Mini Excavator Questions

[MinnesotaEric]

Just looking at specs the KX91 is considerably stronger than the BH71. I've used a John Deere 50D which is quite a bit bigger than the KX91, but comparing it to my Kubota BH90 backhoe is like comparing your backhoe to a shovel with a lazy person using it. We rented a Wacker Neuson 50 Z3 to dig out a pond. It was terrible. It had inadequate counter balance, the boom drifted to the right and wouldn't come back, and although the specs are similar it's nowhere near as strong as the Deere 50D.

I'm happy I stumbled upon this remark as I've been thinking about visiting my local Gehl dealer because of the tilting cab option. If looking at the Deere 50, look at the Hitachi ZX50 as it is the same machine.

 

[Code54]

Checked the Mini today - 8' and about 3-4 to 1 inch (trying to keep the tape straight) - there is a loop on the roof to lift the ROPS off and that adds a little bit to the height, maybe an inch. I included the loop. My shop has an 8' door but it is a slight slope from the outside up to the concrete - it is just enough the top of the ROPS hits the trim (the tracks don't stay flat and the front lifts a bit with the slope) and I can't quite get it in. If your entry is flat and you take that little loop off the roof with a grinder you maybe able to slip it in the garage.

 

[oldafretired]

Checked the Mini today - 8' and about 3-4 to 1 inch (trying to keep the tape straight) - there is a loop on the roof to lift the ROPS off and that adds a little bit to the height, maybe an inch. I included the loop. My shop has an 8' door but it is a slight slope from the outside up to the concrete - it is just enough the top of the ROPS hits the trim (the tracks don't stay flat and the front lifts a bit with the slope) and I can't quite get it in. If your entry is flat and you take that little loop off the roof with a grinder you maybe able to slip it in the garage.

Thank you very much for taking the time and effort to measure it. My shop has a metal roll up garage door for an 8' opening but the opening height is actually 1/2" higher so it will most likely fit. So the ROPS is removable? Wonder how difficult it is to take it on and off?

Do you store your excavator outdoors since it doesn't fit through your door? I know dealers just keep their tractors and excavators outdoors so I guess it's not a problem.

 

[Code54]

Glad to help!
The ROPS is removable but it would take a bit plus it is heavy - can't just unbolt the top bar or something like that, it is sort of all or nothing. The roof and bars are all one piece but it can be removed but not something you would want to do every day. I was thinking of pulling mine off when I need to do a big service (like all fluids, track work, etc) so I can just drive it into my shop.
I store mine in an unheated building with a gravel floor - door is about 8 1/2' plus the gravel is a bit low so I have some extra room to get in there. That way it stays dry and out of the sun.
Look around for used also, I bought this one with 235ish hrs on it and that saved a TON of money. Yes it had nicks and scrapes and the rubber track had some minor damage (looked like someone tried to work too close to the crub) but for almost 20K off new I will live with it!

 

[oldafretired]

Glad to help!
The ROPS is removable but it would take a bit plus it is heavy - can't just unbolt the top bar or something like that, it is sort of all or nothing. The roof and bars are all one piece but it can be removed but not something you would want to do every day. I was thinking of pulling mine off when I need to do a big service (like all fluids, track work, etc) so I can just drive it into my shop.
I store mine in an unheated building with a gravel floor - door is about 8 1/2' plus the gravel is a bit low so I have some extra room to get in there. That way it stays dry and out of the sun.
Look around for used also, I bought this one with 235ish hrs on it and that saved a TON of money. Yes it had nicks and scrapes and the rubber track had some minor damage (looked like someone tried to work too close to the crub) but for almost 20K off new I will live with it!

Yup, the prices on new ones sure are high but used with low hours are probably pretty hard to find. Glad you found a nice one!

One option might be to just cut the ROPS down a couple inches and weld it back in place. We've done roll bars for race cars.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[BukitCase]

One thing you may wanna consider whether you get another BH or a mini-ex - since you stated you'll be doing quite a bit of stump removal, think about adding not only a thumb but also a single ripper - this concentrates ALL the power you have into a narrow area.

My old 580B is gonna get a thumb AND a single ripper when I get to it, for the same use you have. When I fab my ripper, the inside curve is gonna get 1-1/2x3x1/2" AR plate "dominos" welded in place with each successive one resting on the previous one so they form wide saw teeth, because I also have some 100' tall firs that need to become firewood, and their roots are enough to slow down even a full size excavator a bit.

With my "teeth" arrangement, crowding and lifting at the same time should cut clear through a 8" root in just a few passes.

Here's a thread on one TBNer's version, do a search on "single ripper" - should turn up several more...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/185530-added-ripper-my-woods-bh90x.html

HTH... Steve

 

[Code54]

Since you are used to working on roll bars I doubt it will be a real big deal. Thought about taking mine off and having it cut down 2" myself. (Just want someone that is a better welder to do it).

I have a 12", 24" and then a 36"(smooth - no teeth) bucket and quick attach for mine. It works great - 12" for stumps and trenching, 24" for normal digging and the 36" for cleaning out my ditch lines and moving/loading material. I found I change buckets all the time depending on what I am doing as it only takes a minute or so. Not worth working with a bucket that is not perfect for the task when you have the quick detach - to me at least, it is well worth the money (as well as a hydro thumb)
One of these days I would like to get a ripper and a brush mower but those mowers cost are crazy expensive so that may not happen unless I get lucky and find a deal....

 

[oldafretired]

One thing you may wanna consider whether you get another BH or a mini-ex - since you stated you'll be doing quite a bit of stump removal, think about adding not only a thumb but also a single ripper - this concentrates ALL the power you have into a narrow area.

My old 580B is gonna get a thumb AND a single ripper when I get to it, for the same use you have. When I fab my ripper, the inside curve is gonna get 1-1/2x3x1/2" AR plate "dominos" welded in place with each successive one resting on the previous one so they form wide saw teeth, because I also have some 100' tall firs that need to become firewood, and their roots are enough to slow down even a full size excavator a bit.

With my "teeth" arrangement, crowding and lifting at the same time should cut clear through a 8" root in just a few passes.

Here's a thread on one TBNer's version, do a search on "single ripper" - should turn up several more...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/185530-added-ripper-my-woods-bh90x.html

HTH... Steve

Thanks for the advice. I'd definitely get a hydraulic thumb and a ripper. I saw a video where a miniex was digging stumps out with a ripper and the holes were smaller than using a bucket which means less work to fill the hole. A ripper with teeth should work great for cutting through tough roots.

Since you are used to working on roll bars I doubt it will be a real big deal. Thought about taking mine off and having it cut down 2" myself. (Just want someone that is a better welder to do it).

I have a 12", 24" and then a 36"(smooth - no teeth) bucket and quick attach for mine. It works great - 12" for stumps and trenching, 24" for normal digging and the 36" for cleaning out my ditch lines and moving/loading material. I found I change buckets all the time depending on what I am doing as it only takes a minute or so. Not worth working with a bucket that is not perfect for the task when you have the quick detach - to me at least, it is well worth the money (as well as a hydro thumb)
One of these days I would like to get a ripper and a brush mower but those mowers cost are crazy expensive so that may not happen unless I get lucky and find a deal....

You have a great bucket assortment. That's a pretty big investment but sure is nice to have.
I plan to get the quick attach but are they universal so any attachment for a quick attach will fit? Do they make rippers for the quick attach?

 

[Code54]

The quick attach is not really universal, it is specific to the actual machine. for example the KX 91 shares the same quick disconnect system as the KX 71 and maybe the KX 121. These however are differ than say a Bobcat machine. It is not standardized like the skid steer QD system.
I found there are a lot of good Bucket manufacturers out there on the market, if you look around you can find some deals and drive the costs down while still getting a HD quality bucket.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

With HD reaching in from China, I've a new Sany dealer in MN. Anybody know anything about their 8 ton excavator?

http://www.sanyglobal.com/handbook/SY35U.pdf

Here is their company demo vid.