...unless you live in the mountains! Then, buy an mini-excavator first. For a first size, I had a Bobcat E-26. It was perfect - could pull off the canopy and get indoors or cut away a mountain for a home pad. I had a straight blade, 24" bucket, 12" bucket, and a thumb. I cut new roads, trenched in commercial buildings and exterior for all kinds of things, cleared land, did basement waterproofing, stacked finger boulder walls, repaired lots of crushed stone drives/pads, and did a lot of tree felling. ...excellent size, cost. Paired with it a '99 F-550 dump truck and a 16', 10,000lb equipment trailer.
I bought my first Case backhoe in 1966 and made a good living with it. At age 86 I have a Cat 304 excavator and a Kubota l35 with a full hydraulic scraper on it. I still love a backhoe but find the mini very useful. I develop properties and love moving dirt. GOOD VIDEO!
Thanks for the advice. I have 35 acres that is on steep terrain. I am clearing old mining roads and am wanting to build pads for cabins. The property is full of old roads overgrown with trees and brush. Lots of tailings all over. I was going to buy a backhoe with scraper until this video. Here is what I have! I repaired a 1974 D8H bulldozer that was left on the property and will start clearing the roads with that soon. I got nearly free a Case 30+4 trencher with a small backhoe. The trencher is a death trap though especially on hilly terrain. I am in need of removing large trees, moving rocks and grading the roads. Miles of roads including a national forest easement. I am thinking now of getting (In order as I can afford them) an older medium tracked skid steer, Mini excavator , Dump trailer, Old used crane truck "Trees, building cabins" a rock crusher (Roads and getting rid of tailings). I'm on a tight budget! I am not a heavy equipment operator but have caught on well with the bulldozer. I am however a pretty good mechanic. What are your thought's about a cheap Chinese excavator for those of us who are broke! LOL.
I wish more people would watch stuff like this. All my years as CAT and now Kubota lead tech, I still see people buy way more than what they actually need. All the time people are coming in and buying a SVL 97 with a FECON head to clear land and they are just starting out with no customers yet. The SVL 97 is like $95,000 thousand dollars and the FECON head is like $25,000. But a lot of these guys are not actually taking down big trees, they are clearing thick brush and saplings. A big brush cutter is a way better option and is under $10,000. It's also not nearly as hard on the machine as a FECON head. People don't realize those things will literally destroy their machine over time. As far as machine goes the SVL 75 is awesome and same size as a CAT 259. Both of those machines can run so many attachments just fine. And the SVL 75 is only like $68,000. So you don't need to spend $130,000 for the big equipment when can spend $78,000. That also leaves money for a trailer and other attachments. Lastly people forget that the bigger the equipment the more expensive the parts will be and more expensive repairs. Our dealership cost $125 an hour for labor. The CAT dealer I worked at is over $140 I believe. Please please please keep up with maintenance though it will save you so much money long term it's not even funny. I don't care what any manufacture wants to say. Every 250 hours you need to change your engine oil and filter both fuel filters and both air filters. That might sound like a lot but that SVL 97 engine is $35,000 and you still have to pay to have it put in.
I loved your vid up until the Ford thing... Lol. I have a 07 2500hd DURAMAX... 😁 I was going to buy a backhoe until my boss who had a excavating business recommended a mini excavator. Since then I've been doing research and looking at them. I didn't realize how many different attachments you can get for a mini. That's a game changer. I'm gonna go look at a 040 with 1700hrs tomorrow. I haven't even looked at the 040 yet and already know I'm gonna fall in love with it. Full cab, heat & AC, angle plow, and quick disconnect. Don't even have to leave the cab to change attachments... You can get pallet forks, tilt buckets, auger, grapple just to name a few... I can't wait to get it! Thanks for taking the time to make the vid.. Great Vid!!
Awesome video I own a landscaping company in South Georgia. We started with a used TL8 track skid steer and a new d2e high side dump trailer it worked great. 2nd year in we added a cx 37 mini x 11000 pounds machine and it was a game changer absolutely get the hydraulic thumb I can do so many jobs from trenching to tree removal the most useful machine I have. Year three added a case 380 track machine it it the biggest track machine without government juice aka def. Awesome machine and service. Year four we have added Harley rake and 19 ton mack dump truck. We continue to grow our fleet with attachments for this machine . We also added a gooseneck trailer year two but used dump trailer to haul equipment for years. Couldn't agree more in my case a back hoe is useless. Thanks for videos they have helped me with purchase great videos and content stay safe.
This was a good video. I started out with a shovel and a garden rake. Later i got a push mower. I knew as yard work started coming in i needed a leaf rake and wanted to get serious in the material moving so i bought me a wheelbarrow. I should have bought a tarp when i got the wheelbarrow but i didn't want to spend more money. Last year I bought me a wagon. It has the big pneumatic tires. I wish i would have got them foam filled but was to excited with how easily it rolled to think about future regrets. Now that im all set up and in business im thinking my next investment should be geared towards health benefits. Seriously thinking of purchasing a large igloo to keep Gatorade in. I think they are cheaper than a yeti and should work about as well.
For residential landscaping a mini skidsteer is a brilliant machine. My Toro TX1000 wide track with the turf tracks replaced with dirt tracks and multiple attachments has made me the bionic man :)
I’ve never been in the residential industry. So when I started my business I had no clue where it was going to lead me so I rented everything and only owned a 3/4 ton pick up and hand tools. I used my profits to buy grade laser, water pumps, battery powered tools, chop saw, and etc. without having loans on small equipment I was able to be versatile with different pieces of equipment. I was able to use my capitol and a LOC to start funding commercial projects. It allowed me to get into a larger revenue projects with larger equipment.
Agree 100%, this is how I operate my business. Use my LOC to operate my jobs and I factor whatever rental I need for the job into the job. No notes on idle machines that I have to cover every month. If you can’t put 500 hours a year on a machine you don’t need to own that machine.
interesting considering banks only want to lend based upon assets they can seize and guaranteed income. i'm guessing that asset and guaranteed fund is your own home. that bites many people in the arse when there is a down turn.
@@aprilgeneric8027 Honestly most banks don’t consider tools or equipment older than 10 years old as an asset. Therefore they won’t lend against it or if they do it’s not much. It goes by your credit score and your debt ratio as well as you business income or your potential if your just starting. All of which is in your business plan when you go to the bank. Then the LOC amount that you get approved for will be considered unsecured and you just pay a higher percentage. Then after a year to two of good history of borrowing and paying on the LOC you can get an increase then be considered a secure loan and get better rates. No need to tie your personal assets to it at all.
@@aprilgeneric8027 my home isn’t being used as collateral. At first I got a personal LOC for 35k. Along with all my business credit cards gave me a total of $80k. I funded a mobile home park demo. Then I used it to fund a state game commission project. All while still doing residential work which 6 months in I was at an average monthly revenue of $25k. I went to my local bank and said I wanted to keep doing commercial work and they sent me to a non profit organization called the SBDC that helped me write a 2 yr business plan with very detailed revenue projections. Once I completed everything the business plan entailed I submitted it to the SBA as a LOC through my bank. I also have a line of credit through multiple supply companies which also was helpful when applying for the LOC.
I have an S185 and I love it. I use it mostly for things around my house and plowing snow in the winter. It is honestly the best thing I own. I’ve used it for the odd job here and there. The dump trailer is also a must. I use it constantly
I agree with Stan as a S185 is a good choice, but he should have also mentioned the option to put on a track system on a wheeled skid like the VTS. I have a Deere 270 skid which is a good bit bigger than the S185, and we did some driveway demos and work while wheeled but it would sink easily in dirt.. But it was a game changer to get Loegering VTS tracks for it. Love the tracks and its not fun to swap back and forth, but when your starting out and lack funds its alot better than having 2 skids.
@@IndependenceIronyes the tracks make a huge difference for me going into the woods or any muddy type situation. I have an older bobcat 843 tire machine and a set of the loggering steel tracks to put on it. I got stuck once in the woods without the tracks on, I had to come along to a nearby tree then in/out of the skid steer several times before I wiggled my way out. Never again 😅
Everything he said about the trucks is so true. This ain't 1990 where the biggest gas motors only made 200hp. These modern gassers make plenty of power and with maintenance and care last as long as any frame they make. Modern diesels make stupid power but the emissions systems are killing them
Newer gassers do make good power but you don't have to get newer ones. Older gassers such as 2000 and up are pretty good, especially if you can find good condition trucks with the bigger 8.1 or ford V10s. That said even the older 2v 5.4s and chevy 6.0 were good reliable motors. They won't win races but they will pull the load. Only trucks i would personally avoid is the older 6.0 chevys. I currently have a 2003 and its a good truck but the trans really limits its towing ability. 1st gear in the 4l80e has a 2.48:1 ratio vs the Fords with 4R100 and a 2.71:1 ratio. Doesn't seem like much but really helps getting the heavy loads moving. The newer gas trucks really don't make that much extra power, just have more gears with lower ratios down in the 3.9:1 range to really get those heavy loads moving.
First timer on channel and I’m thinking about starting my own business. GREAT pointers and advice. Kabota, Bobcat and John Deere dealers are near me. I’m leaning heavily towards Kabota. I’m loosing my factory job (plant closing) so I will be a whole new business from ground up. Truck, trailer, skid steer, mini trackhoe and few different attachments. Was thinking about grinder/mulching head so that jumps me up to largest body size with high flow pump. My goal is to clear lots, grading, tree & stump removal, driveways or right way cut-ins… I have a friend who wants/needs me to come with him again to run a crew on mowing and reclaiming right aways that run through Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. On the road work yes but I can learn and hone my skills while working for him. I have major decision ahead and if I decide to stay home work for self…more decisions ahead concerning equipment. Lots to consider and pray about. Good video and congrats on your lifelong successful commitment working dirt. I assume we are alike in that we want to make a decent living; not get rich overnight. Anything that comes in fast can and probably will leave just as fast. The turtle might not win all the races but he does always finish each race.
I just bought a kubota m62 with thumb, graple / root rake and 1 yard bucket... all quick attach. No regrets. I can dig out a 40"+ diameter stump, grab it with the graple and then bring in a couple scoops of dirt to cover the hole with just 1 machine. I can work it hard for 8 hours on 15 gallons on diesel. With the crawl mode, i can trench without having to turn the seat around.... but i understand your point that it's not as efficient for each task as the machine dedicated to that task. Hauling 1 machine to a site certainly has an advantage.
I fully understand that a backhoe isn’t amazing at everything but starting my landscaping business it certainly allowed me to do jobs to grow and eventually get my kx040. I’m still working on getting a skid. There’s also jobs where I don’t want to take 2 pieces of equipment to as I’m solo and it just makes time sense and small much more forgiving on lawns. Excavation I could definitely see it being different though!
Plus u can drive to and from sites without a trailer and rent skips till u get ur own dump trailer or truck my uncle to carry his motor bike to jobs in the loader if the machine was staying when he work for the local council
Growing up for years on the farm our loader tractor was a jd 310d backhoe. My step-dad built some pallet forks for it and ended up using the forks to take a 4 wheeler to jobs. Hes upgraded a couple of times. I believe he's up to a jd 310se now. Still does everything he needs it to do. The ability to level yourself out without moving a ton of dirt is handy digging water and sewer lines. Hes a well driller by trade. No problems digging basements either @Lee-At-Green-Pheonix-Rc
As a operator and mechanic for 40 plus years Stanley is giving yall great information.! If it works it will break! 😂 ! As to what you want to accomplish is a different ballgame! I prefer track machinery used in roughing in then let smaller contractors comein and finish to the owner or builders wishes. I will do finish work it is part of it . Fuel costs repairs and possibly getting C.D.L. in your area all contribute to your final financial plan. Good luck and god bless you all. Stay safe!
One issue that’s not directly related to the choice of equipment is what, if any, licenses are required to operate loaders, excavators, and other earth moving equipment in your state. In my state a hoist license is required for all uses with only one exception, agricultural purposes.
100 % agree on your points today. Only Unit I'd add to the fleet, is a compact tractor. Especially for a personal use property owner that needs to brush hog, grapple logs, loader work for bulk materials or spray chemicals, etc...although most people who are watching this, and own acreage, already have one.
Never skimp on trailers. Good axles that are sized right to carry the load and brakes. Nothing like going 60 and trying to stop a trailer with 10k+ of equipment on it. I've had some scrap/demo guy tell me the opposite about tracks and tires. They like tracks because rebar, angle iron, sharp concrete, etc can't deflate a track.
I loved the instructional view from an experienced contractor, I've been watching the various jobs that your company has been worked on for a few years now, Thank you Stanley & company
As a kid my family had 5 acres and a garden lawn tractor. Dad welded up a manual lift hitch, bolted on a grader blade sourced from scrap metal. We nursed that cheap setup and did so much work over ten years. Great little machine. Ppl are spoilt with the range of machines today
We operate with several mini skids doing landscaping in tight residential areas and I wouldn’t choose a different machine for that application. The mini skids go to 100% of our sites. Full sized loader maybe half. And the minis are being developed further every year to lift more weight.
Hey Stanley. Always great content. Your videos have been extremely helpful as I'm nearing my first year in my side business, which at some point will become my full time gig. I've started out with a Mahindra 38hp tractor, only because i needed something for my property. After many neighbors in my area started calling and asking to me to spread gravel, dirt, move rocks, ect i decided to start the business since i saw a need and a way to make the money back on the machine. I'm still very green in this line of work but continue to push myself outside my comfort zone to learn more, and that's where your content has helped me greatly. Next years purchase will start with an excavator (because i too think a backhoe is inefficient) and since i already have a loader on the tractor, i can skirt by for another year without a skid. I also like the tractor because of the rear pto, where i run different implements, cheaper. However, there are downsides to that too. It takes time to build up the equipment, used excavator - 25-45k, used dump trailer - 5-7k, used skid - 8-15k. Plus hearing "you brought home another piece of equipment!?, where are we going to put that!?" lol.
Hatred of backhoes is unfounded, especially considering the construction grade Kubota TLB's that can drop the backhoe for 3 point implements. Think of it. A dump trailer hauling a Kubota TLB can do everything the skid steer and excavator can and more with one trip. It certainly can't do the individual tasks as quickly as a skid steer or excavator, but you have to consider the cost of three machines and the time to haul them individually to the job site. Kubota's L47 has comparable performance specs to a mid-sized skid and a Kubota KX040 and all you have to do is flip the seat around.
I have the l47 backhoe and a ssv65 tire skid the backhoe definitely isn’t as strong as the skid you can’t even grade driveways like Stanley said one thing I did like about it is if you put a grapple on it you can move trees quickly and easily to a burn pile but as far as digging with the back it isn’t bad but after running a kx040 the mini ex is definitely stronger I’d say get the skid and rent a mini when you need to if I were to start out
Not unfounded, with that mentality you can just bring a rake, shovel and wheel barrow. I agree a tlb is fine, but it’s more of a handyman/ home owner thing. They really aren’t comparable machine in the commercial world, maybe for very small jobs they have their place
Two cents. TLB's, like a backhoe and an industrial tractor, are handy. Swiss army knife idea. Last time I looked at Kubota TLB cabs were not air conditioned. Industrial tractor, backhoe, and TLB's are generally not found on large construction projects (look at others jobsites). Bobcat's Toolcat is another tool trying to do multiple things.
In MN, buy a 1 ton truck, not a 3/4. License on a 1 ton is a flat $100/yr, on a 3/4 ton they consider them a passenger vehicle and license is based on value, newer truck could cost $500/yr or more. Personally for pulling heavy equipment I'd go diesel, but that's just my preference.
I do facility/ grounds maintenance at summer camp. We have compact tractors which offers us a lot of versatility. They aren’t the best at everything but they get the job done.
Thank you sir! Been dreaming about getting into this kind of work. I rented an excavator to get some work done on my little farm. Turns out I love operating! I’ve been working in the corporate world for 20 years. Been thinking while the market is up turn some earnings into real equipment. We are living in the twilight zone, working in the woods is the only way to stay sane! I’ve learned a lot from you. Thanks!
@x__mwr-iu2ev That’s exactly what I’m thinking. It’s a scary thought leaving what’s comfortable but I’m done with that world. I want to work in the dirt.
@x__mwr-iu2ev I agree with you! Just spooky leaving a consistent paycheck but I’m going for it. I’m 38 and figure I’m not getting any younger and I don’t want to regret not trying. Thankfully I know a contractor who would be happy to know someone with a skid steer. Thanks for your kind words!
I am old school and love my backhoes mini equipment has its place on mini jobs. Backhoes take alot of skill and surrounding awareness. The smaller equipment has made it so alot more people can get into excavation. I will disagree with Mr Stanley and say a good backhoe hand can be more efficient than 2 mini machines.
A backhoe is really a loader, a digger and a 2T dumper when used properly so it’s 4 machines in 1 . To use as a local contractor and you can even get away with no transporting costs.
@@KA-om9oz Whoa, hey dude, there’s nothing more satisfying than tokin’ a doob and operating some heavy equipment. That’s when I do my best work. Everything becomes dialed in. It’s like a video game, man. Like… wow! 😎 Although, I do agree that TLBs serve a different purpose than skid steers. So operating a skid steer stoned will give the operator a different kind buzz than operating a TLB. But point taken! 😉
In Europe a Skidsteer is a unloading piece of equipment, mostly goes in the ship when the material handler is near the bottom of the ship. A mini digger is a good piece of equipment to start out over here. If you want to tow it behind your vehicle make sure the total weight of the trailer is less than 3500kg. But make sure above 5 metric tonnes it has a tiltrotator otherwise you wont get any jobs unless everyone else is fully booked. A thumb is out of the question either way because most companies wont deliver your digger with a thumb. THE way to go in Europe if you want to start out is a Wheel Digger with tiltrotator, a transporting cart behind the digger and alot of attachments to couple to your specific tiltrotator. Sometimes a Tiltpiece will do the job but most of the time your digger has to have a tiltrotator. Greetings from The Netherlands
In the uk no one uses skid steers,a zero tail swing excavator can do everything needed with a good operator with out the mess of a skid steer especially when it’s wet , you can trench,grade subase to a fine tolerance and different angles ,load a truck or dumper ! Horses for courses
It's the Swiss army knife of heavy equipment. All the equipment mentioned in this video is a joke. The money 💰 you need up front if you went his route is crazy expensive. If you know what you're doing with a backhoe, you can do anything you want it to do. Operator vs. Seat warrior.
I run them all and backhoes are almost never seen on jobsites anymore . The last 2 big companies I worked for they owned a couple older backhoes and they sat for a long time until there was a water break in the city ( and even then if a rubber tire excavator was available we would grab that instead ) backhoes have been totally phased out and replaced with a skid steer and a mini . A mini excavator will dig circles around a backhoe no matter who is running the backhoe
@rirebel6029 neah not accurate. Backhoe is so versatile, plus more comfortable to operate, and a ton better at loading truck/stock piling materials . Plus ability to dig tie ins jump form boards/tranches. Faster to get from one end of the job to the other. Every Comercial job I have ever been around has had a Backhoe on it.
My dad has owned his 580c backhoe for 40+ yrs. There isn’t a job he can’t do with it. He drives it to every job site even as far away as 50 miles in the past. I have many hours on that machine from plowing snow to pulling logs out of the woods. Many house foundations, septics, wells, pools, ponds, stumps, pads etc. it’s truly the best of both machines in one. For me to do a septic I’m in and out of both machines jumping from mini to skid steer getting stone or dirt.
Have some guys really are doing great work with backhoe, but from my point of View, the backhoe is the tool supposed to do everything but that does everything bad. I had a backhoe caterpillar 428.
I’m not disagreeing with 95% of what you said, however I think a sub compact tractor should have made the list, I can pick up logs with a grapple, dig out stumps with my backhoe, grade dirt roads with my land plane, brush hog with my tractor and many more jobs depending on attachments, it’s not the fastest or best to for the job but it will get allot of jobs done and many of them with one machine, personally I have completed a verity of jobs with this one machine. By the way great video and I’m glad you brought up the topic 👍🏼
That's pretty much my route for my 140 acre homestead. It's slower than a skidsteer, yes, but it does have a fair amount more 'general utility' than a skid-only. As someone who has a backhoe that is now looking at an ex, yeah I agree with him on the backhoe topic.
@@FormulaXFD On a farm/homestead its compact tractor for the win everyday. Especially with a cutter a tractor will eat a skid everytime with a pto driven brush cutter. Now if you want to lift i up and cut trees thats a different story. But skids are no fun traveling around long distances alot.
I started out w/ a 38 HP tractor for our property. I now have a skid steer and mini excavator. A compact tractor is like a backhoe, a jack of all trades, but master of none. The skid steer can lift more, can actually dig, and has a lot more attachments. My mini ex can go places the tractor can't.
I started with a Bobcat CT 2040 tractor and a 20’ Deckover trailer. I picked up driveway grading, storm tree clean ups, brush hogging, and post drilling. I always looked for palletized goods hauling. Bulk sheet material for home builders can be picked up at the box stores. Now I have a 14k Lamar dump trailer and I’m looking for a mid size excavator to grow with.
Great vid. love the pointers and additional opinions Zack offers, As a contractor I've learned the opinions of the currant "ball busters" are as valuable as those of us old guys who've been there, done that".
Well hell, I'll chime in too. For General Purpose, living in the country on a good size piece of land type of equipment. Arbitrarily; 20 acres or more, but that's a guideline. It didn't come down from Mt Sinai, carved in stone. In no particular order... 1. Skid Loader: Find something that fits you comfortably. Not so large it feels cumbersome, not so small that you have to start skipping burgers to get in it. Spend money on the hydraulics up front, because the skid steer is the one that's going get the most variety in attachments. 2. Tractor: Using Kubota for reference: Some in the size range of the L3560 to the MX5200. If you need bigger, you're getting out of the General Purpose range. Get the extra hydraulics up front, which you'll want for a grappler. Skip the 4-way bucket. Sounds great in the showroom, not really all that useful in the field, outside of particular things. Also get the optional extra hydraulics in the back, even if you're not sure what you'll use them for. 3. Excavator: I have a soft spot in my heart for Takeuchi. You never forget your first. Something in the 7,500 - 12,000lb range. I am particularly fond of the ones with a blade that articulates on the horizontal plane, like a bulldozer
We have built driveways, additions , complete houses, septic systems, and everything in between with a backhoe. Before they had skidloaders and trackhoes, guess what piece of equipment you used? A backhoe
Work for 2 small companies as an operator. 1 has a deere 35, 2x60, a 160 echavators all with tilting ditch buckets as well, and a 244 loader with pit tires/bucket/fork. The other company has a sany 35 and a deere 120. Few companies here use skidsteers but i think its an area thing. Theres far too much ledge for them to dig effeciently, and as such most the time the ground is solid enough to get trucks close enough that they loose the advantage they have of moving lots over distance. Also weve noticed that we didnt see an efficiency increase when we used em in snow but i think thats just cause of the accounts we had werent condusive to them and needed a truck or a plowbox/loader. But i do like them and when u need em theyre amazing. I 100% agree with having a thumb. And get a machine with ac/heat. They get hot as sin and itll keep u makin money longer my best advice is go ask a few local companies that do what u wanna do what equip they love and why.
With the dump trailer make sure it's got rear supports so that when you load your machine you don't tip the trailer and run your truck down the road. Also, with the mini excavator, make sure you get one with at least a manual coupler if not a hydraulic coupler. I think the perfect size is a 3 or 3 and 1/2 ton machine to start out with.
Interesting perspective, don't disagree.. Homebuilder who does his own back fill, landscaping, etc. Started with a Kubota B7800 with a Land Pride tiller, worked the heck out of it (still own it), then added a Takeuchi TB 235-2 mini ex for digouts, utility work, boulder installs. Kubota landscape tractor does most of the work a skid loader would do except moving heavy pallets of retaining wall block, so now use a heavy strap with the mini-ex to slide the pallets (which isn't time efficient, but gets it done). Only thing I'd add is an angle blade to my Takeuchi. Good video, keep em coming.
I don’t really miss our backhoes, BUT I could dig 1,800’ at 4’ deep and also a thing called a water box that measured around 12’ by 8’ by 6’ deep all in one ten hour day. Was glad to switch to larger excavators but no chance a mini would even come close to the production of a backhoe. This was done in an agriculture field on a daily basis in the winter while irrigation was off in the Columbia basin Washington.
A non-inflatable rubber tire is excellent insurance against ever having a flat. Then having metal tracks over your rubber tires during this winter and spring on your dirt sites you can't get stuck with those things
I'd buy a telehandler MultiFarmer first, if I could. I could lift much more on the front, have greater reach to build sheds, carports..., do all what a tractor does with a 3pt, grading, plowing, seeding...Much more versatile I believe, at least on farm.
Started with a Bobcat T190. Then went to a SVL75-2 and a Kx040. Sold the SVL75-2, bought a SVL97-2. Still have the KX040. Will probably add a wheeled unit fairly soon. I wouldn’t buy an excavator without the thumb, period. Completely agree on the closed cabs, even if you want to run it open like I do much of the time. The only thing I disagree on, but this is very budget driven, is the 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I use a 550 now and wouldn’t ever step back down. I completely get the cost side getting started. But once there, there is no comparison to this truck and a 3/4 or 1 ton. Truck related as well, I absolutely hated working out of a pickup even though I did it for years. A service body is a gsme changer as well. This was one of your best videos. Kudo’s.
Tires for demo? Not if you are ripping up concrete garages. Been there done that with side wall punctures from the steel mesh as a home owner using a loader rental for the first time . Got my own loader 3 yrs later, T250. Nice machine when it works.Yes these things break down, but I can fix pretty much anything, else would not have got an older machine with the high hrs.
Newb, got acreage logged maybe 40 years ago. Lots of poplar, birch and maples. Some old growth pines. I want to build rental cottages, lakeside. Clear a spot for a sawmill and a firewood processor. I was thinking of two 40ft seacans with a connecting canopy. Safe storage for mill and splitter. First purchase was a pickup. Second purchase? A 1.8 ton mini ex in a 6x12 dump trailer,or a skid steer with a grapple and forestry mulcher. All in good time.
What equipment to run can be a very complicated thing. It depends on so many factors. For me and what I do my 40hp tractor works great. There are many people with skid loaders and mini ex machines...in some cases thoes machines are too large and impactful on the ground. I get calls from people who need work done but not at the expense of destroying the ground. My tractor can dig trenches, put in post holes, grind stumps, till, clear snow...and the next day you can't even tell I was on the lawn. It's truly a Swiss army knife. The biggest benefits for me is the versatility and snow clearing ability. Again, skid steers and wheel loaders are just too big to clear snow in tight spaces like condos and little parking lots. I completed a job last week for a customer where I built a garden, moved large rocks for a garden wall, put in 80 plus post holes, moved a utility trailer and dumped it in the woods and a few other small tasks. It was raining the whole time...a mini excavator or skid loader would not have been able to fit where I fit, tow the trailer, or make the garden...it was just too soft and his property would have been a mud pit. My tractor can till, put it post holes, dig trenches, load, grind stumps, excavate, all in one day, one machine, while it's raining and hardly leave a mark. And I can legally drive it down the road....
My first time using a skid steer was an S185 I rented to clear an acre of land to build our house. That thing is a great all around beast. I had a tooth bucket which was great for uprooting saplings and getting honkers unstuck, not to mention hogging out a 100’ x15’ driveway down 12” and dumping and leveling out the gravel. The S185 is a great piece of equipment. For a pro starting out I suggest getting both a blade bucket and a tooth bucket if you can afford it. It’ll make the machine more versatile.
Started with a CAT 249D3, now we've added Kubota 75 3, Kubota 57 excavator, Kubota 40 excavator and CAT 299D3 XE, 16' Dump trailer, tri-axle tilt deck trailer, 40' Goose neck and the 18 footer we started worth. We love them all.
I've been in excavation all my life been in business myself for 38 years. I've operated dozers scrapers loaders haul trucks ... the only thing I never had an opportunity to operate was a drogline. I bought a CAT 226 the first year it was introduced in 2000 still have it and it runs great, the thing I dislike like the most is flat tires, seems like everytime I want to use it it has a flat or low tire, I like MICHELIN 's airless cushion tire bit just can't justify the cost for a tire. Last year I bought a used CAT 279C its pre Def and has more HP than newer models, to me CTLs or worth the extra money over tired machines. Going up, sideways on slopes they are so much more stable. The other thing I would like to add is no other machine I've ever owned has a better percentage of profit on an hourly basis that a skidsteer
Thank you for the video, as someone just starting out, with building some basic structures on our property. I have a better understanding around some of the options and uses for different equipment types.
Important to point out Kubota Track loader vs. other enclosed cabs. You started to show it at about 20:00 and that's the roll up door vs. the side opening. I have an SVL for that very reason vs other makes. I've had many instances that it would have been inconvenient to have a side opening door. I'd also say a 75hp machine would suit most needs over a 90 hp.
I'd like to point out that if you are going to buy a backhoe, it will make more money than a miniex overall for a skilled operator going on their own. You can work road jobs digging curb work, utilities, subdivisions and sidewalk programs better than a mini/skid combo because of the travel potential. You plow more snow and you can load trucks more efficiently in the sun or snow. Skid/ miniex has a much easier learning curve and that's probably where new startups have the advantage. I own both setups. Backhoe wins on concrete/snow/ civil works, but never on startup size landscaping.
Powerjack comment ..so i bought an adapter attachment for my cordless drill for both my huge tongue jack on my tilt bed and the smaller top screw tongue jack for my dump trailer. I keep a good charged battery in my truck and its drill, with the adapter. Never have to crank crank crank crank crank. Make sure you dont use an impact drill.
Kubota articulating loader with backhoe attachment is what I’ve used. Turns on a dime, great visibility, larger wheels that are all the same size, you can move the bucket or hoe side to side with the steering and fantastic reliability. Many attachments available as well.
A full sized backhoe is hard to beat for any excavation company. We use ours all the time it doesn't dig as easy in most places as our excavators or move materials like our tracked machines but it gets used one way or another more times then the other machines especially on bigger job sites just jump in the backhoe and do whatever is needed vs the other machines.
I do paver patios and In my area, most of the jobs I work on, are pretty tight. And for the most part we use the mt100s since we can get them in virtually every backyard. Only issue is, is that when we are doing small jobs. It’s not worth tearing up yards and using 20 gator mats or plywood to get back there just isn’t super efficient, so we just find our selves hand digging. But one thing I wish we had was a CAT 301.7 cr. They can get through any 4 ft gate and we can excavate faster, and save our backs. What would be your thoughts. Or do you think there is a better and more efficient way
@@App1eDash we use a similar brand. I don’t remember exactly but virtually the same. I guess the issue is just the challenge of getting a bunch of them there and if it’s worth laying that many out. Which I’m sure it is. I’m still learning how to be more efficient so I’m sure I’ll figure it out
I replaced my JD 410 D with a 110 TLB; small enough, big enough. A bit loud but I'm mostly deaf now (old construction guy here). Seat changing is wonky but acceptable. With 2K hrs. on it, I think it'll be the last horse I will ride (although, I might get a little ride around mower for my in town property...) I'm kinda old school about backhoes; they do everything but don't do anything really well, so if you've only got one machine and time, TLB is the way to go.
@@moonmadman absolutely, on my 5 acres, it can harvest hay, dig ditches, spread gravel, run a post hole digger.. etc etc.. it's helped transform my property entirely, I love it
Properties less than a half acre, mini skid steer is where it’s at! We have 900 hours on our mini skid versus 300 hours on our full size. Residential landscaping and Hardscaping. You need a full size though for moving full pallets and tree excavation. We would use the full-size more, but it breaks stuff everywhere it goes so we only use it on full renovations and land clearing
This was helpful. I got a small excavator because digging trenches was a pain but anything beyond some quick trenching it cannot handle of course. That being said to really do any dirt work I think if I buy a skid steer and have my little excavator I can get a lot done until it’s time to move up.
I do ground clearance from trees to trash. And landscaping. I have a bobcat t870 , a 3.5 ton trac hoe , and 35 hp kioti with front hydraulic added and use a bwise 14ft dump trailer and 10 ton tandem to haul it all . From southern Indiana .
Thanks Stanley for the great advice. I’m a large property owner and I really think that I should be looking for one of those turf loaders. The Telescoping boom on it just seems to be way more user friendly if you just need to go easy on the equipment. That ANTS dump trailer is just the best idea. How is it for handling firewood logs and firewood since that track may not be able to survive direct hits by logs?
3 yrs ago, I bought one of those cheap Chinese mini excavators…. I’m making a killing off it.. I can get it into any space and the build quality is amazing..
Great info I'm getting tired of the upkeep cost and gas prices of diesels- I was thinking about going down to a 2500 but was wondering if it would haul- you can get a nicer 2500 with less miles than a one ton thanks for the info
Not sure which brands are popular locally, just visit your local QT or Wawa or whatever at 6 any morning. It will be jammed with landscapers and jobber trucks towing equipment, and just take note of brand trends. In my area, Takeuchi CTLs dominate. TL8s and TL10s abound. Bobcats come after that. Bobcat and Kubota for mini excavators. These crews have already figured out works for them, which ones have support, which ones have lowest cost per hour. Not saying base any decision on who's getting coffee or anything like that. Just take notes or recon.
I have 12 ton and 33 ton excavators and do house digs, builds and landscaping. Buying a skid next. I use portable screeners for stripped house site soil and use it for lawn areas. 😊
If I were to start my own business, the wheel excavator is the most interesting, but the market in the Netherlands wants you to have an excavator on SPECIAL TIRE FOR EXCAVATOR, such as the 650/45-22.5 24 175A8 NOKIAN TIRES EXCAVATOR SF TL or the NOKIAN TIRES GROUND KARE or a similar tire without With the tiltrotator, it is almost impossible to get the machine to work in earthmoving In our area the customer expects us to come with a trailer with this on it a wide, narrow, skeleton bucket, normal excavator bucket and pellet fork bowls, this is what the local market requires from us, and they also often rent out a demolition sorting grab.
For PA the State police have a chart on the website that explains the weight of truck, trailer and load where you would need a CDL or not. It may be the best chart out there for that. Even better than talking to the officers that go through the training for checking trucks.
How about starting with forestry mulched setup and a bucket, forks, trailer and truck. Forestry mulcher require bigger skid steers? I was going start with new setup. Just thought focusing on clearing and grubbing to start. Newbie here. 😂
I'm not going into business but I have a Kubota L3901 TLB and it works great to manage my 40 acres. I have a grapple and I've cleared huge fallen trees across my driveway, etc, and the bucket does a decent job at maintaining the gravel driveway. I also own a smaller 25 horse John Deere TBL that I bought initially. It's a good little tractor but It wasn't long before I knew I needed a bigger unit. People laugh at the little John Deere until they operate it. It operates surprisingly well for its small frame although with its small wheel base it can be "tippy" on uneven surfaces so some common sense goes a long way with it. My dealer said that alot of plumbers etc were buying the 1025 TLB for trenching work. It's light weight doesn't tear up customers grass as much as heavier equipment. I live in a hollow and if it's rained alot I can't drive tye Kubota with ag tires and ballast as it will run the yard so the John Deere 1025 is perfect for cleaning out the coops etc.
Mini excavators are good. And very versatile. I just bought one. I wouldn't say a backhoe is useless. I operated one for 10 years. They could do about anything. They can move more dirt than a skidsteer. They can do a bit of everything. If you know what your doing. I have built roads, cleaned up sights, ditches. Broke rock, demo. Anything excavating I have done it with a backhoe. A backhoe will outdig most mini excavators if it's a good one. I have 20 years in excavation. I have run just about everything. Rubber tired skidsteers are useless. They move dirt but not very good in loose clean rock. You spend more time trying to figure out how to attack the job than doing the job. They spin too easy. Everyone has preferences. Track skidsteers can be a dozer if you get the right one. Cat so far have impressed me on what they will do. It all depends on what your going to do. Heavy work. Or landscaping. Most people use track skidsteers anymore.
Check your dot laws before you start. When I was in CDL school over 8 years ago you need a class A CDL if you tow a trailer that’s rated for 10,001lbs or more. That’s for commercial use. Here in Washington state guys are getting pop left and right for it. Make sure your truck can handle the trailer you are towing too. Check out Big truck Big rv he has some good videos on that too. Also any tuck that has air brakes that’s used commercially you legally have to have some sort of CDL. Now I use mini excavators all the time I recommend Deere/Hitachi if you can afford them. Get one with a pin grabber quick coupler too. Budget mini Yanmars are pretty good. The worst mini excavators I’ve used are Bobcat and Cat. Good luck and God Bless!
Some states like GA dont require a CDL for a trailer over 10K as long as the total with truck is under 26k. The 10K trailer limit comes in when you have a combined rating that exceeds 26k but the truck itself cant exceed 26k. So in other words, a 26k freight liner can pull up to a 10k trailer OR a 12k F350 could pull a 14k trailer with no CDL.
I understand your points regarding backhoes, but in my case, having the right compact tractor, with its huge versatility, is akin to a Swiss Army knife: Loader, grapple, forks, snow plow, PTO for tiller, mower, bush hog, and of course-the detachable backhoe. The business I’m getting into is property maintenance-where there’s no emphasis on any particular type of work-necessitating a focus on one particular type of machine. So hence why to me a compact tractor with all the versatility-including a backhoe, seems to be the best route. But I’d be open to comments on this, especially since I haven’t yet pulled the trigger on this machine. Currently have an older Kubota compact tractor, but don’t want to invest in a backhoe for it due to its age. Rather trade it for a new machine and start out fresh. Looking forward to comments/advice.
For your first piece for equipment in landscaping i would say a compact tractor with front lorder with a skid steer coupler so you can use all the skid steer attachments and it cheaper then a skid steer and you can use it for mowing scarifying aeration hedge cutting and spraying and pulling trailers all doe a zero turn might be better for mowing but when you're on a budget you have to go for the most versatile piece of equipment you can afford 😂😂🤑🤔💬
I started in 2010 with a medium size skidloader (Case 60XT/tires) actually still have it, that machine will keep you working 7 days a week if you hunt work, at least it did for me.
My first machine was a brand new 883 Bobcat Skid Steer. That machine was a huge part in building a company. 2 years later I purchased a new John Deere 310SG backhoe. Another great machine that I still have in the fleet. Currently we have 1 track loader 2 skid steer loaders 2 mini excavators 1 backhoe and 5 3 yard wheel loaders. It all started with the 883G skid steer, we ran the hell out of that machine for 20 years. The year we got the machine we got a blizzard where the bobcat ran for 8 days without shutting off. For a first machine you can’t go wrong with a skid steer!
As much as I agree that a mini ex is superior to a backhoe, I still have the latter one and I'm very happy with it. Surely I'm dreaming of a proper excavator, but convincing my wife of the need for new toys is more challenging than making the backhoe doing jobs it's not very good at... Disclaimer: I'm not using it for commercial purposes. Just yard maintenance, snowwork, moving lumber and similar.
Thanks for the video been torn between what equipment to buy. Been working in a plant for years as a electrician I'm burnt out. Been buying equipment slowly got a tractor with a grappler and front bucket, Ram 3500 dually diesel, and a 14k trailer. Do you still recommend the skid steer over the mini x or would my tractor get me by til I get a skid steer. mostly land clearing and dirt roads and stuff like that to do here in North Carolina. Anyone in the comments happy to hear your thoughts as well. Thanks
I maintain a private 1/2 mile single lane gravel road. Gets lots of potholes etc throughout the year. Would like a skid steer also for brush clearing. Recommendation Tracks or wheels? I can see advantages of each.
I would not completely rule out a backhoe, if you get a good one. On a daily basis I wouldn’t be able to do what we are doing without a backhoe. It must be said the backhoes we run are articulated ones which makes a hell of a difference. I can do every thing a skid loader can do including leveling driveways, and I can also dig like an excavator, the one I’m running currently is even able to run a tilt bucket and a hammer, and we also have one with an extender hoe and tiltrotator. On the site I work on, we also have 10 ton machine with a tiltrotator, and a wheeled 18 tonnes excavator. And the one machine that is guaranteed to be used every day is the backhoe. The backhoe I’m running is a Hydrema 906E, weighing about 9 tonnes, but I would not change it to the ones you are referring to in the video, but I could change it to an older Hydrema model, like the 806, that was built in the late 80’s to the early 90’s, and still be about as productive. But I also have to mention, when recommending backhoes, that they have a higher skill requirement for the operator for being effective, so if you are new to equipment, don’t buy a backhoe, but if you are used to running equipment consider a backhoe if it suits your applications.
Trailers. I got by for years using dump trailer as skid loader hauler, and small loader tractor hauler. Today I would get a GN dump with tandem duals. You put fuel tank in truck, oils hook trailer with skid. You unload, load dirt, brush, etc haul, dump, return. I never have had tracks. Rarely wished I did. I regret not buying a mounted tire/rim skid loader. Only twice I damaged tire bad. But to be able to zip off/on worth it. Forks my cousin borrowed them. I told him his kid would demand a set. His kid bought a brand new set. *I had told the father of nice used sets cheap*. But kid in construction. He wants, he buys.
the type of equipment you buy is very subjective to what jobs you have to do. one of my first jobs was doing field tile repair and installing intakes in corn fields and we used a backhoe and it worked perfectly. all the jobs were close enough to drive it to the jobs.
Our heavy construction company had a fleet of Case 1845's. They took every type of abuse possible and kept on going. Many other skids came and went, but they were like the Energizer bunny... Kept on going.
Obviously it depends on how far out they're reached, but will a KX40 lift and set those concrete retaining wall blocks without destroying itself? Like you said, weight is an issue with excavators because of transportation and I'm trying to avoid needing a CDL, at least for now. Looking at buying one in the next year and want the smallest one possible that will comfortably do this.
I do have one issue with what you said about the bucket on the Bobcat, that you may not have heard of, or have availability. You can buy bucket lips that can be purchased in the size you need for your bucket at 300+ a piece and have someone punch, drill, whatever holes along the lip of the Bobcat bucket that would match up with the lips you would purchase for the equipment. At least that's what the company I worked for in Wa state (west coast) would do. Just wanted to let you know. Love your review and advice. By the way, at my age, I'd rather have a push button trailer jack too. 😁
...unless you live in the mountains! Then, buy an mini-excavator first. For a first size, I had a Bobcat E-26. It was perfect - could pull off the canopy and get indoors or cut away a mountain for a home pad. I had a straight blade, 24" bucket, 12" bucket, and a thumb. I cut new roads, trenched in commercial buildings and exterior for all kinds of things, cleared land, did basement waterproofing, stacked finger boulder walls, repaired lots of crushed stone drives/pads, and did a lot of tree felling. ...excellent size, cost. Paired with it a '99 F-550 dump truck and a 16', 10,000lb equipment trailer.
I agree. If you’re in tight urban areas most the time. Mt85 with and E20.
If you get these big machines good luck using em in lil ol Sally’s backyard.
I must be doing it right Stan, KX 057, SVL 75-3, dump truck and equipment trailer and no employees, I'm having fun!
Make your own power jack.
Cut the crank off, weld a socket to the stub and then use a battery impact wrench to raise or lower the trailer
I bought my first Case backhoe in 1966 and made a good living with it. At age 86 I have a Cat 304 excavator and a Kubota l35 with a full hydraulic scraper on it. I still love a backhoe but find the mini very useful. I develop properties and love moving dirt. GOOD VIDEO!
Thanks for the advice. I have 35 acres that is on steep terrain. I am clearing old mining roads and am wanting to build pads for cabins. The property is full of old roads overgrown with trees and brush. Lots of tailings all over. I was going to buy a backhoe with scraper until this video. Here is what I have! I repaired a 1974 D8H bulldozer that was left on the property and will start clearing the roads with that soon. I got nearly free a Case 30+4 trencher with a small backhoe. The trencher is a death trap though especially on hilly terrain. I am in need of removing large trees, moving rocks and grading the roads. Miles of roads including a national forest easement. I am thinking now of getting (In order as I can afford them) an older medium tracked skid steer, Mini excavator , Dump trailer, Old used crane truck "Trees, building cabins" a rock crusher (Roads and getting rid of tailings). I'm on a tight budget! I am not a heavy equipment operator but have caught on well with the bulldozer. I am however a pretty good mechanic. What are your thought's about a cheap Chinese excavator for those of us who are broke! LOL.
I wish more people would watch stuff like this. All my years as CAT and now Kubota lead tech, I still see people buy way more than what they actually need. All the time people are coming in and buying a SVL 97 with a FECON head to clear land and they are just starting out with no customers yet. The SVL 97 is like $95,000 thousand dollars and the FECON head is like $25,000. But a lot of these guys are not actually taking down big trees, they are clearing thick brush and saplings. A big brush cutter is a way better option and is under $10,000. It's also not nearly as hard on the machine as a FECON head. People don't realize those things will literally destroy their machine over time. As far as machine goes the SVL 75 is awesome and same size as a CAT 259. Both of those machines can run so many attachments just fine. And the SVL 75 is only like $68,000. So you don't need to spend $130,000 for the big equipment when can spend $78,000. That also leaves money for a trailer and other attachments. Lastly people forget that the bigger the equipment the more expensive the parts will be and more expensive repairs. Our dealership cost $125 an hour for labor. The CAT dealer I worked at is over $140 I believe. Please please please keep up with maintenance though it will save you so much money long term it's not even funny. I don't care what any manufacture wants to say. Every 250 hours you need to change your engine oil and filter both fuel filters and both air filters. That might sound like a lot but that SVL 97 engine is $35,000 and you still have to pay to have it put in.
Stanley your words of wisdom will benefit so many novice guys and probably save then from bankruptcy too!!!
I loved your vid up until the Ford thing... Lol. I have a 07 2500hd DURAMAX... 😁 I was going to buy a backhoe until my boss who had a excavating business recommended a mini excavator. Since then I've been doing research and looking at them. I didn't realize how many different attachments you can get for a mini. That's a game changer. I'm gonna go look at a 040 with 1700hrs tomorrow. I haven't even looked at the 040 yet and already know I'm gonna fall in love with it. Full cab, heat & AC, angle plow, and quick disconnect. Don't even have to leave the cab to change attachments... You can get pallet forks, tilt buckets, auger, grapple just to name a few... I can't wait to get it! Thanks for taking the time to make the vid.. Great Vid!!
Awesome video I own a landscaping company in South Georgia. We started with a used TL8 track skid steer and a new d2e high side dump trailer it worked great. 2nd year in we added a cx 37 mini x 11000 pounds machine and it was a game changer absolutely get the hydraulic thumb I can do so many jobs from trenching to tree removal the most useful machine I have. Year three added a case 380 track machine it it the biggest track machine without government juice aka def. Awesome machine and service. Year four we have added Harley rake and 19 ton mack dump truck. We continue to grow our fleet with attachments for this machine . We also added a gooseneck trailer year two but used dump trailer to haul equipment for years. Couldn't agree more in my case a back hoe is useless. Thanks for videos they have helped me with purchase great videos and content stay safe.
This was a good video. I started out with a shovel and a garden rake. Later i got a push mower. I knew as yard work started coming in i needed a leaf rake and wanted to get serious in the material moving so i bought me a wheelbarrow. I should have bought a tarp when i got the wheelbarrow but i didn't want to spend more money. Last year I bought me a wagon. It has the big pneumatic tires. I wish i would have got them foam filled but was to excited with how easily it rolled to think about future regrets. Now that im all set up and in business im thinking my next investment should be geared towards health benefits. Seriously thinking of purchasing a large igloo to keep Gatorade in. I think they are cheaper than a yeti and should work about as well.
😂😂😂
For residential landscaping a mini skidsteer is a brilliant machine. My Toro TX1000 wide track with the turf tracks replaced with dirt tracks and multiple attachments has made me the bionic man :)
Around 1980 John Grove “JLG” made the “Little John”.
He couldn’t sell them, now everyone is making them.
I’ve never been in the residential industry. So when I started my business I had no clue where it was going to lead me so I rented everything and only owned a 3/4 ton pick up and hand tools. I used my profits to buy grade laser, water pumps, battery powered tools, chop saw, and etc. without having loans on small equipment I was able to be versatile with different pieces of equipment. I was able to use my capitol and a LOC to start funding commercial projects. It allowed me to get into a larger revenue projects with larger equipment.
"PAY as you go"
Maybe the government should try it.😂
Agree 100%, this is how I operate my business. Use my LOC to operate my jobs and I factor whatever rental I need for the job into the job. No notes on idle machines that I have to cover every month. If you can’t put 500 hours a year on a machine you don’t need to own that machine.
interesting considering banks only want to lend based upon assets they can seize and guaranteed income. i'm guessing that asset and guaranteed fund is your own home. that bites many people in the arse when there is a down turn.
@@aprilgeneric8027 Honestly most banks don’t consider tools or equipment older than 10 years old as an asset. Therefore they won’t lend against it or if they do it’s not much. It goes by your credit score and your debt ratio as well as you business income or your potential if your just starting. All of which is in your business plan when you go to the bank. Then the LOC amount that you get approved for will be considered unsecured and you just pay a higher percentage. Then after a year to two of good history of borrowing and paying on the LOC you can get an increase then be considered a secure loan and get better rates. No need to tie your personal assets to it at all.
@@aprilgeneric8027 my home isn’t being used as collateral. At first I got a personal LOC for 35k. Along with all my business credit cards gave me a total of $80k. I funded a mobile home park demo. Then I used it to fund a state game commission project. All while still doing residential work which 6 months in I was at an average monthly revenue of $25k. I went to my local bank and said I wanted to keep doing commercial work and they sent me to a non profit organization called the SBDC that helped me write a 2 yr business plan with very detailed revenue projections. Once I completed everything the business plan entailed I submitted it to the SBA as a LOC through my bank. I also have a line of credit through multiple supply companies which also was helpful when applying for the LOC.
I have an S185 and I love it. I use it mostly for things around my house and plowing snow in the winter. It is honestly the best thing I own. I’ve used it for the odd job here and there. The dump trailer is also a must. I use it constantly
I agree with Stan as a S185 is a good choice, but he should have also mentioned the option to put on a track system on a wheeled skid like the VTS. I have a Deere 270 skid which is a good bit bigger than the S185, and we did some driveway demos and work while wheeled but it would sink easily in dirt.. But it was a game changer to get Loegering VTS tracks for it. Love the tracks and its not fun to swap back and forth, but when your starting out and lack funds its alot better than having 2 skids.
@@IndependenceIronyes the tracks make a huge difference for me going into the woods or any muddy type situation. I have an older bobcat 843 tire machine and a set of the loggering steel tracks to put on it. I got stuck once in the woods without the tracks on, I had to come along to a nearby tree then in/out of the skid steer several times before I wiggled my way out. Never again 😅
Everything he said about the trucks is so true. This ain't 1990 where the biggest gas motors only made 200hp. These modern gassers make plenty of power and with maintenance and care last as long as any frame they make. Modern diesels make stupid power but the emissions systems are killing them
Newer gassers do make good power but you don't have to get newer ones. Older gassers such as 2000 and up are pretty good, especially if you can find good condition trucks with the bigger 8.1 or ford V10s. That said even the older 2v 5.4s and chevy 6.0 were good reliable motors. They won't win races but they will pull the load.
Only trucks i would personally avoid is the older 6.0 chevys. I currently have a 2003 and its a good truck but the trans really limits its towing ability. 1st gear in the 4l80e has a 2.48:1 ratio vs the Fords with 4R100 and a 2.71:1 ratio. Doesn't seem like much but really helps getting the heavy loads moving. The newer gas trucks really don't make that much extra power, just have more gears with lower ratios down in the 3.9:1 range to really get those heavy loads moving.
First timer on channel and I’m thinking about starting my own business. GREAT pointers and advice. Kabota, Bobcat and John Deere dealers are near me. I’m leaning heavily towards Kabota. I’m loosing my factory job (plant closing) so I will be a whole new business from ground up. Truck, trailer, skid steer, mini trackhoe and few different attachments. Was thinking about grinder/mulching head so that jumps me up to largest body size with high flow pump. My goal is to clear lots, grading, tree & stump removal, driveways or right way cut-ins… I have a friend who wants/needs me to come with him again to run a crew on mowing and reclaiming right aways that run through Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. On the road work yes but I can learn and hone my skills while working for him. I have major decision ahead and if I decide to stay home work for self…more decisions ahead concerning equipment. Lots to consider and pray about.
Good video and congrats on your lifelong successful commitment working dirt. I assume we are alike in that we want to make a decent living; not get rich overnight. Anything that comes in fast can and probably will leave just as fast. The turtle might not win all the races but he does always finish each race.
Kubota....k"U"bota !!!
I just bought a kubota m62 with thumb, graple / root rake and 1 yard bucket... all quick attach. No regrets. I can dig out a 40"+ diameter stump, grab it with the graple and then bring in a couple scoops of dirt to cover the hole with just 1 machine. I can work it hard for 8 hours on 15 gallons on diesel. With the crawl mode, i can trench without having to turn the seat around.... but i understand your point that it's not as efficient for each task as the machine dedicated to that task. Hauling 1 machine to a site certainly has an advantage.
I fully understand that a backhoe isn’t amazing at everything but starting my landscaping business it certainly allowed me to do jobs to grow and eventually get my kx040. I’m still working on getting a skid. There’s also jobs where I don’t want to take 2 pieces of equipment to as I’m solo and it just makes time sense and small much more forgiving on lawns. Excavation I could definitely see it being different though!
Plus u can drive to and from sites without a trailer and rent skips till u get ur own dump trailer or truck my uncle to carry his motor bike to jobs in the loader if the machine was staying when he work for the local council
Growing up for years on the farm our loader tractor was a jd 310d backhoe. My step-dad built some pallet forks for it and ended up using the forks to take a 4 wheeler to jobs. Hes upgraded a couple of times. I believe he's up to a jd 310se now. Still does everything he needs it to do. The ability to level yourself out without moving a ton of dirt is handy digging water and sewer lines. Hes a well driller by trade. No problems digging basements either @Lee-At-Green-Pheonix-Rc
As a operator and mechanic for 40 plus years Stanley is giving yall great information.! If it works it will break! 😂 ! As to what you want to accomplish is a different ballgame! I prefer track machinery used in roughing in then let smaller contractors comein and finish to the owner or builders wishes. I will do finish work it is part of it . Fuel costs repairs and possibly getting C.D.L. in your area all contribute to your final financial plan. Good luck and god bless you all. Stay safe!
One issue that’s not directly related to the choice of equipment is what, if any, licenses are required to operate loaders, excavators, and other earth moving equipment in your state. In my state a hoist license is required for all uses with only one exception, agricultural purposes.
get a better state
100 % agree on your points today. Only Unit I'd add to the fleet, is a compact tractor. Especially for a personal use property owner that needs to brush hog, grapple logs, loader work for bulk materials or spray chemicals, etc...although most people who are watching this, and own acreage, already have one.
articulating wheel loader like his Cast would be better. better turning.
Never skimp on trailers. Good axles that are sized right to carry the load and brakes. Nothing like going 60 and trying to stop a trailer with 10k+ of equipment on it. I've had some scrap/demo guy tell me the opposite about tracks and tires. They like tracks because rebar, angle iron, sharp concrete, etc can't deflate a track.
solid tires designed just for that application, demo
I retired 3 years ago and got a $5k Chinesium Jinma 2 cylinder diesel. With 3 attachments. Having fun learning how to use it and tricking it out.
I loved the instructional view from an experienced contractor, I've been watching the various jobs that your company has been worked on for a few years now, Thank you Stanley & company
As a kid my family had 5 acres and a garden lawn tractor. Dad welded up a manual lift hitch, bolted on a grader blade sourced from scrap metal.
We nursed that cheap setup and did so much work over ten years. Great little machine.
Ppl are spoilt with the range of machines today
4in1 bucket is on the skid steer is another bell and whistle virtually standard here in Australia
Not used much in the USA for some reason.
What about forestry mulching , lot clearing? Tracks for sure I would think on the skid , right?
We operate with several mini skids doing landscaping in tight residential areas and I wouldn’t choose a different machine for that application. The mini skids go to 100% of our sites. Full sized loader maybe half. And the minis are being developed further every year to lift more weight.
I’ve had a Case 1845c since 2009. That machine has never let me down. It’s as bulletproof as it gets.
Hey Stanley. Always great content. Your videos have been extremely helpful as I'm nearing my first year in my side business, which at some point will become my full time gig. I've started out with a Mahindra 38hp tractor, only because i needed something for my property. After many neighbors in my area started calling and asking to me to spread gravel, dirt, move rocks, ect i decided to start the business since i saw a need and a way to make the money back on the machine. I'm still very green in this line of work but continue to push myself outside my comfort zone to learn more, and that's where your content has helped me greatly. Next years purchase will start with an excavator (because i too think a backhoe is inefficient) and since i already have a loader on the tractor, i can skirt by for another year without a skid. I also like the tractor because of the rear pto, where i run different implements, cheaper. However, there are downsides to that too. It takes time to build up the equipment, used excavator - 25-45k, used dump trailer - 5-7k, used skid - 8-15k. Plus hearing "you brought home another piece of equipment!?, where are we going to put that!?" lol.
Hatred of backhoes is unfounded, especially considering the construction grade Kubota TLB's that can drop the backhoe for 3 point implements. Think of it. A dump trailer hauling a Kubota TLB can do everything the skid steer and excavator can and more with one trip. It certainly can't do the individual tasks as quickly as a skid steer or excavator, but you have to consider the cost of three machines and the time to haul them individually to the job site. Kubota's L47 has comparable performance specs to a mid-sized skid and a Kubota KX040 and all you have to do is flip the seat around.
The M 62 will dig 14' and move a pile of dirt or mow or box blade the list goes on .
I have the l47 backhoe and a ssv65 tire skid the backhoe definitely isn’t as strong as the skid you can’t even grade driveways like Stanley said one thing I did like about it is if you put a grapple on it you can move trees quickly and easily to a burn pile but as far as digging with the back it isn’t bad but after running a kx040 the mini ex is definitely stronger I’d say get the skid and rent a mini when you need to if I were to start out
Not unfounded, with that mentality you can just bring a rake, shovel and wheel barrow. I agree a tlb is fine, but it’s more of a handyman/ home owner thing. They really aren’t comparable machine in the commercial world, maybe for very small jobs they have their place
Two cents. TLB's, like a backhoe and an industrial tractor, are handy. Swiss army knife idea. Last time I looked at Kubota TLB cabs were not air conditioned. Industrial tractor, backhoe, and TLB's are generally not found on large construction projects (look at others jobsites). Bobcat's Toolcat is another tool trying to do multiple things.
@@tysonreidfuli agree. This is not apples to apples
In MN, buy a 1 ton truck, not a 3/4. License on a 1 ton is a flat $100/yr, on a 3/4 ton they consider them a passenger vehicle and license is based on value, newer truck could cost $500/yr or more. Personally for pulling heavy equipment I'd go diesel, but that's just my preference.
I do facility/ grounds maintenance at summer camp. We have compact tractors which offers us a lot of versatility. They aren’t the best at everything but they get the job done.
Thank you sir! Been dreaming about getting into this kind of work. I rented an excavator to get some work done on my little farm. Turns out I love operating! I’ve been working in the corporate world for 20 years. Been thinking while the market is up turn some earnings into real equipment. We are living in the twilight zone, working in the woods is the only way to stay sane! I’ve learned a lot from you. Thanks!
@x__mwr-iu2ev That’s exactly what I’m thinking. It’s a scary thought leaving what’s comfortable but I’m done with that world. I want to work in the dirt.
@x__mwr-iu2ev I agree with you! Just spooky leaving a consistent paycheck but I’m going for it. I’m 38 and figure I’m not getting any younger and I don’t want to regret not trying. Thankfully I know a contractor who would be happy to know someone with a skid steer. Thanks for your kind words!
I am old school and love my backhoes mini equipment has its place on mini jobs. Backhoes take alot of skill and surrounding awareness. The smaller equipment has made it so alot more people can get into excavation. I will disagree with Mr Stanley and say a good backhoe hand can be more efficient than 2 mini machines.
A backhoe is really a loader, a digger and a 2T dumper when used properly so it’s 4 machines in 1 . To use as a local contractor and you can even get away with no transporting costs.
Apples and oranges. Don’t do drugs kids
Above post BS
@@KA-om9oz
Whoa, hey dude, there’s nothing more satisfying than tokin’ a doob and operating some heavy equipment. That’s when I do my best work. Everything becomes dialed in. It’s like a video game, man. Like… wow! 😎
Although, I do agree that TLBs serve a different purpose than skid steers.
So operating a skid steer stoned will give the operator a different kind buzz than operating a TLB.
But point taken! 😉
@@flapjackson6077 Not hating on the pen. Just saying op is whacked
In Europe a Skidsteer is a unloading piece of equipment, mostly goes in the ship when the material handler is near the bottom of the ship. A mini digger is a good piece of equipment to start out over here. If you want to tow it behind your vehicle make sure the total weight of the trailer is less than 3500kg. But make sure above 5 metric tonnes it has a tiltrotator otherwise you wont get any jobs unless everyone else is fully booked. A thumb is out of the question either way because most companies wont deliver your digger with a thumb. THE way to go in Europe if you want to start out is a Wheel Digger with tiltrotator, a transporting cart behind the digger and alot of attachments to couple to your specific tiltrotator. Sometimes a Tiltpiece will do the job but most of the time your digger has to have a tiltrotator.
Greetings from The Netherlands
In the uk no one uses skid steers,a zero tail swing excavator can do everything needed with a good operator with out the mess of a skid steer especially when it’s wet , you can trench,grade subase to a fine tolerance and different angles ,load a truck or dumper ! Horses for courses
The old saying is a backhoe isn't the perfect tool for any one job but it can do every job.
It's the Swiss army knife of heavy equipment. All the equipment mentioned in this video is a joke. The money 💰 you need up front if you went his route is crazy expensive. If you know what you're doing with a backhoe, you can do anything you want it to do. Operator vs. Seat warrior.
I run them all and backhoes are almost never seen on jobsites anymore . The last 2 big companies I worked for they owned a couple older backhoes and they sat for a long time until there was a water break in the city ( and even then if a rubber tire excavator was available we would grab that instead ) backhoes have been totally phased out and replaced with a skid steer and a mini . A mini excavator will dig circles around a backhoe no matter who is running the backhoe
@rirebel6029 neah not accurate. Backhoe is so versatile, plus more comfortable to operate, and a ton better at loading truck/stock piling materials . Plus ability to dig tie ins jump form boards/tranches. Faster to get from one end of the job to the other. Every Comercial job I have ever been around has had a Backhoe on it.
My dad has owned his 580c backhoe for 40+ yrs. There isn’t a job he can’t do with it. He drives it to every job site even as far away as 50 miles in the past. I have many hours on that machine from plowing snow to pulling logs out of the woods. Many house foundations, septics, wells, pools, ponds, stumps, pads etc. it’s truly the best of both machines in one. For me to do a septic I’m in and out of both machines jumping from mini to skid steer getting stone or dirt.
Have some guys really are doing great work with backhoe, but from my point of View, the backhoe is the tool supposed to do everything but that does everything bad. I had a backhoe caterpillar 428.
I’m not disagreeing with 95% of what you said, however I think a sub compact tractor should have made the list, I can pick up logs with a grapple, dig out stumps with my backhoe, grade dirt roads with my land plane, brush hog with my tractor and many more jobs depending on attachments, it’s not the fastest or best to for the job but it will get allot of jobs done and many of them with one machine, personally I have completed a verity of jobs with this one machine.
By the way great video and I’m glad you brought up the topic 👍🏼
That's pretty much my route for my 140 acre homestead. It's slower than a skidsteer, yes, but it does have a fair amount more 'general utility' than a skid-only. As someone who has a backhoe that is now looking at an ex, yeah I agree with him on the backhoe topic.
@@FormulaXFD On a farm/homestead its compact tractor for the win everyday. Especially with a cutter a tractor will eat a skid everytime with a pto driven brush cutter. Now if you want to lift i up and cut trees thats a different story. But skids are no fun traveling around long distances alot.
I started out w/ a 38 HP tractor for our property. I now have a skid steer and mini excavator. A compact tractor is like a backhoe, a jack of all trades, but master of none. The skid steer can lift more, can actually dig, and has a lot more attachments. My mini ex can go places the tractor can't.
I started with a Bobcat CT 2040 tractor and a 20’ Deckover trailer. I picked up driveway grading, storm tree clean ups, brush hogging, and post drilling. I always looked for palletized goods hauling. Bulk sheet material for home builders can be picked up at the box stores.
Now I have a 14k Lamar dump trailer and I’m looking for a mid size excavator to grow with.
Great vid. love the pointers and additional opinions Zack offers, As a contractor I've learned the opinions of the currant "ball busters" are as valuable as those of us old guys who've been there, done that".
Well hell, I'll chime in too.
For General Purpose, living in the country on a good size piece of land type of equipment. Arbitrarily; 20 acres or more, but that's a guideline. It didn't come down from Mt Sinai, carved in stone.
In no particular order...
1. Skid Loader: Find something that fits you comfortably. Not so large it feels cumbersome, not so small that you have to start skipping burgers to get in it. Spend money on the hydraulics up front, because the skid steer is the one that's going get the most variety in attachments.
2. Tractor: Using Kubota for reference: Some in the size range of the L3560 to the MX5200. If you need bigger, you're getting out of the General Purpose range. Get the extra hydraulics up front, which you'll want for a grappler. Skip the 4-way bucket. Sounds great in the showroom, not really all that useful in the field, outside of particular things. Also get the optional extra hydraulics in the back, even if you're not sure what you'll use them for.
3. Excavator: I have a soft spot in my heart for Takeuchi. You never forget your first. Something in the 7,500 - 12,000lb range.
I am particularly fond of the ones with a blade that articulates on the horizontal plane, like a bulldozer
We have built driveways, additions , complete houses, septic systems, and everything in between with a backhoe. Before they had skidloaders and trackhoes, guess what piece of equipment you used? A backhoe
Work for 2 small companies as an operator. 1 has a deere 35, 2x60, a 160 echavators all with tilting ditch buckets as well, and a 244 loader with pit tires/bucket/fork. The other company has a sany 35 and a deere 120. Few companies here use skidsteers but i think its an area thing. Theres far too much ledge for them to dig effeciently, and as such most the time the ground is solid enough to get trucks close enough that they loose the advantage they have of moving lots over distance. Also weve noticed that we didnt see an efficiency increase when we used em in snow but i think thats just cause of the accounts we had werent condusive to them and needed a truck or a plowbox/loader. But i do like them and when u need em theyre amazing. I 100% agree with having a thumb. And get a machine with ac/heat. They get hot as sin and itll keep u makin money longer my best advice is go ask a few local companies that do what u wanna do what equip they love and why.
With the dump trailer make sure it's got rear supports so that when you load your machine you don't tip the trailer and run your truck down the road. Also, with the mini excavator, make sure you get one with at least a manual coupler if not a hydraulic coupler. I think the perfect size is a 3 or 3 and 1/2 ton machine to start out with.
Sounds like you know about the trailer rear supports by experience 🤣
@@WaltWW yes, luckily I had the truck in 4x4 with the parking brake on.
Interesting perspective, don't disagree.. Homebuilder who does his own back fill, landscaping, etc. Started with a Kubota B7800 with a Land Pride tiller, worked the heck out of it (still own it), then added a Takeuchi TB 235-2 mini ex for digouts, utility work, boulder installs. Kubota landscape tractor does most of the work a skid loader would do except moving heavy pallets of retaining wall block, so now use a heavy strap with the mini-ex to slide the pallets (which isn't time efficient, but gets it done). Only thing I'd add is an angle blade to my Takeuchi.
Good video, keep em coming.
I don’t really miss our backhoes, BUT I could dig 1,800’ at 4’ deep and also a thing called a water box that measured around 12’ by 8’ by 6’ deep all in one ten hour day. Was glad to switch to larger excavators but no chance a mini would even come close to the production of a backhoe. This was done in an agriculture field on a daily basis in the winter while irrigation was off in the Columbia basin Washington.
A non-inflatable rubber tire is excellent insurance against ever having a flat.
Then having metal tracks over your rubber tires during this winter and spring on your dirt sites you can't get stuck with those things
I'd buy a telehandler MultiFarmer first, if I could.
I could lift much more on the front, have greater reach to build sheds, carports..., do all what a tractor does with a 3pt, grading, plowing, seeding...Much more versatile I believe, at least on farm.
Started with a Bobcat T190. Then went to a SVL75-2 and a Kx040. Sold the SVL75-2, bought a SVL97-2. Still have the KX040. Will probably add a wheeled unit fairly soon. I wouldn’t buy an excavator without the thumb, period. Completely agree on the closed cabs, even if you want to run it open like I do much of the time. The only thing I disagree on, but this is very budget driven, is the 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I use a 550 now and wouldn’t ever step back down. I completely get the cost side getting started. But once there, there is no comparison to this truck and a 3/4 or 1 ton. Truck related as well, I absolutely hated working out of a pickup even though I did it for years. A service body is a gsme changer as well. This was one of your best videos. Kudo’s.
You nailed! Everything Iv been operating heavy equipment since 16 years old you got the plan worked out
Tires for demo? Not if you are ripping up concrete garages. Been there done that with side wall punctures from the steel mesh as a home owner using a loader rental for the first time . Got my own loader 3 yrs later, T250. Nice machine when it works.Yes these things break down, but I can fix pretty much anything, else would not have got an older machine with the high hrs.
Newb, got acreage logged maybe 40 years ago. Lots of poplar, birch and maples. Some old growth pines. I want to build rental cottages, lakeside. Clear a spot for a sawmill and a firewood processor. I was thinking of two 40ft seacans with a connecting canopy. Safe storage for mill and splitter. First purchase was a pickup. Second purchase? A 1.8 ton mini ex in a 6x12 dump trailer,or a skid steer with a grapple and forestry mulcher. All in good time.
What equipment to run can be a very complicated thing. It depends on so many factors. For me and what I do my 40hp tractor works great. There are many people with skid loaders and mini ex machines...in some cases thoes machines are too large and impactful on the ground. I get calls from people who need work done but not at the expense of destroying the ground. My tractor can dig trenches, put in post holes, grind stumps, till, clear snow...and the next day you can't even tell I was on the lawn. It's truly a Swiss army knife. The biggest benefits for me is the versatility and snow clearing ability. Again, skid steers and wheel loaders are just too big to clear snow in tight spaces like condos and little parking lots.
I completed a job last week for a customer where I built a garden, moved large rocks for a garden wall, put in 80 plus post holes, moved a utility trailer and dumped it in the woods and a few other small tasks. It was raining the whole time...a mini excavator or skid loader would not have been able to fit where I fit, tow the trailer, or make the garden...it was just too soft and his property would have been a mud pit. My tractor can till, put it post holes, dig trenches, load, grind stumps, excavate, all in one day, one machine, while it's raining and hardly leave a mark. And I can legally drive it down the road....
My first time using a skid steer was an S185 I rented to clear an acre of land to build our house. That thing is a great all around beast. I had a tooth bucket which was great for uprooting saplings and getting honkers unstuck, not to mention hogging out a 100’ x15’ driveway down 12” and dumping and leveling out the gravel.
The S185 is a great piece of equipment. For a pro starting out I suggest getting both a blade bucket and a tooth bucket if you can afford it. It’ll make the machine more versatile.
Started with a CAT 249D3, now we've added Kubota 75 3, Kubota 57 excavator, Kubota 40 excavator and CAT 299D3 XE, 16' Dump trailer, tri-axle tilt deck trailer, 40' Goose neck and the 18 footer we started worth. We love them all.
I've been in excavation all my life been in business myself for 38 years. I've operated dozers scrapers loaders haul trucks ... the only thing I never had an opportunity to operate was a drogline. I bought a CAT 226 the first year it was introduced in 2000 still have it and it runs great, the thing I dislike like the most is flat tires, seems like everytime I want to use it it has a flat or low tire, I like MICHELIN 's airless cushion tire bit just can't justify the cost for a tire. Last year I bought a used CAT 279C its pre Def and has more HP than newer models, to me CTLs or worth the extra money over tired machines. Going up, sideways on slopes they are so much more stable. The other thing I would like to add is no other machine I've ever owned has a better percentage of profit on an hourly basis that a skidsteer
Thank you for the video, as someone just starting out, with building some basic structures on our property. I have a better understanding around some of the options and uses for different equipment types.
Important to point out Kubota Track loader vs. other enclosed cabs. You started to show it at about 20:00 and that's the roll up door vs. the side opening. I have an SVL for that very reason vs other makes. I've had many instances that it would have been inconvenient to have a side opening door. I'd also say a 75hp machine would suit most needs over a 90 hp.
I'd like to point out that if you are going to buy a backhoe, it will make more money than a miniex overall for a skilled operator going on their own. You can work road jobs digging curb work, utilities, subdivisions and sidewalk programs better than a mini/skid combo because of the travel potential. You plow more snow and you can load trucks more efficiently in the sun or snow. Skid/ miniex has a much easier learning curve and that's probably where new startups have the advantage. I own both setups. Backhoe wins on concrete/snow/ civil works, but never on startup size landscaping.
Or a tractor...
Very well said
Powerjack comment
..so i bought an adapter attachment for my cordless drill for both my huge tongue jack on my tilt bed and the smaller top screw tongue jack for my dump trailer. I keep a good charged battery in my truck and its drill, with the adapter. Never have to crank crank crank crank crank. Make sure you dont use an impact drill.
Kubota articulating loader with backhoe attachment is what I’ve used.
Turns on a dime, great visibility, larger wheels that are all the same size, you can move the bucket or hoe side to side with the steering and fantastic reliability.
Many attachments available as well.
This is such valuable knowledge to be passing on. Thank you so much. I’m just getting started in the dirt business and love the content.
A full sized backhoe is hard to beat for any excavation company. We use ours all the time it doesn't dig as easy in most places as our excavators or move materials like our tracked machines but it gets used one way or another more times then the other machines especially on bigger job sites just jump in the backhoe and do whatever is needed vs the other machines.
I do paver patios and In my area, most of the jobs I work on, are pretty tight. And for the most part we use the mt100s since we can get them in virtually every backyard. Only issue is, is that when we are doing small jobs. It’s not worth tearing up yards and using 20 gator mats or plywood to get back there just isn’t super efficient, so we just find our selves hand digging. But one thing I wish we had was a CAT 301.7 cr. They can get through any 4 ft gate and we can excavate faster, and save our backs. What would be your thoughts. Or do you think there is a better and more efficient way
Have you looked into slat tracks there quick and easy to move
@@App1eDash we use a similar brand. I don’t remember exactly but virtually the same. I guess the issue is just the challenge of getting a bunch of them there and if it’s worth laying that many out. Which I’m sure it is. I’m still learning how to be more efficient so I’m sure I’ll figure it out
I got a JD 110 tlb.... its been a great tool for just about anything, it takes attachments in either end with hydraulic provisions..
I replaced my JD 410 D with a 110 TLB; small enough, big enough. A bit loud but I'm mostly deaf now (old construction guy here). Seat changing is wonky but acceptable. With 2K hrs. on it, I think it'll be the last horse I will ride (although, I might get a little ride around mower for my in town property...) I'm kinda old school about backhoes; they do everything but don't do anything really well, so if you've only got one machine and time, TLB is the way to go.
@@moonmadman absolutely, on my 5 acres, it can harvest hay, dig ditches, spread gravel, run a post hole digger.. etc etc.. it's helped transform my property entirely, I love it
Properties less than a half acre, mini skid steer is where it’s at! We have 900 hours on our mini skid versus 300 hours on our full size. Residential landscaping and Hardscaping. You need a full size though for moving full pallets and tree excavation. We would use the full-size more, but it breaks stuff everywhere it goes so we only use it on full renovations and land clearing
Excellent video Stan! What would you buy first for plowing snow? Skid loader or compact wheel loader? And which make and model?
Id go with a compact wheel loader cuz you can charge for a full size and look into a kabota r530
For a homeowner landowner, a small tractor makes more sense. Bucket on front and three point for implements.
This was helpful. I got a small excavator because digging trenches was a pain but anything beyond some quick trenching it cannot handle of course. That being said to really do any dirt work I think if I buy a skid steer and have my little excavator I can get a lot done until it’s time to move up.
I do ground clearance from trees to trash. And landscaping. I have a bobcat t870 , a 3.5 ton trac hoe , and 35 hp kioti with front hydraulic added and use a bwise 14ft dump trailer and 10 ton tandem to haul it all . From southern Indiana .
Thanks Stanley for the great advice. I’m a large property owner and I really think that I should be looking for one of those turf loaders. The Telescoping boom on it just seems to be way more user friendly if you just need to go easy on the equipment. That ANTS dump trailer is just the best idea. How is it for handling firewood logs and firewood since that track may not be able to survive direct hits by logs?
Its not good for hard dumping you have to dump stuff in gently or you will damage it
3 yrs ago, I bought one of those cheap Chinese mini excavators…. I’m making a killing off it.. I can get it into any space and the build quality is amazing..
Great info I'm getting tired of the upkeep cost and gas prices of diesels- I was thinking about going down to a 2500 but was wondering if it would haul- you can get a nicer 2500 with less miles than a one ton thanks for the info
Not sure which brands are popular locally, just visit your local QT or Wawa or whatever at 6 any morning. It will be jammed with landscapers and jobber trucks towing equipment, and just take note of brand trends. In my area, Takeuchi CTLs dominate. TL8s and TL10s abound. Bobcats come after that. Bobcat and Kubota for mini excavators. These crews have already figured out works for them, which ones have support, which ones have lowest cost per hour. Not saying base any decision on who's getting coffee or anything like that. Just take notes or recon.
I have 12 ton and 33 ton excavators and do house digs, builds and landscaping. Buying a skid next. I use portable screeners for stripped house site soil and use it for lawn areas. 😊
Some great advice!! Over capitalising when you first start out is very dangerous! You just have to start!!
If I were to start my own business, the wheel excavator is the most interesting, but the market in the Netherlands wants you to have an excavator on SPECIAL TIRE FOR EXCAVATOR, such as the 650/45-22.5 24 175A8 NOKIAN TIRES EXCAVATOR SF TL or the NOKIAN TIRES GROUND KARE or a similar tire
without
With the tiltrotator, it is almost impossible to get the machine to work in earthmoving
In our area the customer expects us to come with a trailer with this on it
a wide, narrow, skeleton bucket, normal excavator bucket and pellet fork bowls, this is what the local market requires from us, and they also often rent out a demolition sorting grab.
You can always weld on a new cutting edge.
For PA the State police have a chart on the website that explains the weight of truck, trailer and load where you would need a CDL or not. It may be the best chart out there for that. Even better than talking to the officers that go through the training for checking trucks.
Check with your local department of motor vehicles dept, As far as I know Anything over 26,000 pounds Requires a CDL license.
How about starting with forestry mulched setup and a bucket, forks, trailer and truck. Forestry mulcher require bigger skid steers? I was going start with new setup. Just thought focusing on clearing and grubbing to start. Newbie here. 😂
I'm not going into business but I have a Kubota L3901 TLB and it works great to manage my 40 acres. I have a grapple and I've cleared huge fallen trees across my driveway, etc, and the bucket does a decent job at maintaining the gravel driveway. I also own a smaller 25 horse John Deere TBL that I bought initially. It's a good little tractor but It wasn't long before I knew I needed a bigger unit. People laugh at the little John Deere until they operate it. It operates surprisingly well for its small frame although with its small wheel base it can be "tippy" on uneven surfaces so some common sense goes a long way with it. My dealer said that alot of plumbers etc were buying the 1025 TLB for trenching work. It's light weight doesn't tear up customers grass as much as heavier equipment.
I live in a hollow and if it's rained alot I can't drive tye Kubota with ag tires and ballast as it will run the yard so the John Deere 1025 is perfect for cleaning out the coops etc.
Mini excavators are good. And very versatile. I just bought one. I wouldn't say a backhoe is useless. I operated one for 10 years. They could do about anything. They can move more dirt than a skidsteer. They can do a bit of everything. If you know what your doing. I have built roads, cleaned up sights, ditches. Broke rock, demo. Anything excavating I have done it with a backhoe. A backhoe will outdig most mini excavators if it's a good one. I have 20 years in excavation. I have run just about everything. Rubber tired skidsteers are useless. They move dirt but not very good in loose clean rock. You spend more time trying to figure out how to attack the job than doing the job. They spin too easy. Everyone has preferences. Track skidsteers can be a dozer if you get the right one. Cat so far have impressed me on what they will do. It all depends on what your going to do. Heavy work. Or landscaping. Most people use track skidsteers anymore.
Check your dot laws before you start. When I was in CDL school over 8 years ago you need a class A CDL if you tow a trailer that’s rated for 10,001lbs or more. That’s for commercial use. Here in Washington state guys are getting pop left and right for it. Make sure your truck can handle the trailer you are towing too. Check out Big truck Big rv he has some good videos on that too. Also any tuck that has air brakes that’s used commercially you legally have to have some sort of CDL. Now I use mini excavators all the time I recommend Deere/Hitachi if you can afford them. Get one with a pin grabber quick coupler too. Budget mini Yanmars are pretty good. The worst mini excavators I’ve used are Bobcat and Cat. Good luck and God Bless!
Some states like GA dont require a CDL for a trailer over 10K as long as the total with truck is under 26k. The 10K trailer limit comes in when you have a combined rating that exceeds 26k but the truck itself cant exceed 26k. So in other words, a 26k freight liner can pull up to a 10k trailer OR a 12k F350 could pull a 14k trailer with no CDL.
I understand your points regarding backhoes, but in my case, having the right compact tractor, with its huge versatility, is akin to a Swiss Army knife: Loader, grapple, forks, snow plow, PTO for tiller, mower, bush hog, and of course-the detachable backhoe. The business I’m getting into is property maintenance-where there’s no emphasis on any particular type of work-necessitating a focus on one particular type of machine. So hence why to me a compact tractor with all the versatility-including a backhoe, seems to be the best route. But I’d be open to comments on this, especially since I haven’t yet pulled the trigger on this machine. Currently have an older Kubota compact tractor, but don’t want to invest in a backhoe for it due to its age. Rather trade it for a new machine and start out fresh. Looking forward to comments/advice.
Look at the Kubota TLB they can do most anything .I have a M62 , very versatile.
For your first piece for equipment in landscaping i would say a compact tractor with front lorder with a skid steer coupler so you can use all the skid steer attachments and it cheaper then a skid steer and you can use it for mowing scarifying aeration hedge cutting and spraying and pulling trailers all doe a zero turn might be better for mowing but when you're on a budget you have to go for the most versatile piece of equipment you can afford 😂😂🤑🤔💬
I'd say you dont need to do every job out there.
It can nearlly be a trap.
However efficent work makes good money.
I started in 2010 with a medium size skidloader (Case 60XT/tires) actually still have it, that machine will keep you working 7 days a week if you hunt work, at least it did for me.
My first machine was a brand new 883 Bobcat Skid Steer. That machine was a huge part in building a company. 2 years later I purchased a new John Deere 310SG backhoe. Another great machine that I still have in the fleet. Currently we have 1 track loader 2 skid steer loaders 2 mini excavators 1 backhoe and 5 3 yard wheel loaders. It all started with the 883G skid steer, we ran the hell out of that machine for 20 years. The year we got the machine we got a blizzard where the bobcat ran for 8 days without shutting off. For a first machine you can’t go wrong with a skid steer!
It looks like it needs a lot of skill to grade correctly with a skid
As much as I agree that a mini ex is superior to a backhoe, I still have the latter one and I'm very happy with it. Surely I'm dreaming of a proper excavator, but convincing my wife of the need for new toys is more challenging than making the backhoe doing jobs it's not very good at...
Disclaimer: I'm not using it for commercial purposes. Just yard maintenance, snowwork, moving lumber and similar.
Thanks for the video been torn between what equipment to buy. Been working in a plant for years as a electrician I'm burnt out. Been buying equipment slowly got a tractor with a grappler and front bucket, Ram 3500 dually diesel, and a 14k trailer. Do you still recommend the skid steer over the mini x or would my tractor get me by til I get a skid steer. mostly land clearing and dirt roads and stuff like that to do here in North Carolina. Anyone in the comments happy to hear your thoughts as well. Thanks
I maintain a private 1/2 mile single lane gravel road. Gets lots of potholes etc throughout the year. Would like a skid steer also for brush clearing. Recommendation Tracks or wheels? I can see advantages of each.
The man on the seat the ultimate investment , be a good operator before going on ur own .
All this nice equipment looking brand new! Put it to work already!
I would not completely rule out a backhoe, if you get a good one. On a daily basis I wouldn’t be able to do what we are doing without a backhoe. It must be said the backhoes we run are articulated ones which makes a hell of a difference. I can do every thing a skid loader can do including leveling driveways, and I can also dig like an excavator, the one I’m running currently is even able to run a tilt bucket and a hammer, and we also have one with an extender hoe and tiltrotator. On the site I work on, we also have 10 ton machine with a tiltrotator, and a wheeled 18 tonnes excavator. And the one machine that is guaranteed to be used every day is the backhoe. The backhoe I’m running is a Hydrema 906E, weighing about 9 tonnes, but I would not change it to the ones you are referring to in the video, but I could change it to an older Hydrema model, like the 806, that was built in the late 80’s to the early 90’s, and still be about as productive. But I also have to mention, when recommending backhoes, that they have a higher skill requirement for the operator for being effective, so if you are new to equipment, don’t buy a backhoe, but if you are used to running equipment consider a backhoe if it suits your applications.
Agreed!
Trailers. I got by for years using dump trailer as skid loader hauler, and small loader tractor hauler. Today I would get a GN dump with tandem duals. You put fuel tank in truck, oils hook trailer with skid. You unload, load dirt, brush, etc haul, dump, return. I never have had tracks. Rarely wished I did.
I regret not buying a mounted tire/rim skid loader. Only twice I damaged tire bad. But to be able to zip off/on worth it.
Forks my cousin borrowed them. I told him his kid would demand a set. His kid bought a brand new set. *I had told the father of nice used sets cheap*. But kid in construction. He wants, he buys.
I wNt a track loader for less bouncing, not planning g on doing demo work. Just playing in the dirt! Great video!!!
Just starting my own tree service and I've been debating between a mini loader with a grapple or a grapple trailer.
the type of equipment you buy is very subjective to what jobs you have to do. one of my first jobs was doing field tile repair and installing intakes in corn fields and we used a backhoe and it worked perfectly. all the jobs were close enough to drive it to the jobs.
Our heavy construction company had a fleet of Case 1845's. They took every type of abuse possible and kept on going. Many other skids came and went, but they were like the Energizer bunny... Kept on going.
Obviously it depends on how far out they're reached, but will a KX40 lift and set those concrete retaining wall blocks without destroying itself? Like you said, weight is an issue with excavators because of transportation and I'm trying to avoid needing a CDL, at least for now. Looking at buying one in the next year and want the smallest one possible that will comfortably do this.
I do have one issue with what you said about the bucket on the Bobcat, that you may not have heard of, or have availability. You can buy bucket lips that can be purchased in the size you need for your bucket at 300+ a piece and have someone punch, drill, whatever holes along the lip of the Bobcat bucket that would match up with the lips you would purchase for the equipment. At least that's what the company I worked for in Wa state (west coast) would do. Just wanted to let you know. Love your review and advice. By the way, at my age, I'd rather have a push button trailer jack too. 😁