Compact excavators

coopers · Feb 6, 2008

JS5020-

Look at the 121-3's, and the 91-3's and see how you like them...Kubota of course. They're both common size machines used around here, I personally like the 121, perfect size for what I do but the 91-3 is a nice compact machine, not too small but not too big. Look at Kobelco too.

Blake
WA

curtisfarmer · Feb 6, 2008

I like the pics of the KX121 with grading bucket, I have the same setup. The 121 is super tight and versatile, and the blade makes grading easy. If you dig alot, sometimes a mini x is unbeatable, especially if you stay under 10K lbs. and non-cdl equipment to move the machine. I clear brush, install drainage, lawns atop septic systems, stump, site work, and do alot more with my KX121. Once you get one, you'll always wonder what you did before.

coopers · Feb 6, 2008

Curtisfarmer, yeah that cleanup bucket is so nice. I love Kubota's manual QC too; some other buckets out there like CP stuff and whatever Deere puts on their mini's is a complete joke. I would rather use a grade beam to grade but once I get my own mini, I'm getting a progressive linked thumb so there's more rotation, it's a pain to grade when you have a direct link thumb.

Blake
WA

jdl · Feb 6, 2008

Yanmar's VIO50 and 75s are sweet machines as well. They have a real nice hydraulic quick attach you operate from in the cab.

Dmace · Feb 6, 2008

Last summer, I rented a Yanmar Vio27 and boy was that a great machine! It was incredible what a difference it was from my CK20 backhoe with a much greater reach and faster. I really liked the quick disconnect, I could drop a bucket and hook up a wider grading bucket within seconds without ever getting out of the seat. The hydraulic thumb was just plain awesome too! If I could justify another $20k purchase, I would love to own a mini-excavator just like it. The best part was that I could haul it with my 1/2 Ram HEMI on a 14ft dual axle trailer.

Here are a few pics from my excavating:
(click thumbnails for larger pics)

AKfish · Feb 7, 2008

Well, I'm a real newbie when it comes to mini-excavators and excavators for that matter.

Cause I ran a Deere 120 with thumb (probably 25K lbs. machine) and a Bobcat 430 zts (10K machine) with thumb this last summer and hated the Deere and really liked the Bobcat!

I have played around on a Knobelco 120 (I think that was the model..) and it was a much better machine that either the Deere or the Bobcat, IMnewbieO.

Matter of fact, I started lookin' at the mini's 'cause I'm trying to clear trees on my place and they are the cat's pajamas for gettin' the job-done-quick for that kind of work!!

But lately, I decided that I couldn't afford to have a CUT and a mini excavator and/or a dozer; so, I'm settin' my sights on a construction TLB. The maintainence, and trailer's and all the associated costs of having multiple machines... just could not/ did not want to stick my neck out that far!

Maybe the info from your quest and the feedback on the TBN forums will change my neophyte mind!

AKfish

Botabill · Feb 8, 2008

I have a Kubota KX41-3. The-3 is the most recent version of this 2 ton machine. It's a joy to operate with the pilot controls. It'll dig over 7 feet deep though you are stretching when you get down to that depth. It'll dig up any size trees and stumps but won't pop the big ones. I mean you may have to dig a big hole around a big one to get it out. For trenching I can't imagine a machine that is much better. Great for getting into small areas with a minimum of damage. I went with the Kubota because 1/ I own a Kubota tractor and have been very pleased with it. 2/ I chatted with rental outfits in my area and they basically said rough use is not an issue as they keep them for 1500 hours an then sell them and rarely have to do any repairs. 3/ Has among the highest breakout etc forces available. 4/ The cylinder on the upright boom is on top of the boom. That means when I pinch a log or whatever against teh boom the delicate cylinder isn't destroyed at great cost. 5/ good resale value. The Tachuchi (sp) machines are well respected but there were no dealers in my area. I'd shy away from grey market machines for several reasons though a mechanically inclined person may be able to wokr around the issues they present.

js5020 · Feb 9, 2008

Ok guy's ,, I have seen a few of you post " high maintenence" would anyone like to detail this comment out? This is important, because I will not be buying a new machine, I want to keep cost around 8k or less. Initally I have some projects, but after these are completed it will do more sitting around than working. Kinda looking at this like I did with a generator, when I built the house I had a choice, pay for temp hook up or buy the generator, I bought the generator, end cost was alittle higher, but I still have the generator and though it sits around most of the time, I have it for when I need it. Same here I will have spent a few more bucks than renting/hiring out but will have the machine when done. On size, looking at small,,, 1 ton, 2 ton tops, it will be a little undersized for some of the inital projects, it will just take a few more hours to complete them.

coopers · Feb 9, 2008

JS,

You're going to have do a lot of searching but you might find a mini at $8K (if I understand that is all you want to spend on a mini). A KX41 is around 3600lbs. You can do quite a bit with that machine surprisingly, but it's not going to allow you do A LOT. You can get a full size case backhoe (580B-580C) for $10K if you save up another 2 grand. That can do WAY more than a little 1 ton excavator. I personally wouldn't buy any machine if I knew it was going to sit around a lot after I had all my projects done. You might as well rent. When you buy a machine, you need to have a place to fix it, a place to store hyd. oil, buy grease constantly, grease gun, have access to parts and tools to fix the machine etc. It's a lot of work to own a piece of equipment and if you aren't going to use it constantly because you're in no hurry to get something done but yet after the projects are done, it's going to sit a lot, I wouldn't buy one. That's just my opinion. If you're going to have property or do have it, buy a backhoe and you can use it more...that is if you'll have enough for it in the future too.

How much and what do you have to do? Because you can spend rental fees on a machine for a project that you can get done in two weekends or something w/ the right machine versus buying. Again, just my opinion.

Blake
WA