In the process of researching, looking for a mini-excavator for general farm work. Looking for opinions and experiences.
Situation. Have quite a bit of farm improvement work for an excavator; dig out the pond, dig out/clean the spring, cut ditch from pond for a drain tile, remove rock washed up below low water crossings and improve drainage, clear brush and trees from fence line, clear brush from trails. And probably a whole lot more.
For one job it would be cheaper to rent. Since I'm considering many tasks over a considerable length of time, cheaper to buy and use for a couple of years, then sell. And then the excavator can not be to small, to large, or to expensive.
Edit. Still looking, thinking. An excavator/back hoe attachment for one of my skid steers or tractors would take care of a good portion of the planned work. Lot of advantages to owning equipment you don't have to sell to recoup some of the purchase cost. And then son and I could hire a contractor with high lift or dozer to clear out the fence line, the major planned task.
May be I have answered my own question.
Situation. Have quite a bit of farm improvement work for an excavator; dig out the pond, dig out/clean the spring, cut ditch from pond for a drain tile, remove rock washed up below low water crossings and improve drainage, clear brush and trees from fence line, clear brush from trails. And probably a whole lot more.
For one job it would be cheaper to rent. Since I'm considering many tasks over a considerable length of time, cheaper to buy and use for a couple of years, then sell. And then the excavator can not be to small, to large, or to expensive.
Edit. Still looking, thinking. An excavator/back hoe attachment for one of my skid steers or tractors would take care of a good portion of the planned work. Lot of advantages to owning equipment you don't have to sell to recoup some of the purchase cost. And then son and I could hire a contractor with high lift or dozer to clear out the fence line, the major planned task.
May be I have answered my own question.