I work fly in fly out and have bought the machine and a tipper to cart it round on to work jobs on my time off. So far ive done boxing out for concretors, digging for retaining walls, spreading topsoil over paddocks etc. I bought it instead of a combo as there are a few guys around doing that sort of work and want to leave the smaller jobs next to houses etc to those guys. Being an ex grader driver and pipe layer id like to focus more on the civil and rural side of things, shallow trenching for water main, electrical and site clean ups but i'd also like to do small rural driveways. Having the engine in the front and on tracks it punches well above its weight for pushing even with a 50hp engine. Ive only had the machine under a year so i am just doing small jobs and with the profits just buying more equipment. I think it would suit house pads and highrise construction pads with the right grading equipment like a level best. So far all i have is, pallet forks, auger and spreader bar and a good choice of buckets. I didnt want two machines to maintain plus the truck and a trailer which would be needed for a combo so i thought i'd try this little rig out. Aswell as driving graders i had operated quite a few jcb backhoes and always impressed with them. This machine is typical jcb, overall very good but the small things are cheaply made, door hinges, mirrors etc. I hope to slowly build up clientel and give away the fly in fly out work after nearly 15 years but it is handy to compliment the busibess cashflow while setting up.
