Talk me out of an excavator!

[ChevyKeith]

I bought an old Deere17zts. Little too small for your needs.
My only regret is that I didn't buy it earlier. Its probably still worth what I paid for it and its the best shovel I ever had.

When a sewer line breaks I have friends asking if they can help fix it so they can use the excavator.
You would be surprised how often it will be the best tool for a job.

 

[NYlumberman]

I am pro excavator. In my case I rationalize buying late model low hour 10,000# used equipment as “an asset class”. My entire retirement is the result of saving and investing. The numbers on the computer screen are not as reassuring as the iron in my barn. I probably won’t make money, it won’t go to zero, and I get to use it till then. I rigged a sickle bar on my excavator for pond banks and trimming perimeters. Works fine, but you don’t move a 10,000# machine without leaving a mark, so I have be aware of the ground conditions. I modified the mount after bending the bar my first time out. It took some seat time to get smooth.

 

[Rustyiron]

I’m surprised no one has suggested a tracked skid steer with a mulcher. Seems like that could do all the clearing work the OP mentions, with added versatility with a bucket/grapple etc.

I agree, but that's an expensive club to join!
Just the price of a mulching head would buy a mini ex. Now I understand that either way he's buying a mulcher, but a CTL capable of mulching is a more expensive power unit than a mini ex. Another thing is an excavator is much more user friendly for a homeowner IMHO.

 

[mike69440]

I am pro excavator. In my case I rationalize buying late model low hour 10,000# used equipment as “an asset class”. My entire retirement is the result of saving and investing. The numbers on the computer screen are not as reassuring as the iron in my barn. I probably won’t make money, it won’t go to zero, and I get to use it till then. I rigged a sickle bar on my excavator for pond banks and trimming perimeters. Works fine, but you don’t move a 10,000# machine without leaving a mark, so I have be aware of the ground conditions. I modified the mount after bending the bar my first time out. It took some seat time to get smo

Surely saves your other equipment trying to accomplish what an excavator does best. Seems like a senseable purchase. 5 to 14 tons.

 

[Mackle]

You're talking to the wrong group here--don't wave a steak at a hungry lion.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Don't get one, when you have one you tend to dig some deep holes and make things disappear... ho wait that's a reason to get one... will be right back...

 

[Fxfymn413]

I would hire someone who has the right equipment to get the job done since it will be much cheaper in the long run than paying for and maintaining your own machine.

Any major purchase like this is an opportunity cost since money spent on this is money you cannot spend on something else.

I have an acquittance in the Roanoke area that does this for a living. Look around. I'm sure there are folks near you who can get the job done quickly at a fair price. His skid steer and mulcher run around $100K to purchase.

 

[bordercollie]

Not only is she bought into it, she has offered to pay for half of it, as long as I let her use it. Which scares me a bit.
One time I was out of town on business and she called me complaining that she couldn't get the backhoe to move on the tractor. I told her to take the locking pins out. When I got home, she had dug out a small section of our hillside and had used the thumb on the backhoe to lift railroad ties out of the back of my truck and put them in place to form some steps from one section of our yard to another.

I bought the Kubota U35 pictured in my avatar a few years ago with about 450 hours on it. It was in the mid $40,000s. I wanted a thumb and the adjustable blade and an enclosed cab. It has the rabbit feature but travels really slow even then. I really haven't used it much only 515 hrs on it so far....... just wanted it so bought it. I found that the hydraulic thumb hydraulic lines going down the boom love to snag limbs so it limits my enthusiasm for tossing limbs. One day, I need to add a protective covering for that.
When I've had a bad day or bad weather knocks down a tree though, I can take care of it without the aid of others and without the big Cat 332 of my bil's ,(I think thats the size) getting in the yard. He doesn't think much of my little U35 but I like it for my little chores. He uses his on the farm for big jobs and mine is for me to do my little things - Bad day, I get in it hit the key, turn on the a/c and adjust the radio to answer my phone on ,and the tension goes away with the moving of the problem.

 

[seijirou]

I have one of those unjustifiable, occasional use iron barn ornaments, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Fixastuff]

I have one of those unjustifiable, occasional use iron barn ornaments, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

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I rented a e50 for 4 months before buying an tb260. I miss the quiet engine from the bobcat.