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A news story to make Gunner's day....
QUESTION:What would an approximate cost be
to make a standalone backhoe? I see plans/kits like the Ground
Hawg, Caddigger, and Trencherman with $3k pricing. Is it hard to
find the proper type and size of steel plate, pipe, bushings, etc.
for something like this? The plans (usually under $200) seem like
a good way to save a lot of time matching parts and such.
ANSWER: Finding the steel isn't a problem. Affording the hydraulics and
power source is. A standalone backhoe will have at least 5 cylinders
(maybe 7 if you go for hydraulic outriggers) and associated control
valves, hoses, a pump, engine, etc. Even from a salvage yard, that's
going to be the bulk of the cost of the project.
Look at the package prices offered by Caddigger's supplier. The
bulk of the cost is not in the (nicely) pre-cut steel pieces. Even if
you scrounge the steel locally and cut it yourself, you'll only save
a fraction of the cost, and you still have to come up with all the
hydraulic bits.
I'm currently building the CadTrac, and I bought the metal kit
primarily as a convenience to speed up construction. I wouldn't
save enough by hunting up the steel and cutting it to size
myself to make a dint in the total cost of the project. But the
time it is saving me is major.
Their prices for the hydraulic bits aren't out of line for new parts
either, and they're the parts specified in the plans. This also makes
things simpler, though it is the area where you'd save the most
money if you could scrounge them yourself from a salvage yard.
IMHO the prices quoted in the plan sets are highly optimistic.
They're dependent on using scrounged hydraulics, motor, and
scrapyard steel. Your cost will probably be higher. I know I'm
certainly spending more to build the CadTrac than the plans
say, and I'm buying the parts from their recommended supplier.
OTOH, buying the kit certainly makes the project an easier one.
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