Rowski
Veteran Member
- Joined
- May 18, 2000
- Messages
- 1,481
- Location
- North Central Vermont, Jay Peak Area
- Tractor
- 2004 New Holland TN70DA with 32LC loader, 2000 New Holland 2120 with Curtis cab, 7309 loader
I have some questions regarding mini excavators. This summer I had a few jobs that required more than just my backhoe on my tractor. So I rented 2 different excavators. After using both I have some questions. I'm not looking for right or wrong answers just your personal opinions.
Let me give you some more info on the conditions and machines used. One job needed some stone work (removing vegetation and arranging the rock wall {loosely stacked}). Removing old trees that were cut by some else 3 or 4 years ago (into a pile to burn at a later time). Then some stumping and smoothing out (pasture quality). The soil was wet (poor drainage due to clay under grass) and the grade was flat. For this job I used a Kubota KX121-3 with angle blade, steel tracks, 3ft (I think) digging bucket, hydraulic thumb, non cab model. The machine had about 650 hours on it and was maybe a year or two old. I put about 8 hours on the machine.
The next job I rented a John Deere 35c with rubber tracks, 26ish inch digging bucket, hydraulic thumb, non cab model. This job required stumping (5 year ols stumps), root removal of berry bushes and saplings (area was cut last year), lots and lots of grading (with blade). The soil is sandy with some stones, drains very very well. Put about 20 hrs on this machine.
My thoughts on the two machines.
KX121-3
Bigger machine, visibility not that good (right side and rear), bucket was to big for my situation, steel track gave a really rough ride, thumb design is nice (its a OEM thumb), seemed like it lacked a little power but that could be due to the bucket size, angle blade did not really do any thing for me.
JD 35c
Small looking machine but very powerful, rubber tracks give nicer ride and seems to have better traction, visibility is awesome, pretty tippy over the tracks, motion alarm very annoying, thumb design stinks (OEM thumb doesn't grab very well), the controls seemed to work easier than the KX212-3.
In my limited time of use on these machines are my thoughts in the general direction or out to lunch.
Are there other benefits to a ZTS machine other than visibility and getting into tighter spots??
In general, are rubber tracks better than steel??
What's up with the angle blade??
What manufacturer and model do you like and why??
BTW, the KX121-3 broke the bucket/thumb pivot pint after finishing the first job. I had to return it, they didn't have a pin in stock (the rental yard is a Kubota dealer). They did mention that they had several break. Possible problem?? That's why I ended up with a JD 35C, different rental yard.
I may be renting an excavator a few more time this summer. I'm trying to establish a good relationship with the rental yard. Most rental yards are good around here, just need to find a good machine.
Thanks for you help /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif!!
Let me give you some more info on the conditions and machines used. One job needed some stone work (removing vegetation and arranging the rock wall {loosely stacked}). Removing old trees that were cut by some else 3 or 4 years ago (into a pile to burn at a later time). Then some stumping and smoothing out (pasture quality). The soil was wet (poor drainage due to clay under grass) and the grade was flat. For this job I used a Kubota KX121-3 with angle blade, steel tracks, 3ft (I think) digging bucket, hydraulic thumb, non cab model. The machine had about 650 hours on it and was maybe a year or two old. I put about 8 hours on the machine.
The next job I rented a John Deere 35c with rubber tracks, 26ish inch digging bucket, hydraulic thumb, non cab model. This job required stumping (5 year ols stumps), root removal of berry bushes and saplings (area was cut last year), lots and lots of grading (with blade). The soil is sandy with some stones, drains very very well. Put about 20 hrs on this machine.
My thoughts on the two machines.
KX121-3
Bigger machine, visibility not that good (right side and rear), bucket was to big for my situation, steel track gave a really rough ride, thumb design is nice (its a OEM thumb), seemed like it lacked a little power but that could be due to the bucket size, angle blade did not really do any thing for me.
JD 35c
Small looking machine but very powerful, rubber tracks give nicer ride and seems to have better traction, visibility is awesome, pretty tippy over the tracks, motion alarm very annoying, thumb design stinks (OEM thumb doesn't grab very well), the controls seemed to work easier than the KX212-3.
In my limited time of use on these machines are my thoughts in the general direction or out to lunch.
Are there other benefits to a ZTS machine other than visibility and getting into tighter spots??
In general, are rubber tracks better than steel??
What's up with the angle blade??
What manufacturer and model do you like and why??
BTW, the KX121-3 broke the bucket/thumb pivot pint after finishing the first job. I had to return it, they didn't have a pin in stock (the rental yard is a Kubota dealer). They did mention that they had several break. Possible problem?? That's why I ended up with a JD 35C, different rental yard.
I may be renting an excavator a few more time this summer. I'm trying to establish a good relationship with the rental yard. Most rental yards are good around here, just need to find a good machine.
Thanks for you help /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif!!