What to look for in a mini excavator

[garagewizard]

I work for a rental company in southern Maine and I have 3 Yanmar vio 27-3 and during the peak season we lease 3 bobcats. Although the 425 is a zero turn it is by far the most stable of the bobcats that we have. the 329 will leave you needing a kidney transplant by the end of the first day if you know how to use the machine. all of the contractors that rent from us request the Yanmar's and love them. I have found personally that the Yanmar has a much more powerful arm and breakout force, that and I don't need a heating pad for my back when I get home.:laughing: We are a Takeuchi dealer and I love their equipment. I have limited seat time on their Mini's But so far I love them. if you ever have the chance try out on of their tb 160's. I do believe it is the smoothest track drive skid steers I have ever run.

 

[some zilch]

I work for a rental company in southern Maine and I have 3 Yanmar vio 27-3 and during the peak season we lease 3 bobcats. Although the 425 is a zero turn it is by far the most stable of the bobcats that we have. the 329 will leave you needing a kidney transplant by the end of the first day if you know how to use the machine. all of the contractors that rent from us request the Yanmar's and love them. I have found personally that the Yanmar has a much more powerful arm and breakout force, that and I don't need a heating pad for my back when I get home.:laughing: We are a Takeuchi dealer and I love their equipment. I have limited seat time on their Mini's But so far I love them. if you ever have the chance try out on of their tb 160's. I do believe it is the smoothest track drive skid steers I have ever run.

boy, i have to disagree on the yanmars. we have a yanmar vio something at work, and it is an absolute gutless, underpowered, no-hydraulic-powered, pile of poo i have ever operated. it is comparable to a bobcat 430 in size. it is aggravating to use in that it really cant even run an dipper/boom function and move the tracks at the same time. i can honestly say it is the worst excavator i have ever operated

 

[Dargo]

boy, i have to disagree on the yanmars. we have a yanmar vio something at work, and it is an absolute gutless, underpowered, no-hydraulic-powered, pile of poo i have ever operated. it is comparable to a bobcat 430 in size. it is aggravating to use in that it really cant even run an dipper/boom function and move the tracks at the same time. i can honestly say it is the worst excavator i have ever operated

I've run a few Yanmar machines and dozens of Takeuchi (Yanmar powered) machines and they have been some of the most powerful and smooth machines I've ever operated in any size class. The worst machines I've operated were the two Bobcat minis I owned. For the most part, that is the same opinion on the heavy equipment forums. Case minis and Kubota minis are also very well respected, with the Case also mostly Yanmar powered.

 

[mattellis2]

I got my BC 430ZHS. I found it on CL. I did make a steal, 15K 793 Hours. It is an '06 model. This machine is the best decision I have ever made. I believe it has a 43 HP, maybe 48 HP kubota. It is one stout little machine. Easy to operate and does surprising well for its size. The only reason I bought the machine was because of the shape it is in. I recognized a great deal when I saw it. I think I have only 809 hours on it now. I have used it for a couple of trenches. I really do like this machine. Unfortunately it just sits in the barn, taking up space and collecting dust! LOL It is nice knowing it is there if I ever need it though. I would say take your time, if you can afford too. Check SearchTempest - The EASY way to search Craigslist. That is a, "blanket" CL search. You will find one.

i don't know anything about mini excavators, but that search engine is AWESOME. thanks for the link.

-matt

 

[Redgoatea]

As usual budget determines all. But if ya can swing it my Kubota kx121-3 is an awesome machine. 7

 

[Punk]

I've got a Kubota KH 033, and man it's a beast. It cuts through the ground like a knife through butter. I think it's about 20 years old. Great machine.