Mini Excavator Questions

[Tomtint]

I have a BH77 and recently bought a used KX121, there is no comparison between the two. The mini x will out dig the BH 5-1. Pine and oak stumps are a 10 minute job if the tree was less than 12" diameter

 

[oldafretired]

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.

I was hoping it would be like a SSQA which is universal. Wonder why everyone went their own way?

I have a BH77 and recently bought a used KX121, there is no comparison between the two. The mini x will out dig the BH 5-1. Pine and oak stumps are a 10 minute job if the tree was less than 12" diameter

That's great info to get a direct comparison. Thanks!

Do you guys have any advice on finding a used miniex? Seems like a lot of them are former rentals. Are rental units too abused and how many hours are too many?

 

[lt190b]

Try Hertz rental , they sell off used equipment all the time

 

[Code54]

Check with your Kubota dealers as they have some type of rental resale and incentive program available. (Ours does). The idea being contractors rent them, like them and then later buy a Kubota. Plus the dealer maintains it so that is an advantage.

 

[bspeedy]

I'd be leary of rentals, I guess. I guess it's from my own behavior when I rent a car...

Don't be gentle - it's a RENTAL!!

 

[joefromga]

Probably more abuse but also more maintenance since they have to be in good running condition for rentals.

 

[Code54]

The good thing is these are strong tough machines that handle abuse better than a passenger car or such. I personally have not read or heard of a lot of people having problems with rental equipment they purchased. I figure I have saw private people be rather hard on their own personal equipment so it is a toss up - just need to look it over and make sure the price makes it worth the risk to you.

 

[Code54]

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.

I have not heard anything about them. The demo video was sort of silly, I maybe able to pick that little rock up with by BX! Lol

 

[oldafretired]

I have not heard anything about them. The demo video was sort of silly, I maybe able to pick that little rock up with by BX! Lol

Yeah, they should have shown it digging stumps. LOL

Well, I guess I better start keeping an eye out for low hour used excavators. Looks like Kubota is replacing the KX91 with a new model, the KX033 or something like that.

 

[Tomtint]

FEIW, I bought a 6,000 hour KX121. It was a one owner and used for daily trench digging. I was somewhat set off by the hours but inspected it very well and it obviously had been well maintained. It came with complete service history and a diary of General maintence reports. Long story short.. It was a very nice find for me. I may put 200 hours max a year on it so I suspect it will out live me.

 

[oldafretired]

FEIW, I bought a 6,000 hour KX121. It was a one owner and used for daily trench digging. I was somewhat set off by the hours but inspected it very well and it obviously had been well maintained. It came with complete service history and a diary of General maintence reports. Long story short.. It was a very nice find for me. I may put 200 hours max a year on it so I suspect it will out live me.

Having been a one owner machine might have something to do with it. Glad you found a good one!

 

[oldafretired]

There's a rental machine for sale nearby. It's a 2011 Takeuchi TB138 with 1000 hours. It has the Wain Roy type TAG quick coupler with a CP bucket. No thumb but the hydraulic lines are there so just need a thumb kit and a bracket to weld on the dipper stick. Are buckets pretty easy to find for this type of coupler? Is this excavator a decent model and worth considering?

Takeuchi US | TB138FR Zero Swing Excavator

Oh, and they also have a 2014 Yanmar Vi035-6 with thumb and 1500 hours for a bit more. But it seems like the Yanmar has a relatively low bucket digging force.

 

[Oldtractorfixer]

Buckets are available but pretty much only through Tacheuchi. It's a fairly simple system on the bucket part so any decent welder can modify many other type buckets. I paid about $1000 for a 12" for my TB125 a couple years ago. Not familiar with this particular machine but Tacheuchi makes very good and well respected machines. Just don't pay too much. You should know the price of a new one before you buy used. These size machines are hot right now and you can pay close to new price for used if your not careful.

 

[Code54]

While I have never ran one, they are known to be a good machine and a lot of people love them. They have good breakout force and the WR quick coupler is fairly common and good feature. The big thing is the machine is in good shape and you can easily get parts/service if you need it. One of the reason I went with Kubota in my case is the machines are known to run and run and then run some more, I have several part sources (dealers) nearby, and there is a lot of aftermarket support. I have run IHI machines in the past and they were nice machines but there is not much support around here so that is the reason I didn't really consider buying one. Bobcat, Deere, Case, Cat, and Kubota are big in my area so I mainly looked at them - see what you notice around your area and that will help guide you. If you notice a certain brand that a lot of the contractors and guys making a living with machines are using in your area there maybe a reason - just another thing to look into.
Good luck

 

[Code54]

You should know the price of a new one before you buy used. These size machines are hot right now and you can pay close to new price for used if your not careful.

That is VERY true! I looked at machine that were used that were really only 2k less than new after getting a price from a dealer.
Also having a bucket thrown into a deal could sweeten the pot for you if they don't want to come down on price.
Ebay has some deals from time to time on buckets and will give you an idea of pricing. My buckets from the dealer were a good deal more expensive than what I could get an equal quality aftermarket bucket for.

 

[dsgsr]

There's a rental machine for sale nearby. It's a 2011 Takeuchi TB138 with 1000 hours. It has the Wain Roy type TAG quick coupler with a CP bucket. No thumb but the hydraulic lines are there so just need a thumb kit and a bracket to weld on the dipper stick. Are buckets pretty easy to find for this type of coupler? Is this excavator a decent model and worth considering?

Takeuchi US | TB138FR Zero Swing Excavator

Oh, and they also have a 2014 Yanmar Vi035-6 with thumb and 1500 hours for a bit more. But it seems like the Yanmar has a relatively low bucket digging force.

I've been in the landscaping/Hardscaping biz for 18 yrs. (retired now and playing) What I have found.

Takeuchi's are a very good machine. I have the TB175, Good quality and longevity, Yanmar engine (you can't beat them). Yanmar, good quality, Longevity, pricey. JD ok, you're paying for the Name but good quality and longevity the larger ones are made by Hitachi. Cat, good quality, Longevity, pricey parts and under powered (or over built for the size of the engine, however you want to look at it). Kubota, excellent engine poor Knuckles, pins and bushings.

In that order.

IMHO,
David

 

[oldafretired]

Thanks guys for the great advice and info. They want a bit under $30K for the Takeuchi. I don't know how much it was new since this model is no longer made. I think a new TB240 with ROPS is well over $50K. I thought tractors were expensive but excavators have them beat. LOL

I'm not sure about parts and support for Takeuchi around here. Kubota should have good support here so that's something to think about. There's a Kubota dealer about 400 miles away that seems to have a lot of used excavators. They have a 2013 KX040 ROPS with thumb and angle blade and about 500-600 hours for $40K. I would guess a new equivalent one probably will be around $60K.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I recently bought a 2001 Bobcat 322 mini ex. It's a really small machine at 3500 lbs. The hour meter had 1625 hours on it but I think it actually has way more than that. I bought it from a rental company that was in the process of shutting down and selling all of their equipment. He said this was not part of his rental fleet, but he had bought it to repair it and sell it. I got it for $8300.

This machine replaces a 3 point hitch Kelly Backhoe that I've had for about 12 years, but it was about 60 years old. It served me well, but I was going to have to spend more money on it to use it.

One thing to check out when looking at a used machine is the track motors. That seems to be something that wears out on all excavators. They told me they had replaced one of the motors. The other side will need to be rebuilt or replaced at some point. On this small machine, the OEM motor from Bobcat is about $2800, and an 'off brand' motor is about $1500.

Like someone else mentioned, this little machine will out dig the old 3 point hitch I had at least 5 to 1. And, I can carry this little machine on a 16' trailer, whereas before, I had to load my tractor and backhoe on my gooseneck. And, being in the landscape business, sometimes it's much easier to get places with a smaller trailer.

 

[Oldtractorfixer]

Don't guess on prices. Get a quote as you want the machine speced. Between discounts and other things the "list price" you find may not be real. I got a quote recently for a TB230 (a size smaller than this) for $37k with a thumb and three buckets. I would be hard pressed to pay $30k for a used machine with one bucket and no thumb even if it is a size bigger,

 

[kthompson]

Not a brand think mentioned here but I have a Volvo and would not buy anther just due to parts. Like the machine but parts are not reasonable. Had to buy full idler wheel assembly for a track when the only issue was bearings were bad. Have neighbor who has Volvo inboard and he had part of drive with a nonmetal gear go in and they only sold the full assembly there and not parts either. Seems to be Volvo's mentality.