Strengths Goes anywhere I'm comfortable taking it. Built like a brick ****house, it takes a licking and just keeps plugging along. Takes immense stress and hard treatment in stride. It is not hard to repair, not hard to maintain.

Weaknesses For what it is, I know of no weaknesses. Mine is running with no fuel pump and is a patched up mess, but it works GREAT no matter what!

Overall It goes where no other backhoe can go - even between the foundation wall and the deck support posts - not quite 6 feet. It works like a Trojan - it just won't quit. 15 years old or so and it isn't for sale at any price! It isn't hard to tell - I love this Terramite! I'm currently digging a basement into a mountainside 15 by 30 feet 10 feet deep, and no truck can get to it so I have to ferry each loader bucket of dirt down the mountainside around 200 yards. I'd be done if it weren't for that, but no complaints - it is getting done. Today I moved 150 tree trunk sections as large as 3 feet diameter and 20 feet long, mostly with the hoe arm. The biggest ones with the front bucket. What a workhorse!

Strengths None other than scrap value.

Weaknesses Hydraulic system is totally user unfriendly. Seat and foot control was not designed for any human of any size.

Overall Worst loader/backhoe I have ever used.

Strengths I have owned and used this machine for several years. it is a good machine, fairly simple and tough, tough, tough! Good power and excellent fuel economy.

Weaknesses Mine is a 1996 and the operator position needed more foot room. i understand that this has been corrected in later models. I now have a T7 Diesel and will be selling my T5C for no other reason than I don't need to own two machines. Email me for information. TCusack@knology.net

Overall 9 out of 10 in my books for the T5C

Strengths easy to use for a novice... extremely economical (4.5 gallons / 8 hours)

Weaknesses seat was difficult to rotate... backhoe position is a little cramped... loader position has no real rest for left foot

Overall EXCELLENT machine!

Strengths Reliable, strong and simple. All business, easy to work in small areas, light weight enough to pull on a landscape trailer with a 1/2 ton PU. Can work endlessly.

Weaknesses BH does not swing 180 degrees, which is a problem if you want to dig wide holes and move the fill far aside (other 'Mites do swing 180). Machine is light and therefore can get pulled around by the BH easily. Gas engine is powerful enough, but just enough. Breakout and lift on the bucket is fine for most small tasks, but not for setting really heavy stones. Cramped BH operator position.

Overall Reliable, cost effective and tough machine for most BH and loading tasks. Floatation tires and quick release bucket are nice features. Idiot proof controls and operation. No bells, no whistles, just a hard working machine that you can run all day, every day and maintain economically.