Looking to buy a Mini-X. Your experience and opinions, please

[Deerherd]

never got the thumb on the E32, there are times I would love it the issue is its 16 inch wide, if using a 12 inch bucket it will not go in the trench, I also use a breaker and ripper, the ripper would also have issues with the thumb

I have the ripper with the thumb and I love it. It’s the best for removing stumps by a long shot, you can apply all the pressure to a single point. You can also pick up small and large objects, and great for pulling roots.

 

[Seven Gables]

Few more things to consider. Fuel capacity, being a tracked machine their not nearly as handy as a wheeled tractor to run back to my fuel pump or just the fact of having to fuel less often is very nice. I leave mine out in the field/orchard when on a multi day project, I'm finding I can get about 40+ hrs between fill ups. Hydraulic oil capacity, bigger the better for maintaining proper temp and not over heating on those hot days. Slew bearing diameter, bigger the better. Think of the load that has to withstand with heavy load and especially at full reach, it all ends up on slew bearing. Every inch in diameter adds exponentially to its strength. Diameter of barrel and rod on all cylinders, between comparable weight class machines. I always carried a tape measure and when looking at machines, and used it. B

 

[Bigfoot62]

AS for buckets - I have the Kubota factory quick connect and find I change buckets frequently. . .

I get what you're saying, just don't know if I'll ever have the need to change buckets. Had a 24" gen purpose digging bucket on both of my TLB's and never even thought about changing. Of course, it's possible that I'm not smart enough to know that I needed to. LOL

 

[Bigfoot62]

Jim P brought up some good points. Angle blade vs straight , like lots of things pros and co ns to each. I can see where it would be handy to angle blade when finish leveling and as Bigfoot says it definitely gives more leverage being out front further. On the other hand I think I would miss the reduced work area in front of machine for digging. I always pile at least part of the dirt I'm removing directly in front of my blade, makes it easy to push back in quick when done with stump. . . . B

Yeah, every silver lining has a cloud. ;D
It may be immaterial anyway. The used machine that I'm kind of zeroed in on right now, has a straight blade.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Bigfoot62, one thing I forgot is MAKE SURE the thumb can be over powered (pushed back) by the bucket ram or you WILL bend the spear or blow a hose.

Yessir,
I'm leaning real hard toward a Takeuchi TB260. It comes with a dedicated "thumb" auxiliary, as well as another aux circuit for a hammer, etc.

 

[Bigfoot62]

never got the thumb on the E32, there are times I would love it the issue is its 16 inch wide, if using a 12 inch bucket it will not go in the trench, I also use a breaker and ripper, the ripper would also have issues with the thumb

Yeah, but I don't see myself ever putting that small of a bucket on this size machine. I'm looking at 12-14,000# excavators with 20' or more of reach.

 

[Bigfoot62]

I have the ripper with the thumb and I love it. It’s the best for removing stumps by a long shot, you can apply all the pressure to a single point. You can also pick up small and large objects, and great for pulling roots

Not too many stumps in my plans. Friend of mine has a Kobelco 140. He has a "stump fork" for his. It's basically like your ripper with two shanks. He bought it when he was clearing stumps on 16 acres of cut-over timberland.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Few more things to consider. Fuel capacity, being a tracked machine their not nearly as handy as a wheeled tractor to run back to my fuel pump . . .

Hydraulic oil capacity, bigger the better for maintaining proper temp and not over heating on those hot days.

Slew bearing diameter, bigger the better. Think of the load that has to withstand with heavy load and especially at full reach, it all ends up on slew bearing. Every inch in diameter adds exponentially to its strength. Diameter of barrel and rod on all cylinders, between comparable weight class machines. I always carried a tape measure and when looking at machines, and used it. B

Already thinking about that. Probably looking to get a tank and 12v pump for the side-by-side.

Yep. The TB260 has a massive radiator and oil coolers.

Don't know where I could find comparative information for that. Probably just have to use the tape measure, like you did.

 

[nyone]

I just recently started watching him. Is he like a trust fund kid or something? He's a bit of a cobbler and rough on stuff. Never understood the container castle either as it's obvious he lives elsewhere or still with his parents. You can't say the kid is lazy though. Puts about 99% of his peers to shame.

His location is about 30min from me. Just off the highway, 2.5hrs from big money NYC...weekend homes galore. The area was alot of farm land that turning into rural vacation homes.

When i was a kid i could rake in good money with just a truck and a chainsaw from these weekend people.

 

[Seven Gables]

Just wanted to comment that secondary set of remotes that tak includes as standard equipment is a really nice plus. Mine like most came with one set and at time I figured I wouldn't need more, thought thumb would be all I'd ever use em for. I found I wanted rotator so had 2nd aux set added at dealer, good thing I took my Xanax before they handed me my bill. B