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6 Feb ’13
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looks like you got guys with very appropriate equipment. A skid steer compliments that small-ish/mini excavator perfectly. So many times people use the largest tools..i'm sure these guys are legit and efficient!!! 😀
6 Oct ’15
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Speed, The smaller excavator is about $50 less per hour than the bigger ones. Plus he is a skilled operator...efficiency always means less hours and less money.
We are just thrilled it's done and ready for spring.
15 Feb ’12
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with all things being equal, I prefer the larger equipment if the ground can support it, it is more expensive per hour but the job gets done a lot quicker which ends up saving money in the long run
27 Aug ’14
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Has anyone looked at the cost to hire this out vs purchase price for the equipment? It would seem to me like you could rent it to anyone after the fact and it would be a great resource in future projects. However, if it doesn't make sense financially and there's a steep learning curve, I understand.
6 Oct ’15
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K, I said the same thing...bigger equipment costs more per hour and does get the job done faster...where smaller costs less per hour and takes longer...In this particular case for this application...it was a wash either way.
Ican, I can't afford to buy this stuff, maintain it, or handle a major repair...I have tractors and that's enough...I have looked into renting equipment, not sure that is worth it for me since I am a slow operator. The guy I have is efficient, skilled, fair...I am happy for this. I sure would love a D-8 Dozer!
...I would take a chance on an old backhoe for a couple of grand..
15 Feb ’12
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that's the hard part, they are so expensive and you really have to be up on the maintenance
6 Oct ’15
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K, I think this will make you smile. Tim, my excavation guy...when he started out 33 years ago he bought an old Ford backhoe, back then they were pretty much a small farm tractor with a FEL and bolted on hoe. Tim only took jobs within about 8 miles of his home. At night after he worked on his dad's farm he would drive the backhoe to the job site with his bicycle in the FEL, then he would ride his bike back home. In the morning he would milk, then ride his bike to the job...you see, he couldn't afford a truck and a backhoe, he made use of what he had and he had a bike. Tim has grown into one heck of an operation over the years. Not sure too many people would start a business like that anymore.
6 Feb ’13
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thats funny Gravel ... thats a good way to start a business!! I like this guy..sounds like a sucessful upstate business person!
Did the same thing on my last speculative project. Got dropped off with a bike and our excavator at this property i bought on a creek for 2.5k, 20 miles from home. Had a bike trailer and thats what i used to get the diesel...it was funny rolling up to gas station and filling up my bike lol.
It turned out good though. A solid one month later after camping in a tent and living there ,i had the property mostly shaped and the cabin dropped on land. Ended up doubling my 8g investment (still getting checks and will be for next 3 years):D AND it was fun...really fun...bathing/swimming in the creek...drinking cheap beer with my neighbor...listening to old country music he played every morning...eating at local restaurant 3 miles away (same miles as gas station). Battling code ...used to it now ( i won with one certified letter btw) ....ahh ..good times.
I would much rather have an excavator then a vehicle. Cannot build hobbit holes with a car can ya lol.
As for owning verses renting...i would think in all but most cases renting would be cheaper. maintenance is a drag....i'm up to 1000 hours and it needs routine stuff again. Buying the new machine was wise. I had a friend who bought a 10k bulldozer used...worked for 10 hours clutch went ...it sits ...while he still makes payments ...sad. Mine might have bee na bit more but in the end it always starts and like you gravel I don't have tools and space to work on it really....so new was better. Mostly its tubes of greese/oil/filter/air filter/heavy duty tran fluids. Nothing broken so far (4 years in)
There is simply so much work on our homestead becuase of the terrain that needs to be done that i think ( and wife thinks) its worth it for us. I actually am kind of sick of of running it..its fun for a bit but after a while it gets old like anything else. I don't think you gravel have that mucyh..your property looks pretty maintained from the pics ...oh and flat! 😀
Having a vehicle to transfer it around would help as far as renting it out. a couple months ago my buddy rented it from me and i made like 300 which i just put toward maintenance and gas. he had to borrow a trailer though . Not being able to transport SERVERY cuts down on the people that can rent it.
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