Advice Needed - Best Mini

I sincerely appreciate all the advice! Plants in the back are 5 gallon pots. I have attached a few more photos with a tape. The second photo is a boulder is just found digging with a shovel last weekend. It is 3 feet wide. Most of the boulders are around 2 feet but I do find some in excess of 3 feet. What sized bucket would be best for these?

A 35 can lift more weight up close than it can grab. This leads to awkward and potentially dangerous situations with huge rocks up against the house, sitting on top of the blade where you can't reach them, binding up against tracks, generally knocking the crap out of you. I am no trying to be discouraging, just pointing out the hazards of moving big things with little machines. It takes time to figure out how to do it safely and efficiently, but they are truly amazing tools.
Whatever digging bucket it comes with will work. I'd go for the standard 2' bucket on a 35, and if I planned on doing mass dirt moving and grading, get the 3' smooth edge bucket for a second bucket. I went for a 42" for our new mini. Get your blade down with good technique and I can toss a lot of dirt and grade a large area a bit faster with that.

skyking1 said:

A 35 can lift more weight up close than it can grab. This leads to awkward and potentially dangerous situations with huge rocks up against the house, sitting on top of the blade where you can't reach them, binding up against tracks, generally knocking the crap out of you. I am no trying to be discouraging, just pointing out the hazards of moving big things with little machines. It takes time to figure out how to do it safely and efficiently, but they are truly amazing tools.
Whatever digging bucket it comes with will work. I'd go for the standard 2' bucket on a 35, and if I planned on doing mass dirt moving and grading, get the 3' smooth edge bucket. I went for a 42" for our new mini. Get your blade down with good technique and I can toss a lot of dirt and grade a large area a bit faster with that.

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Thank you and I understand what you are saying - I don't want to damage my house either! The retaining wall next to the house is thankfully complete - the guy who did this was amazing and a dear friend, but he unfortunately died from a heart attack two years ago at only 54 years old. Where I am extending the wall is not against the house. My property is big and all the work I need to complete is a safe distance away

Just think of those tracks on the machine as your bare feet in sandals try and be nice to them.

One thing I may have to add, I forgot that I also talked to bobcat. This is nothing against them but, at least in my area, and the dealer that I talked to, the numbers that they told me were significantly higher than the other brands for similar sized machines (so much so that I wrote them off and forgot about it). Again, nothing against bobcat, but If you are budget conscious (and i'm sure you were already going to do this, I mostly just wanted to bump the thread lol) I would definitely talk to the other dealers in your area and see what they have to offer.

Aceofspades said:

One thing I may have to add, I forgot that I also talked to bobcat. This is nothing against them but, at least in my area, and the dealer that I talked to, the numbers that they told me were significantly higher than the other brands for similar sized machines (so much so that I wrote them off and forgot about it). Again, nothing against bobcat, but If you are budget conscious (and i'm sure you were already going to do this, I mostly just wanted to bump the thread lol) I would definitely talk to the other dealers in your area and see what they have to offer.

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What other dealers would you recommend? Any thoughts about New Holland?

I think I've narrowed my search down to Kubota, and Takeuchi, but there is also Yanmar, and Deere, Komatsu... you get the point. I don't know anything about new holland, I would just visit and shop whatever dealers are in a reasonable distance. Please keep us posted if you pull the trigger on one. I was just thinking to myself today, If I had gotten more serious when I was looking around a couple months ago, I would maybe have my machine by now, and probably at a better deal, but I digress.

I would look hard at the largest machine you can get without all the exhaust after treatment headaches and determine if it will handle your situation. Also I would consider a cab with A/C and heat. Kubota is my go to brand but I would also consider a Tak or Yanmar if there was a good dealer close.