in flight pattern north to south over my property. Second time this week they decided to do this.......Cheers, Gary

 

[ustmd]

Some pics as promised in the next two messages. First pic of my JD5325 with the Case CX130B. Second pic is the rock garden. The piles were accumulated during a tree clearing a few years back. Third pic is road at subsoil level with rocks on side getting ready to be buried tomorrow. Later in the day today I moved more rocks to the staging area with the Case ex and my JD with a grapple attachment ....... Gary

Those are some serious rocks. Around here, you could cover the costs of a entire lot of equipment by selling them to people for their landscape

 

[Haoleguy]

20-20 - I hear you on the purchase thing but the angel on my right shoulder says rent for the time being and avoid the repair and upkeep costs. i need to be thinking of other major equipment to get a vineyard-winery off the ground in a few years time....i need a narrow tractor near the top of the list including sprayer, flail-mower, hydraulic spader, in-row cultivator, hedger, etc. I'm probably going to rent a post pounder for the perimeter fence and vineyard posts. Soon after I need fermenters, grape-press, destemmer, SS tanks, oak barrels, etc....whew! I could also use a dump truck....Gary

 

[Haoleguy]

Gary, it's easy to underestimate times when you are one guy working one machine with no other help. Often, two people can get a job done much faster than a factor of two because you don't lose time getting on and off equipment and doing the 100s of things you can't do from the seat of the excavator. I have lots of empathy for your saying how mentally exhausted you are because you have to plan every move and what to do with spoils or each bucket full of rocks. Every move takes planning and an eye to safety to ensure you don't screw something up or get hurt. At construction sites with lots of folks, additional equipment, and a good plan, things just go much quicker than doing a job by the seat of your pants. You will get quicker over time, but you will never compete with the speed and ease of a full crew with experience. I'm so thankful I'm retired and own my equipment. If I decide to take a day off, nothing suffers and the job is there for me when I return.

Hi Jinman - Amen to the safety side of things. At the end of the day I moved rocks with little risk involved instead of digging 8-10 ft trenches to put the rocks in. That is left for the morning list when I'm bright eyed and bushy.....well more aware of all things important to the task. Speed doesn't bother me and the last 2 days have been better. I've gotten around that by extending the rental for another week as the weather will be cooperating. At the moment I'm semi-retired but looking to start in again with a job to pay the bills for our the capital costs in our upcoming vineyard/winery. Take care.....Gary

 

[jinman]

Third pic in this set is the National Guard's own version of a non-Case(Lockheed) 130 in flight pattern north to south over my property. Second time this week they decided to do this.......Cheers, Gary

They're waiting for you to finish the runway.:laughing:

 

[20 20]

Haoleguy; I understand about the needs, looks like you've got a good thing going, thanks for the pictures.


Jinman; :laughing: