Mini diggers?

Has anyone ever operated one?
I've got a number of tree stumps to dig out, plus about 1/4 acre to level and am wondering whether it's worthwhile me hiring a digger and learning to use it, or to hire one with an operator?
Difference in price is about £100 a day..

 

They're pretty straight forward, you just have to watch for that bucket swinging around (my dad took out the patio doors!). There's one thats smaller than the Bob Cats now and we use them when needed.

 

save the £100 and have a day of fun

 

how long would you need it for..?

if its for several days, then maybe you could driving it yourself for the first day..? - then play it by ear..?

 

you're a bloke... never admit to not knowing how to operate a piece of heavy machinery.

i've seen several used as attractions in happy shopper amusement parks - suitably limited so as not to endanger onlookers of course so literally a child of 5 can use one....

 

I'd really like a go on a digger, looks like a lot of fun, hire it and have some fun, I'm sure you can find a short tutorial on the web, but I think after about 30 mins "playing" you'd get the hang of it, well Jellious and I've love that opertunity!

 

can't be that difficult to get the hang of.

seems to be the tool of choice for liberating ATMS at the moment.

 

I promise you if you have any cordination, it will be like an extension of your arm by the end of one day. They are pretty simple to operate, depends whether you have the time really and want the hassle. I used one (a 4 ton) to dig out some ditches for three weeks during the summer that hit 37 degrees a couple of years ago. Sheesh, drank 5 litres of squash a day, no aircon :inferno: . Don't get one that its too small as you won't be able to shift much at a time and it may not have enough power to dig very deep before the hydraulics run out of oompfh, if you see what i mean. Also, don't expect to go anywhere fast, you can easily walk faster than most mini diggers, it takes ages just to get where you want to go.

If you learn to do it now, then the next time you need one then you may well save money next time round. Although perhaps bear in mind that it may take you longer than an experineced operator, increasing the hire costs. You should be fine though. Sorry, im not sure how helpfull i've been, but to summise they are very easy to operate, especially the tiny ones.

 

Cheers guys - I'll hire a self drive one..
Luckily it's not far from the road to where I need to dig - hopefully I can get it through a garden gate which will save having to bash a hole in the hedge!

 

Leonard

I got used to one, and did a lot in a day with it. It was great.

One great big word of warning (or 3)

1) Careful when you turn - you rip the lawn to shreds
2) Better borrowed when the ground is dry and hard - the caterpillar tracks will devastate your lawn in the wet
3)Be careful, you can seriously knacker your garden
4) careful you dont tip the digger up when you're getting the roots out. I got stumps out with one - try dismembering the roots one by one with the digger, and eventually it will lift out. You will be suprised how hard the suckers are to get out - even with a digger.

Good luck - and get yerself some photos for the memory of it - its a laugh.

Oh yes, and get a selection of 'buckets' it makes life a lot easier to have the right extension on

 

An even better way of removing old tree stumps is to drill a hole deep into the stump,fill with explosive, retire to a safe distance and ignite.

 

Luckily there's no lawn yet - just 20 years worth of nettles and rosebay willow herb...
And I like the explosives idea, it's very quiet there with plenty of folks who shoot, and nearest police station 12 miles away... Though nowadays playing with explosives is somewhat frowned upon as a leisure activity!