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

[Seven Gables]

First of all very nice of you to answer all these opinions/suggestitions, thank-you. Couple other things I do like about my ec60e. The cabin is very large and comfortable, I believe the largest in this size class. The joysticks controls are attached to the seat frame and move with the seat, there not anchored to the floor. I really like this feature as I'm finding I like to operate with the seat/ joysticks rolled up close to the front window. I'm bout 6'2" and it has plenty of room, foot space too. Another thing that can vary much is OEM track quality, this Volvo has what appears to me a top quality pair, there much thicker than on some others I was lookin at. Time will tell. Just curious Bigfoot, how do you pound your fence posts in? A hyd post driver? B

 

[Bigfoot62]

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

Yeah, you don't ever want to have a procedure like that without sedation!

 

[Bigfoot62]

First of all very nice of you to answer all these opinions/suggestitions, thank-you.

Couple other things I do like about my ec60e. The cabin is very large and comfortable, I believe the largest in this size class. . . I'm bout 6'2" and it has plenty of room, foot space too.

Another thing that can vary much is OEM track quality, this Volvo has what appears to me a top quality pair, there much thicker than on some others I was lookin at. Time will tell.

Just curious Bigfoot, how do you pound your fence posts in? A hyd post driver? B

Yessir! I just think if I start a thread asking for opinions, I should at least have the decency to read them and respond. Y'all are giving me valuable information. Thank you.

Me too. How do you think I got the handle: Bigfoot? Cab room is why I have 3 JD farm tractors. Tried out some others, but they didn't come close. But, it's looking like I'm going to buy an open station X. Of the used machines that I'm closing in on, it's about $13K more for the cab. I just can't justify the extra expense. It's very unlikely that I will use the X very much in the summer. I'm too busy with hay. So, it'll mostly be Fall-Spring. Since this is just a farm machine, if the weather is that bad, I can probably wait for a better day.

I'll have to look into the tracks. The TB260 that I'm kinda zeroing in on, has 900 hrs on the clock. The salesman sent a bunch of pictures. The tracks aren't new, but don't look bad. I don't know what to expect as far as when they will need to be replaced. But I would think that I probably won't be as hard on them as the contractor who has it rented now. Probably won't be working on paved surfaces here.

The area that I'll be driving posts in is a creek bottom. Wet, sandy ground. I've actually already driven wooden posts there with the FEL on a farm tractor. Not really driving the posts as much as just pushing them in. One area stays so wet that I couldn't get the tractor in there, so I literally pushed the posts in by hand.

 

[aczlan]

A lot of the places around here that are putting in posts have switched from a post pounder to a vibrating attachment for a excavator to vibrate the post into the ground. Not sure if that would work for you, but they say that it's a lot easier on the excavator and it's less likely to make a mess of the post if it finds a rock underground.

Aaron Z

 

[Bigfoot62]

A lot of the places around here that are putting in posts have switched from a post pounder to a vibrating attachment for a excavator to vibrate the post into the ground. Not sure if that would work for you, but they say that it's a lot easier on the excavator and it's less likely to make a mess of the post if it finds a rock underground.

Aaron Z

Not much rock here, but I'll check it out.

 

[Seven Gables]

Just as a comparison to the tak your lookin at, there's one on machinery trader 2015 950hrs has thumb, asking 45000. By picture not bad condition but no cream puff. Looks like cab models avg about 10-12000 more. B

 

[Bigfoot62]

Just as a comparison to the tak your lookin at, there's one on machinery trader 2015 950hrs has thumb, asking 45000. By picture not bad condition but no cream puff. Looks like cab models avg about 10-12000 more. B

Yeah, I know. As of this moment, there are 61 TB260's listed on MT. (USA only) The best price is $39K. One sold last week on Auction Time for $37K, and it had some damage.
The machine that I'm going to look at tomorrow is $32K, plus $2500 for a new hyd thumb installed. I don't think I'm getting a bad deal.

 

[mopardude318]

I dont have anything to add, and I’m not experienced in this sort of equipment, as my Kubota M7060 was my very first tractor, but I really enjoyed this video! I hope to be able to learn how to do that in the future. Operating equipment has always been fascinating to me.
That said, I’m in the market for a small Dozer to play with, somewhere in the size of a Case 310 or Cat equivalent.

He hates John Deere,, his opinions are based 90% on reliability,,,

This is a video featuring what I believe is his favorite excavator,,

The guy is young,, and he REALLY likes to pick the lowest cost approach to ANYTHING,,
that works when you are young,, I worry I can not do that much mechanical stuff at my age,,, :thumbsup:

BUT, when the machine is more for just doing my work, and not making money (earning a living),,
maybe I have the time to use a second hand, 30 year old machine,,
and keep $55,000 in the bank.

 

[SirMaxwell]

To all who already have one, I'm interested in your experience with a Mini-X. (5-6 ton machine) Please post what you have and why you like it, or why not.

Just a little background on myself, I started operating excavators about 40 years ago. Been on a lot of different brands and sizes. I've had two rubber tire TLB's in the past, but now have four 70-90HP 4WD tractors with loaders. I'm wanting a crawler excavator to use on my farm. (110 acres) I need one to clean fence rows, dig up dead trees, drive fence posts, demolish old buildings, etc.

I've narrowed down my search to the 5-6 ton range. I want to be able to safely and legally move it with my F-350 and gooseneck trailer. Has to have a hydraulic thumb, and I prefer a cab with A/C.

I've been looking at used machines for several months, and don't really like what I've found, for the price. Having attended several large equipment auctions recently, I don't think I will find what I'm looking for at auction.
The big rental companies are asking nearly as much for a well-used X as what I can buy new. And, a bunch of the rental machines have been rode hard and put up wet. I'm now considering buying new.

So far, I'm most impressed with the Takeuchi TB260 and the Deere 50G. Both are $70K, new. (Cab, hyd. thumb) Both are offering 0% financing and a 2 year warranty.
I would consider any other brands, as long as I have dealer support nearby.

So, tell me what you think.

Will you marry me? :cloud9: :cloud9:

 

[Bigfoot62]

I dont have anything to add, and I’m not experienced in this sort of equipment, as my Kubota M7060 was my very first tractor, but I really enjoyed this video! I hope to be able to learn how to do that in the future. Operating equipment has always been fascinating to me.
That said, I’m in the market for a small Dozer to play with, somewhere in the size of a Case 310 or Cat equivalent.

FWIW, if your M7060 is 4WD, you can push more dirt with it than the Case 310!