Bobcat or Backhoe? [Archive]

sundancewfs

14th May 2008, 07:42 AM

I'm looking at buying a backhoe or a bobcat, as we have a lot of site work to at our place with extensions, shed pad, footings, driveway, landscaping, drainage, rubbish removal..... etc. The idea is to resell it after the work is complete. Does anyone know of any publications or which paper in Melbourne has the weekly auction listings in? I am keeping my eye on constructionhub and pickles websites and the trading post, but I would like to expand my search. Also which machine do people think would be better suited and why. Any ideas
Thanks Andrew

weisyboy

14th May 2008, 08:42 AM

bobcat.

bobcats have a mutch smaler turning circle. can work in small spaces are easyer to operate. and can do a lot of jobs quicker that backhoes. they are also a lot easyer to re sell latter on.

DavidG

14th May 2008, 11:38 AM

If you have a lot of digging in hard dirt the a backhoe is best.

If the dirt is not too bad then bucket teeth will dig out driveways etc.

A 4 in 1 bucket is best to pick stuff up and leave a clean site.

What weisyboy said.

DJ’s Timber

14th May 2008, 12:04 PM

I noticed that you're in Upper Ferntree Gully, what slope do you have if any? You may be better off with a small excavator. Big learning curve with a bobcat is required and they can actually be quite dangerous in the hands of an in-experienced operator.

dazzler

14th May 2008, 12:24 PM

Skid steers are designed to move stuff - dirt, gravel, mulch, sand etc. They can do cutn fills etc if the dirt is not too compacted or hard.

Rock will stop them. A wheeled skid steer is not as efficient as a tracked one for this role. You can get many accessories for a skid steer such as a backhoe attachment, augers, trenchers etc.

An excavator can dig, trench etc but cant level a large area.

How much are you wanting to spend :?

IMO a backhoe is probably more suited. It can dig and level better as well as excavating.

Calm

14th May 2008, 12:59 PM

:whs:

sundancewfs

14th May 2008, 01:30 PM

Interesting ideas... I'm kind of leaning towards a backhoe because of the versatility and mass of the machine. The site is steep for about 20metres and then the backyard is flat (rare in UFTG) thee isn't really any access issues that would require a small machine.... I would need to be able to dig trenches though. I agree that a 4 in 1 bucket would be very useful. one of the jobs will be the relocation of a 4.5 metre Japanese maple. I have experience with both skidsteers and loader in general. ( I only have a forklift ticket though) If you own the machine and use it for private use on your own property do you need a ticket?

weisyboy

14th May 2008, 02:21 PM

i have had this argument wiht others befor but in qld you do not need a ticket to work with a machine for yourself. however if you are going to go out and do contracting or work for another company then you wil need to have a ticket to be coverd by there OH&S (outragous, Heap of ?????)

dazzler

14th May 2008, 09:49 PM

If you own the machine and use it for private use on your own property do you need a ticket?

Not sure, but i reckon if you ran over a family member or a neighbour it would be nice to have one :wink: :(

nev25

14th May 2008, 10:17 PM

Does anyone know of any publications or which paper in Melbourne has the weekly auction listings in?Thanks Andrew

I thought the question was about auctions??

Try http://www.graysonline.com.au/
Or http://www.progears.com/ may be of some help

dazzler

14th May 2008, 11:38 PM

I thought the question was about auctions??

Try http://www.graysonline.com.au/
Or http://www.progears.com/ may be of some help

You cut this part out of your quote;

I am keeping my eye on constructionhub and pickles websites and the trading post, but I would like to expand my search. Also which machine do people think would be better suited and why. Any ideas
Thanks Andrew

:rolleyes: :cool: :?

boban

15th May 2008, 12:05 AM

I have a few acres and decided to buy a backhoe. My next door neighbour has a bobcat. I get to use both and we are continually swapping machines, although I use my backhoe a lot more than the bobcat.

If it were a choice between the two, I would buy the backhoe again. Why?

A bobcat cannot dig too well. It's that simple. In addition it can only lift about a quarter of the load my backhoe can. Try lifting a trunk and roots with a bobcat.

The bobcat however excels in tight spaces and it is much easier to see what you are doing with a bobcat when you are using the front bucket. BTW make sure any backhoe you get has a 4 in 1. Without one you are limited when it comes to working with anything other than soft materials.

You have to remember that a backhoe is double the price of a bobcat, so you will need to get an older backhoe for the same money. Old backhoes hold up pretty well though.

Dan574

15th May 2008, 09:01 AM

I agree with boban go with a backhoe and have the best of both worlds.

In Vic you do not need a ticket if using it on your own property.

Tools

15th May 2008, 07:29 PM

You no longer need a ticket to operate one outside your property either. Worksafe says you "should" have a certificate to say you can operate the machine safely, but they don't say you must. Having said that, if something goes wrong ( regardless of wether it is on your own property or not) and you can't prove that you are competent to operate the plant, then you will be in more crap than a Werribee duck.

Tools

Terrian

15th May 2008, 07:36 PM

An excavator can dig, trench etc but cant level a large area.

errr, say what ??

4tonner did a fine job in my back yard,

IMO a backhoe is probably more suited. It can dig and level better as well as excavating.

yep, a small back hoe is probably the way to go.

Terrian

15th May 2008, 07:37 PM

DavidG

15th May 2008, 07:52 PM

"Tonka toy" works nicely in back yards providing it is not too hard.

http://www.woodworkforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47391&d=1180776886

Bluegum

15th May 2008, 07:57 PM

I reckon it wouldn't hurt to have the ticket just in case something does go wrong. As they say you just never know if something does at least as others here have said you will be classed as competent. It might save you a whole lot of heart ache.

Terrian

15th May 2008, 08:20 PM

"Tonka toy" works nicely in back yards providing it is not too hard.

nice little tonka toy, next size up would be more usefull, but the one in the pic (I am betting the operator does not have a ticket for the machine !!!) is very good for tight access areas.

I reckon it wouldn't hurt to have the ticket just in case something does go wrong. As they say you just never know if something does at least as others here have said you will be classed as competent. It might save you a whole lot of heart ache.

having
the correct ticket also means that you have shown some skill with using the machine and at least know some of the rules of use....

where to buy, trading post is one, there is also a monthly mag, same mob that publish 'Just Trucks'

sundancewfs

15th May 2008, 09:21 PM

I drove my own forklift for 12 years in my own business and finally decided to get a ticket as the guys across the road at the local machinery dealer had a tester coming in, to ticket some of there employees. I used to work for them as spare parts manager (before they got their fork), so they let me in on their group and I did my ticket then. Funnily enough after I left my business, the next job I got was because I had the ticket! so I will probably do it regardless of whether or not its needed, as little bit of personal development never goes astray. I'm hoping to spend under $15,000 ( I have friends that are heavy plant diesel mechanics) I'm going to get some quotes for the earthmoving work before I go ahead and buy, to see if it really will be worth it. The other option would be to hire. That way I could hire both a bobcat or a backhoe. Do hire firms require you to have a ticket? If the quoted price for all the work comes anywhere near $10,000 I'll buy. So far you have all put forward some excellent reasons for the various machines. Thankyou