1.0 tonne micro or 1.5 tonne mini?

[philD]

Guys - I've just joined the forum because I'd like to set up a small owner/operator business doing small jobs with a micro/mini digger and tracked dumper. Problem is, I've never done anything like this before and I'm not sure whether I need a 1 tonne or 1.5 tonne digger. I like the idea of doing domestic jobs like digging out driveways, conservatory footings, bit of land clearance, small tree stump removal etc, so I was thinking of getting a 1 tonne micro and a 500kg track barrow.

Trouble is, some people have said I'd have a chance of getting more jobs with a 1.5 tonner, others tell me the 1 tonner is better because you can get it through garden gates and once you get good on it you can do almost everything the 1.5 tonner will do. Then someone else said I should get a 2.5 tonne mini because not so many people have got them! So now I'm totally confused. I only want to do it as a way to give me a bit of income and something interesting to do when i retire early from my current job in a couple of years. I'm very keen to give it a go so I'd be very grateful to hear the views of professional contractors.

If I go for the micro, I'd be looking to get either the Kobelco SK10SR or the soon to be launched Takeuchi TB210R because they've got the joystick controls. If I go 1.5 tonne, I'd be interested in the Kubota U17-3, Kobelco SK17 or Takeuchi TB215R. I'll probably keep the machine for 10 years and buy new. My preference is Kobelco because I really like the colour (!), allthough I live in Essex and the nearest dealer is in Bristol, but they tell me I shouldn't need to call on the dealer much with any of the above brands and you can order parts easily enough anyway and service it yourself (?)

As a complete beginner, do you think I'll have any chance of getting any work once I've had a couple of months practising driving it on a friend's farm? I've always wanted to have a small earthmoving business but have never had the confidence to give up my boring office job. My intention is to run the business alongside my 'day job' to start with, so if it all goes t*ts up and I have to sell the digger, I'll still have a job!

I also really fancy a Bobcat compact track loader for some reason, but I've no idea if there's any demand for one of those in the UK! They look like awesome little machines.

[v8druid]

Greetings Phil
I've no doubt you are going to get plenty of responses to this post.

'Fraid i can't contribute a lot as I'm a 'hobby' duck owner, so this is really out of my 'field of expertise' (if I have one!!)

There'll be plenty on here though, who will be able to answer some, if not all of your questions.

I take it you have no experience at all on a 360? You're going to need a lot of practice, unless you're a natural - mechanical sympathy/empathy will also help ......... and a good eye !

I'd try and get some seat time first to see if you can handle/hack it, before investing in what is a serious outlay.

Welcome to the forum anyways and expect plenty of commentary.

[Muz]

Hi Phil & welcome. I remember being in your position 25 years ago almost to the month. Not so many years later I ended up with 45 odd diggers in my fleet from 13 tonne down to 3/4 and all sorts of associated plant.

In truth you will never have the right machine, because every job is different. The first I ever bought was actually a 2.5 but then, years ago, the market was slightly different, small diggers were a bit of a novelty, where as now they are an essential. In my view , you would be better coming at it from the perspective of what it is you want to specialise in. Do you have a landscaping interest that would be better suited to a particular size of machine ? for example, or another angle.. have you got a list of mates who all have small gardens with no room that would use you ?

Your dilemma is the best reason I give to people when they ask me as a hirer, what to buy ? and I always suggest why hiring is best instead buying. Theres no point in buying a 3/4 tonner, and then hammering it on a job that needed a 3 tonner, you'll knacker your kit and take 3 times longer to do the work, so you'll either have to know your limits about what jobs you can do, or focus on the ones you can do best. If you do that, then you will earn your self a reputation, which is the best form advertising you will ever get, which will build your business . Its at that point you will then be able to afford the next digger that you know you need. I'm not talking fleet size, there are plenty of small ground workers up and down the land in your position. Then ofcourse the real decisions start .. about how you transport them about !
What ever you do.. good luck and keep us posted

[Wee Jim]

1.5 ton for me! It's all I have and I do 500/600 hours a year in mine and when I need anything bigger I hire from Hewden.

i would recommend something that the tracks expand on as they are more versatile and can still fit in the gaps a standard 1.5 can fit!

[philD]

Thank you all for your welcome and excellent advice. Just to clarify, no I don't have any seat time so I'm very conscious that I won't be able to take on jobs before I get familiar with the machine. I've just been up to look at a Kobelco SK10SR 1 tonner this morning - what a beautiful little bit of kit that is! My preference at this very early stage would definitely be for the domestic, smaller landscaping/conservatory footings end of the market, rather than big jobs on 'proper' building sites. I do have a couple of friends who want jobs doing now they've heard I want to get a digger, which I guess would be a good place to start learning....not that they'll want to pay much of course

[Muz]

Thank you all for your welcome and excellent advice. Just to clarify, no I don't have any seat time so I'm very conscious that I won't be able to take on jobs before I get familiar with the machine. I've just been up to look at a Kobelco SK10SR 1 tonner this morning - what a beautiful little bit of kit that is! My preference at this very early stage would definitely be for the domestic, smaller landscaping/conservatory footings end of the market, rather than big jobs on 'proper' building sites. I do have a couple of friends who want jobs doing now they've heard I want to get a digger, which I guess would be a good place to start learning....not that they'll want to pay much of course

Ah yes .. youve hit the nail on the head there about getting paid .. this industry is quite bad for it. Best thing I ever did was get a card payment machine in the office. The hire and a deposit gets paid up front on the card which gives a payment paper trail, else, the digger doesnt leave the yard

As a start out .. some good experience on the digger and basic money to cover your costs would be right. Make sure your customer knows you cant be responsible for hidden objects under the ground for example, This whole area of liability is a minefield when you become a 'contractor'