Currently a Michigan resident who just acquired 50+ acres with multiple projects needing general land moving, and a pond to potentially alter/modify. I've been looking across multiple forums and "guides" with not much luck besides the general overview. My main question, what do I want and why? As mentioned, the most versatile piece of equipment is probably what I'm after. I have so many questions, I feel as though this is better left open to begin..
Situation:
- Pond
- 50 + acres of land with trees to potentially move
- Some hilly areas (concerns in regard to flipping?)
I see all over the place, "You want a skidsteer, they can do multiple things and have all the power you need.." From any loyal skidsteer'ists, is this true? My initial thought was the skidsteer (bucket changing potential, forklifts for tree moving, etc) but after researching, they can be a similar to price to full sized excavators if not more expensive. So with cost being taken into comparison, is it worth it? What's the maintenance issue? If I can get a full out back hoe/front end loader (what I assume to be the most usable for different projects) for half the cost, what should I be concerned with? Do they break down and are a maintenance nightmare?
Long story short: Trying to get a piece of heavy equipment that won't be a maintenance nightmare and can do the most jobs/is the most versatile, while keeping cost in consideration. i.e. A bulldozer would be incredible, but is much more expensive, and can't do as many jobs as a Skidsteer (I don't believe..). WHAT should I consider when looking at various option between Back Hoe Loaders, Skidsteers, and potentially full sized excavators? For a skidsteer, why would one be $35k and another $10k? Is there really that much flux in the quality, or is that more so for professionals who want to run them 15 hours a day and they're priced that way based on engine longevity over overall power.