I was like you about three years ago. Needed a mini-ex to dig drainage ditches and cleanup. Couldn't rent one of the size needed and with ditching bucket. Learned the basic operation by visiting a rental yard. Read every thing that I could find out on the internet. After a lot of looking purchased a rental machine at an auction. Purchased a Deere 27CZTS with a 12 inch bucket which was the biggest machine that I could afford. Machine is perfect size for my needs which have expanded since I bought it. In addition to ditching(after purchasing a 30 inch bucket), I have removed countless stumps, transplanted trees, and use it to pickup anything that I need to pickup. What a back saver. Pleased with the Deere. Fairly economical, easy to get parts(so far only ignition switch, hydraulic fittings), and manuals are available.Sure machine has lots of hours, some slop in pins and bushings, but starts everytime, runs well, and does what I need it to do. After the first year, fabricated a hydraulic thumb. Afterward, was a great cleanup machine. Original plan was to sell after comlpeting ditching and cleanup, but now cannot part with the mini-ex.
