Yes, I literally just looked at a Kubota today. Yeah the Tak I ran was nice, but im 6'4 and it was a tight fit. And I would have to search for a Komatsu dealer. Lucky if theres one in 75 miles.Haven't ran a Kubota, but I know all the power and gas companys run them around here.
Backhoe attachment vs excavator
- Thread starter cummins08
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Sodo
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2012
- Messages
- 3,300
- Location
- Cascade Mtns of WA state
- Tractor
- Kubota B-series & Mini Excavator
I had a tractor with a backhoe. I got tired of storing it and now have a tractor and a mini excavator. The mini excavator takes up only 2x the shop sq footage of the backhoe (which was a hassle, un-attached & immobile). But the mini-ex can move out of the shop on its own, anytime. And dig a lot faster and get around better than the backhoe.
A tractor with an FEL can move material faster than the mini ex. But the excavator can go 360deg. My mini ex (kx41) travels at 2.2 mph - this is pretty slow. Mini-ex is much better for cutting a road across a sidehill. Backhoes add about $9,000 to the cost of a tractor. My used KX41 was $14k. So I paid $5k for the extra utility.
You ask a good question; one peice of eqpt or two. I like 2 much better than 1.
A tractor with an FEL can move material faster than the mini ex. But the excavator can go 360deg. My mini ex (kx41) travels at 2.2 mph - this is pretty slow. Mini-ex is much better for cutting a road across a sidehill. Backhoes add about $9,000 to the cost of a tractor. My used KX41 was $14k. So I paid $5k for the extra utility.
You ask a good question; one peice of eqpt or two. I like 2 much better than 1.
bindian
Super Member
You have a 6'4" problem in a mini. I need one in the 6-8 ton class and those have more room for larger folks. I look for leg room as I have had two knee surgeries and need to rest with my left leg straight. I didn't run the KX080, but was concerned about the fixed foot rest in the floor. I would probably remove it to straighten my leg out.
Happy Hunting................................hugs, Brandi
Happy Hunting................................hugs, Brandi
MBTRAC
Gold Member
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- NSW Australia
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- Tractors16-600hp Farm & Earthmoving Equip, Trucks etc.
In my experience it's hard to go past Kubota , Takeuchi, Komatsu's (below 7T most Komatsu's are basically rebadged Yanmars) in sub 12T excavators, but I rate Hitachi's in a class of their own & well above these 3 brands.
For interest our owned since new Kub K161-2 has well over 7,000+hrs (the hour meter stopped working eons ago) & as can be seen by the rebuilt dipper & boom has fought well above its weight over years of abuse from our less than sympathetic operators who abuse it like a 20T machine - now retired from contracting & just a farm hack still never fails to put in a hard days work being the "multi-tool" of choice dragged along to any farm chore where likely to need an excavator as it's so convenient to also pack amongst other gear as a "standby" fitting on most of the trucks
For interest our owned since new Kub K161-2 has well over 7,000+hrs (the hour meter stopped working eons ago) & as can be seen by the rebuilt dipper & boom has fought well above its weight over years of abuse from our less than sympathetic operators who abuse it like a 20T machine - now retired from contracting & just a farm hack still never fails to put in a hard days work being the "multi-tool" of choice dragged along to any farm chore where likely to need an excavator as it's so convenient to also pack amongst other gear as a "standby" fitting on most of the trucks
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Briana03
Elite Member
Welcome to TractorByNet!
We moved your thread to the Construction Equipment forum.
We moved your thread to the Construction Equipment forum.
Roadbuilder6
Silver Member
I had a few mini excavators over the years, and more that Ive ran. I started with a Takeuchi TB135. Then I got a Bobcat X331. Then I got a Jcb 804 super, and then after that, we use a Bobcat 335. All are good machines, but this bobcat is by far my favorite. If you are doing residential landscape work I would suggest getting a 3-3.5 ton zero tail swing machine. Space has never been an issue for me because more of my work has been building and demolishing stone walls, barns, building pads etc. I have only had one Mini without a hydraulic thumb (the job, it had a fixed thumb) would never buy one without it. The hydraulic thumb is your best friend in landscaping, rock work etc. I would look very hard at the 430 bobcat, and a cat 303 depending on your price limit. If price isn't and issue, then i would go with a 2010 or newer deere 35d, or a Cat 303ccr.
This was my First Takeuchi
This was the Bobcat X331
This was the Second TB135
This Is the Jcb 804 Super which belongs to a friend but I used for a while
And this is my baby the Bobcat 335
This was my First Takeuchi
This was the Bobcat X331
This was the Second TB135
This Is the Jcb 804 Super which belongs to a friend but I used for a while
And this is my baby the Bobcat 335
Bob Rooks
Elite Member
I have a 3.5 mini ex, a skid steer, and a three point backhoe for sale and just languishing.
