Need Help Deciding on Rental Hoe

[mcd176]

Hello All,

Ok, I am going to be renting a backhoe or mini excavator in a few weeks to do the following:

1. dig two culverts across my gravel road around 50' each 24" deep
2. dig out footers for a retaining wall about 40' long
3. dig an extension to my leech field about 100'

I plan on renting the machine for the weekend

The local rental yard has the following machines:

1. John Deere 110 Backhoe
2. John Deere 310 Backhoe
3. John Deere 35c excavator
4. Kobelco 45 excavator

I used to run a Case 580 hoe at my old job but have never run a mini excavator, with all of this in mind what do you experts think I should rent?

Thanks

 

[wedge40]

I'm a long way from being an expert. But I would rent the excavator. Much more maneuverable machine. Since you're not doing anything needing a whole of power, I'd get something in the 3 ton range. If you get it Friday afternoon/evening and they pick it up Monday and you're already pretty good running a hoe, then I'd say you might be able to get all that done in a weekend. Good luck.
Take pictures..

Wedge

 

[Snowman9000]

Since you have the FEL, you don't really need another one. The tracked excavators are so much more maneuverable.

 

[Hammy]

Track hoe hands down.

 

[kennyd]

Another vote here for the Mini-Ex.

 

[oldnslo]

Are you going to be driving across a lawn you want to keep? If yes the track type mini excavators are very hard to turn with out tearing up the lawn.

Mini excavator is nicer since you swing full 360 degress Vs 180 degrees with conventional BH.

Most mini excavators also swing the boom so that you can dig next to a building easier. Not sure if this would be helpful in digging the retaining wall footings or not.

Roy

 

[Ken45101]

The only advantage of the backhoe would be if you need it to move materials some distance. Just for digging, I'd go with the mini excavator.

I have both a small Kubota backhoe (B21) and a mini ex (Kubota KX-121). The mini ex is a much more capable machine.

Ken

 

[DJ54]

Definitely the excavator. The 360ｺ rotation, plus the feature of the swing like on a R T hoe is great!! No picking of the outriggers, and lifting of the bucket to move. Just either turn 180ｺ, to look and keep yourself on track, or look over your shoulder, and hit the pedal to back up.

Not sure how much drop off you have at the end of your culverts, but it sure it sweet to leave yourself enough room at the end to turn out, come back around, and set yourself across, centered on the trench to finish.

Plus the fact of not having to look "around" the boom to see what you are doing. It's tough going back to a RT hoe, after operating an excavator, LOL..

 

[Thomas]

I also would lean towards 310 backhoe,mostly in case you need to move dirt etc. distance,plus if you get your project done early you might to decide on project which backhoe best for.

 

[jenkinsph]

Anything on your list will do this work in less than four hours time. Which one do you want to play with? I would go with the 35c excavator if it were me. I can tell you that is an easy quick job for the 110tlb and a 310 is overkill.

Which one is the cheapest to rent? That would be a good point too.

 

[schmism]

Which one is the cheapest to rent? That would be a good point too.

I think either one would do the job fine so it would come down to which is cheeper to rent in my book....

but then again i have my own woods 3pt hoe so :thumbsup:

 

[jenkinsph]

I think either one would do the job fine so it would come down to which is cheeper to rent in my book....

but then again i have my own woods 3pt hoe so :thumbsup:

I think I could do the digging in 2 or 3 hours with my 110tlb but I am used to it too. Maybe 4 hours or better if you factor in some time for operator learning curve.

 

[Tractor Shopper]

Excavator all the way, only way the backhoe is an advantage is to move dirt with the loader but you already have a tractor for that, I'd say rent the cheapest Mini-hoe, it will do your work fastest and easiest with your tractor helping.

 

[jpm1]

My opinion hands down is the excavator. I have a BIG problem with the word Mini. I rented a small CAT last summer and it beat a hoe by a long shot! 360 degree swing is unbelieveable and there justa lot smoother to operate than a wheel hoe. Don't be to concerned bout driving on the lawn, it grows back! and quite fast too! I have found anydigging I do wether next to a foundation in the woods or what ever, it's an excavator for me. Also they dig faster and I think have more pwer too. mine had AC and was whisper quiet, after 15 or 20 hours straight you appreciate that a lot . Mini's as they call them also have blades which are very usefull and visibility is super cause you can swing the cab at angle for better sight. Also driving across open trenches is a snap with tracks, not so with wheels. Most of all enjoy what ever you choose and have some fun. . . .John

 

[Diamondpilot]

Go with the mini-x. Like others said you have a loader on your tractor so use the mini for the digging then take it back. You can back fill and do the other stuff with the tractor you already have.

Chris

 

[jayste]

Try the mini-x and be sure and post a thread! We need pics and words!:thumbsup:

 

[s78wingrider]

If you can operate a backhoe you will love an excavator!