Backhoe tractor backhoe vs. mini excavator

[Botabill]

That's what I thought until I operated a JD300C with Extend-a-Hoe. It will out work any mini excavator, and is far more versatile. You can get a good used one for $25-$40K. The 1-1/4 yard loader is priceless, and so is the traveling speed.

I tired to google a JD300C to see what this excavator eater would look like and all I could find is artiulated trucks. What is a JD300C?

 

[Ken45101]

I was thinking more like dollar for dollar. I have no idea what a mini excavator costs, but assume they aren't cheap.

Roughly $25-50K new. Similar in range to a new TLB. Used prices are a lot less.

 

[BJN644]

I was thinking more like dollar for dollar. I have no idea what a mini excavator costs, but assume they aren't cheap.

You can buy a well worn out mini for $10,000, a brand new hoe for your tractor can be had for less. I guess if you have the cash and do a lot of digging go with the mini. If you are digging occasionally a new hoe for your tractor would be less troublesome maintenance and repair wise.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

You can buy a well worn out mini for $10,000, a brand new hoe for your tractor can be had for less. I guess if you have the cash and do a lot of digging go with the mini. If you are digging occasionally a new hoe for your tractor would be less troublesome maintenance and repair wise.

Dunno where you're shopping..but I know that you can get a REALLY nice gently used import Mini for 10-12k, One of my dads friends bought a really nice Komatsu PC45 for 13k....cabbed, digging bucket, ditching bucket, wrist & thumb....IF you know where to look, deals can be easily had...in the current economic climate, I've heard stories of 2-4 year old mini-ex's (and the mini articulated front end loaders for that matter) go for +/-10k at auctions...seems like during the "boom cycle" every landscape/nursery/etc bought one even if they didnt need it...

I guess I should say, that a used machine of ANY Nature isnt for some people..., in that case, your right, buy the new...Me...I'm a tinkerer and have no problem rebuilding a swing motor or engine if needed to save a buck or two... Being "Mechanically Inclined" I personally dont like what a Hoe does to a normal tractor...only TLB I'd be interested in at any price or condition would be something like a JD 110 or the Kubota M59 type setup...

 

[wedge40]

I tired to google a JD300C to see what this excavator eater would look like and all I could find is artiulated trucks. What is a JD300C?

That's what I thought until I operated a JD300C with Extend-a-Hoe. It will out work any mini excavator, and is far more versatile. You can get a good used one for $25-$40K. The 1-1/4 yard loader is priceless, and so is the traveling speed.

I tired to find this as well, it doesn't sound MINI at 30ton.

One of the other advantages I found with the mini is it gets into places I couldn't get to with the tractor and hoe or TBL. I'll agree having one of these would be a luxury for most of us, but if you purchase a new backhoe that is almost as equivalent in power you're better off spending a few more $$ to get a good used mini. The mini I rented has more digging force than the Woods BH 90X. And I could pick up a used one for 10K or less.

Wedge

 

[20 20]

excavator vs BH kind of like comparing tires to tracks. they'll both do a job but one will work soooooo much better. BUT with the ability to work better comes more maintanance.

 

[Ken45101]

excavator vs BH kind of like comparing tires to tracks. they'll both do a job but one will work soooooo much better. BUT with the ability to work better comes more maintanance.

I don't think either unit is high maintenance beyond greasing the fittings.

 

[Duffster]

I tired to google a JD300C to see what this excavator eater would look like and all I could find is artiulated trucks. What is a JD300C?

I tired to find this as well, it doesn't sound MINI at 30ton.

One of the other advantages I found with the mini is it gets into places I couldn't get to with the tractor and hoe or TBL. I'll agree having one of these would be a luxury for most of us, but if you purchase a new backhoe that is almost as equivalent in power you're better off spending a few more $$ to get a good used mini. The mini I rented has more digging force than the Woods BH 90X. And I could pick up a used one for 10K or less.

Wedge

I think he may have meant a JD 310C

 

[amigauser]

I thought I was the only one who thought that way, I agree totally that a mini-ex is the way to go and not much more $$ than a new Woods or Kubota backhoe. When I have the funds I would love to pickup a used Kubota KX41 sized machine. There are a LOT of deals to be had right now with the economy the way it is.

 

[herd]

Intersting thread, I have been wondering about the mini's and how good they are. I have a 5 acre tract by my house that we clear cut two years ago, mostly pine, some oak. I want to get in there later in the year and remove the stumps and turn this acreage into pasture.

I was going to buy a used BH but I would be forever on the pine stumps. With the pine's tap root, you have to dig deep with a backhoe and end up with a hole that you could park a car in. So, does a mini ex have enough kick to break loose and pull up a 30'' diameter pine root? Or, would that be too big of a job?

 

[GreenLawnFarm]

jackhammer

 

[Botabill]

Intersting thread, I have been wondering about the mini's and how good they are. I have a 5 acre tract by my house that we clear cut two years ago, mostly pine, some oak. I want to get in there later in the year and remove the stumps and turn this acreage into pasture.

I was going to buy a used BH but I would be forever on the pine stumps. With the pine's tap root, you have to dig deep with a backhoe and end up with a hole that you could park a car in. So, does a mini ex have enough kick to break loose and pull up a 30'' diameter pine root? Or, would that be too big of a job?

The elm stumps I end up digging up are a pain. The roots, even small ones are nasty to break with my 2 ton Kubota KX41. I had to dig a big hole (5-6 feet deep) around a 24 inch elm stump to break it loose then I buried it in it's own hole. Pine roots are easier to pull up and break than hardwoods but since I've never done a 30 inch diameter pine I won't promise anything. I have no trouble with 8 inch pines though. Simply come in just off to one side and break the grip there then do the other side. Often at that point I can reach over the stump and hook under it and pull it up. Then I pat down the disturbed earth with the bucket. The beauty of an excavator is you just sit up there and manouver without ever leaving the comfort of your turrot. It's more fun than a ferris wheel.

 

[wedge40]

I rented a 3 ton machine, and if I got one it would be 3.5ton.. Pretty much max out what I can safely haul with my F150. I got pretty good at picking at the roots and tearing them apart. But toward the end I was digging closer than I had with the first stump. The last two stumps were fresh cut trees. Seemed easier to rip through the roots but the root ball and stump weighted more, which made if fun getting out of the hole and moving it out of the way.
A week ago Thursday it was a lot of fun digging things up, but after 25 hours of seat time in less than 7 days (Lost two whole days because of rain), it started to become work.

Wedge