Skidsteer VS Mini Excavator

[Snatch]

Guys,

I am thinking of purchasing one of the above. Which one is more versatile. Can the typical mini excavators excavate through relatively good consolidated earth.

Thanks
Snatch

[Steve Frazier]

You will need to focus on the type of work you expect to do to determine which would work better for you. As far as versatility, the skid steer can be asked to do a bigger variety of jobs simply due to the number of attachments available for it. There are well over 1000 different types of attachments for skid steers, each suited to do a different type of job. From rock picking to moving pallets, loading trucks to blowing snow, there isn't much a skid steer can't do.

The compact excavator will excel at trenching, and can do a few other jobs as well with one of the few attachments available for it. There are brush cutters available, and augers for post holes and planting too. Demolition is a strong point to with a thumb or hydraulic hammer.

It will really depend on how focused you want your work to be.

[cat320]

Well skid and a mini perfect combo.

I think like steve said there is many jobs that each can do it's just you have to figure out what you will need it for. but one realy compliments the other.

[Coastal]

I have both, and my skidsteer gets used about half the amount of time my excavator does. But, when I need the skidsteer, it is very valuable to me and I couldnt imagine not having it. I would look at getting an excavator, and a cheaper skidsteer for support like moving excavated materials in or out, large surface grading etc.

[bobcatuser]

I would recommend renting both machines, try them out to see what is best suited for the work you're doing. Some equipment dealers will take the rental payment and put it toward the purchase of a machine if you decide to buy after renting.

[CEwriter]

Here's a story about some (not nearly all) of the attachments available for skid-steer loaders and miniexcavators.

http://www.constructionequipment.com.../CA631854.html

ADios,

Larry

[FullMetalBucket]

That's a great link. You tend to get creative when you've only got a 5' bucket! I've got to make up a list now.... really like the backfill auger and the Breakout Beak.

[Squizzy246B]

I have both, and my skidsteer gets used about half the amount of time my excavator does. But, when I need the skidsteer, it is very valuable to me and I couldnt imagine not having it.

Coastal stole my post

Thats my operation...now. The mini-x clocks the hours about 4 to 1 over the skid...but the things the skid does I couldn't do without. I started out with just the skid but overall I think an excavator is more versatile...just not as agile in many tasks.

[jazak]

Like said above rent them both out and see which one works best for your needs & which one will work the MOST. You can always rent when you have a need for a specific machine.

[smalltime]

I have both & the skid gets used very little compared to the excavator. If you can only buy one, a skid steer with a hoe is not a bad combination. I have dug miles of ditch & footers with the hoe my skid steer, not as fast or easy as the excavator, but it will do it.

[jhill]

I have both and they get used about equally. I started off with the Mini Ex but I do as much landscaping and dirt moving as I do trenching. I shop really hard when i am looking for stuff and I got both machines each with less then 1500 hrs on them for around $16,000.

[jmac]

Before I had a dozer or excavator I had a skid steer. Found out real fast that just a skid steer was limited as just a mini ex is limited. If you live in a booming area with lots of new home construction than just one machine could work. Find a niche and stick to it like retaining walls, concrete work, or pavers. If you live in a area that is not building alot of new homes than you have to do alot of things from trucking, excavating, dozer work, putting in lawns, drives, septics, new homes, drainage work etc. A mini ex is great for specific jobs as a skid is. I used to use a skid steer for grading but found a dozer is best. Coundn't move enough dirt fast enough. I used a mini ex for small excavating jobs but what do you do if you start to get alot of larger holes to dig. Then you need a trailer and truck to move machines around with. If I was to start all over again I would start with a dump truck, than a trailer, 16,000 lb excavator rubber track, 18,000 dozer, skid steer, and a Backhoe in that order. With this mix of machines you can do just about any job. Don't forget about all the small stuff, tampers, had tools, demo saw, chain saw etc. I though that I could do smaller jobs with just a skid steer but not enough work so had to get to a size that I was able to compete with the others. Here every landscaper, or mason has a skid steer and mini ex.

[jazak]

Before I had a dozer or excavator I had a skid steer. Found out real fast that just a skid steer was limited as just a mini ex is limited. If you live in a booming area with lots of new home construction than just one machine could work. Find a niche and stick to it like retaining walls, concrete work, or pavers. If you live in a area that is not building alot of new homes than you have to do alot of things from trucking, excavating, dozer work, putting in lawns, drives, septics, new homes, drainage work etc. A mini ex is great for specific jobs as a skid is. I used to use a skid steer for grading but found a dozer is best. Coundn't move enough dirt fast enough. I used a mini ex for small excavating jobs but what do you do if you start to get alot of larger holes to dig. Then you need a trailer and truck to move machines around with. If I was to start all over again I would start with a dump truck, than a trailer, 16,000 lb excavator rubber track, 18,000 dozer, skid steer, and a Backhoe in that order. With this mix of machines you can do just about any job. Don't forget about all the small stuff, tampers, had tools, demo saw, chain saw etc. I though that I could do smaller jobs with just a skid steer but not enough work so had to get to a size that I was able to compete with the others. Here every landscaper, or mason has a skid steer and mini ex.

Yep, its the same way here. In order to get good work here & a decent amount of it you need to be good at what you do at what you do or offer alot of different services.

[jmac]

Yep, its the same way here. In order to get good work here & a decent amount of it you need to be good at what you do at what you do or offer alot of different services.

I agree with this except that if you offer alot of different services you have to be good at all services offered to compete with the company that specializes in one or two.

[Electra_Glide]

Before I had a dozer or excavator I had a skid steer. Found out real fast that just a skid steer was limited as just a mini ex is limited. If you live in a booming area with lots of new home construction than just one machine could work. Find a niche and stick to it like retaining walls, concrete work, or pavers. If you live in a area that is not building alot of new homes than you have to do alot of things from trucking, excavating, dozer work, putting in lawns, drives, septics, new homes, drainage work etc. A mini ex is great for specific jobs as a skid is. I used to use a skid steer for grading but found a dozer is best. Coundn't move enough dirt fast enough. I used a mini ex for small excavating jobs but what do you do if you start to get alot of larger holes to dig. Then you need a trailer and truck to move machines around with. If I was to start all over again I would start with a dump truck, than a trailer, 16,000 lb excavator rubber track, 18,000 dozer, skid steer, and a Backhoe in that order. With this mix of machines you can do just about any job. Don't forget about all the small stuff, tampers, had tools, demo saw, chain saw etc. I though that I could do smaller jobs with just a skid steer but not enough work so had to get to a size that I was able to compete with the others. Here every landscaper, or mason has a skid steer and mini ex.

I agree 1000% with everything jmac said. This is exactly the situation I presently find myself in. Last year my work was split about 50/50 between skidsteer and mini-ex. Since I only own a skid, I had to rent a mini-ex. This year I was trying to focus more towards jobs for the skid (to improve my profit margin), but I can't seem to find enough work.

My heart says to "tough it out, and better days will come", but my wallet says it's time to get out...

Think about the services you want to offer, and the market you're in. This should drive your decision about what to buy. Goin' out and lookin' at iron is the fun part, but once you own it, it needs to work for you, and be putting money in your pocket.

Joe