Lets beat the TORO DINGO horse again.

[CrystalCreek]

I came up with an idea the other night. I need some advise. After talking with many other landscapers, electrician's, plumbers, and even pool service people, I have come to see there is a open market for small excavation. I live in an area where almost ever backyard is fenced and landscaped in. Very small openings. The only choices most of these guys have is to either tare down fences and shrubs or dig buy hand. Not very good options if you ask me. I have run this by my friends that work in fields as I mentioned. They wish there was a way someone could dig in these small areas. SO, if I purchased a DINGO, I think I could fill at least a day or two a week with work. It would break up the same old same old of mowing.

A toro dingo TX425 is what I was looking at. There is nothing else in my area even close for support. Dealers are hard to come by, and Toro is right down the road from me. I would want the regular bucket, backhoe att. and high torque auger with a 12" & 24" bit. I have an empty unused enclosed trailer that is 7 x 18. I think everything would fit in there. I have seen the prices in my area, and I think I could get $125 an hour. Most of my friends said they would be very willing to pay that.

I am looking for so input and ideas for people who do this. The landscaping is doing well, but I though this would diversify my bis a little. Looking forward to some help. Thanks Guys!

[RockSet N' Grade]

Very simple. If you can get $125 an hour........hurry up and get one! If you could get $80 an hour that would justify the purchase, but $125 is off the charts. Sounds like the Dingo is what you are going to get.......have you looked at DitchWitch, say the 650?

[stuvecorp]

Yeah, if you can get that do it. The other thing is if you can find a machine(Dingo/Ditch Witch) as a package for much less than new that isn't beat. Maybe press them some for lined up work, people are good for it until you spend the money and the need isn't what they said. Do your homework but sounds like a good deal if you can get it.

[NEUSWEDE]

$125 an hour for a mini skid sounds high. What is a skid and mini excavator getting per hour? I ask because they are a bit more productive.

If you can get it go for it just giving you some things to think of.

[PerfectEarth]

I am at the $80/hr mark with my Dingo on jobs (2009 will be the first full year with it) and that's a good number. If it sits for a while, my hour is not billed at that rate- I'm honest about it. I think you can do that or a hair better in NJ.

That said, look at a 525 (and wide track). I would not buy one of these machines if it were not diesel- they'll just hold up better. Upfront cost is more, yes, but long term I think you'll be better off.

[AWJ Services]

The only disadvantage to the diesels are the weight.
If you keep the weight under 2000 pounds they can be lifted and placed with a Mini Excavator allowing even greater access.
The Toro comes in at 2000 pounds with a Diesel which is a positive.
I like the simple 2 Joystick drive of the Ditch Witch.

These machines cost very little and even if the Gas engine wears out replacement is next to nothing and at 125.00 an Hour maint will be an after thought.
Most people just have these as a Labor saver.Not sure how many people sell them as a service.

[CrystalCreek]

Well I have priced out excavation work in my direct area. IT IS HIGH. Most are getting around $175 to $200 for skid steer work and about $225 to $250 for mini Ex work. I don't understand why the Mini Ex is higher, but I have checked with four different landscapers doing this. I thought that $125 was a fair rate. I could even go down to $100 if market slows down. I also have several friends that are homebuilders. They both said that auger was what they were intrested in. Decks and Fence posts. I like the idea of doing the little jobs as I will be in and out. No long term onsite. I have checked Ebay, but I am a little afarid of buying one without seeing one up front. Keep the ideas coming, and thanks for what we got so far.

[AWJ Services]

I would buy New unless you get a smoking deal on a used low hour machine.

[RockSet N' Grade]

I am moving to Fairlawn New Jersey at those rates!!!! If that is the case, do yourself a favor and go buy a new unit (financed) with several attachments and get to work asap....you will be paying that badboy off in no time at all.....maybe 6 months to a year if you can secure the work for it. I would do it in a heart beat once I know for sure those rates are "true". I would advertise in every and any way I could (newspaper, throwaways, sprinkler supply houses, restaurant, shopping centers) anything and develop that into a full time gig. That is significant money!! I get $110 an hour for a 20,000 lb mini ex and $75 for a skid here and the competition is real tough....

[wellbuilt]

Wow 125 an hr is a lot of money for a dingo unless its for 4 hours 500 bucks . I get a k121 ex and a skid with a bucket and forks for 1100 bucks and i thought it was a good deal . . The dingos are nice but you can rent them for 200 dollars at anchor rental on RT 17 or in saddle brook or out in Wayne. We used a mini EX and a skid on most jobs . In fair lawn the houses and property are kinda small but i would rather get a skid with a hoe so you can do some real work. I think 80 bucks an hr is more like it for a dingo or a bobcat mt . My Ex and skid go out for 1200 bucks a day or 750 each . For 750 I can get a full size case extend a ho . There are guys around, digging with a 6000lb Ex for 450 a day . I live in NY but worked in your area for years . John

PS if i could get 250 an hour for my EX I could be in fair lawn in under a hour with truck & trailer.

[CrystalCreek]

I am still surprised at the rates for these macheins. But then again we are getting $30 for a lawn that takes less than 20 minutes. But then again my insurances are much higher than other parts of the country. And houseing prices were the third highest county in America last year. So the high prices are only relative to the area. Living next to NYC brings in a lot of money, but a lot of cost for living. The more I think about it, the more $100 sounds like the way to go. Remember fellas, I'm new to Excavation work. I think that setting $20 of each hour aside for maintance and replacement parts would be a good idea. Like I said, the problem in this area is size. People seem very willing to pay for convience of little machiens. But like one poster said, friend will disapper after I buy the toro.

[stuvecorp]

If you can get the work even at $100 an hour, that seems like laughing to the bank. That is some sweet return on investment. If you can swing it without hurting cash flow look at new like RockSet said. They may have some good deals now where you can get some attachments with the machine. Good luck.

[bobw]

I do irrigation and have a DitchWitch SK350. When I first bought it, the landscapers I worked with thought it was a funny toy. The same landscapers call me anytime they get into a tight back yard and desperately need some stuff moved. I bill them the exact same rate they charge out their S185s at. And they are very glad to pay.

There is definitely the opportunity to make some serious money off of a mini. Once you find the market that needs the small size and maneuverability, they'll pay a premium for it. A get stopped by electricians all the time that have to dig trenches for electrical services to outbuildings; if I ever have the time, I know who needs me the most :D

[AWJ Services]

They are a great idea to own especially if your business is not fully grown.
Some guys have all the work they can do so the machine would not be fully utilized for added income but someone who does not run a full schedule it would definitely supplement your income.
The same thing happened when I purchased my Mini excavator.
I bill more money per month with it than anything else I own now.

This thread has me thinking it would be an excellent avenue for added income.

[Lawnworks]

I have a tx425 and it has been a great machine for me. I would highly suggest buying the attachments used. You can get a backhoe attachment for about half the cost of new on ebay. I would also suggest buying the machine used. If you price all you want at the dealer, you are probably looking at near 30k. And don't see how anyone can justify buying new if it isn't going every week. I now use my dingo practically every day, and even with 1200 hours on it is hard for to justify spending 18k on a new one when my old one runs so well. Check craigslist, I saw a 425 somewhere in VA for around 8k.

[CrystalCreek]

I do irrigation and have a DitchWitch SK350. When I first bought it, the landscapers I worked with thought it was a funny toy. The same landscapers call me anytime they get into a tight back yard and desperately need some stuff moved. I bill them the exact same rate they charge out their S185s at. And they are very glad to pay.

There is definitely the opportunity to make some serious money off of a mini. Once you find the market that needs the small size and maneuverability, they'll pay a premium for it. A get stopped by electricians all the time that have to dig trenches for electrical services to outbuildings; if I ever have the time, I know who needs me the most :D

This is exactly the lines I was thinking along. I understand what you mean by people will pay a premium. No one wants to dig by hand. Not only have I talked to electricians, but also plumbers and home builders. Ever dig post holes by hand? Here comes the dingo to the rescue:laugh:

[CrystalCreek]

They are a great idea to own especially if your business is not fully grown.
Some guys have all the work they can do so the machine would not be fully utilized for added income but someone who does not run a full schedule it would definitely supplement your income.
The same thing happened when I purchased my Mini excavator.
I bill more money per month with it than anything else I own now.

This thread has me thinking it would be an excellent avenue for added income.

Not only is it added income, but also breaks up the mowing grind. Dont get em wrong, I love maintenance, but it can get old sometimes. My schedule is not full and I think now would be a good time to make the move or at least start looking and doing the reserach.

[CrystalCreek]

I have a tx425 and it has been a great machine for me. I would highly suggest buying the attachments used. You can get a backhoe attachment for about half the cost of new on ebay. I would also suggest buying the machine used. If you price all you want at the dealer, you are probably looking at near 30k. And don't see how anyone can justify buying new if it isn't going every week. I now use my dingo practically every day, and even with 1200 hours on it is hard for to justify spending 18k on a new one when my old one runs so well. Check craigslist, I saw a 425 somewhere in VA for around 8k.

Thank you. I have been looking and all the machines are really beat to hell. I was thinking about a new TX425 and getting the attachments used to save some money. At least than I know I have a dependable power unit. If an attachment fails, I could always rent that. Let me know if you see anything good that you would recomend.

[RockSet N' Grade]

Crystal.........that is one of the primary reasons I suggested buying "new" at least for the power unit. plus you can get an extended warranty. and the payments vs. total cash outlay is something for you to consider depending on your particular situation. These mini skids are one awesome piece of equipment that are often overlooked. If most of your work is residential, then this may be the ticket. The largest demo contractor in the western US (based out of SLC, Utah) purchased 10 of those units a year and a half ago to do a job under our state capital building.........they have their place and the versatility is that of a swiss army knife. I would consider looking at the ditchwitch and demoing it against the dingo to see what you like best.

[AWJ Services]

I see many of those at work on large commercial landscaping progects.
They use them to dig and place trees and prep the dividing median between the entrance drives.
Most these medians are only 6 to 10 foot wide.
I could very well see 2 of these units out working one skid in a bunch of landscaping jobs and cost less.

They also work great to haul mulch.Fasten a full size skid bucket on it and they will move some mulch with little damage to the lawn.