Frank is a backhoe wizard! the Buster Scruggs of backhoe slinging

Hi Frank, I use both backhoe and mini ex in my operation. Some jobs require one some the other, it is good to have both because you never know what is going to come up. One trick I use with the mini ex to keep the centerline of the boom directly over the centerline of the ditch is to determine where dead center is on the articulation function and then make an index mark on the joint that is visible from the operator station so you can set it quickly. To find this position place the back of the bucket directly over the top of the backfill blade and articulate the boom until the bucket is square with the blade. Then, take a paint marker or a scribe and make an index mark on the articulation joint so you can find this position quickly when you need to. I have a Komatsu PC50 and this is the right size to compare to a backhoe loader, 5 metric tons give or take (11,000 lb.). I think the Coochie you were using was a 3.5 tonne unit so a backhoe will out produce it for sure. Also when digging precision with a mini, put the blade behind you. That way you can crowd closer to the machine and get a longer drag. You can also put an index mark on the the blade that corresponds to the center of the boom in the opposite direction so when repositioning the machine for another drag, you can keep the boom directly over the centre line of the ditch. It will take some experimenting to make this mark because some minis have booms that are not mounted on the center of the machine. They do this to make more room for the operator's station. Digging precision is all about lining up these two centerlines and I am sure you already know this. Nice thing about a mini is the ability to dump your spoil directly behind you. If it needs to be hauled off you can place a dump truck there and dump directly into it. Sorry for the extended comment, I love mini ex's, and backhoes too. Keep on digging in Oklahoma!

Good job Frank, the points you made in the comparison make sense to me. I’m sure a mini ex makes sense in certain situations. The backhoe is the “Swiss Army Knife” of machines. Of course operator skill is a huge factor. It speaks highly of you that the contractor gets you the machine required for special circumstances but the key is you. You get it done with no drama, as a boss I appreciate no drama.

Nice job of operating in all your videos!! Very smooth!! Appreciate the comments too on MiniEx vs TLB and solid point on being able to level up on a slope with the outriggers on the TLB. Keep up the great videos!!

Pretty much all of my life of being around equipment I've heard it many times, if you can only get one piece of equipment, make it a backhoe ! That says a lot ! 😊 Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍

Great video! I bought a smaller commercial duty Kubota backhoe from my local dealer. I had a long conversation with the owners son, which is who sold me the machine. He said the mini ex is most popular in the United States in which he doesn't know why, the rest of the world uses backhoes because of the versatility. A backhoe can travel much faster, go down the road if need be, can go fetch and deliver materials that cant be dumped exactly on site etc. A mini ex can only go about 3 MPH and only digs. This is all coming from someone that also sells mini excavators. Keep up the hard work!

Thank you for posting this video. I love this video! Thank you for being loyal to your customers and giving them what they wanted the way they wanted it. You are a very skilled digger and a smart man who is highly adaptable. This shows that you are more than capable of using a mini X if that's what the job requires. It has probably been a few years since you were on a mini axe last and you were still able 2 deliver the highest quality results with a machine that you certainly have not been on before. No matter what you are put on you are a digging man you know how to make the machines move Earth cleanly! This displays how the reach of the backhoe makes it the ideal machine for digging long footings. That Long Reach that the backhoe has makes it require more skill because you are making a longer cut every time you take a bite. That means that you must be steadier on your sticks and able to hit your bullseye from a longer distance. I have been waiting for the day when this happened and now I have got to see something that I wanted to see because it will stifle negative comments from the naysayers. That long smooth cut that you make with that backhoe gives you less stops and starts, and that really helps flatten the bottom of the ditch. People who don't think a backhoe can out dig a Mini X of the same weight are trying to use the backhoe like it is a mini X. In the end it doesn't really matter what machine somebody tells you that they need you to use you will deliver top quality results at a minimum cost and time. You are a real professional thanks for being out there doing what you do and sharing it with us!

Agreed Frank!! I ran a backhoe for 10 years and it is a great machine and every construction site around here has one Good video Frank👍

Its the old ford vs chevy thing in my opinion; i have seen good operators on wore out machines get more done and it was done better than bad operators on a new machine; most people can “hog” dirt, but when it comes to the style of work you do what i would call finish work always having to be at a grade and strait not everybody can do it efficiently; and thats where experience and lots of hours in a machine come to play; and i am not going to lie i have seen you do things in a backhoe that has flat impressed me; like when you use your plate to stradle a ditch; a machine on tracks is a lot easier to do that with; bottom line comes to how much $$ you put in your pocket at the end of the day and i’d be willing to say your equipment is paid for so at the end of the day your making money and not just making payments Another good video and I enjoyed your perspective Thanks

Frank, I think you are the best backhoe operator that I have ever seen. I can sit here and watch you for hours. I just found your channel about a month ago. I don't know what I am going to do if I ever get all your videos watched. CHN mini excavators were built by Kobelco up until somewhere around 2017 and they were nice smooth machines. Hyundai is now building them and they are just like a Hyundai. Junk. They are very jerky and and everything you would expect from a Hyundai which isn't much. All their big excavators are Sumitomo's and very good machines. Keep up the good work.

I have always admired a backhoe for being, in my opinion, the most well rounded machine you can have on a project. With the variety of attachments and buckets you can pair it with, and a very skilled operator... not much that you can't do with it! Great video Frank and I absolutely agree with your take on both machines! They all have their place!

TB 285 mini x with 30 " sand bucket I used for 6 months digging for electrician. I agree. Takehuchi is top of the class.I have only watch two of your videos and will continue watching them I'm learning a great deal from your experience and expert techniques thanks

Thanks for the insights. We had both on the farm (480C is currently down). Because we don't get seat time every day, harder to maneuver when digging but takes forever to get there (thank goodness rubber tracks, lol). Dug a lot of deep drain line with that Case (so mucky had to cut the side of bucket out to be able to dump) before excavator. Each has its place. Thanks for all the tips, helps us a lot. Hey anything beats hand shoveling (my dad's days), lol. But you are correct, your business is basically linear feet in the quickist time!

Great perspective, thanks.. I have been buying and using tools all my life. There is one universal truth regarding tools. A tool that does several jobs, does not do any one of those jobs as well as a tool that only does that one job. Sometimes, that difference is small, but there is always a difference. The key, as you alluded to, is to fit the tool to the application.

Great video Frank! I totally agree that both machines have their place, after digging footings with the excavator and a few with a backhoe, the backhoe wins there! It’s good to know you didn’t freeze to death too 🤣. Thanks for sharing

thanks man love hearing your input. ive only ever ran a mini ex never a big backhoe yet. i love runnign machines and digging prepping for concrete and tearing out old concrete.

I couldn't agree with you more. Nothing beats a good backhoe and the operator to match it.

Very interesting analysis. I appreciate your forthrightness. My biggest concern with the backhoe is the material that I am in where I live and work. Lots of steep slopes and soft materials. I agree with everything that you have said about the backhoe other than working the steep sites. So many ways they are better that I have been tempted to buy one and try to make it work in my conditions.

Thanks again for the tutorial. Love the insight on the mini Excavator verses the Backhoe. Just like in the plumbing industry manufactures want to sell equipment they are not concerned if it is the best equipment for the job, or the independent operator the only concern in selling. Bobcat used to really push getting rid of the Backhoe in favor of a mine excavator and skid steer combo. The backhoe does both functions in one piece of equipment. I used to own a small backhoe made by Ingersol Rand BL370D it dug 11' digging debt and was rated to lift 3100 lib. it was 46 hp and only used 1/2 a gallon per hour of use. Had a cab and heat and weighed in at 10,000 nice little backhoe . Also had all wheel drive and all wheel steer. Only put 500 hours on it in 10 years. Sold it kept on bumping into stuff. for my use I will try a very small mini excavator with retractable tracks and soon a stand on skid steer. I make a living at Plumbing not as an equipment operator I sure do admire and enjoy watching a good operator thanks Frank

Hello, I ve been watching you for a bit. I started on a 580 case in 1984 digging footers. I STILL PREFER THE BACKHOE FOR FOOTERS. And own 3 excavators. It takes a true operator do do work with the backhoe most of them are retired. I own a like new 2000 580l but it stays home most of the year.Thanks for the nice videos.

I used to watch some awesome operators do amazing things on a backhoe. And they would also do great things on other equipment and their different variations and those are the guys that taught me. They all had their preferences and a backhoe was one. Love your videos.

"I'm here to make the Back Hoe Great Again" ! You could sell Several thousand Tshirts with that blazed on um Frank. Just an Idea. Ill advance order ten 2XL if that gets the wheels turning.

Frank, enjoyed the running commentary while watching you on the mini. Thanks for sharing.

Great Video Frank ! Thank's for posting, every piece of equipment has it's place that's why they make so many . LOL

It's the right machine for what job your doing is what it's all about. I see lots of people buying a few acres and first thing they do is buy a compact tractor and think it's a dozer. Know a guy that did this and twisted the tractor so bad it broke the block where it attached to the frame. Warranty didn't cover because miss use of machine. Cost lots to fix and be damned if he did it again but worse. Finally got it fixed after almost two years and the tractor is worth now double what he paid for it. Would have been lots cheaper if he would have hired someone or rented a dozer.

Very interesting information, Frank. I totally agree with your argument of why purchase, maintain, and haul 2 machines when 1 will get the job done. D4 vs D9 is an excellent analogy lol!! I'd like to know exactly what people think you can do with a mini that you can't with an excavator? The only thing that comes to mind is portability/weight. But anyway, excellent video as usual! Looks like you do as excellent work with mini-excavator as your backhoe. Thanks for the video!

I own both a backhoe and a mini ex. The mini is great for little shallow utilities, landscaping and small stuff. When it comes to moving lots of dirt, bigger utilities, and jobs with more room my backhoe wins out every time. That said I am looking to buy a 12-15 ton excavator for pond and clearing work.

Yes, i'm a old backhoe man also. We have a Mini Ex, but 99% of time backhoe tractor is my go to. I'm a tiling contractor from southern Illinois, have a few video's.

You have put out a lot of content that I have really enjoyed over the course of the last year or so. But this is by far and ahead my new favorite video out of everything you've ever posted!

Tell those guys to spring for the cab next time! Cold hoeing is no fun. Good video.

When the boss says this is what we have to use that is what you use. A pay check is still a pay no matter what you are playing with. A good operater will run any machine he has to to get the job done and say thank you for the work.

Good Afternoon Frank, like you say horses for courses. Good job and thank you for the video. Take care :).

I agree with your assessment. I've operated a Ford 555 a good bit and I've sat on a miniexcavator about 1500 hours. I liked both of them in certain situations. The mini ex is easier to maneuver when digging footers in a basement and such and I like being able to lay the dirt 180 degrees from where I'm digging but the old 555 is stronger than the Bobcat 331 and I can dig faster with the 555.

Hi i have been operating JCB backhoes with my small groundwork business since 1988 but for the last 10 years I have owned a 1.8 ton mini aswell and if has been a great piece of kit and it has certainly been a asset to my business wouldn't be without it

My dad always said you can do just about anything with a backhoe. As a young operator, I love my 16 yr old backhoe. I just wish it would stop raining here in Kentucky.

We love our jcb backhoe on the farm. Things a beast and can do way more than I would have ever thought.

Great video. Thanks for sharing

I really enjoy your videos. I must say, to me, you looked out of place on that mini. LOL. Any operator, can learn a lot from you . Keep up the great work.

Great video. Awesome operator

It’s not rambling, it’s the truth when you take pride in what you love to do. I agree with you 💯 percent.

I don't know which one is better, I leave it to you expert, besides you get to play with the big toys, thanks for the video. Peace

Welcome to my world Frank. I have 4 machines and none of them have a cab ( it get a little chilly in Northeast Ohio). As usual, you did a better job with my chosen machine than I could do.....But chicks still dig me......

The first rubber tire backhoe I learned on was 1974 410 John Deere ,we did everything with that machine from unloading ductile water pipe to digging trench

My thoughts are ,you can do lots of digging done on any machine ,once you get used to it ,it’s same principle,only thing I can’t do is go from operating a backhoe in backhoe pattern to operating excavator pattern,just don’t work for me.nice footings any ways Frank.

All valid points with your comparison. Think your opinion would have been different if the contractor rented you a little larger machine, with extendahoe, rototilt bucket, and a cab with heat? Regardless, a good operator is a good operator... you would find a way to do good work with a shovel taped to garden tractor.

In my experience, companies like the mini exes better because they are more user friendly to the average guy overall. They also usually keep a backhoe around and usually keep a guy like Frank (awesome operator/backhoe guy) in them. From what I have seen a good guy in a backhoe will run circles around a mini.

I have both mini ex and backhoe and love um both depends on which situation ur in some spots a backhoe don't fit mini wins but other spots the backhoe excels all depends on what ur doing

Hi frank I really believe you know exactly what your doing so no comment from me , the way you clean up the trench and sides as you go is professional driver

Agree on making a backhoe great again to 110%

Well explained. You got the job done, thats all it matters, with mini ex👍

I don't think much to the design of that building if your backhoe and a skid steer in the same place is a problem ! 90% of what I do round here is TLB, the odd time a track hoe would be nice for a couple days a year. What I find saves me with the TLB is having the English spec side shift hoe. as long as i have enough width to get the machine in I can dig right down a wall or anywhere in between 2 walls by just sliding the hoe where i want it . The only slight disadvantage can be the width footprint as the stabilizer patterns not as wide as a center mount machine. you just have to plan the reach a bit,so you don't risk pulling the machine over swinging dirt to far in certain circumstances. I grew up with sideshift backhoes, so wouldn't go to a center mount, just like you won't change to a mini ex/ bigger trackhoe to replace the NH. Thanks for the video, Take care

I had a cat 305ccr I loved it.

Takihuchi, A guy I work with has "Taki" track loaders. I have a 3.5 ton Yanmar. I had a 1.5 ton but sold it when i got the bigger one. Been kicking myself since.

good vid

Great work as always. Love to see a guy who didn’t follow the trend and go mini ex and skid steer, instead stuck it out with a backhoe. Been watching your stuff for a couple months now and been wondering, Do you own your own company?

I have so much more finesse with an excavator. I dig w both, but prefer the mini. Very limited though

I tried not to comment, but had to. You are not comparing apples to apples; you have compared one specific machine with another. Some facts, mini-ex's come in different sizes (you can get a mini that weights more than your backhoe), you can have different size buckets on said ex's, mini ex's come with cabs. The only actual point you have is the leveling. Ex's are better in tight areas where a BH cannot get or takes longer to get into. I agree the BH is the most versatile machine on a worksite. Also, I have never heard a person say a BH does nothing well; I have said that a thousand times about a skid steer, a swiss army knife that does nothing well but is better than nothing.

Mini exes are good if you have very limited space and you have to put the dirt behind you . Otherwise I would choose the backhoe too.

Right on no wiser words have never been spoken on this subject LOL been there done that

The 4x4 backhoe is very necessary to have in your arsenal... there are times when it`s invaluable ... in your case it seems to be ideal so if you had a mini it would be sitting a lot. Love the vids man keep`em coming!!

😂😂 so that’s way you covered your face 😂😂 Good job sir I see there’s nothing you can’t operate 👍👍

I noticed that your backhoe appears to be well balanced from front to back.

What I was wondering during your video was. How are they going to pour those footers? If the engineers didn't want a backhoe on there, then a loaded ready mix truck won't work. So it will all have to be pumped.

Well said!!!!!!!!

Also, question about when you dug for the plumbers at the beginning of the video. Did I just miss the laser to shoot grade on the trench or did they just go by eye? Never did see anyone with a grade stick in the trench. I didn’t think you had a grade system on your backhoe.

I see a magnet level. Do you use it for leveling the tractor or checking grade on pipe?

I've just bought a 2008 Takeuchi TB125 for work around my house and never driven one before. I've spent a day doing some maintenance as its been sat idle for two years and now its all good. Any advice for a newbie? I find it hard to balance the levers and get a level cut into the earth. Ive watched and enjoyed many of your videos over the past week and have to say you make it look easy. Im sure its just time and effort but for now I'm slow and inaccurate. More too it than it looks. Martin. Based in Cheshire, England Great videos, keep posting.

Give him a cab unit with heat and AC and he would have been happy. Much quieter too.

Backhoe is hands down the most versatile machine money can buy. Minis and skid steers take less skill and are better for some things but a skilled operator and a backhoe are second to none

I am here to make a backhoe great again! 👍🏻

Your the man Frank on tires or trax!! Peiriod!!👍 and you are correct on small jobs you just can't beat a hoe! Specialy an extendahoe!!👍 but that's just small work but for big work u don't beat an excavator!👍

If you owned one you could haul a mini ex- and your backhoe together at the same time legally right. Just wondering and i like a backhoe more than a mini myself nan. God bless and be safe out there from southeast texas. Its pronounced toch a hoochie . That's the pronunciation not the spelling

Good video. The one thing great about a mini is well it's a mini. They fit in small spaces and indoor. That's something a hoe could never do. Why not put a bigger bucket on the hoe?

ooh i wanna hear

What about CAT

All equipment has its uses

It's easy to keep a mini x level just throw some dirt under the track or take some out. Thanks for sharing

Its all in what your used to

Excavators are twice as fast as Backhoes you just have to get used to it

The mini ex is much easier to operate you can get yourself in some trouble with the Backhoe if you don’t know what you’re doing

Hard to Teach an old dog New Tricks

what do you think about JCB bacxkhoe's?

Hock a loogie that's what the name sounds like to me....hahaha

The mini x track hoes work great inside a building where head room is a problem

Starting at about 10:09, excavating contractors all over OK are breathing a sigh of relief.

its nice to see that I m not only 1 likes runnin the double ender .. 1st backhoe was a 580 super E we got a 420 here nobody uses it they all swear by a min ex s

Countryyy

I need a backhoe, so i can keep my road up n ditches cleaned.

Cab and heat next time

Would you happen to have an email bud @digginok