Deere and Case Mini's

[GreatWhitehunter]

I was planning on buying a Deere mini excavator. I had been think of either the 35 zts or the 50 zts. Today I was at a new shopping plaza still under construction and saw a Case mini and to my suprize looked identical to the Deere and even had the zts moiker. So I decided to check out the Case site and the whole mini line is exactly like the Deere. So much so the spec sheet even match. So is my assumption correct? And if so should I look into both brands and find the best deal regardless of paint color? Also to the mulching folks is a 4 ton machine capible of running a mulching head? I was thinking that the mulcher would be a good attchment to invest in.

Matt T.

 

[QwikDraw]

Hey Matt,

I have a 12.5k lb Mustang and run a Brush Hound flail head on it, it's good up to 4" but only productive in material in the 2-2.5" range. Some of the minis have enough power to run a mulch head but the weight is where you'll have a problem, they run around 1700lbs. You really need a 18k excavator or bigger.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Thanks, Ted for the reply. I'm noticing that only the regulars in this forum get replies. Surely someone here has some insite into the questions I've posted. Ted is the 12k machine an absolute must or do you think I'd be able to get away with the 8k? I could use the mini for other digging projects so the mulcher would be more of a side job to make some extra cake with the machine. If I find it can be self sustaining I'd maybe think about adding a skid steer mulcher to the lineup. I know there's been tons of post about starting a mulching business but that's not what I'm after. Just looking for alittle input from you guys in the know with this equipment.

Matt T.

 

[QwikDraw]

at "another" forum..one guy runs a Deere 35 with a flail. Must be at least a little too heavy but he seems to get by. He also runs a Deere CTL and Razor flail by US Mower, his price per hour scares me though....cheap!

Other forum link

 

[coopers]

Matt,

This 'other forum' that Ted speaks of has a TON of information and you'll pull more info on heavy equipment from there than you will here. That's just the nature of the beast. I would like to offer you input but I am a Kubota guy when it comes to minis. I have not yet been afforded the opportunity to use a case mini (however, I can point you in the right direction to those that have). I have run a 35D (Deere) and it was an okay machine, but to me the controls were extremely touchy and the machine was jerky. I didn't like using it for the final grades we did with it. I'll PM you the site URL since it seems that I might get in trouble for saying it over here (don't take the time to read the pages of rules).

Blake

 

[Tags]

I believe the Deere is identical to a Hitachi machine and Case, New Holland and Kobelco are all identical. I've run a JD 50D quite a bit and it is a nice machine, the D series is a much better unit than the previous C series.

 

[kthompson]

JD Construction dealership here has Deere and Hitachi and say the paint is the only difference. The same salesman told me the 50? model could not handle a cutter on it. No Way was his statement, can not do it. After a few minutes of telling me how large an oil cooler it would take to handle our Summer heat he went onto gpm and such.

I have a 5 ton unit that I am looking for options on it and really have not found anything I care for at least for the price. Hard to see the head being $7,000 and up just because excavator is in the description. My tractor dealer did agree heat could be a real issue of the hyd oil. kt

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

There's a few guys out ther running cutters on 4k machines and so far no one has had any real issues. I should not that they're flail type good to about 6" stuff. I personnally haven't had any real world experiance with them but it seems the dealers are always trying to steer folks towards bigger machines no matter what make or model.

Matt T.

 

[QwikDraw]

6 inch tree with an 8000 lb mini?

Matt, I'm not saying you're wrong but I'd have to see that to believe it.

Have you seen it with your own eyes??

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Ted, as I said I've not seen it just going by what the operaters are telling me. This is a flail head and not a mulcher. So I'm optimistic on the capacity. I'm thinking the cutters bread and butter will be mowing on slopes etc.

Matt T.