Find a used equipment auction or rental place looking to buy new equipment that are wanting to sell their old stuff

 

If you buy it to use it once and then resell it you'll get your money out of the non-Chinese made equipment, you gotta be careful going broke saving money. Figure you should probably be able to resell the equipment for about 10 to 20% less of what you paid for it worst case scenario. The Chinese made stuff you'd probably be lucky to see half of what you paid. That's just my take on it. I'm not an expert on equipment resale. I've only owned Kubota and land pride mostly over the last 25 years. I think the JD equipment is less quality and your pay 25% more just for the green paint and it's all made in Japan just like everything else that's not Chinese and is any good.

 

You should also be able to rent a mini excavator for about $250-$350 a day, which is what I have also done in the past.

 

This^^^

Friend had some projects to do and he rented a mini excavator as well for a week. They dropped it off and picked it up when done. A few of us helped with some of the projects. I believe the above pricing was in the same ball park.

 

If you look diligently, you can get a serviceable used older bobcat mini ex for the contract amount and end up with a mini ex you own. I did about 5 years ago. If you go that route, you definitely need a thumb and the quick tach. Could not do without mine. I f you have confidence in someone else that might want one also, a 50-50 partnership can be great.

 

I would rent over buying equipment for occasional work around the house. That being said, every guy loves to have anything with an engine. I understand and agree on a piece of China equipment for occasional use and have around. It's in my line of thinking versus the astronomical cost big name stuff. The only thing that would deter me is finding parts in the future.

 

I found myself in the same situation several years ago. After much deliberation, I decided on the Harbor Freight Excavator that set me back about $3500 dollars delivered to my door. IT takes a little time to get used to moving it around, but after the first project, I was a pro. The hydraulic system is very strong, basic digging for septic systems,etc. does not require much more than a high idle.

 

Harbor Freight IS Chinese. I look at their stuff as disposable for the most part.
That said it usually does work (for a while) and is cheap.
I never knew they make a backhoe.

 

Happened to run into this one on fleaBay.
Several others in the "similar" panels.

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I like buying American and supporting local businesses, but I will not go broke trying to do so. Unfortunately times have changed.

 

 

Now that is funny.

 

FWIW. Buy yourself a "used", piece of quality equipment, and leave the cheap stuff behind. Option II is to rent. You're not going to find much if any dealer support on the Chinese excavator. Especially if it is ordered direct from the manufacturer to your door. Just my opinion.

 

Only a rich man can afford to buy junk.

 

Man the truley sad thing is you buy something and then get to looking at things and you are amazed at how much IS made in china on a quality piece of equipment

 

I'd hire the guy for $11K and be done with it. I'm sure your time is worth more than 2 grand. Best of luck with your project.

 

Marknet Auctions has auctions in Ala. For mini excavators looks to be going cheap and brand new

 

In my mind you need more than one job to justify purchasing equipment. If purchasing used are you getting someone else's problem that will need an investment to keep running? Any equipment I have purchased in the past I take to a shop or mechanic to check out, at my cost, and then deceide whether or not to buy. Not always possible to do. If going to purchase used or rent what is your time worth. Two to three thousand might sound like a lot of savings but in the end might have been a good investment.

As far as the Chinese made equipment is sounds like you are looking at very inexpensive equipment. There is that old saying by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. "In this world, you get what you pay for."

Good luck Darkcloud with your project.

 

The cheap man always pays the most.

 

Thanks everyone, some really excellent suggestions.

I shy away from renting when the cost approaches a new tool. I would rather hire someone local or buy it and do it myself. Our need for a mini excavator would not be a one time job. I have several projects around my place that need work now.

After reading several of your posts and suggestions I started looking at used equipment. I cannot find a name brand, used mini excavator for less than about $12K and 2,500 hours. For $15,000-ish I can get an older, low hour serious backhoe/bucket loader, but that’s way more than I really need.

I have a nearly new subcompact tractor (it came with the property) with bucket loader and several attachments. It’s handy and wonderfully maneuverable. However I work the ever lovin ba’jesus out of the thing to its limit and then some.

With your suggestions and poking around on the inter-web, I’ve been thinking...
Maybe I should take my $7000-9000 cash budget, and trade my little tractor up for something more appropriate with a backhoe? I think this afternoon I am going to check out a few local tractor stores for what is available.