Post by: Night goat on April 11, 2017, 09:02:19 AM
However, even though I'm a mechanic, I work on boats, not equipment, so, I know next to nothing about these machines
Can't afford new, and renting might be inefficient, as, it's a "one Saturday at a time" project
What do these things even start to go for? I know the brands, yanmar, link belt, Deere, kobleco, kubota, etc, but you might as well be talking lawn mowers to an apartment dweller, as I just don't know much.
How do I get started, what do they go for, is there a better machine for less? Needs to be semi all-terrain, as it is a lot in the mountains....
Post by: Timberstalker on April 11, 2017, 09:15:17 AM
You may look at a backhoe, as more of a utility piece, for what you describe.
Take a look at Craigslist - for a start.
Post by: lewy on April 11, 2017, 09:25:34 AM
Post by: Night goat on April 11, 2017, 09:37:51 AM
Mini with a thumb is a handy rig, look at a 35 size machine..
How doez the sizing work? Is it a standard set of numbers across the line, like a 1/2,3/4,1ton truck? Or?
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on April 11, 2017, 09:41:17 AM
Post by: tlbradford on April 11, 2017, 09:47:12 AM
Post by: Buckmark on April 11, 2017, 09:51:38 AM
Without photos I can't be sure, but it sounds like a job that requires something larger than a mini, so I agree with Timber on the backhoe. If it were me, and you have access to the site for a semi and dump truck, I would hire someone to get all the crap out of there in one trip. Then rent big enough pieces to get your job done on a weekend. Dozer for leveling, backhoe for trenching with a compactor attachment. If you just have to own a piece of equipment, I would be looking at something like a Cat 420D. Super versatile, great secondary market, lots of attachments.:yeah:
Hiring someone with the equipment and the experience they should be able to have all crap gone and even some site prep if needed done in a day or two then depending on what you need to do renting might be the way to go unless like stated you want to own a piece of equipment.
What is your budget?
Post by: Bofire on April 11, 2017, 10:28:14 AM
Had a demo Cat machine on a site, 2 days, did not like it, the "on sale killer deal" was $72,000.00, it was a mid 3000 machine.
Carl
Post by: trophyhunt on April 11, 2017, 10:35:07 AM
:yeah: :yeah: you'll save yourself a lot of time by letting the pros do it. I personally would rent an excavator (120 size) with a thumb and burn everything that's not metal!!Without photos I can't be sure, but it sounds like a job that requires something larger than a mini, so I agree with Timber on the backhoe. If it were me, and you have access to the site for a semi and dump truck, I would hire someone to get all the crap out of there in one trip. Then rent big enough pieces to get your job done on a weekend. Dozer for leveling, backhoe for trenching with a compactor attachment. If you just have to own a piece of equipment, I would be looking at something like a Cat 420D. Super versatile, great secondary market, lots of attachments.:yeah:
Hiring someone with the equipment and the experience they should be able to have all crap gone and even some site prep if needed done in a day or two then depending on what you need to do renting might be the way to go unless like stated you want to own a piece of equipment.
What is your budget?
Post by: Night goat on April 11, 2017, 10:36:59 AM
Without photos I can't be sure, but it sounds like a job that requires something larger than a mini, so I agree with Timber on the backhoe. If it were me, and you have access to the site for a semi and dump truck, I would hire someone to get all the crap out of there in one trip. Then rent big enough pieces to get your job done on a weekend. Dozer for leveling, backhoe for trenching with a compactor attachment. If you just have to own a piece of equipment, I would be looking at something like a Cat 420D. Super versatile, great secondary market, lots of attachments.:yeah:
Hiring someone with the equipment and the experience they should be able to have all crap gone and even some site prep if needed done in a day or two then depending on what you need to do renting might be the way to go unless like stated you want to own a piece of equipment.
What is your budget?
I was thinking like 2500$-3000$ for a clunker I could use, tune up and resell after the project...
Might be way out of my price range with they way y'all's are talking
Post by: Special T on April 11, 2017, 11:04:58 AM
Quick test is to fire up the machine push down on the boom to lift the front of the trax up. Rotate left and right wiggling the machine the slop is both visual and a feeling. Make sure to do this on a near new machine as well so you can compare.
Make sure you purchase a Mini with a dozer blade you would be amazed at how effective they are.
Why a Mini? If this is a one location price of equipment you should go as big as you can. An older bigger machine is better than a smaller new machine for single location projects. I know a couple of people who purchased old Jalopy full size excavators because they had 2-3 decent sized jobs to do on weekends much like your situation. The cost of the machine was comparable to renting or close to hiring it done. When done with the job they had a "Free" piece of equipment, or sold it at the end of the job.
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Post by: UBA on April 11, 2017, 11:53:08 AM
Post by: Mudman on April 11, 2017, 11:59:13 AM
Sorry but that's not going to happen. Add a 0 to that #. Getting a mini that's too small will also be a huge mistake. I would expect 20k$ at least for what you need. Where is this at? We can bring a good mini or a larger Linkbelt out and get it done for a fair price if you like?Without photos I can't be sure, but it sounds like a job that requires something larger than a mini, so I agree with Timber on the backhoe. If it were me, and you have access to the site for a semi and dump truck, I would hire someone to get all the crap out of there in one trip. Then rent big enough pieces to get your job done on a weekend. Dozer for leveling, backhoe for trenching with a compactor attachment. If you just have to own a piece of equipment, I would be looking at something like a Cat 420D. Super versatile, great secondary market, lots of attachments.:yeah:
Hiring someone with the equipment and the experience they should be able to have all crap gone and even some site prep if needed done in a day or two then depending on what you need to do renting might be the way to go unless like stated you want to own a piece of equipment.
What is your budget?
I was thinking like 2500$-3000$ for a clunker I could use, tune up and resell after the project...
Might be way out of my price range with they way y'all's are talking
Post by: Special T on April 11, 2017, 12:10:35 PM
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Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 11, 2017, 12:12:19 PM
Post by: Buckmark on April 11, 2017, 12:24:38 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on April 11, 2017, 12:55:49 PM
Post by: Firedogg on April 11, 2017, 03:43:59 PM
Post by: luckyman on April 11, 2017, 05:36:36 PM
If you just want a cheap junker to mess with and have the time you may find something in real poor condition you can tinker with.
Post by: j_h_nimrod on April 11, 2017, 07:12:19 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on April 11, 2017, 08:19:30 PM
Post by: Wingin it on April 11, 2017, 08:45:42 PM