Insight on buying a mini excavator vs renting

[Rebeldad1]

Looked all over for a good deal on a mini around the Pacific NW. lots of them here at the time.
Most 2000 plus up to 12,000 hours and if the were really nice priced about as much as a new one.

Figured if I bought a new one on a good sale and kept it nice I would get my investment back.
2 years later there are a lot less used ones for sale around here. The new one I bought in 2018 is now priced about $8000.00 more and doesnt include the thumb and quick attach mount the threw in with mine.

I may not use it a lot but it is sure handy to have around.

 

[ning]

I went through a few of these questions recently but for my own use decided none of the above - I hired the most time-sensitive job out, and I'll do things more slowly with my tlb on my own.

I like having my own machinery, but often rent if I only need to do the very occasional job, but for this one task I knew that the (reasonably priced) professional was going to be much quicker than I would've been - I compared his price of doing the work in a few days, vs me doing it rental costs with more days than that.

 

[4570Man]

I have one that I bought in December. I hate renting anything. It’s money gone and it’s a terribly inconvenient use timing. I ran the last machine I had for over a year and gained a little bit when I sold it.

 

[fried1765]

I bought a used one about a year ago 2018 model Kubota KX71-3. Cleared my land and did my dads land cleared my brothers land also. Dug some trees with it about 10" to 12" diameter. Little slower than a big one. filled in a pond with it. It has a thumb on it, wouldn't go any other way. Held logs with bucket and thumb and cut firewood to about 18" length. It has so many uses. I am glad I got one. Had 780hrs. on it when I got it. Pd. $26,000 for it. Best bang for the buck for me. Also made a little money with it doing for others around here in Southeast Texas. I say getcha one won't be disappointed. Do stuff when you want to do stuff. No timeline and your not just throwing money out the window renting one. Maintenance ain't that big of a deal. If you can change oil and filters and every once in a while a hydraulic hose when you bust it you still ahead of the game.

WELL SAID !!!

 

[gtbensley]

Was at the Kubota dealer the other day and took a look at a l2501 with a 7.7bh. man do I wish that would be big enough to install my septic. Would be a perfect size for everything else that needs doing. Pretty sure I would need a minimum 9ft hoe though to even think of doing that job......dreaming

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I bought a used one about a year ago 2018 model Kubota KX71-3. Cleared my land and did my dads land cleared my brothers land also. Dug some trees with it about 10" to 12" diameter. Little slower than a big one. filled in a pond with it. It has a thumb on it, wouldn't go any other way. Held logs with bucket and thumb and cut firewood to about 18" length. It has so many uses. I am glad I got one. Had 780hrs. on it when I got it. Pd. $26,000 for it. Best bang for the buck for me. Also made a little money with it doing for others around here in Southeast Texas. I say getcha one won't be disappointed. Do stuff when you want to do stuff. No timeline and your not just throwing money out the window renting one. Maintenance ain't that big of a deal. If you can change oil and filters and every once in a while a hydraulic hose when you bust it you still ahead of the game.

Couldn't agree more... there is never a shortage of projects when there is a mini ex at your fingertips.

 

[Muhammad]

Was at the Kubota dealer the other day and took a look at a l2501 with a 7.7bh. man do I wish that would be big enough to install my septic. Would be a perfect size for everything else that needs doing. Pretty sure I would need a minimum 9ft hoe though to even think of doing that job......dreaming

Sounds like you need a L4701 then.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Sounds like you need a L4701 then.

Pushing Kubota's... I like the way you think... :thumbsup:

 

[Muhammad]

Pushing Kubota's... I like the way you think...

He owns a Kubota and looked at a Kubota. I've got no problem with them.

 

[gtbensley]

I'm a kubota fan for sure. A grand L is out of my price range and honestly too big for my normal tractor chores. The l2501 would be about as big as I can fit where my current one needs to go.....hence why a mini is better suited.