Mini Track Hoe

[Wayne02]

We are exploring the idea of buying a used mini track hoe for our property and I was wondering if anyone here has input on makes/models etc? Also, are there other forums that I might check on this topic?

Thanks

[texican]

I'd love to have one... alas the cost of a used one (least the ones I've looked at) were over 10k. So, I've been looking at ones that'll fit on the back of a tractor... and even they're sorta pricey.

[Jim S.]

Texican's point is well taken. It's kinda like just about every farmer I have known who bought a bulldozer but just needed it for some minor clearing. To a person, they all admit the cost of the machine and upkeep exceeded the cost of just having someone do the work. The only guy who says it was worth it is a fella who had to clear his entire place to make pasture.

I'd love to have a backhoe attachment for a tractor I have. But the cost of the convenience outweighs the practicality issue.

[dave_p]

Rental places often sell them a lil cheaper, and they are well maintained machines usually. Knowing someone there can help you get to the best deals.....might help to rent one a few times so you have the opportunity to be familiar with the folks who work there and give you a good op to decide on which one you like. dave_p

[Windy in Kansas]

I have operated a commercial tractor with a backhoe and can tell you that they indeed are a very handy machine.

However I question if there would be enough use around an existing farm to justify owning one?

Where I live there are almost no rocks so moving them might be a use. Our soil is sandy and easy digging so can readily be done by hand. When I laid a new sewer line to the city main I dug the entire trench by hand. It took about a half day of steady but not grueling work. Much safer than digging around two gas lines and two sewer lines with a back hoe.

[tamatik]

I just had my septic tank hole and waterlines dug by one of these.,.It was waaaay faster than a big hoe and it gets in tight places.The guy said it cost over $50K.Done a great job

[Wayne02]

Originally Posted by texican

So, I've been looking at ones that'll fit on the back of a tractor... and even they're sorta pricey.

Yep, just to put a half-way decent backhoe on the kubota tractor is about 7-8K (without thumb), and I think the 10-12K lbs. excavators are more productive digging machines and particularly handy when outfitted with a hyd thumb.

I have no doubt hiring a skilled operator could have the job(s) done quicker each time, then they can come back in 4 months for the next stage, and then again in 6 months for the next stage, and then in another 6 months for the next building site, and so on.

The nice thing about having this stuff on the place is it is available for use when the jobs come up and you can work on your own time frame. If I have to clear all this land I might as well have some fun running the equipment while doing so...

[Jennifer L.]

I've got an attachment for my Bobcat that is like a backhoe, but not quite as versatile. The thing is, you don't need a "real" backhoe that often, so this stick with a bucket on the end, along with the movable boom arms of the Bobcat works great for all sorts of things. Only cost about 2.5K, too. It's undoubtedly the handiest attachment I've ever used on mine. I've had the "real" backhoe attachment, as well, and it's just not worth the trouble. I've dug out a lot of rocks, done a water line, planted trees, etc. No problems. Plus you can take it off the machine in about five minutes at the most.

Those little track hoes are great, but a Bobcat will do more for you year in year out.

Edited to add, when I say Bobcat I mean Bobcat skid steer loader.

Jennifer

[Ramblin Wreck]

They have a heavy equipment auction in Bremen, Georgia on occasion. When I first started attending them, the little track hoes in working condition were going in the $6K-$7K range (plus the darn "buyer's premium"); however, the Atlanta crowd started attending, and the prices shot up 20%-30%. That took it well out of my price range. I can sure think of a lot of uses for one though, and a lot of places where they can go that a big machine can't.

[georgec]

I have a friend that is selling one for $10k (only 300 hours). I was very tempted to buy it, but I figured that for the few small jobs I want to do it would be better to rent one, or hire someone to do it. It would sure be handy though, I could put an auger on it, it moves dirt pretty good (hey I've almost talked myself into it again LOL).

[watcher]

My thoughts are a 4WD tractor with a frontend loader (the most useful thing I never wanted to have in the world and would rather lose a finger then get rid of) and a backhoe attachment would be a much better thing for around a farm or homestead. Why would you want to pay that much money for a machine unless you either had a LOT of work to do or were going to use it in a business?

You can get a new backhoe attachment for ONLY $4K or so. I have the tractor and frontend loader but not the backhoe attachment, yet

[charles burns]

Not long ago I was looking at a completely self sufficient mini backhoe on trailer wheels. You trailered it to where you wanted it with your truck, spread out the telescoping legs, got on it and dug.

I seem to remember it was about three grand but I can't remember whose web site it was on. It was something like the DR chipper web site. I just googled it but had no luck finding it again. It was cute.

[charles burns]

ooh ooh, www.candig.com

[charles burns]

I remember - it was Harbor Freight.

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...khoe&Submit=Go

I seen it on one of their flyers, the one you need a magnifying glass with a two inch thick lens to read.

[Stephen in SOKY]

I have operated the ride on trencher mentioned in the above posts (Not mine) on a couple of occasions. I was asked to try it as the owner couldn't get it to work right. After my second try the owner offered it to me for $1000. The machine had less than 10 hours. I declined. Had I offered $500, I'd have bought it, but didn't want to waste $500. Others may have better luck but I was that unimpressed. Caveat Emptor.

[Up North]

Originally Posted by dave_p

Rental places often sell them a lil cheaper, and they are well maintained machines usually. ... dave_p

Yes, I would also say that the rentals being retired offer a good value. The ones built by Bobcat and those built by Kubota would be a good place to start looking.

[freeholdfarms]

Build your own
www.cadplans.com
Or search for other plans

[Raptor]

You might consider a used BX24 or something in that class. I have one, it came with a front end loader & backhoe. I purchased a 60 inch belly mower for it as well. Quite useful around the farm. My Bride calls it HER tractor.

You might look at the mini backhoes. I bought a Teramite from a rental place a few years ago when they got new ones. Think I gave around $5000 for it. Best investment I ever made around the place. The front bucket saves me a lot of lifting and it will dig a pretty impressive hole.

[tamatik]

mini track hoe???/
I thought this was about a very short hooker at the horse races