Mini-excavator

[cherokee1]

Second question.

Yanmar B50 vs. Komatsu PC40, any experience with either or view about merits of ownership of one vs. another?

Not exactly the same weight but similar.

Steel tracks or rubber, which last longer and are less expensive to maintain / replace.

Excavator and articulated loader are considered as alternative to JD210 or JCB 210S. Thoughts?

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> Second question. </font>

Where is the first question?

 

[Bert04]

are you buying new or used?

 

[nobull1]

If you don't have to have rubber tracks steel is the way to go IMO.The life of steel is a minimum of 100% over rubber and could be 500% depending where you use it, and the initial quality of the rubber tracks.The steel tracks have more traction and less likely to side slip on a hill.The only good thing about rubber in my mind is if you have to go over asphalt or concrete and don't have access to conveyor belting to drive on.If you are looking to buy a machine with rubber tracks make sure that you go over the tracks with a fine tooth comb as any cuts can and will grow in a short period of time.If you are buying new do the same thing and refuse delivery until they are replaced if there are any cuts or abrasions.

 

[cherokee1]

Used

 

[cherokee1]

Good suggestions and thoughts. Rubber track replacement is EXPENSIVE I find.

I found what looks like a pretty good inspection list on Iron Planet.

 

[kayssupply]

I have PC-40 and have had a Yanmar B-22 and now have a Kobelco SK25. The Komatsu will cross over to a US model. Parts are no problem. The Yanmar is about as easy. The PC has pilot controls the Yanmar didn't. You have to go much newer to get them on a Yanmar. They all three use Yanmar power plants. I would have to say it would be which ever unit was the best on inspection rather than brand. I have steel tracks with rubber pads. I have to work around pavement and driveways alot. If you damage one you just take it off and replace just one. Where are you located I can tell you a couple of good dealers.

 

[cherokee1]

Well, I bought the PC40-7. It seems to be a good machine with very little slop in the pins and bushings, at least compared to the stuff I grew up running. It has the steel tracks and bolt on rubber pads.

I couldn't resist taking it out of the box and dug some rather large holes around the place and in the yard digging up stumps, yaupon thickets and culling some 6" or so pine trees. So now I've got a bunch of torn up turf and a slightly miffed wife.

Just like all other machines, the purchase price is just the beginning. Now I'm working on how to put remote hydraulics on it, build a tree shear and thumb, quicktach fixture, get a smaller bucket, build a ripper, build a blade for grading, build a brush rack to keep from dropping small trees on my head and maybe even build a set of pallet forks.

Still looking for that compact loader. I want to build the various attachments and adaptor plates to share between the machines. Good excuse for a bigger welder, lathe and mill.

I will soon run out of things to dig up around here and will have to either hire out or take it to Oklahoma for my Dad and brother to use...that is magnanimous but no fun for me.

 

[kayssupply]

I have a parts book and a repair manual if you ever need a page copied let me know. I have had it a couple of years and never needed either so far. I don't think you will be unhappy with your decision.

 

[cherokee1]

That is a generous offer.

I have a service manual that came with the machine but would like an operator's manual and parts manual. I ought to scan the manual and put it on a disk / PDF file so I will have a clean copy.