mini excavator

[meanstreak]

Hi guys,
I'm interested in a mini excavator with an enclosed cab maybe a grader blade with tilt if they make one. Can anyone recommened one?
thanks Blake

 

[20 20]

Yes they do have tilting blades now. Are you planing on new, or used? What are the plans for it, type of work to be done? What weight class are you wanting? Give us a little more info and that will help to get the ball rolling.

There are many different brands and most are okay. kubota, yanmar, cat, gehl, takeuchi, kobelco, john deere, new holland, JCB, bobcat, yuchai, etc etc etc.

 

[meanstreak]

just using it around the property,doing some landscaping. looking for 45hp or so.

 

[Dargo]

I have a Takeuchi and believe it is the strongest machine for it's weight. However, if you have about $60k to spend, go buy you a really nice new Kubota. I've had a couple of Bobcats and wouldn't buy another. Here's a really, really nice Kubota to give you an idea http://www.kubota.com/product/KX161/KX161.aspx

 

[20 20]

I've had a couple of Bobcats and wouldn't buy another.

This is not the 1st time I've heard someone say that :shocked:

 

[20 20]

just using it around the property,doing some landscaping. looking for 45hp or so.

I think you'll find that when looking for an excavator you'll be searching weight class more then HP. I have a small one{JCB} that weighs just under 4000lbs, it is very strong for its size and handy. If you're just messing around the yard then 6000lb class may be all you need. Again fill us in on some of your planed chores, it would help to point you in a better direction?

You may also want to check out the heavyequipmentforums. They have loads of info and even a special place for mini's

 

[Dargo]

Yeah, that's true. Mine is about 6 tons and is in the hp range he stated. As 20 20 knows, the size machine I have will work circles around a full sized backhoe in pure digging and trenching work. It just won't pick up piles and carry them around. I have a couple of tractors and a 100 hp trackloader for that.

You can do some mighty landscaping with a 6 ton machine. I don't know what you want to do, but it may be a bit much in reality. There again, you may be wanting to landscape 40 acres.

 

[Kays Supply]

My little Yanmar VIO27 is a really handy size. I do plumbing and home chores with it. The hydraulic quick connector makes it the most useful machine I have.

 

[TCR78]

Hi guys,
I'm interested in a mini excavator with an enclosed cab maybe a grader blade with tilt if they make one. Can anyone recommened one?
thanks Blake

My father in law just bought a Cat 303CR(30hp) w/blade, cab, & HQC and absolutely loves it. The 303.5 is almost 40hp. He owns an excavation company with his brother so you seem to have different needs. I don't know if you can get the blade w/tilt. I do know he also looked at at Kubota and Deere and the Cat was the best deal:shocked:. Not only because of price but also the cab was by far the best as his brother is a tad on the large size. I've played with it a bit and it's definitley a nice machine. However I do think grading could be done more efficiently as the mini's blade is more for back filling.

 

[Ken45101]

Kubota has had the swing "dozer" blades for several years. They are extremely useful, IMO. I bought a Kubota KX-121-3 last year for use around the farm. Absolutely love it!

Mini ex's don't need a lot of engine HP. 40 hp would be a pretty big one. If you ever want to transport it, weight becomes the issue. The 121 was as much weight as I wanted to haul around (around 9000# plus a 4500# trailer is close to maxing out a 1 ton dually pickup).

I don't have the enclosed cab. Lot's of $$$ more for that and I haven't felt the need. I put a hundred hours on mine last summer and fall.

Ken