towable excavator or backhoe

[245dlc]

I'm not sure if this is the right thread for these things but I wanna start my own little excavating business. I have come across these little "towable" excavators or backhoes they're made in Quebec and can be towed behind a vehicle as small as a car without the need of a trailer. I've been thinking about getting one as the price for one is less than an equivalent sized Kubota excavator and they have enough hydraulic push to power and auger never mind a concrete breaker. They have a number of models including two walk behind units one on tires and one on tracks. I want a larger self propelled unit, but the only thing I dont like so far is that they dont have 360 degree swing. I was wondering if you guys had experience with these kind of machines?

http://fcm-group.com/produits/excav_remorq/excav_remorq_en.html

They don't have all they're models yet posted as they're kinda slow to update they're website but the parts and components are all off the shelf make repairs easier. Here is they're youtube channel displaying they're different models.
http://www.youtube.com/user/fcmgroup

 

[shutupandholdon]

Sorry but it look like an expensive replacement for a shovel.

 

[90plow]

Theres no weight behind them so I dont care how much power they say they have they don't have the weight to use it.

 

[strott]

A point to note is that the base machine appears to have 4 main controls e.g 1 lever for each function as opposed to a normal excavator which has 2 controls for the main functions, therefore not as productive to operate and could possibly be a bit jerky when operating.

Get a demo and let us know what they are like!!!!

 

[joispoi]

Somehow I don't see any of those units as the main money maker for an excavating business. Might be good for mafia thugs who need to go into the woods and are too lazy to hand dig all those shallow graves.

 

[245dlc]

A point to note is that the base machine appears to have 4 main controls e.g 1 lever for each function as opposed to a normal excavator which has 2 controls for the main functions, therefore not as productive to operate and could possibly be a bit jerky when operating.

Get a demo and let us know what they are like!!!!

hmm... finally a decent reply. I saw one at Princess Auto and they are available with conventional "two stick" control. When I get a chance I'll ask if I can demo one of these machines. I still might go with a conventional tracked unit like a Kubota K-008 or a KX41 but they are quite a bit more expensive.

 

[curbside]

Looking at the video of those machines they look like they are built for the hobby style farmer who wants to dig some small holes around his yard. They don't look like they would hold up to everyday digging. Looking at how the controls work on them they look very choppy. I don't know how close to house you would want to be with those. It looks like all the controls are very basic. If Princess Auto sells them then you know their not build for every day construction use but rather the hobby farmer market.

Most of the holes that I saw them digging in looked fairly sandy and loose. Soils in Winnipeg area are heavy sticky gumbo. I think you would be better with the Kubota if your serious about starting a excavating business.

 

[lectro88]

I really DON'T mean to insult you. But small backhoe/excavating service with proposed "unit" more like a handyman service for setting out shrubs and flowers at best. No real digging will be done with it. Growing up my dad had an old Ford 6000 select-o-matic tractor, with a backhoe attachment. Now it would dig a little.(a lot better than a shovel)but when I was old enough to venture out and got on a Ford 555 3cyl backhoe, what a difference, then a John Deere 750 WOW. Then a small excavator made them all seem sick. Let alone a real excavator 20,000# or more. I'm telling you this to hopefully save you from being sadly mistaken. Best of luck.

 

[Hendrik]

As others have said, it is the weight of the machine that determines it's digging power.
A quick look at the specs would suggest it is equivalent to a KX008, a KX41 would eat that thing for lunch.
They are comparing it to a Tak 1.5 tonne unit but are not willing to talk about break out force, digging depth and such.
http://fcm-group.com/produits/excav_remorq/comparer_en.html
A lot of their points are rubbish:
Environment and landscape friendly
Optional thumb lifts heavy loads
Lower maintenance cost
Anyway in the world of excavation you pay for what you get, personally I would recommend a second hand 1.5 tonne ex with at least 4 buckets and a quick hitch, a thumb can be build easily enough and as finances improve you can buy an auger head, rock breaker, etc.

 

[Digger Dan]

I would think maintenance costs would be very low with these units cause you would never use them

 

[strott]

hmm... finally a decent reply. I saw one at Princess Auto and they are available with conventional "two stick" control. When I get a chance I'll ask if I can demo one of these machines. I still might go with a conventional tracked unit like a Kubota K-008 or a KX41 but they are quite a bit more expensive.

The thing with these machines is it looks as if you need to partially dismantle it to get it to fit through a standard doorway whereas a K008 would only require you to narrow the undercarriage e.t.c. (e.g. time taken)

This and the fact that it may not be self propelled (depending on model) could mean that you would need an extra person on site with you to help rebuild it and move it around to be productive hence an additional cost for you and your potential customers.

Best bet would be to start with a K008 as you can go anywhere with it and can use it on bigger jobs but just be prepared to possibly have to work 1/2 a day free when using a micro on a job that a 1.5 ton could do so you stay competitive and get the work -eventually if work dictates get a 1.5 ton machine as well.

Can you get other size buckets for the wheeled diggers? - as you know many people run a couple of different size buckets with each machine as this aids productivity and flexibility (I have 7 for my K008-3 plus a breaker!!!!)

 

[lectro88]

The thing with these machines is it looks as if you need to partially dismantle it to get it to fit through a standard doorway whereas a K008 would only require you to narrow the undercarriage e.t.c. (e.g. time taken)

This and the fact that it may not be self propelled (depending on model) could mean that you would need an extra person on site with you to help rebuild it and move it around to be productive hence an additional cost for you and your potential customers.


Strott.
Excellant points, one other thing to consider any change in grade and you can forget getting it out or maybe in by hand even with 2-3 people helping. Take for instance, a heavy duty woodsplitter 6"-8" cylinder you know how hard they can be to move by hand. I guess you could drag it with its boom, but you would tear up landscape with every pull. And if this thing is even close to what I suspect its going to be like a ride at the fair or mechanical bull. I say operator/driver will move more than bucket will.!! Truth of the matter is its his $$$$$ his choice. I'm done with this now. There is no positive point about this contraption. Unless it has a honda engine. Fisher Price would be more fitting.

 

[deer3245]

My buddy bought the plans and built one of those towable hoes. It has to drag itsself around to move. It has an 8 horse power BS engine. But I have to tell you, for digging a straight line, it was awesome for what it is. It dug as well and better than most tractors with backhoes of similar size but it was not very moveable over distances. I put the bucket in the back of the pick up, and lifted up and drove it across the property to the next spot. I dug about a 1000 feet of water lines with it at my place, and I really liked it for what it was. We ripped up old septic tanks, and stumps. this thing had far more ripping power than it should, and had to beef it up, and turn down the hydraulics.
My buddy still has it and we have been using it for years. We call it the inch worm.
Do not think you could make any money hiring yourself out , but for a homeowner not too bad. My buddy built his for around 2400.00 bucks. I will try to post some pics.

 

[245dlc]

The thing with these machines is it looks as if you need to partially dismantle it to get it to fit through a standard doorway whereas a K008 would only require you to narrow the undercarriage e.t.c. (e.g. time taken)

This and the fact that it may not be self propelled (depending on model) could mean that you would need an extra person on site with you to help rebuild it and move it around to be productive hence an additional cost for you and your potential customers.

Best bet would be to start with a K008 as you can go anywhere with it and can use it on bigger jobs but just be prepared to possibly have to work 1/2 a day free when using a micro on a job that a 1.5 ton could do so you stay competitive and get the work -eventually if work dictates get a 1.5 ton machine as well.

Can you get other size buckets for the wheeled diggers? - as you know many people run a couple of different size buckets with each machine as this aids productivity and flexibility (I have 7 for my K008-3 plus a breaker!!!!)

Well so far only one person has stated he had some experience with a home made one. As for buckets yes you can get different buckets and it can come with a quick hitch and if you actually watched some of the videos you of seen the auger and the concrete breaker. I went to the Kubota dealership near my place and I asked if they can fit an auger to they're machine and they said no. Same with Bobcat I think the smallest machine that can have an auger is the X325 according to the sales rep.

 

[joispoi]

hmm... finally a decent reply. I saw one at Princess Auto and they are available with conventional "two stick" control. When I get a chance I'll ask if I can demo one of these machines. I still might go with a conventional tracked unit like a Kubota K-008 or a KX41 but they are quite a bit more expensive.

Oh, we're just having fun. ...and trying to talk you out of it.

It looks like it lacks mobility and versatility. It looks like it would be okay for trenching, but nowhere near as productive as a ditch witch. Small foundation jobs would be a chore and loading a 1 ton dump would be difficult with the limited articulation.


You can always rent until you're ready to buy.

 

[stumpjumper83]

Do yourself a favor and rent a small mini excavator like the 1.5 ton suggested. Then rent a 2.5 ton model.

That thing isn't an excavator or a backhoe, its a hydraulic back scratcher, and weeder of the flower bed.

1. they don't weigh enough
2. they are a pain to re-position
3. A 3' deep trench will take forever to dig because your operating near max depth
4. from the people they have in their video operating them, they are going to be jerky
5. Don't waste your money... get a real piece of equipment like a jcb micro, or a kubota 08, komatsu 09


Yes, I know you want us to say, "that looks like it would make a million dollars" But the truth is that it will not. Remember those of us giving opinions have nothing to gain or loose which ever way you decide, we are just giving our honest opinons.

Most of us on here make or have made our livings moving dirt, hauling dirt, and maintaing the machines that do the moving and hauling.

watch this guy dig, then view the video of what you are looking at buying...

YouTube - Yanmar VIO 55 Mini Excavator Moving Dirt

YouTube - mini excavator


who would you hire?

 

[strott]

I would like to drive one to see how they dig, I mean just because it is relatively unknown doesn't mean it will be useless - I tried a JCB micro once and that was very bulky, jerky and generally not nice to drive and that was a JCB!!!!

The towable excavator would probably be most suited to flat ground which doesn't hold water when wet.

 

[pwrstroke6john]

I have no idea just what kind of work you plan to do with your company, but I would most deffinently recomend a small used mini ex if you watch the auctions and what not you can find a decent machine for around 10 grand. I have no experince with a machine like this, but I can tell you that I would be more efficent and more capable using my 450 vermeer trenchers front backhoe to use as my main digger. My trencher weighs right around 2.5 tons and when I hit a root over 2 inches its going to take some skill to cut through it and once you hit 3 inchs all its going to do is drag you forward until you get an axe out.

 

[Digger Dan]

YouTube - www.HigleyMetals.com Ph.763.438.0356

Another contender :beatsme

 

[KSSS]

I tried a JCB micro once and that was very bulky, jerky and generally not nice to drive and that was a JCB!!!!

Strott, you say that you expected something other than that from JCB.:beatsme