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Mini backhoe perhaps?

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afinepoint

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I have a small suburban yard but I'm the guy that built the shed neighbors call The Neighborhood club house, a large patio with 8" - 10" compacted gravel base etc. Just added a lean to to County spec which I posted here regarding roofing.

Seems each time I think I'm done I'm again moving hundreds of pounds of sand, tons of stone or lifting heavy machinery from and to the truck bed.

I'm considering an mini backhoe. Like the tow behinds that would be easier to roll around. It would need to be able to reach into an 8' bed and stable enough to lift 300 - 400 lbs w/o tipping. The tracked ones are $30k +. Would prefer all electric but that seems to be the tracked ones as well.

Not interested in anything used. I have enough engines to work on. $12,000 max.

Needs are digging, leveling soil, boring - auger capable, hoisting using chains or straps.
 
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PCustoms

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afinepoint said:
I have a small suburban yard but I'm the guy that built the shed neighbors call The Neighborhood club house, a large patio with 8" - 10" compacted gravel base etc. Just added a lean to to County spec which I posted here regarding roofing.

Seems each time I think I'm done I'm again moving hundreds of pounds of sand, tons of stone or lifting heavy machinery from and to the truck bed.

I'm considering an mini backhoe. Like the tow behinds that would be easier to roll around. It would need to be able to reach into an 8' bed and stable enough to lift 300 - 400 lbs w/o tipping. The tracked ones are $30k +. Would prefer all electric but that seems to be the tracked ones as well.

Not interested in anything used. I have enough engines to work on. $12,000 max.

Needs are digging, leveling soil, boring - auger capable, hoisting using chains or straps.
Click to expand...

Can you post an example of what you're looking at?
 
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1

1Bad55Chevy

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Based on your needs "digging, leveling soil, boring - auger capable, hoisting using chains or straps." You are looking for a stand on skidsteer.

Or something like this.
crossimplement.com

JOHN DEERE - 1023E

24 1023E Factory Warranty | Hydro Mfwd 120R Loader | Demo - Community Engagement Program Unit | Includes Premium John Deere Service & Inspection | Replacement of Machine Filters | JD Plus Engine Oil Change | Reconditioned with Genuine John Deere Parts That Carry a Full 1 Year Parts & Labor...
crossimplement.com crossimplement.com

That mini tractor is 1000 times more capable of a machine then the tow behind backhoe.
 
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Roert42

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Jan 25, 2023
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Location
NE Penn
Sounds like you want a compact tractor with a loader.

Have an old Honda I bought for $6k. Around here old Fords are a dime a dozen(use to have a ford tractor dealer in town). That’s what you want.
 
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AC-WC

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NE, Indiana
$12,000 will not get you anything new even for something smallish like the 1023E. Add at least $5k on top of that price for the backhoe option.
The sub-compacts can do a LOT but you will need to find something used in that price range. Not sure if you have a Rural King in your area but they generally have a decent tractor/backhoe combo. Reaching into an 8' bed will take a little bit of talent without tearing up the bed. Agree the mini skidsteer is a good option but you're in a similar price range as a sub-compact.
 
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djbmw

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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Buy a used compact TLB (tractor, loader, backhoe). Most every big name manufacturer has one.
Kubota B26
John Deere 1026
Kioti
Etc etc

12k for a new machine gets you a chinese made "thing" that will work fine ... until it doesnt.
 
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tak1313

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I've seen a couple of reviews of the Harbor Freight towable, on YouTube, and IIRC both reviews found it decent as long as you are aware of the limitations.
 
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jblnut

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Deere has great financing on new Minis. I’m looking at a 60 P-Tier to upgrade my aging Bobcat 331E. It’d be around your max spend though ….. each year …… for 9yrs …… but a cab, heater/AC, radio, long arm and a warranty come with for free !!

Seriously though. I’d look at a small tractor like the Deere 1025r or larger. Doesn’t have to be a Deere. You’ll get lots of “Deere is expensive and it’s all proprietary stuff and blah blah blah”. I’m a Deere guy. When I need it to work and it doesn’t my local dealer is here in under an hour most times. That’s worth more than a few bucks saved on the initial purchase price to me.

Or. Buy a towable and post up your adventures with it !! We’d all enjoy that !!
 
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ATC

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VA
$5-6k will get you a new single axle dump trailer, and another $6k for a Chinese mini-ex, and you’re in business!
 
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tjansson

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Apr 25, 2018
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Northern Vermont
I don't understand how a towable backhoe, or even a 1t mini excavator will unload a 8' truck bed of anything.

I'd say dump trailer and a stand-on loader (Dingo).

Or skip the dump trailer. Aggregate delivery is pretty cheap all things considered.
 
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finn

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The UP, God's country
There are YouTube videos of people using the cheap Briggs powered imported sub mini excavators. They seem to somewhat fight above their weight class. 99Projects is one that comes to mind. Guys were buying the things for $4500-$6000, but the price has gone up, per someone’s earlier post. The people that actually took the plunge seem happy, but there’s always the naysayers who diss anything not of industrial quality and capability, and priced accordingly. Sort of the Mohawk or no lift at all crowd mentality.

I bit the bullet and bought a new 26 G Deere a few years ago. The 35G I would have preferred was too heavily equipped with options like a cab and a/c that I didn’t need or want, so above what I was willing to pay. This was when these were in high demand and good used, if available, was priced the same as new and was without a warranty.

My neighbor just sold his Deere industrial gasoline backhoe for $4500. It needed a hydraulic pump soon, but the hoses and pins were good. He bought a mid or late seventies Case 580 with cab and heat, two wheel drive, with 6800 hours, tight, and fresh hoses for I think $6500, but trucking from mid Wisconsin was another $1k. Seemed high to me, but it’s presentable.

The problem with those types of machine is that they’re physically huge, and difficult to store indoors or even maneuver around. That’s part of the reason I ended up with the tops 26G. It slips into my garage stall with a 9’door, and is small enough that the cabbed CUT fits un the same 32’ deep slot, even with a box blade or flail and loader attached.
 
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AEAdam

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SE PA
tak1313 said:
Wife?
Click to expand...
Lol. Very funny.

My point was, I’m new to heavy equipment but i think the needs expressed don’t fit any single piece of equipment I know of. My bobcat isn’t an amazing digger. I could probably rent a hoe/excavator attachment. Probably more inclined to rent an excavator, rather than an attachment.

I knew I would love having forks and I do. I’ve dug trenches with them. But they won’t get something behind the cab of my long bed truck. I’d have to drag it closer to the tail gate.

My sense is, a small skid steer will get you closer to the tasks you need to do most and **** the most. But your days driving hand rakes, shovels and hoes aren’t over.

You would need to consider used to stay within budget. I’d look at something like a bobcat S70 sized machine. Not sure if snow is a concern, but that’s an extra bonus. More than a compact tractor, I feel a skid steer has the most utility for the tasks you want to do.

I bought a 2018 Bobcat S550 last year from United Rentals. Had 850hrs and regular service. It’s a joystick machine with an enclosed cab and a/c. Engine is fine. Might replace pins in a few years, there’s a little bit of wear there. I probably have many years of very little maintenance ahead of me. I paid $18000 for it
 
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cody1325

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Southwest Virginia
cvairwerks said:
I think there are some custom production ones for various industries, but they are going to be well into the mid 5's to the lower 6 figures.
Click to expand...

I think the JCB 1CXT would qualify, but dang they're expensive. Used, $60K. New--almost $85K!

JCB 1CXT Backhoe Loader | Request A Quote From JCB Dealers | JCB

Discover the JCB 1CXT backhoe loader, the compact powerhouse designed for versatility and efficiency on any job site. Request a quote today!
www.jcb.com www.jcb.com

Seem to recall they were expensive when I first thought about suggesting one to my folks when they started the search for a small tractor about a decade ago (now filled by a 3038E).
 
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