mini excavators

MattE · Feb 17, 2014

I finally decided that I need to add one to my collection. I want one that's big enough to be useful but still small enough I can tow short distances behind a one ton dump 7000-9000#.

I've operated lots of them, but never owned one. Looking at spending $15k or so for a nice used machine with a thumb.

Wanted to get some pros cons of different makes/models

jm. · Feb 17, 2014

U35 KUBOTA 8200 lb and out diggs anything out there. 15000 will get you a 2,000 hr machine that will still have lots of life left. I have had 121s 161, and now a U 35 and it is the perfect size.

samn40 · Feb 17, 2014

Or a Teceuchi, 135 or ,if it's not too big a 145(3.5 and 4.5 tonnes) Best track power of any of these machine that I have driven, and real fast cycle times. I would say the 135 will compete with or even out dig any rubber wheeled backhoe?
Sam

REDPOCADOT · Feb 17, 2014

i second the KUBOTA have ran quite a few of these very good machines

Anonymous-0 · Feb 17, 2014

Kubota's are a good machine but a few years ago when I was comparing specs, most other brands had greater breakout force than Kubota. I've ran a Thomas(Nagano)T-35 and a Bobcat 331(?). The Nagano was head and shoulders nicer to run than the Bobcat. The new Bobcats may have went to variable pumps which would be an improvement. The Bobcat only had a couple hundred hours on it and the boom swing pedal stuck on. Luckily there wasn't anything around me and I got it to go to neutral. I think most mini excavators are good machines.

JayinNY · Feb 17, 2014

I don't think you will go wrong with a CAT or Kubota, I've used cat, 305cr, I think it was, and the little 301.5 cat. Last summer we rented a kubota, I really don't remember the model number, x 41?? I don't know, but under 10000 lbs, it to was also a nice machine. All 3 have rubber tracks, which I think was nice for our kind of jobs.

G1355 · Feb 17, 2014

I wouldn't buy anything but a bobcat.

JayinNY · Feb 17, 2014

Hahahahaha, hahahha, and I dodge to tow it? Hahahha

Justin SE IOWA · Feb 17, 2014

On a CAT you can reverse the bucket so it digs away from you. Comes in handy in tight spots and if there is a utility in your way.

Formerly PaMike · Feb 17, 2014

I have a Kubota KX61-2 and I love it. It doesnt appear to be a real common model, but you can find them around. Its got a pattern changer and I added a high quality hydraulic thumb that cost me $1600. Well worth the money. I can tow it behind a 3/4 ton truck without a problem. It also has the two speed travel which is nice. It only had one light which was on the boom, so I added 2 to the ROPS. I use it for moving logs and moving tree tops that I am cutting for firewood. It works awesome. I cant imagine going back to using the skidsteer.

G1355 · Feb 17, 2014

Yeah you got that right, no different than skidloaders, buy the bobcat, I run cases all day at work, they always have problems, not to mention the case/new Hollands like to tweak the booms, And I've yet to see a bobcat with a tweaked boom.

jm. · Feb 17, 2014

Teceuchi parts and dealer support in the US are very week. Few dealers and getting parts is a problem. Have know several rental places that bought them because of price but have since gone back to Kubota. Local government bid here recently Teceuchi was low but the county rejected the bid based on prior experience.

unclemerle · Feb 17, 2014

Just picked up a Bobcat 323 for working in a building. Run the big boys at work (Cat 330 & Komatsu 300). Will put a sky hook on this one so we can pick it up and put it where we need it. Merle

waltdavies · Feb 18, 2014

I have the Kubota KX-61-2 Super Series. I love it will start instantly even in the coldest weather. Bought mine used for $11500 added a quick hitch and a3 ft bucket and later I took a manual tounge and converted to a hydraulic best thing I ever did. I picked up a 3 ft by 10 ft long
Log held it close and took it up the hill to my barn. I have used this thing to remove trees and clear for new roads also took out some 2 ft stumps for my friend with no trouble. I can clean the barn out in half the time as I did with my bucket loader.
You reverse the buckets for doing different things. You need the quick hitch and the tounge and the 3 ft bucket for cleaning out ditches.
Walt

crawlerjohn · Feb 18, 2014

I have a Kobelco SK30, works great but parts are hard to get locally.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 18, 2014

I bought one of these, used, from a utility company (actually from a tractor jockey, and it still was cheap!) for $3000, had a kubota engine, digs and works just fine!

Point I am making is it way under your budget, but works well.
Go for Digger

Wemedeeres · Feb 18, 2014

I don't own a mini. Operated the big ones for a living and on occasion ran the little ones. I have rented one a few time for work around the farm, dug out a few stumps and some rocks in the yard. I always rented a Bobcat E35 its about a 7500 lb machine so it pulls nice behind my F150 on 9900 lb trailer. No complaints here on the machine, we have Cat, Kubota and Deere dealers here that rent out as well but Bobcat had the best rates whether it was through work or for my personal use.

mini excavators

MattE

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jm.

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samn40

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REDPOCADOT

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Anonymous-0

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JayinNY

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G1355

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JayinNY

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Justin SE IOWA

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Formerly PaMike

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G1355

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jm.

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unclemerle

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waltdavies

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crawlerjohn

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Anonymous-0

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Wemedeeres

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