[cslynger]

I'm a small landscaping company considering (heavy on the considering) purchasing a mini excavator. I have yet to run all the numbers as far as rent vs. own, so this post is kind of premature, however I think I need a few questions answered before I even take it to that step. So, can you guys give me some insight into the following:

1. If your company has (or was going to have) a mini-x, what size would you opt for, and give a few reasons that size.
2. Has anyone mounted nursery jaws (either mfg. or homemade) on a mini-x for planting large B&B on steep slopes.
3. How often do you wish you had a bigger x and conversely, how often do you wish you had a smaller x for a given job.
4. Do you find it easier to simply utilize a good sub for minix/full size excavator needs?

I have quite a bit of work this coming season involving dirt and large boulder placement, but my brain is telling me to utilize subs given that the housing excavation market is slowing, and subs will be readily available.

Thoughts??

Thanks,
Chad

[Pelican]

I'll preface this by stating I don't own a mini-ex, but I have considered one for my business. I think it makes sense to get the largest machine that you can transport easily, which in my case would be about 7 tons. What is the maximum weight that you are currently equipped to transport? That's a factor you should consider.

[cslynger]

Originally Posted by Pelican

I'll preface this by stating I don't own a mini-ex, but I have considered one for my business. I think it makes sense to get the largest machine that you can transport easily, which in my case would be about 7 tons. What is the maximum weight that you are currently equipped to transport? That's a factor you should consider.

I am very similar to you in that regard. I currently could haul a 7 ton class machine. The question then becomes, how often is a 14k machine not large enough, and how often is a 14k machine too large. I believe I read that stonehenge only rents excavators to place the right machine size on each job. That seems to really apply w/ excavators as each job's needs can vary so much. One day you might need to place a 3 ton boulder w/ great access, and the next day you may need to dig a footing for a retaining wall in a backyard w/ gated access. It seems like a no win situation. Similar to skid steers.

I'm sure all of us have different reasons that we buy and different reasons that we rent, but ultimately, we are here to make money. I just cringe at putting out thousands of dollars in rental when that may very well make sense to put into a capitalized equipment purchase. On the other hand, adding another piece of equipment equals more headaches as far as keeping someone around who is proficient at running it (aside from the fact that I love to run excavators, but that is another topic all together). So in that regard, from a production standpoint, subs win out because I can get the right machine with a good operator...and in my area some guys seem to be priced lower than I could justify running my equipment for.

[Stonehenge]

I think you hit the nail on the head; the size excavator you choose will depend in part on what kind of access you typically have. Rarely are our big projects going through narrow gates, so we rent the mini-x by what the task is at hand. For us, most often that's about a 8,000-12,000 pound machine, but once in awhile is a 36,000 pound machine. If I had to buy one, I'd probably pick a Cat 304 or 305 - but that's me, and shouldn't have much bearing on your decision.

Pelican's right - what you are capable of towing is also important (up to the point that you're doing such large projects that it makes more sense to get bigger trucks/trailers to tow bigger machines).

It doesn't take long to get proficient on a mini-x, so I might be inclined to do it ourselves versus subbing it out, but the availability and likely chance for some serious price competition might make subbing a better option.

Good luck with your decision.

[cslynger]

Stonehenge,

I see how you are inclined to do it yourself. Oftentimes, for smaller jobs, I am more inclined to sub because I know guys that go out on 2 hour minimums (how to make a living doing that is another thing) with $50,000 machines. That's why I'm more likely to sub my shorter work. Longer term work, i.e. needing an excavator for a week or two, requires looking a lot harder at renting and operating ourselves. Longer term work is also where I start to question a purchase. Decisions, Decisions.