Compact excavators

js5020 · Feb 3, 2008

Ok guy's, what's the good and bad with these machines? I see quite a few available at what seem to be reasonable prices. Are most "grey"? Are there parts available? I have run two of these a Yanmar and a Kubota, I was impressed at their ability to dig. Looking for options, don't really want/need a TLB,,,, to big, to old for the same money, don't want to put a hoe on the CUT and tie it up for that. What's everyones opinion??

vettemanwight · Feb 4, 2008

I was looking for a backhoe for my Kubota 4310 ,around 6-8K then I started looking at mini Ex's endided up buying a 28 J IHI from Mcgrew equipment.Well I did pay more for it $9100 ,but it is made to dig and it keeps the tractor available to do other things.Also I figure when Im done with it I will sell it for close to what I paid for it. The only bad thing is high maintaince, but Ive put over 200 hrs on it and only done normal oil and filters. Look at mcrew equipment on ebay , He gets them alot and I feel he was a great guy to buy from. Sold over 6600 items on ebay and has a 98'9 positive feedback. V

Trackks9 · Feb 4, 2008

Depending on your need's, I have a small IHI mini ex. 665 trouble free hr's
wouldn't be without one.

Builder · Feb 4, 2008

I liked operating the ones I've rented. Great for tight, inaccessible spots. I find southern equipment dealers have better condition machines at more reasonable prices.

Wayne County Hose · Feb 4, 2008

I do a lot of hoses and cylinders on these. The guys I talk to love them and don't know how they managed before. Only thing is, the fittings on both the Yanmar and Kubota are British Pipe thread. Not a big deal if your local shop carries them.

js5020 · Feb 4, 2008

Any manufacturers to stay away from for lack of parts,,, I see them made by a bunch of companies,, Komatsu, Daewoo, Nissan, Kubota, Yanmar, Ihi, Bobcat ect.. Are they usually US spec or grey market?

coopers · Feb 5, 2008

It really all depends on what you have to do. Excavators are great for a lot of jobs, mini or larger. I use mini excavators on a lot of jobs. I use Kubota and I feel they are a very very strong machine. I used to work for a rental company and they NEVER broke down. We had some older units too but they never broke except for customer abuse, extreme abuse might I add. There are a lot of other good machines, you'll have to start sitting on some to see which you like, who has the best customer service, locality, parts availability etc. Again, I feel that Kubota is a very solid unit. There are quite a few dealers around me and when it came to parts, they were always quick to get them for me. Bobcat in my opinion has really fallen behind on their machines. They are sluggish. I also personally don't like how they're designed. I have never used a CAT mini and I don't want to. I do not like how their hoes are designed. Kobelco had a nice machine, I used one for a bit, Taks seem pretty nice but I have never used one. I would post a question to www.lawnsite.com and HeavyEquiptmentForums.Com. You'll get a ton of feedback on lawnsite...but before you do post do a thorough search since we get this question about twice a month it seems like. I don't think there are a ton of gray market mini's out there, but if you run across one...STAY AWAY from it.

What do you want to use it for? What size do you want. I use kubota 121-3 and 161-3's every now and then and they're a solid machine.

js5020 · Feb 5, 2008

Some real informative sites you have posted,,, basically I just need to replace my shovel, hate that thing, never could find one that fit right!! I will be looking for a smaller one, if I could find one that will dig 4-7' it will suit me fine, I have run a yanmar b27 or 37 didn't pay attention to the model and a kubota, once again I didn't pay attention to the model but I think it was a 161 it was real nice cab air heat. Both were beyond what I would need for projects around here in my opinion.

Wayne County Hose · Feb 5, 2008

I know of a place on rte 315 in Pittston that should have that kind of stuff. You may have seen it, it's by a big forklift dealer.

js5020 · Feb 5, 2008

Ha ha,,, They sure do have some nice Taks and Case machines,, just cause I work for a sister company don't you be thinkin I'll get a discount! I only saw nice brandy new ones though but I guess I should probably focus on a Tak for that reason,, or a Case since I frequent the area so often.