Bobcat or Backhoe?

[sundancewfs]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

[sundancewfs]

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]

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]

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

[nev25]

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]

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

[boban]

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]

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]

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]

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.