going to buy a mini ex please advise

[barklee]

We are going to purchase a used (04-06) mini and i dont have much experience with them. I have ran a BC 331 and didnt like it at all, and a IHI and thought that was pretty nice just very bare bones.
We are in the waterproofing buisness and want to buy one to dig basement perimeters and occasionally do some trenching. We need to dig around 10-12 ft deep. That is about all the info i can give. I am partial to cat we have a 246b skid and really like it after running a s-175 and case for years. Never ran a mini though. We have about every dealer around here close enough for service if needed. I think i would like to stick with a big name (deere, cat, komatsu, tak) is my thinking correct? What does everyone think

 

[upnover]

Well,

Thats a loaded question and you are going to get a shwack of opinions. Try and demo a few and see what you like. Check out the dealer and also check out how easy it is to service the unit. I have a 2008 Yanmar 35-5. I love the machine. The controls are smooth, easy on fuel and the ergonomics in the cab are good. Changing the engine oil filter is a pita, the only good thing is I dont have to do it too often. I like the Yanmar warranty 3years/3000 hour total warranty! I liked the specs on it as well compared to a JD or BC. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

 

[KSSS]

You will need a pretty good sized mini to get that deep. Off the top of my mind. Here are some options IHI NX65 (I am a big fan of IHI excavators) Takeuchi TB153FR (I have had two of these machines, the side to side boom is awesome, AC is not), The 50B from CASE is an excellent machine (same as Kobelco and NH machines). Although I have not run one yet I think the 60D from Deere/Hitachi looks very good.

The TK machine is near zero swing/zero tail might be ideal for working next to buildings. IHI also made a similiar machine the 70Z. Never ran one but it has similiar capabilities.

 

[MXZ]

A Deere 50D with a long arm will get you to about 13' and be basically zero tail for working along the foundations. I think you'd find that machine very smooth and they have good power. There's a lot of good machines out there, but I have found the Deere/Hitachi machines to be great and very low maintenance. You could look at a 60D if you'll be hitting that 12'+ frequently, but it's quite a bit more machine, and thus $$$$.

 

[Hendrik]

First question is do you need a zero swing machine.
They are better for digging in tight spots, such as against a wall but the downside is that they don't have the digging/lifting power of a fat bottom machine.
For instance I have a Kubota KX41-3V and it is considered the most powerful machine in it's class (1.6 tonne) but does have a fair overhang. Kubota also make a zero swing model in that size but it has a lot less operators room.

 

[barklee]

So i went to the Bobcat dealer and ran a 430 today. I really wasnt that sold on it. It doesnt have all that great visibility, didnt seem to have much digging power (maybe it was just the material i was digging). It did however have ice cold ac and it was very fast with the two speed drive. i like the controls although a bit jerky. I have been looking pretty hard for one and i would like to run a tak and a kubota they both appear to be very solid

 

[JCBgm]

Barklee,

Where in OH are you? We'd love to give you the opportunity to run one our our machines for a couple days.

JCBgm

 

[Hendrik]

So i went to the Bobcat dealer and ran a 430 today. I really wasnt that sold on it. It doesnt have all that great visibility, didnt seem to have much digging power (maybe it was just the material i was digging). It did however have ice cold ac and it was very fast with the two speed drive. i like the controls although a bit jerky. I have been looking pretty hard for one and i would like to run a tak and a kubota they both appear to be very solid

I have heard that Bobcat should stick to skidsteers (and I think others are kicking their butt in that department as well) and not try and build excavators .
The thing with an ex is that if it can lift itself onto it's backfill blade, it has the power but may lack the weight.
BTW the KX41 has two speed as well but in high gear does not have much in the way of maneuverability, due to the oil flow. Oooh and the controls are silky, except for the travel controls, which are a bit touchy in tight spaces.

 

[strott]

Yeah the KX41-3 has some pretty impressive track power and speed even in low gear -- as you say sometimes too much!!!! It also hates turning on tarmac. It is very powerful and lovely to drive.

By the looks of it now that Bobcat have taken over Doosan they may not actually be building excavators anymore as Doosan have a good following over here in the UK so therefore can build a good excavator.

 

[Woodboatdave]

mini's

Hi, for whatever it's worth, I have a Cat 303.5 that now has 6100 hrs.
Other than normal wear and tear items I have only replaced the waterpump and 2 glowplugs. It's ready for bushings in the boom and bucket now but hell , can't complain. the other thing is parts availability, you can't beat Cat for that. We have 3 Komatsu's ( full size) and let me tell you how long you have to wait for parts and then how much you pay for them. They blow Cat out of the water on parts prices (high). Resale is another thing to consider.
You will get a lot of opinions here so take them all into consideration as we are all contractors and the advice is all good.

 

[Hendrik]

Yeah the KX41-3 has some pretty impressive track power and speed even in low gear -- as you say sometimes too much!!!! It also hates turning on tarmac. It is very powerful and lovely to drive.

By the looks of it now that Bobcat have taken over Doosan they may not actually be building excavators anymore as Doosan have a good following over here in the UK so therefore can build a good excavator.

Have Doosan taken over Bobcat or the other way around?
Doosan look like a big outfit http://www.doosaninfracore.co.kr/eng/main.aspx perhaps they have come to some sort of machine sharing agreement, along the lines that Bobcat sells Doosan equipment in Europe and America and Doosan sells Bobcat stuff in Asia.
Anyway yeah I would like to see three travel speeds in the KX41, low for in close stuff, medium for general work in less confined spaces and high for long distance travel. Yes it sucks turning in high gear, the way the mechanic explained it to me, the oil flows through one drive motor and then through the other in high gear, thus when you try and alter flow to the motors you are affecting both of them. However that is a minor drawback.
And the suspension seat does take some of the bumpiness out of traveling and working.

 

[barklee]

Yeah, going to have to try the kubota soon. My brother has a L35 backhoe and i must say it is pretty sweet! any info on the kx41? what about a cat 305. I would like to take a day and try all the above but its impossible to get the time.
I think also that Doosan is going to put the Bobcat name on the Doosan designed machines they are currently selling in Europe and Asia and possibly the US (just what someone said, not sure)

 

[Hendrik]

Yeah, going to have to try the kubota soon. My brother has a L35 backhoe and i must say it is pretty sweet! any info on the kx41? what about a cat 305. I would like to take a day and try all the above but its impossible to get the time.
I think also that Doosan is going to put the Bobcat name on the Doosan designed machines they are currently selling in Europe and Asia and possibly the US (just what someone said, not sure)

Loads of specs out there for machines
http://www.ritchiespecs.com/specifi...avator&make=Kubota&model=KX41-3&modelid=93068
Best bet is to work out what you need and then make a short list of 3 or 4 machines that would suit and have a look at them.

 

[strott]

Just to confirm the KX41-3 is a 1.6 ton machine and digs to about 2.5 metres deep at a push (about 8 foot in old money) so may be a bit small for your needs.

 

[Hendrik]

Just to confirm the KX41-3 is a 1.6 ton machine and digs to about 2.5 metres deep at a push (about 8 foot in old money) so may be a bit small for your needs.

Yeah I got confused with the 'old' measurements. I do try to do everything in metric but then you get some old plumber who talks in feet and inches............

 

[strott]

Yeah you need to know both 'languages' as far as measurements are concerened and be able to convert between the two.

One day you'll be asked to do a 18 inch wide trench to a depth of 2 foot and the next it will be 450mm wide trench to a depth of 600mm - In essence exactly the same when dug!!

 

[BigBubba]

Takeuchi 135

I run a Takeuchi 135 and have found it to be great for depth and weight. I believe 10 foot is the max with this machine. An excellent machine that is very reliable and durable. Bought this machine from a rental outfit and it has low miles. Only problem I have had so far have been the hydraulic solenoid valves which I just replaced on the pump. Speaking of solenoid valves...does anyone have experience with the 2nd speed not working on this excavator? The soleniod checks out and when I push the switch, the light comes on in the control panel. But the machine stays in 1st speed. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to start a new post as I can't since I just joined.

Bubba

 

[Ryanrb25]

we use bobcat excavators, we have a 323 1.5ton machine and 4 4.9ishton 435s. Brilliant machines that cop abuse. Haven't had much trouble whatsoever. Work 8 solid hours a day, day in day out. Dont give up on Bobcat.

 

[hvy 1ton]

To get 12' your looking at 5-6 ton machines. Depending on how closed you average worksite is you might need to be looking at zero tail swing machines, or atleast short tail swings.

Out of curiousity do you use a backhoe to dig around foundations now? To match the perfomance of say a 310J a 7 ton machine would be about right. 12-14' dig depth, 11,000-12,000lb breakout and reduced tail swing machines can still get in some relatively tight side yards.

 

[strott]

I run a Takeuchi 135 and have found it to be great for depth and weight. I believe 10 foot is the max with this machine. An excellent machine that is very reliable and durable. Bought this machine from a rental outfit and it has low miles. Only problem I have had so far have been the hydraulic solenoid valves which I just replaced on the pump. Speaking of solenoid valves...does anyone have experience with the 2nd speed not working on this excavator? The soleniod checks out and when I push the switch, the light comes on in the control panel. But the machine stays in 1st speed. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to start a new post as I can't since I just joined.

Bubba

One possibility is that the rental company who originally run the machine disconnected the 2nd speed (don't know why though!!) Can you ask them??