Mini Excavator

[yoderjac]

Also the thumb thingy is such a convenient tool. You may not need it all the time, but when you are trying to pick up that log, or rock, and you spend 20 minutes trying with the excavator, and get pissed off and have to run back and grab a skid loader to do it, you will wish you just got a thumb attachment for it.

Yes, a thumb is a definite preference, but not mandatory. I figure you can probably put an aftermarket manual thumb on most mini-excavators. While I do want a thumb, I would not pass a machine in good shape for a good price because it did not have a thumb.

 

[rocksnstumps]

Here ya go. All about mini ex thumbs and how to add one later
This guy is one hard working young fella and does a great job on his videos

0:00 into to excavator thumbs
2:05 Demonstrating a Geith thumb on a Hitach ex100 excavator
5:38 Demonstrating a Homemade? thumb on a Komatso PC15 excavator
10:14 Demonstrating a thumb on a Yanmar B50 excavator
12:53 Demonstrating a hydraulic thumb on a Kubota KX121-3 excavator
16:09 Installing a EA thumb on a Yanmar B37 excavator
22:34 Demonstrating the newly installed thumb on the B37 and comparing with the a hydraulic
29:03 Demonstrating why the thumb needs to be the correct length
31:24 Talking about adding thumbs to backhoe tractors

 

[yoderjac]

Here ya go. All about mini ex thumbs and how to add one later
This guy is one hard working young fella and does a great job on his videos

0:00 into to excavator thumbs
2:05 Demonstrating a Geith thumb on a Hitach ex100 excavator
5:38 Demonstrating a Homemade? thumb on a Komatso PC15 excavator
10:14 Demonstrating a thumb on a Yanmar B50 excavator
12:53 Demonstrating a hydraulic thumb on a Kubota KX121-3 excavator
16:09 Installing a EA thumb on a Yanmar B37 excavator
22:34 Demonstrating the newly installed thumb on the B37 and comparing with the a hydraulic
29:03 Demonstrating why the thumb needs to be the correct length
31:24 Talking about adding thumbs to backhoe tractors

Outstanding! Thanks!

 

[yoderjac]

Here ya go. All about mini ex thumbs and how to add one later
This guy is one hard working young fella and does a great job on his videos

0:00 into to excavator thumbs
2:05 Demonstrating a Geith thumb on a Hitach ex100 excavator
5:38 Demonstrating a Homemade? thumb on a Komatso PC15 excavator
10:14 Demonstrating a thumb on a Yanmar B50 excavator
12:53 Demonstrating a hydraulic thumb on a Kubota KX121-3 excavator
16:09 Installing a EA thumb on a Yanmar B37 excavator
22:34 Demonstrating the newly installed thumb on the B37 and comparing with the a hydraulic
29:03 Demonstrating why the thumb needs to be the correct length
31:24 Talking about adding thumbs to backhoe tractors

I finally had a chance to watch all those videos. They were outstanding! Lots of great information from someone with obviously a lot of experience.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[yoderjac]

We have a few more weeks of hunting season left, but once that is done and the holidays are in the rear-view mirror, I'll be back on this. In the mean time, I've been watching a lot of youtube videos. It looks like a 35 class machine is about the right size for the tasks I have in mind. I think most of the brands have "35" somewhere in the model number for this class machine. Cat is a little odd calling it 303.5. So far I have not been in any machine, but I hope to get in a few over the holidays. Without actually being inside one, right now Cat is my favorite after watching the comparison videos of machines in this class. I like what I see in the Kubota U series as well. The JD 35G looks nice as well. I have a Kubota and JD dealer within 10 miles or so of the farm but the CAT dealer is an hour or so away. I'm just thinking of this from a maintenance perspective.

Finding something in good shape in my price range, especially with a thumb and a grading bucket in addition the digging bucket will be a challenge. I may have to work on upping that a bit.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

My father just bought an Yanmar SV40. I highly encourage you to look into Yanmar.

 

[4wanderingeyes]

While Cat is further away for maintenance for you, and I will also warn you parts are usually higher for Cats as well, for me it is the controls. I just like how their controls are, compared to most other brands.

 

[Telemark]

I use a Cat. I think it's an excellent machine.

 

[yoderjac]

Yes, Cat seems to be the most thought out machine, but I hear ya on both initial price and parts. There is noting that I see wrong with Yanmar except I don't know of any place around there that sells and works on them.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[buckdeer1]

We bought a brand new mini Bobcat for 12K last year.I don't remember what model and we haven't got to use it alot but I bet it digs easier than a shovel.Might check out trencher attachments for skid steers.A skid steer is about as handy as a mini

 

[yoderjac]

We bought a brand new mini Bobcat for 12K last year.I don't remember what model and we haven't got to use it alot but I bet it digs easier than a shovel.Might check out trencher attachments for skid steers.A skid steer is about as handy as a mini

Let me know if you can check the model. My guess is that it is a smaller machine than I'm looking at. I'm not sure where I'll end up, but I'm trying to balance having enough weight to do a little clearing if I need to, but not so much weight that I need a new trailer and CDL. I'm trying to balance these with cost. A couple manufacturers have "build your own" functions on their web sites. I know these are "list" pricing, but the class of machine I'm looking at seem to run $50-70K new depending on options. This is well out of my price range. I was originally thinking $15K to $20K. I looked at IronPlanet auction sales, and it looks like if my neighbors friend is willing to check out an older machine and make sure there is nothing major wrong, I might be able to get something in that range. There is a chance I'll need to increase that budget a bit. If I buy used from a dealer, I'll definitely need to increase that budget.

I don't think a trencher has the flexibility I want. If I had a skid steer, it may make sense to buy a trencher for it, but that would significantly limit what I can do. For road maintenance, I think a mini-excavator along with my existing tractor, FEL, and box blade/rear blade are better tools. An additional benefit of a mini-excavator is that with a thumb, I could probably do some minor clearing and stump removal. I'm on a pine farm and there are always downed trees and brush that need cleaned up. We had an ice storm last week and we have a lot of trees down right now across our logging roads.

So, I think the mini-excavator is the best tool, bit I did take a close look at the ditch-witch the contractor brought in to trench for our water line. If all you are doing is trenching, they seem to be a good tool.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

Not sure just how useful it will be yet. You can turn the bucket around on the Yanmar. I believe they are the only one doing that. There lift capacity is also quite a bit more than the competition.

 

[yoderjac]

Not sure just how useful it will be yet. You can turn the bucket around on the Yanmar. I believe they are the only one doing that. There lift capacity is also quite a bit more than the competition.

A nice to have, but as you say, useful for a few things, but not key. There are others that you can reverse the buckets on. I could see maybe reversing a large grading bucket to transport stone, but that would be much faster with the FEL on my tractor. I can't think of many tasks I would do where it would be needed.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[buckdeer1]

We used it today and I forgot to get model number.Heck I got forks for my new tractor and a tree spade so I just need time and weather to get some trees moved.

 

[WeedyJ]

Let me know if you can check the model. My guess is that it is a smaller machine than I'm looking at. I'm not sure where I'll end up, but I'm trying to balance having enough weight to do a little clearing if I need to, but not so much weight that I need a new trailer and CDL. I'm trying to balance these with cost. A couple manufacturers have "build your own" functions on their web sites. I know these are "list" pricing, but the class of machine I'm looking at seem to run $50-70K new depending on options. This is well out of my price range. I was originally thinking $15K to $20K. I looked at IronPlanet auction sales, and it looks like if my neighbors friend is willing to check out an older machine and make sure there is nothing major wrong, I might be able to get something in that range. There is a chance I'll need to increase that budget a bit. If I buy used from a dealer, I'll definitely need to increase that budget.

I don't think a trencher has the flexibility I want. If I had a skid steer, it may make sense to buy a trencher for it, but that would significantly limit what I can do. For road maintenance, I think a mini-excavator along with my existing tractor, FEL, and box blade/rear blade are better tools. An additional benefit of a mini-excavator is that with a thumb, I could probably do some minor clearing and stump removal. I'm on a pine farm and there are always downed trees and brush that need cleaned up. We had an ice storm last week and we have a lot of trees down right now across our logging roads.

So, I think the mini-excavator is the best tool, bit I did take a close look at the ditch-witch the contractor brought in to trench for our water line. If all you are doing is trenching, they seem to be a good tool.

Thanks,

Jack

Have you rented one with a thumb to see if it would do what you want? I have tried clearing with an excavator and digging stumps, and digging for pipe. Actually just a little clearing. I have a skid steer and it will do anything you want. I have several attachments, but have rented the trencher. The thing about excavators, and I would LOVE to have one for digging, is that they are so slow. So if you have to do much travel around your place or even dragging out trees or clearing, it seems to take forever. I think you'd need a pretty big machines for land clearing and stump popping. In my experience (3 of the most dangerous words ever!), I would say the mini ex would be best for digging, but the skid steer for maintenance and clearing. Load that grapple up with 4 pine trees and run with it! Not to mention, I like driving. Sitting and swinging that arm gets boring to me. :-)

 

[yoderjac]

Have you rented one with a thumb to see if it would do what you want? I have tried clearing with an excavator and digging stumps, and digging for pipe. Actually just a little clearing. I have a skid steer and it will do anything you want. I have several attachments, but have rented the trencher. The thing about excavators, and I would LOVE to have one for digging, is that they are so slow. So if you have to do much travel around your place or even dragging out trees or clearing, it seems to take forever. I think you'd need a pretty big machines for land clearing and stump popping. In my experience (3 of the most dangerous words ever!), I would say the mini ex would be best for digging, but the skid steer for maintenance and clearing. Load that grapple up with 4 pine trees and run with it! Not to mention, I like driving. Sitting and swinging that arm gets boring to me. :-)

I have not rented one yet. I'm not quite that far along yet. I hope to visit a couple dealers next week and at least physically get in a machine. Renting a machine in the size I'm looking at is about $500 a day in my area. (Bobcat E32). My primary use will be road maintenance and digging. I've got a tractor and FEL for moving stuff around. We have done most of the clearing for things like food plots. We higher out for firebreak creation with a dozer. Every now and then there is a small clearing job on the pine farm. I may put in a small trail from time to time to get to a ladder stand.

Slow is good for me. I'm about to retire. The slower I work, the safer I am. I'm sure if I was trying to make money, I would want the best tool for the job. In my case, I'm looking for tool that is well suited for my primary task of road maintenance and somewhat capable of other tasks on the farm.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[4wanderingeyes]

I have to agree, a skid loader/tracksteer is much more universal, and if I could only have just one, it would for sure be a tracksteer. A mini excavator does work for digging out stumps, and digging a trench, and things like a pond, but I can do all those things with a skid/tracksteer almost as fast, I would just need a little more space to accomplish it. Driveway maintenance give me a tracksteer any day. Stumps, a mini. You can pluck out 10” or less soft wood trees pretty easy, but a 10 inch oak, you will have to dig all the way around the stump and wiggle it out.
But you have your FEL, which you can do most of the work that a mini can’t do.

What I would personally do is buy a skid for the maintenance, and hire someone with a full-size excavator and have it be completed in a day. But I am sure you have more plans for one, and when you have one, you can find stuff to do with it.

 

[WeedyJ]

Have you rented one with a thumb to see if it would do what you want? I have tried clearing with an excavator and digging stumps, and digging for pipe. Actually just a little clearing. I have a skid steer and it will do anything you want. I have several attachments, but have rented the trencher. The thing about excavators, and I would LOVE to have one for digging, is that they are so slow. So if you have to do much travel around your place or even dragging out trees or clearing, it seems to take forever. I think you'd need a pretty big machines for land clearing and stump popping. In my experience (3 of the most dangerous words ever!), I would say the mini ex would be best for digging, but the skid steer for maintenance and clearing. Load that grapple up with 4 pine trees and run with it!

I have not rented one yet. I'm not quite that far along yet. I hope to visit a couple dealers next week and at least physically get in a machine. Renting a machine in the size I'm looking at is about $500 a day in my area. (Bobcat E32). My primary use will be road maintenance and digging. I've got a tractor and FEL for moving stuff around. We have done most of the clearing for things like food plots. We higher out for firebreak creation with a dozer. Every now and then there is a small clearing job on the pine farm. I may put in a small trail from time to time to get to a ladder stand.

Slow is good for me. I'm about to retire. The slower I work, the safer I am. I'm sure if I was trying to make money, I would want the best tool for the job. In my case, I'm looking for tool that is well suited for my primary task of road maintenance and somewhat capable of other tasks on the farm.

Thanks,

Jack

I've rented the E 85 and the E26. I think a 32 or 45 would be perfect for me, but with a skid steer and tractor, I'm having a hard time justifying spending money on the excavator. I cringe every time I pay rental money, especially when I have to have it delivered as well. I look around and see so many uses for it, but I can still find plenty to do with the tools I have. Now if I could only find more time.....Good luck. I'm gonna keep following.

 

[yoderjac]

Once my little driveway is well established, a box or rear blade on my tractor would be fine. The issues that I need a mini-excavator for are dealing with the initial drainage. It is about 85% already. The farm is a different story. We have miles of logging roads and rolling terrain. When it is logged, we put water bars in the contract, but they use a dozer to establish them. They don't do a great job and with our clay and hunters going out when it is too wet, we get terrible rutting. On the flat areas of the roads we get ponding in places. Once you start running through puddles with clay, it is not long before you have a mud hole. There are places where we need to add culverts and a few places where we need French drains.

I completely agree that what works for you will depend on what equipment you already have.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[yoderjac]

I spent the last 2 days driving around looking at used mini-excavators at dealerships in the area. Most of the machines I looked at were either out of my price range or in too bad shape for me. At this point, I wasn't really looking to buy but more to learn about different brands and models. I only saw one machine that might be a candidate. It was a 2006 NEW HOLLAND E35SR. It was traded in by a local horse farm and it only has 740 hours on it. Tracks and sprockets look great. The put a new 18" bucket on it and it is nice and tight. The salesman said the original bucket was way too large for most applications. The machine is clean with no leaks or welds that I could see. They are asking about $26K, about my limit right now, but he volunteered that they were negotiable on price and rarely sold machines for the asking price. It is plumbed with aux hydraulics but did not have a thumb. He said they could add a hydraulic thumb for under $2K. It is open station rather than cab.

The place selling this was a tractor dealership. The big concern I have is that I can't really find any information on this particular model. I think it was build by another company for New Holland when they were entering the mini-excavator market. Being a 2006 with so few of these machines out there, I wonder if parts will become an issue soon. Tomorrow I'm headed to the local New Holland dealer which is only 10 miles down the road. They have nothing used in stock. I plan to ask them about parts for this particular model since if I would buy it, I'd have them service it.

Beyond that, I've been on a number of machines. My top pick if price was no option is the Cat 303.5E. There were no used ones at the cat dealer, but I tried a new one and an older 303 that was a rental there. They are laid out very well. Both from a controls perspective as well as access for maintenance. Another one I really liked with the JD 50 g. It too was laid out well for controls and maintenance. I tried a Takeuchi 230 but did not like the layout, especially for maintenance access. I was not impressed with the Yanmar but it was an older model that was pretty rough and maybe that influenced me. I was also less impressed with the bobcat. The Kubota was almost as nice as the Cat, but it was almost new and had a cab, so that may have biased me a bit.

So, my preferences are Cat, Kubota, JD so far, but this is just walk around, start up, operate controls. I've done no demo work with any so I can't evaluate performance. All of the machines were 3 or 3.5 ton class machines.

I'd love to hear comments, especially if someone has experience with older New Holland mini-excavators; I'm even more interested if folks have experience with the specific model E35SR.

Thanks,

Jack