Replace BH92 with mini-ex?

[racerboy]

I have a lot of trenching, leveling, tree stump removal on the property to do. In addition , at some point I’m going to need to do some foundation work for a new shop…I mean agricultural building. Where I live, if you say you want to build a shop or garage, the zoning people get all crazy on you, so you have to call it an ag building. Anyway, was thinking about trading in / selling my BH92 with a hydraulic thumb and replacing it with one of the KX3 series mini excavators. I have only used that BH one time, and that was just to scoop some loose gravel. I think I’d get a lot more use out of the mini-ex and I think it would be a lot more efficient.

I was immediately thinking of a Kubota mini-ex, not only because they are quality, but I made a half-joke about this with my dealer a few months back and he wasn’t opposed to it. If I were to keep the BH92, maybe I’d look for one of the less expensive brands (like Yanmar) but wanted to get some thoughts from team Orange here.

 

[JasonW]

I’m still on the lookout for a mini also.
I borrowed a Cat 304 a few months ago for a septic system install. It wouldn’t want to buy one any smaller/less reach. I’m used to running larger equipment at work but that’s different.

I would say if you’re looking at getting a mini and have only used the backhoe once, definitely sell it to go towards the cost of a mini.

Would you have to transport it? Sometimes bigger machines are cheaper/same price as the smaller ones. I could haul a 16k or larger machine on my gooseneck but I would want one small enough to fit inside my dump trailer.

 

[bobnic]

I have a KX033-4 Kubota mini excavator and I love it. I've pulled stumps, dug out boulders, made trails through the woods, safely lifted hung up trees, and many other uses with it. A mini ex is much more versatile than a BH.

 

[Caden]

I own a Kubota... But I do love a Yanmar. They are well built machines. You might sacrifice some dealer support is my only thing about them.

If you're going the route of a Mini, I see no reason to keep the backhoe.

 

[racerboy]

I have a KX033-4 Kubota mini excavator and I love it. I've pulled stumps, dug out boulders, made trails through the woods, safely lifted hung up trees, and many other uses with it. A mini ex is much more versatile than a BH.

The KX033-4 seems to be perfect for my property. I don’t think I need a U-series because it’s relatively open space, well, besides some of the trees I have to take down.

 

[racerboy]

I’m still on the lookout for a mini also.
I borrowed a Cat 304 a few months ago for a septic system install. It wouldn’t want to buy one any smaller/less reach. I’m used to running larger equipment at work but that’s different.

I would say if you’re looking at getting a mini and have only used the backhoe once, definitely sell it to go towards the cost of a mini.

Would you have to transport it? Sometimes bigger machines are cheaper/same price as the smaller ones. I could haul a 16k or larger machine on my gooseneck but I would want one small enough to fit inside my dump trailer.

I’m sure these aree famous last words…but I’m not sure I’d ever have to move the machine once it was on my property, except for maybe to go back to dealer for service. Of course, as soon as friends found out…

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

If you don’t mind having another machine, I think a mini EX superior to a BH. (I have a BH92 as well, but I wanted availability and fewer machines to maintain).

to me a mini is superior as a purpose built machine plus, depending on the model may have enough flow to also run end of arm implements. Sure it may be slower to move across the property, but it’s way more efficient once the digging starts.

if you have the space, and don’t mind an extra machine, it’s hard to understand why Mini isn’t the way to go if you want to own.

 

[JonM]

if i had of needed a excavator i definately would have got a kabota one instead of the bh92. but the bh92 fills my needs

 

[Vair2]

I just sold my Bobcat 323 mini so that I could afford to purchase the MX5200 with BH92 for a larger property. There is no comparison between a tractor backhoe and a dedicated excavator. That said, I chose the larger TLB over the mini because it is a much more general purpose machine that can cover more ground in a hurry. I miss the mini for my smaller property, though. If you can afford to have both, buy the mini. I'd also recommend at least a 3 ton machine, as the 1.5 ton machine was fun, but very limited in what I could do with it as an excavator.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

It kind of depends I think.

I mean, if selling the BH is the only way to get the Mini Ex, then I would probably do it…..

I have a hard time selling things anymore…..It always seems like as soon as I sell “it”…..I need “it”. (no matter what “it” is, then I have to re-buy “it” and end up paying more money…..)

I am funny that way……And, selling things is just an “all around, PITA”.

I suppose that one factor would be, “How much would the actual selling price of the BH92 actually benefit you?"

I obviously can’t answer that, because every persons situation is different.

It always seems to feel like “I got screwed” when buying and selling things…I’m just not a very good “business man” I suppose…I love buying, but hate selling…………...(for the most part).

Just my $.02

 

[Grandad4]

I have a lot of trenching, leveling, tree stump removal on the property to do. In addition , at some point I’m going to need to do some foundation work for a new shop…I mean agricultural building.

A mini ex is, no doubt, the top-of-line choice for all these tasks. Also, there are advantages in having both a mini-ex and a tractor on your jobsites. But your BH92 is a very capable digging tool also, and should readily handle all the work you describe, just not as quickly.

Whichever direction you take, best of luck and enjoy your seat time!

 

[Elliott in GA]

It is heresy to say it, but I would rent the various pieces of equipment that you need.

A dedicated trenching machine (especially one on treads / cost about 30K to buy and about $250 to rent) will do a better and FASTER job.

A real excavator will pop out stumps in minutes versus hours of digging around with a mini-Ex, and the same speed difference with foundation work.

Renting is probably much cheaper - unless on going work (year after year after year).

I rented a Vermeer trencher to cut a 180 foot long trench for electrical. I picked it up, cut the trench and had it back to the rental place (45 minute drive each way) in under 4 hours. I only had to pay the 1/2 day rate plus insurance (~$155). It was so fast and easy to use, and it cut a clean simple to cover trench. I would have rented the Vermeer even if I had a mini-Ex. Rental also has no upkeep or risk of damage (you get the full insurance).

Buy what you use on a regular basis for years, and rent the rest.

 

[bobnic]

A real excavator will pop out stumps in minutes versus hours of digging around with a mini-Ex, and the same speed difference with foundation work.

I have never spent hours (or even close to an hour) digging out a stump with my KX033 mini-EX. Obviously it would take longer with a smaller mini-EX but be even faster with a larger mini-EX.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I have a 3.5T Yanmar mini and I love it , the only advantage a tractor with a backhoe would have is to rapidly travel to a distant location to do a small job.

 

[Elliott in GA]

I have never spent hours (or even close to an hour) digging out a stump with my KX033 mini-EX. Obviously it would take longer with a smaller mini-EX but be even faster with a larger mini-EX.

As I noted stumpS - as in cumulative time for stumps (not a stump). Of course, it all depends on the size of the mini-Ex and the stumps (number, size and type of root system).

Here is Messicks with an ~$90K machine and a 24 inch stump. How long would smallest mini-Ex sized machine take? A full size excavator would have popped out the 24 inch stump in a minute or two. What if the OP is dealing with bigger stumps? The OP seems price sensitive (trading in the BH). You can rent a very expensive, powerful excavator for a fraction of the cost of the smallest mini-Ex.

 

[bobnic]

As I noted stumpS - as in cumulative time for stumps (not a stump). Of course, it all depends on the size of the mini-Ex and the stumps (number, size and type of root system).

Here is Messicks with an ~$90K machine and a 24 inch stump. How long would smallest mini-Ex sized machine take? A full size excavator would have popped out the 24 inch stump in a minute or two. What if the OP is dealing with bigger stumps? The OP seems price sensitive (trading in the BH). You can rent a very expensive, powerful excavator for a fraction of the cost of the smallest mini-Ex.

The OP is not considering the smallest mini-EX. Obviously a giant excavator is going to dig out stumps faster than any mini-Ex, but is going to be very hard on the terrain, not usable in tight quarters, and doesn't have a blade. The OP appears to have many projects for an excavator and if he can afford a reasonable size mini-EX (such as the KX033 he appears to be considering) it is much nicer to have it at your disposal for use anytime without the time constraints of renting.

 

[racerboy]

Appreciate all the feedback. I’m not necessarily opposed to keeping the BH92, I only mentioned the trade-in because my dealer mentioned he might be interested in it. Of course at the time, he didn’t mention anything about what $$$ he might give me for it.

 

[Russell King]

One thing no one has mentioned is that you can probably sell the excavator when you are done with those tasks. So you are in essence just renting it for the time needed. Actually you may be able to just lease one for a time span of years and then you know that expenditure exactly.

If you expect to dispose of the excavator when done with that work, then keep the backhoe is my opinion.