Buying a mini excavator

[MGP4506]

Here in the near future I will be buying a new mini excavator to use on my land not for business. I would like some thoughts on my dilemma:
1. The closest dealership (5 min away) is a Bobcat dealer. I have never run or worked on a Bobcat and know very little about them. The dealer sells and services (including on site repairs).
2. I am very familiar with both John Deere and Cat equipment however, both dealerships are 45 min - 1hr away.
3. Other dealers are 1.5hrs. or further away.
4. Has anyone ever owned a Bobcat Mini? If so your thoughts.
5. Should I stick with ones I know and like regardless how far the dealer is. I am looking at parts and service and the added cost.

Thanks

 

[D'oh]

Quite Simply. Equipment is Equipment. JD, Bobcat, Cat. Motor,Hydraulics,Stick,Boom etc.

Would I like a Dealer 5 minutes away? Certainly (Depending on the Dealer)

How much would I pay for that Privilege? Machine vs Machine all being equal, 3-5% for the Dealer (Helpful Dealer) 5 minutes away.

Other than that, it's an Open Market, Quotes from everyone who has the size available.

 

[MGP4506]

Quite Simply. Equipment is Equipment. JD, Bobcat, Cat. Motor,Hydraulics,Stick,Boom etc.

Would I like a Dealer 5 minutes away? Certainly (Depending on the Dealer)

How much would I pay for that Privilege? Machine vs Machine all being equal, 3-5% for the Dealer (Helpful Dealer) 5 minutes away.

Other than that, it's an Open Market, Quotes from everyone who has the size available.

Do you know anything about Bobcats? I have looked into them, and it seems people love them or hate them. Yes, having a dealer 5 min away would be a BIG plus.

 

[D'oh]

My last 3, "New" purchases required 0 Warranty Work. So close to the Dealer wasn't an issue.

I have not looked at Bobcat, but I know the local Dealer, he's honest and recommends them. Take that with a Grain of Salt.

From what I have read, Emission Issues plague all of them over 25hp. DEF/DPF Issues, don't seem to care what Brand they are used in. But fixing DEF issues sometimes requires Dealership Software and Tools.

 

[MGP4506]

My last 3, "New" purchases required 0 Warranty Work. So close to the Dealer wasn't an issue.

I have not looked at Bobcat, but I know the local Dealer, he's honest and recommends them. Take that with a Grain of Salt.

From what I have read, Emission Issues plague all of them over 25hp. DEF/DPF Issues, don't seem to care what Brand they are used in. But fixing DEF issues sometimes requires Dealership Software and Tools.

Yeah, those issues plage everything. And looking at used ones pre def you get 2 types. WAY overpriced or beat to hell.

 

[KenBike]

I just purchased a BobCat E40-R2 with 12",24",36" buckets and fail mower being dropped off this Friday.
Looked at Cat, Deere, Kubota, and Yanmar 25 - 40 hp units.
Rented a Yanmar and Bobcat machine for weekend and really liked the Bobcat much better.
Yanmar worked well but was loud and lot of heat in operator's area but they have a great warranty.
Second choice was Kubota KXO-33 but liked the Bobcat better overall.
My brother is a full time operator and likes Bobcat equipment and dealer was close and they currently have a $5,000 rebate.
Also have a Toro Dingo TX 1000 and Kubota L6060 so not brand loyal just buy the machine I feel fits my needs. Have a 50 acer horse farm with wood, pond and creek. I also plan on some digging for hire and wanted a non cdl machine.

 

[EddieWalker]

I don't own any Bobcat equipment, but when I need to rent something, it's almost always a Bobcat. They seem well built. I assume that they get abused more as a rental unit then they would by somebody that owns it. I'm not sure about all their excavators, but a lot of their equipment has Kubota diesel engines, which I consider a good thing. If I was buying, Bobcat would be at the top of my list to look at.

 

[newbury]

Look around on the forums -
For personal use it seems like there are a lot of decent imported 2 ton mini-ex's for half or less of the brand name price.
For example:
Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

 

[D'oh]

Look around on the forums -
For personal use it seems like there are a lot of decent imported 2 ton mini-ex's for half or less of the brand name price.
For example:
Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

I have a 1.2T Chinese Mini, 102hrs, no real issues, other than Heat. Wrap the exhaust and remove the Back Cover, everything has been good since.

It is not a Bobcat by any means, however, the $40K savings, is just fine in my Bank Account