Thoughts on which excavator to get

[carterturner]

Hello everyone,

I am looking at several used mini excavators. So far I have looked at ones from $9995 to $16500. I need to get one for field drainage in my blueberry fields, (over 7000 lf ft of properly pitched tubing wrapped with fabric cloth. I only need a 9-12" wide trench from 2' to 5' deep depending where it is in the field. The rows are 10' on center (with 2 at 8 1/5' on center) so I need a mini. I think 4' wide to be good and max 5' wide. I want to buy so I will also do several drainage projects with the help of construction equipment video in bmy woods, as well as doing a trench for buried elec, the foundation for my house, my well trench and my own septic tank and leach field. After that (maybe 6-10 years) I would likely sell it if I wasn't too attached to it.
I'm thinking roughly in the 3,500-7,000 lb classes. What are some of the things I should be looking for? Please give model pro's and cons if you have any.
Thanks,

 

[deepcreekoutdoorservices]

Have a takeuchi tb025. Great small machine.

 

[exSW]

No question.
121x Kubota

 

[Big1066ih]

+1 on Kubota 121 is a damn good machine will walk circles around alot of others

 

[paragonbuilder]

View attachment 80027

No question.
121x Kubota

Yes. They are never big enough. First time you need to pop a rock with a small machine you will kick yourself. I have the kx91-3, and I like it, but it's often I wish I had the 121...


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[Big1066ih]

I've always been impressed with what the 121 will do. I've ran a similar sized new holland that thing was a turd.

 

[exSW]

 

[Dub11]

Hello everyone,

I am looking at several used mini excavators. So far I have looked at ones from $9995 to $16500. I need to get one for field drainage in my blueberry fields, (over 7000 lf ft of properly pitched tubing wrapped with fabric cloth. I only need a 9-12" wide trench from 2' to 5' deep depending where it is in the field. The rows are 10' on center (with 2 at 8 1/5' on center) so I need a mini. I think 4' wide to be good and max 5' wide. I want to buy so I will also do several drainage projects with the help of construction equipment video in bmy woods, as well as doing a trench for buried elec, the foundation for my house, my well trench and my own septic tank and leach field. After that (maybe 6-10 years) I would likely sell it if I wasn't too attached to it.
I'm thinking roughly in the 3,500-7,000 lb classes. What are some of the things I should be looking for? Please give model pro's and cons if you have any.
Thanks,

What kind of chainsaws you got?

 

[backhoelover]

we have a 121 at work with jack hammer attachment add on . we use the hell out of it and it just keeps going and going. when the machine was mine before i got a promotion i took care of it kept it clean and greased. now it being treated like *s-word and its still going strong.

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

Here at work, we have Bobcat E32 and JD 35 minis. The operators prefer the JD 35, as it's just a bit bigger and has a much nicer cab. I've spent a day in the E32, and probably an hour in the JD 35, and I wouldn't have a problem with either one as a personal machine.

Also, our local rental house is a Kubota dealer, but they carry Bobcat E32's in their rental fleet. They have less problems with them than they do with the Kubotas (as a rental house, I'm betting the minis get ABUSED. They let anyone with a 3/4 ton or bigger truck pull one out with no questions asked other than a credit card).

 

[Homemade]

My previous employer had a case, Kubota, and kobelco. The kobelco was one size bigger the the other too, and was obviously more powerful. The case and kubota had the same power, but the case was more jerky on the levers.


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[Beaverscout]

I’ve been operating equipment for 36 years. Everything from skid loaders to 637’s.
Considering you will have the machine awhile. If you can afford it,a Caterpillar is the way to go. They last a long time. The metal that’s used in there construction is of higher quality.

 

[PineBrookFarm]

I have been very happy with my Komatsu pc50mr-2, its a little larger then what you are looking for but the pc35 would be great. I've also had great luck with yanmar & bobcat mini excavators in the 3-ton class.

I would recommend a 5 ton machine they are so much more versatile than the smaller mini's in my opinion. My pc50 is right around 11,000 but is considered a 5 ton machine.

 

[davidwyby]

@SOS Ridgerider

 

[Wood Chopper]

Make sure it has a fumb as to hold logs up to buck furwood! This thread is old aye?


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[Woodpecker]

Bye bye spamer

 

[redline4]

Bye bye spamer

If it was the "grinding wheel of life" guy again and you booted him before I got to read his jibberish, I'm going to be very upset.
He was rather amusing.

 

[Woodpecker]

If it was the "grinding wheel of life" guy again and you booted him before I got to read his jibberish, I'm going to be very upset.
He was rather amusing.

No Mr. Oolacile have analyzed your wish for a quality machine in your line of werk Ed. He recommends a heavy doody motorized dent puller for your many happy endings. Apparently he feels wiff an áss like yours only a mini excavator powered unit will do.

 

[redline4]

No Mr. Oolacile have analyzed your wish for a quality machine in your line of werk Ed. He recommends a heavy doody motorized dent puller for your many happy endings. Apparently he feels wiff an áss like yours only a mini excavator powered unit will do.

Nice. Sounds like he knows how to party.