What can your Mini excavator do?

[curtisfarmer]

I agree with Builder....me owning both....but a smaller backhoe than the 580.

 

[Builder]

I guess I'm a little spoiled. I own a big LB115 backhoe What a beast:thumbsup:
Used to own a 580 SuperM. That's a really NICE smaller backhoe. Never be afraid to get a 580.
I'll probably pick up a 580 SuperM+ one of these days.

 

[tsteahr]

Thanks for the feedback. I am leaning towards kubota. I have a Kubota tlb already, so the loader end is covered. I will definitely be getting a machine with a thumb. As far as brands go, I am open to suggestions, I have met a few contractors, who swear by Takeuchi, but there are no dealers close by, and that makes me wary. as far as a cdl goes, I hve a class A. As far as the Truck goes, I agree that an upgrade is needed. I have lots of power, but stopping safely is a question. I was looking at the new Ford 350. The tow computer looks amazing, but thats a little ways down the road, (like when I can get one used,)

My neighbor runs a septic business and owns a CAT 305.5D. IIRC it has over 5k hours. He is very happy with it, no issues yet. Did some work at my place this summer and I was impressed. Quiet as a mouse and still tight. The thing made less noise than my scut. He had just installed the second set of rubber tracks after he got a tear in the first set. He commented rocky conditions are tough on the rubber tracks. He was happy with the CAT and was considering buying a CAT 430E backhoe to go with the mini-ex.

 

[Builder]

The CAT's are made by one of the Aisian companies, maybe Mitsubishi? New Hollands are made by Kobelco. I think Deere's are Hitachi.
I found a great deal on a New Holland with cab/air/thumb.

 

[robs660]

If you can..... Checkout volvo. We rent them all the time and i have grown to love them. Great machines. No idea what the cost is. I dont need one enough to buy so i rent them when needed

 

[20 20]

At 19,000lbs

comparing a 19000lb BH to a smaller mini excavator is like comparing a dump truck to a VW rabbit. Lets make things equal and compare weight and hp of each machine, then tell which will out dig the other. An excavator will out dig a BH, hands down, any day as long as the comparison is fair. I'm not trying to knock the BH especially if traveling is important, or a FEL is needed. A 19000lb excavator with 360 degree of rotation and tracks will get into more places and easily out work a BH of the same weight.

 

[Builder]

comparing a 19000lb BH to a smaller mini excavator is like comparing a dump truck to a VW rabbit. Lets make things equal and compare weight and hp of each machine, then tell which will out dig the other. An excavator will out dig a BH, hands down, any day as long as the comparison is fair. I'm not trying to knock the BH especially if traveling is important, or a FEL is needed. A 19000lb excavator with 360 degree of rotation and tracks will get into more places and easily out work a BH of the same weight.

I'm not making that direct comparison. However, the OP and others were comparing excavators that are smaller and can be towed behind a 1-ton pickup to something like a Case 580. That's exactly what I did, too.

 

[20 20]

I'm not making that direct comparison. However, the OP and others were comparing excavators that are smaller and can be towed behind a 1-ton pickup to something like a Case 580. That's exactly what I did, too.

The case 580 BH weighs around 14,000lbs and starts out with a 75hp engine. I would compare that with a cat 307 ex, it weighs about 13,000lbs with a 55hp engine. Even though the excavator would be lighter and 20hp power less it will still out dig the 580. Like I said BH's are good as an all around machine, but an excavator of equal weight and hp will out dig them without any trouble. Plus the other advantage of an ex is being able to get into hairy spots with unfavorable conditions. If digging is the main use of the machine an excavator is MUCH more agile then a BH.

 

[Builder]

Agile? yes.
Harsher conditions I would disgree in many conditions. I can take my LB115 where a 10K ex would not go. There are some situations where a tracked machine is better, too.


Snow removal?

 

[20 20]

I own a backhoe and rent a Yanmar excavator and .

If you don't mind me asking which yanmar did you rent? Even comparing a B50 or VIO50-2a to a 580 super M is no match, not even close. The 580 super M comes it at 14,500lbs to 17545lbs{depending on what extras are added} with a hp rating of 90-95. The yanmar 50's come in at a weight of 10000lbs and less then 50hp.