Bobcat mini excavators

[Builder]

Any good or should I steer clear of them?

 

[curtisfarmer]

I own a Kubota mini and I tried the Bobcrap (got that from another forum....) equivelant, and I was less than impressed. Sloppy, cheap, slow, weak.....I could go on and on.

 

[AKfish]

I own a Kubota mini and I tried the Bobcrap (got that from another forum....) equivelant, and I was less than impressed. Sloppy, cheap, slow, weak.....I could go on and on.

Hmm.. I didn't notice any significant, overwhelming differences in construction, materials, design, etc. between the Bobcat or the Kubota's that I've used. Or the Deere's and Komatsu's.

I'd agree that the drive speed and maybe power on the ground on the Bobcat's to get from A to B is somewhat lacking but most small excavator's won't win on the oval track, either!

Granted, I don't make a living with heavy equipment. But, I don't think that most equipment manufacturers could/would last very long in the competitive marketplace that exists worldwide if their machines were; sloppy, cheap, weak!

That said... what do you think about the Tak's?

Best of luck.

AKfish

 

[JiminGa]

I like the taks, I think it really it boils down to the same old thing, dealer support.

 

[coopers]

Steer clear, they truely are bobcraps!

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

my biggest complaint is how sloppy the booms are. If you make a sudden movement the machine shutters badly. Add an extenda-hoe and quick coupler and it gets even worse.

 

[jetsons]

Hi, I have a kubota kx-91-2, it is an excellent machine, almost a 1000 hours and the pins and booms are as tight as new , very fuel effecient and dependable. I live in the heart of Bobcat country and when I swing in to a large bobcat dealer in North Dakota I am amazed at how loose the pins are on 1000 hour excavators, maybe they arent greased like they should be. I also have a bobcat skidsteer and it is a good machine. I have had people tell me they can tell my machine is high quality by watching it work, it is a very precise piece of equipment.

 

[gatractorman]

Bobcat mini-ex's are fine, never operated anything I thought was any better. A good, nearby dealer with service and parts support is most important in my mind when purchasing equipment. Rent different machines before you purchase, may help you make a decision.

 

[Builder]

There's just too many to chose from. Kubota always seems like a solid choice, but the Bobcats looked kinda nice. The Yanmars look good, as do Deere.

Then you have Case, Tak, Hitachi, CAT, Komatsu, Kobelco and a 1/2 dozen others.

I don't even know where to start, but a local servicing dealer is always a good place to start.

 

[curtisfarmer]

Like evryone has said, try them for yourself and you be the judge. I have only used Bobcat and Kubota, and I stand by my remarks. The plus side to the Bobcat is....they have Kubota engines. The only, and I mean only, thing I liked about the Bobcat was the thicker metal on the lower cowlings which can dent easily on mini-Xs, but then again, Kubotas lower cowlings are replacebale where Bobcat is sort of a 1 peice which would cost way more to replace. I am not certain the Bobcat takeover by Doosan will increase the quality either. Isn't Deeres made by Hitachi and CATs by Mitsubishi?? I don't like rebranded machines, but I have not heard anything bad about CATs or Deeres though. Check out the Lawnsite Heavy Equipment forum, great resource.

 

[AKfish]

I think the Deere's have Isuzu engines. I didn't really like the controls on the Deere's - they function bassackwards from the other's (at least the 160 and 200). It takes some getting used to. The 160 undercarriage seemed to be undermassed compared to the weight of the boom/dipper. Whenever you'd extend fully; you'd better be squared up with the tracks 'cause it would lean.. really lean with a big mouthfull.

The Komatsu dealer here will drop a machine off for a weekend (free) if you're real serious about buying. It's a great way to find the plus and minus of a machine.

AKfish

 

[Builder]

Like evryone has said, try them for yourself and you be the judge. I have only used Bobcat and Kubota, and I stand by my remarks. The plus side to the Bobcat is....they have Kubota engines. The only, and I mean only, thing I liked about the Bobcat was the thicker metal on the lower cowlings which can dent easily on mini-Xs, but then again, Kubotas lower cowlings are replacebale where Bobcat is sort of a 1 peice which would cost way more to replace. I am not certain the Bobcat takeover by Doosan will increase the quality either. Isn't Deeres made by Hitachi and CATs by Mitsubishi?? I don't like rebranded machines, but I have not heard anything bad about CATs or Deeres though. Check out the Lawnsite Heavy Equipment forum, great resource.

Yeah, Deeres ar Hibachis and Cases are Kobelcos.

 

[mouse]

maybe they supply you guys with different spec machines over there...

I've got a 418 bobcat excavator as part of my fleet, the guys who've used it like it for its ability to dig.

they usually observe that the bobcat controls are a lot quicker than most and this takes a little bit of getting used to initially.

and it has 2 speed so its not absurdly slow across the ground, the thing is full of neat ideas and given i'm 6'5" i can still manage to be comfortable on a 1.2t excavator.

still, to some guys anything but their brand is no good.

 

[Kays Supply]

My 2 cents worth. I have had a couple Yanmars. All things else being equal, the bucket quick coupler alone is the tie breaker. It is hydraulic. You can change buckets in less than a minute. If it wasn't for the locking pin you wouldn't even have to get off the machine.

 

[gatractorman]

If it helps anything, no manufacturer that I know of build even half the machine. Most times another mfgr. engines are used, pumps, valves, cylinders, tracks etc. are not built by the people with the name on the machine. So buy what you like and run it with confidence that its as good as anything out there.

 

[Builder]

If it helps anything, no manufacturer that I know of build even half the machine. Most times another mfgr. engines are used, pumps, valves, cylinders, tracks etc. are not built by the people with the name on the machine. So buy what you like and run it with confidence that its as good as anything out there.

While that may be true, certain machine manufacturers will use better quality subcontractors and suppliers than other manufacturers. Therefore, some machines are better than others. Not all of them are created equal.

If we were talking pickuptrucks, your point of view would probably be better.

 

[Builder]

My 2 cents worth. I have had a couple Yanmars. All things else being equal, the bucket quick coupler alone is the tie breaker. It is hydraulic. You can change buckets in less than a minute. If it wasn't for the locking pin you wouldn't even have to get off the machine.

I'm really interested in Yanmar. They are at the top of the list, but what will end up happening is I will buy the best used machine available at the time when it finally has to be bought. It's the one thing I hate about running a business-you usually have to buy with your back up against the wall.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I own a Kubota mini and I tried the Bobcrap (got that from another forum....) equivelant, and I was less than impressed. Sloppy, cheap, slow, weak.....I could go on and on.

Really? You have to be kidding. How much time did you spend on Bobcat? I think you have been reading too much of Bobcat Ron's propoganda!

 

[curtisfarmer]

Too funny.....I did get that from Bobcat Ron!!! You guys have way more fun over there at LawnSite than over here, less humor over here. But I did spemd enough time to know I like the Kubota better without a doubt. I am not saying everything Bobcat is crap, I just didn't like their miniXs compared to Kubota.....keeping in mind my scope is extremely narrow since those are the only 2 I have used. I would like to try the Deere and the CATs and all in between given the chance.

 

[powerstroke444e]

We have rented about every brand and the older bobcats seem a little slower and easier to over work than Kubota and Kumatsu. The 430 seems like the best bobcat we have rented and the Kumatsu 40? seem best in its size and the kx161 seem best Kubota unit we have run other older units seem to always disappoint us when we have to use them. Just my 2cents