Terremite

I hear a lot of references to a Teremite. What is it? Backhoe? trencher? Thanks. Steve

Small backhoe-loader. Several are on Machinery Trader now, T5 and T5C

I've rented one on couple occasions. Can do a lot of work for its size, also much smaller footprint than full-size backhoe/loader. Good choice for homeowner. Often powered by 20 HP Kohler.

Kind of a nitch little unit that was marketed heavily to rental stores. Been around for several years finally went belly up about 8 years ago and another group bought the name and tired to keep it going but finally filled for bankruptcy and stopped production last year. Fellow named George on here has two that he has had good service out off. Most rental stores that tried them found they just would not stand up to rental standards, mainly because the folks renting the things just tried to do too much with them.

Search for old posts of Geo-Th he has one or two and posted some pics. Maybe he'll read this and reply.

Steve: They are a light duty small backhoe/loader. They are around 20-25 HP. They where popular 15-20 years ago. Mainly with do-it-yourself guys. They were not really heavy enough for commercial usage. Just about every one I ever saw had welds all over the loader and backhoe.

Several things have killed their market: Skid steer loaders and small tracked excavators. A skid steer the same size will out work it easily doing loader work. A small excavator will easily out dig it. I would also say that the quick tach ability of the modern compact tractors is much better too. So you can have the same attachments plus a mower deck to take care of your acreage.

One big draw back I found with them is they were only two wheel drive. On small loader tractors of that size the MFWD is invaluable.

There was the Terramite and another one was Allmand too. I think neither company is making them currently.

A similar unit was the Dig-it. I started out with a 198-T. Bought it after it was wrecked. Fixed it up... A fellow borrowed it and wrecked it a second time. Didn't survive. Dig-it was purchased by Yazoo and went belly up in 2000-2001 time frame. I purchased a 2208 demo unit. Still running it.

Where's George ? I think he has 2 of them and LOVES them !

Terramite s Is alive and well and they do make a 4WD. Still made in my state of WV. I have been to the factory. There are at least 10 in use that I know of in my area. They are a a very simple, no frills machine, invented in a backyard garage, many years ago. Contractors love them.
Terramite

Terramites have been around for decades. Now owned by TerriQuip. Made in Charleston, W Va. TerriQuip makes three models of Compact backhoes.

You find them at DIY rental places. Almond went out of business years ago.

I have two properties 20 miles apart. I bought my first T5C terramite 10 years ago. Got tired of hauling it 20 miles each way so I bought a second one.

Recently Friend bought 10 acres for his horses. We had to clear property, remove brush trees. Friend has a 55 hp YTM with loader. I used my T5C, 20 hp gas kohler. Everyone was impressed what the little guy could do. Friend calls my T5C Mighty Moe. His friend was also impressed. He just bought a newer T5C with 25 hp kohler. Most people don't like them because they are expensive. Good used ones go for about half new price, around $12k. And there are no local dealers. Need a part, call factory. They aren't that hard to work on. They are not for a person who can't fix his own lawnmower.

I may be the only person on YT that owns two terramites. I may be the only person who has over 2500 hours of seat time on one. I like them for landscaping. They don't tear up your lawn. The don't leave ruts in yard. They are small enough to get into tight places.

I'm having difficulty uploading pics of what I've done with mine.
TerriQuip

I need one of those

I've been amazed at how much work Geo. gets done with his.

Using a terramite is a simple lesson in applied physics, first class lever. Think of your front wheels as a fulcrum. What you lift with loader removes weight off rear wheels. All that weight is applied to the fulcrum, the front wheels. I can lift enough to pull the rear wheels off the ground. Conversely the rear bucket can pull the front wheels off the ground.

I think combined I can lift enough with the front and rear at the same time to come close the the weight of the backhoe, 3100 #

I had to lift 10 ft long on dump trailer. Had to pick up smaller 10 ft log with rear bucket.
Then carefully drove to larger log with front wheels bouncing off the ground and then pick up the larger log. I'm very carfull with it and never damaged it in 10 years. Sorry still having difficulty downloading pics.

Finally got a few pics to upload on YT.