Excavator vs 3pt attachment?

[Woody65]

A question for you diggers out there. I can purchase a mini excavator for the same amount it would cost to buy a 3pt backhoe for my JD 4300. I am leaning towards the excavator. I don't want the extra maintenance of another piece of equipment but feel it would better serve my needs. I am looking for some input from you that have had experience with both. I will be building a home, installing 1200ft of trench for electric, installing a septic system, clearing land for a 1200 ft driveway. The excavator is a IHI mini 7GX with 1900 hrs on it. Thanks for your replies

 

[LD1]

Provided the ex is in good shape, that is the route I would go. But to be fair, you do realize you are not comparing apples to apples. A used ex vs a new backhoe??

The main advantage of a TLB is versatility. Since you already have the tractor and loader, you will still be versatile in that you are able to use the loader still if you get the ex. The ex will be WAY faster and more productive at digging. And you can have someone else be running the tractor moving piles:thumbsup:

I vote the ex. But if you are unfamiliar with the equipment and what to look for, take someone with you that does when buying used. It could save you thousands and/or a big headache.

 

[dex3361]

i have given a bit of thought to this and I would go with the mini ex. Most mini excavators will outwork and outlast a CUT based back hoe. Keep in mind I like the idea of a stand alone mini ex being able to work along side of a FEL equiped tractor. JMHO

 

[Woody65]

I am a novice when it comes to excavators but not totally uninformed. I would love to have an experienced operator accompany me to look at it and inspect it but I don't have anyone that fits that bill. I agree that the ex would do a better job than the 3pt backhoe. And I like the idea of having 2 people working at one time. One on the ex and one operating the loader on the 4300.

 

[Gary Fowler]

An excavator for sure is much better than a TLB for digging, but that is all it does so it should be much better. Since you already have a tractor with FEL, you could opt for the excavator. Leaking hydraulics, bad hydraulic pumps and especially tracks and undercarriage could be very expensive to repair so inspect carefully and take someone with you that is knowledgeable of excavators. Operate it for several minutes(at least 30) and dig with it if possible with all fluids & motor up to operating temp. Two pairs of eyes is always better than one even if you are thoroughly knowledgeable of the mechanics of the machine. One can be looking at it while the other operates to check for leaks when each operation is done. Dont forget to check operation when turning with tracks also not just straight forward and reverse.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I didnt see the reply about not having anyone with experience available. Regardless of that, take an observer with you to look for obvious problems like leaks when operating. Look at the idlers on the tracks to see that they are all turning and not sliding due to bad bearings. Make $$ deductions for repair of any issues found.

 

[Woody65]

Thanks for the informative responses. I plan on taking another set of eyes with me so that it can be observed while in operation checking the idlers and undercarriage. I will let you guys know how it works out and if a purchase is made the obvious pics will be posted. Thanks.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I would go with the excavator over the 3pt hoe as well. Another item not mentioned yet is that the excavator will go places a TLB can't. Plus if you get your tractor stuck or the mini stuck you have a second machine to pull the other one out. Get a TLB stuck and your needing to find another machine to get you out. The down side to the mini is that they are slow to move from one place to another but then again you don't need to mess around hooking it up to a tractor every time you want to use it either. If you don't rush and keep looking you can find one in great shape. I wanted one with a cab (no ac but heat) because I knew that the majority of my spare time that I would have available to use the excavator would be when it was cold or raining so I wanted something that I could use and be comfy in. I have enjoyed digging out the ditches or clearing the pond edges while it was cold and pouring rain. I sit out there in a tshirt and just find it relaxing. I paid $18k for my Bobcat 331 with 16 and 24" buckets, brand new tracks and cab. It wasn't a perfect machine as it needed a few small items but it was useable as is. First thing I did was fix the window latches (they were the few small items) and that was the worst issue. The exterior lights do not work but I do not use it at night so I haven't been too worried about finding out why. The only other item that needs attention is the quick coupler. I am either going to have it repaired or if I can buy it for a few hundred dollars I will just replace it and the pins.

 

[Woody65]

I agree. I plan on cutting some new trails on the property and couldn't see myself doing it with the tractor. The ex would be able to handle it much better. Does anyone know where I can get the specs on the IHI 7GX? The IHI website doesn't list anything and google searches have turned up nothing that has that excavators specs.

 

[arrow]

A question for you diggers out there. I can purchase a mini excavator for the same amount it would cost to buy a 3pt backhoe for my JD 4300. I am leaning towards the excavator. I don't want the extra maintenance of another piece of equipment but feel it would better serve my needs. I am looking for some input from you that have had experience with both. I will be building a home, installing 1200ft of trench for electric, installing a septic system, clearing land for a 1200 ft driveway. The excavator is a IHI mini 7GX with 1900 hrs on it. Thanks for your replies

Another weak point of an abused machine is the yoke that attaches the boom to the under carriage. This area can get sloppy if too much side pushing was done with the machine. I think minimum size for what you describe the work it will be doing is a 5 or 6 ton machine. If the 7 in its GX moniker refers to the weight, its a good size . Not so much the strength but how it holds up to hard work. This is an item I always wanted myself my favorite being a Takeuchi 145.

 

[SSdoxie]

Here is picture of only 1 I found online IHI IS-7GX3 Mini Excavator in New Jersey, United States (IronPlanet Item #427814)
Appears to be close to/was replaced by the 7J and now the 9VX (zero swing).
Somewhere is the 3/4 - 1 ton class with 5'-6' dig depth. (Based on 7J & 9VX specs.)
Wish I could find one that slod for what this one did @ $3500. Used TLB attachements if I find them are over $5k around here.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

My grandfather has an IHI 7gx that I have used before. I will say this, it is better then a shovel and has its uses but this machine is extremely limited and is very tippy feeling. I would look for something a little larger if you could. I have used it to dig out a few stumps (took a long time), dig a trench to run power to the barn, dig a grave to bury a dog and have used it to muck a horse stall that was extremely deep from a long winter of no way to clean it out of there.

As I said, it is better then a shovel but is a limited machine. It weighs 1 ton and would be good for your tasks as long as your not in any hurry and do not need any deep holes or trenches dug. We hauled my grandfathers home for him in the back of our F-250. I would imagine it would be comparable to a small 3pt hoe as far as dig depth.

 

[the old grind]

I'd say the OP has enough work in mind to justify the ease/efficiency I'd expect an ex to offer. If regretted later it could be resold. (remember what we did with our drag-lines?...) Wear & tear stops when the work is caught up anyway, and I'd spare the tractor from doing too much. Don't know whether a 3-point hoe would require a sub-frame on the JD 4300, but if so it'd add expense and weight if the going gets muddy. (No biggie with tracks.)

I'm in the Terramite fraternity, and its lack of swing angle is a big limitation when dumping to the side. The OP might not need the extra ability of a mini for just trenching, but I learned to pay close attention to that aspect when checking-out a potential purchase. btw: It's always good to have something else up & running when one machine is down for service and seat time is 'just what the doctor ordered' to brighten a bad day. ;-)

 

[Rustyiron]

Mini Ex! Comparing that to a tractor hoe is like comparing a chainsaw and an axe. Keep your tractor free for other chores, and it's allways nice to have something on hand to yank the other one out if you get stuck. You could even bail into your tractor bucket if needed, carry bedding (gravel) for a pipe job, etc.

 

[Woody65]

My grandfather has an IHI 7gx that I have used before. I will say this, it is better then a shovel and has its uses but this machine is extremely limited and is very tippy feeling. I would look for something a little larger if you could. I have used it to dig out a few stumps (took a long time), dig a trench to run power to the barn, dig a grave to bury a dog and have used it to muck a horse stall that was extremely deep from a long winter of no way to clean it out of there.

As I said, it is better then a shovel but is a limited machine. It weighs 1 ton and would be good for your tasks as long as your not in any hurry and do not need any deep holes or trenches dug. We hauled my grandfathers home for him in the back of our F-250. I would imagine it would be comparable to a small 3pt hoe as far as dig depth. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=295938"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=295939"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=295940"/>

Cool pics! I just spoke with the seller and he already has a check in hand from another buyer. He will let me know if the sale falls through. I will continue to look for an ex but after reading the responses, I might go a little bigger than the IHI 7gx.

 

[MHarryE]

If you fail to get this one keep looking for another ex. I almost made the mistake of buying a backhoe attachment for my tractor and was shocked at the price. I went used mini shopping and got a used 1.8 ton mini for about $3,000 more than the dealer quoted for the attachment. Now I do things like haul my mini to a site in my hydraulic dump trailer pulled by my tractor, do the job loading with the mini and hauling with the tractor. I have put in a lot of culverts for myself and neighbors this way. I have dug in water and electrical lines next to buildings that would have involved a lot of hand digging if I had a backhoe attachment. I also have gone places with the mini I wouldn't dare go with the tractor due to expected punctures. This is especially true in demolition. My wife and I have worked as a team salvaging some antique farm machinery from old farms we bought. Lift one side with the mini, the other side with the tractor, back the trailer under it (trailer now attached to the truck) and off we go. Somebody pointed out the weak point of minis- they aren't easy to work on. I snagged a couple track drive hoses working in the woods last summer. Fortunately I noticed the leak before it stopped propelling so I could load and get home but there are 8 hoses all attached to that swivel with almost no room to work. Most of the other stuff is not hard to work on. Pins and bushings wear on backhoe attachments too. They can be replaced as long as you don't let them go so far as to wear through the bushings and into parent iron.

 

[JoeBuyer]

In general an excavator is better when you have significant digging to do. I was going to go that way but after renting one, I realized how slow they are to move around and how much they tear up the sod. You seem to be mostly developing so an ex is the way to go. My personal opinion is that in a mature setting and basically maintenance digging like I have, a backhoe is the way to go. I can get anywhere on the property in a flash or to one of the nearby parcels in a short time. No need to trailer. So it all depends....

 

[mjncad]

My vote is for the mini-ex providing it doesn't have obvious expensive problems that will quickly turn joy into regret. I've never heard of IHI, so be sure you can get parts for it, and I'd fabricate a ROPS for open station units.

Take your time and keep looking until you find the right machine for you.

 

[geko]

Mini ex's are brilliant for getting a lot of work done very quickly.
I've used them from 750kg, which looks the same size as you've shown, which are called doorway diggers due to their narrow width & extending tracks for stability once you're working.
Biggest I've used was 8 ton JCB, 5 hours on the clock & the productivity was incredible!
Moved & sculpted 20 000kg of soil in about a day & half, creating large banks for a play area.

Never used a tractor mounted backhoe, just experience of JCB 3cx on sites, also very handy machine, for specific work such as grading etc.

 

[yelbike]

If you get tractor stuck with a mounted hoe, you weren't supposed to be in there. I'm not saying they can't get stuck, most of the time you SHOULD be able to get yourself out.

I too would go with mini if in your shoes. Once your done with it you can likely sell it for what you paid. Typically not that much depreciation on used equipment. If you buy a tractor specific hoe, it will be a much tougher sell. You'll have to find someone in need of a hoe, and the buyer has to have the same model of tractor and be will to buy used. Tough sell, but not impossible.