Backhoe Mini excavator or backhoe attachment

[Green Acres Homestead]

I test drove a mini excavator. It was neat but was $28000. I wonder how it would match up against a backhoe that I would buy for my Kubota L4740.

 

[Mechanos]

The mini will dig circles around the backhoe attachment in my opinion.

 

[Jay4200]

The mini will dig circles around the backhoe attachment in my opinion.

+1.

OTOH, it IS an extra $20,000...plan to do much digging, or is this just for fun? If you're digging every day, get the mini. If you just want something around to dig with on occasion, buy the backhoe attachment (get the biggest you can), and send me half of the savings (for making such a brilliant suggestion).

JayC

 

[haroldy]

not so quick,depends on the requirments
28000 is a lot for occasional use

 

[MHarryE]

I had a L3710, asked my dealer about a backhoe attachment. He came up with a price over $8,000 but he had a customer who bought a backhoe and found it wasn't the right thing. He might be able to get it for me for between $5,000 and $6,000. While waiting for the dealer, I did a lot of research and found I could get Cat's smallest mini-excavator for $12,900, used in a dealer rental fleet. It can get into places I couldn't even think of with TLB, it has tracks so I can work in places where I might snag a tire, it's way faster digging than a TLB - just take my word for that even though my mini is only a 1.8 ton machine. And having 2 machines - I have even raised an implement with the tractor bucket lifting one side while lifting the other with the mini and then backed my trailer underneath. And if you are ever feeling lonesome, you will find dozens of new friends when they learn you have a mini-excavator because everyone will be asking for help.

 

[Sledgie]

I started out with a 45 hp tractor and added a subframe backhoe attachment for about 7k. It worked better than a shovel but not much, and it is a real PITA to take on and off. So I found a Mustang mini ex (made by Wacker in Austria) with 750 hrs for 12,000. I will have to say you get some good exercise jumping off and on to move the tractor every 3 feet, but it sure is sweet to run the mini ex and have every control at your fingertips.

 

[Code54]

Having had a TLB and ran Mini Ex's - I would go with the Mini Ex if you can afford it and will be using it a lot.

 

[Monster5601]

Another difference between a backhoe and an excavator is the latter has a full 360 swing as compared to the backhoes 180 degree swing. It is much easier to keep the diggings away from the dig area when you have more swing.

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

Some great facts and logical advice and also valuable insight into the equipment. That taking off and on implements is a pain. I will be using a fair amount loading logs, making logging roads/trails to get my one ton in, ski and walking trails and landscaping. I would need something with a thumb to move brush and load logs.

Anybody know about how long a mini would dig out out a 12 inch maple stump. I know there is alot of factors here but a rough estimate. An hour or 30 minutes.

 

[Code54]

I took out a 20+ inch maple last year in about a half hour - This was the full tree and about 8 to 10 feet from our house. Just dug the three sides and pushed high on the tree. Took some effort but the mini (around 8000lbs with a 24" bucket) did it! I was impressed!!!