Looking to buy a Mini-X. Your experience and opinions, please

[Seven Gables]

That tak 260 seems to get good reviews, it's in between zero and full conventional tail swing. I agree with the rest that a cab is really something you will be glad you opted for, 65* and no humidity you'll be smiling . Easy to spend other people's money though. If you don't want to leave thousands on the table for dealer to enjoy and up your hand you need bargaining chip. Let him know brand matters none, even if it does to you. I would find the best bargain low hour excellent cond machine in US. Add in cost of shipping. That's your ace in the hole for bargaining power. It's easy to do these days , right now there's 70 TB 260s on machinery trader, 10 Volvo ec60e's. I realize you want to by close to home, I did too, don't let ye dealer know that. I bought mine new for what I was prepared to pay for used, put 25000 dn finananced the rest at 4%. 5 yearly payments which I way much prefer to monthly. Right now you've got the cards in your hands, after you sign. Dealer Does. B

 

[Bigfoot62]

well thats 3 reasons to have a cab

Yeah, I hear you.

It's only money, right?

 

[Bigfoot62]

That tak 260 seems to get good reviews . . .

I agree with the rest that a cab is really something you will be glad you opted for . . .

Let him know brand matters none, even if it does to you.

I would find the best bargain low hour excellent cond machine in US. Add in cost of shipping. That's your ace in the hole for bargaining power. . .

I realize you want to buy close to home . . .

Right now you've got the cards in your hands, after you sign. Dealer Does. B

Yeah, and I'm good with the Takeuchi. Highest pump flow in it's class. Super fast and smooth.

I know, I know. It's just really hard for me to convince myself of that. I have three JD cab tractors, but that's on purpose. Hay baling and bush-hogging I wouldn't be stirring up that much dust with the X. Cab would just be for my convenience and comfort. The older I get, my comfort is becoming more important, though.

I'm not loyal to any brand. I'm pretty sure that every salesman that I've talked to understands that.

Understand what you're saying. The Takeuchi and Deere dealers have already given me a price on a brand new machine for $70K. TB260 and 50G, respectively. Both include cab with A/C and hyd thumb. Late model, low hr machines are not much less it seems.
Take dealer has a rental TB260, open station, for $32K and the thumb would be an additional $2500. It has 900 hrs on it. 1 yr warranty. Don't know about financing. He's checking on a cab rental machine for me. No prices yet.
Deere has a 400 hr, 2018 model 50G, cab, hyd thumb, and angle blade for $58. Given the addition of the angle blade, that's over $14K less than new. Still would have 2 yr/2000 hour warranty and 0% for 36 months financing.

Not necessarily BUY close to home, but I do want dealer support close to home. That's why I'm not considering IHI, for example.

Agree, that's why I'm taking my time, and airing out my thoughts here. (and with friends whose opinions I trust)

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Seven Gables]

Few more rambling thoughts. Of those two your comparing Deere 50 and tak 260 the tak is a full size bigger weight class . If you look at lift capacity the tak I'm sure is a lot more and is a lot more machine than any 5 toner . So l think at the same price the tak is by far the better value. Nothing wrong with the Deere it's just a size smaller. Your smart to take ye time and shop around, it's a lot of money to spend and you dam sure don't want any regrets. A big part of the reason I bought new is because I will be the only operator, which I believe applies to you also. That's a huge plus for resale as most of the used ones that are out there look like the operator wasn't makin the payments and didn't give a ****. I've got a small farm and other than harvest time do everything myself. A new excavator would be the last thing I'd want a hired man to destroy. I don't want to sound like the guy with a new machine and insists its the best because only time will truly reveal that but this ec60e has been a very impressive machine for me. I think u looked at a Volvo zero tail that was somewhat beat but u might ck out the ole ec60e, can't hurt. Before I bought I googled reviews for every machine that I was possibly interested in and read and read. Tons of info out there and I honestly think I read it all. Guess I'll quit there, B

 

[laurencen]

agree with above, i purchased new and will be the only user, the E32 is i believe around 7000 pounds, i can transport it on a trailer behind the f350, I have other equipment and require a semi with equipment trailer to move around

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I'll throw my 2 cents in. Looked at used for awhile then decided to bite the bullet and go new three years ago. Kubota KX-71-3. No cab, no fancy front blade and got the hydraulic thumb. I'm a Kubota dude so no real comparisons to other machines. I absolutely love what I can do with this machine, it will dig all day and sip diesel. Also very quiet. It is lighter than I would want for commercial work, but perfect for home owner use. I have built roads and trails thru the property, dug up some enormous stumps, and leveled a pad site for a future barn. I figure I'll use this machine for the next 5 years or so, and sell it with probably less than 350 hours on it and possibly get close to what I paid for it, 38K.

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[dsgsr]

I have a Takeuchi 175 (7.2mt) really like it. I have run numerous track hoes over the yrs. mostly 16 to 20 mt. When it came time for me to buy my own I wanted something I could haul with my equipment. I wanted an 8mt machine but this one came along and I couldn't pass it up. As I said, i've operated many, but of the Mini's Yanmar and Takeuchi are top of the line for quality.

David

 

[Bigfoot62]

Few more rambling thoughts.

Of those two your comparing Deere 50 and tak 260 the tak is a full size bigger weight class. . .

. . . I will be the only operator, which I believe applies to you also. . .

. . . but u might ck out the ole ec60e, can't hurt. . .

Guess I'll quit there, B

Yessir, I know they're different weights and class. The TB260 is more evenly matched to the 60G. See the Comparative Specs here: TB260 Comparison. The Deere dealer just has about 40 of the 50G's in the rental fleet, no 60's. And, the Takeuchi dealer has a bunch of TB260's, and very few TB250's. If I were to drop 70G's on a brand new machine, right now, I would have to go with the Take. As you said, much more machine for the money. But, right now, I'm still looking at "not quite new" in order to save a bundle. Time will tell.

I will be the primary operator. The only other person running the machine will be my first cousin. We work the farm together.

Just sent a text to the Volvo salesman. I will.

No, don't stop now. "Ramble on." It helps me think through the process.

 

[Bigfoot62]

I'll throw my 2 cents in. Looked at used for awhile then decided to bite the bullet and go new three years ago. Kubota KX-71-3. No cab, no fancy front blade and got the hydraulic thumb. I'm a Kubota dude so no real comparisons to other machines. I absolutely love what I can do with this machine, it will dig all day and sip diesel. Also very quiet. It is lighter than I would want for commercial work, but perfect for home owner use. I have built roads and trails thru the property, dug up some enormous stumps, and leveled a pad site for a future barn. I figure I'll use this machine for the next 5 years or so, and sell it with probably less than 350 hours on it and possibly get close to what I paid for it, 38K.

I'd like to find a good deal on a Kubota, but it hasn't happened yet. The KX71 is too small for what I want. I did get a quote from the Kubota dealer for a new KX 057-4, with cab and thumb. It's $74 grand.

 

[redman135]

Hello Bigfoot62, If you can afford it definately hydraulic thumb and a/c in the cab. Make SURE you test the ERGONOMICS before you buy. I found that on some diggers the footrests on the smaller models are too close to get properly comfortable.
IF you can get a seat with a fore-and-aft isolater, not just up and down. These seats are hard to find, but the improvement is amazing,as you are not being constantly shuntted you are far fresher at the end of the day.
If you work with the door open you will need to keep a close eye on the a/c filters as when these clog up you will get a/c issues(the boss used to dry hire his digger).
Lastly, look at a used fleet rental unit, these are usually 1 or 2 operater machines on fixed term lease(not hire) with fixed maintenance and come with records.
Good luck which ever way you go.