Location: between Atlanta/Knoxville/Asheville/Chattanooga/Greenville.
- I am studying the idea of purchasing a good used tried and true mini excavator that can be towed behind a 7.3 diesel dually truck with 2 axle trailer. The upper limits in size.
- needs to be able to pull a 3 foot bucket for field line when doing septic and sewer systems as well as dig the hole for the tank.
- should be able to reasonably dig stumps on a house site. I have rubber tire backhoe loader and larger excavators for the really big stumps. Would like to drift away from rubber tire backhoe loaders as its getting hard to find operators to run them in the mountains terrain.
- Should at least be able to load a smaller dump truck. I have a few ten wheeler dump trucks and can use large excavator for that.
- not sure if I should risk messing with EGR and DEF engines as I have no experience with them. I do a lot of repair myself unless it’s crazy technical such as transmissions or complex engines. But, if it’s worth the risk to buy something newer to gain something, I may try it.
- looking to keep as low of payment and insurance as possible. 30% work in winter and 80% in summer.
- would “like” to have an EROPS cab as the bees are becoming insane as well as summer heat. If the EROPS is a huge deal breaker in price, I’d skip it at a sacrifice.
- I wouldn’t mind having the ability to one day install a tilt rotator but that may asking too much of a mini Ex. I generally tend to baby my machines and use operating techniques that minimize abuse. 3 point turns, no bucket slamming in ditch and no bucket slapping (as if it’s always full of mud when it is not). Etc... A robust hydraulic pump and setup would be ideal. But, I do not use a hammer.
- I am familiar with renting mini excavators such as Kubota, Cat, and Tach. I am not opposed to Yanmarr or IHI as I know they are solid machines and supply engines and platforms for other brands.
- I have good access to Caterpillar parts through Yancey as well as aftermarket such as Heavyquip etc.... I suppose that the IHI-Kato dealer in Kentucky isn’t out of the question...but it’s a haul. I have a Tach dealer 40 miles from me. I have a Kubota dealer in my town (and surrounding towns) but they really charge upper dealership prices. Yanmarr headquarters is about 70 miles from me(I think this means parts are easily accessible or is it just an office building?).
- I prefer Cat when it comes to dozers and large equipment. I’m not as brand specific when it comes to mini machines. Although...I’ve enjoyed my Cat CTL and the toughness and quality.
- I want the option of buying parts from dealer, or aftermarket, as well as lots of eBay and Amazon. Standard stuff such as starter, pumps, electronics, hose fittings, bucket teeth, a/c compressor, alternators, etc......
- I would like for it to have a hand pattern changer. I run backhoe controls. Some of my part time helpers run Cat excavator controls.
-I like to be smart in purchases. Used is ok with me. I am not trying to do production contracting. I do lots of work through word or mouth, repeat customers, and relationships.
-Psychologically: I think along the lines of: Ford Crown Victoria Car, Mercedes 240d or 300d, Ford or Chevy trucks, lots of manual transmissions when it comes to automobiles. I like common, tried and true products.
- I like good resell. A machine that is widely known and regarded as quality and proven.
- What is the scale in hours for a used purchase? At what hour level would it be time for a new hydraulic pump-engine rebuild-final drive hydraulic replacement- re pin of the boom- etc? If I buy one at 3500 hours, is it a common time for a pump replacement? If it’s been replaced, do I get another 3500 hours? I can gauge this type of thing based on condition when it comes to old fashioned stuff like Cat d6 dozers but on a mini...it’s not my strong point.
- In the used market, what would be a good choice for a mini excavator based on what I’ve explained?
Thanks for your opinions.
- I am studying the idea of purchasing a good used tried and true mini excavator that can be towed behind a 7.3 diesel dually truck with 2 axle trailer. The upper limits in size.
- needs to be able to pull a 3 foot bucket for field line when doing septic and sewer systems as well as dig the hole for the tank.
- should be able to reasonably dig stumps on a house site. I have rubber tire backhoe loader and larger excavators for the really big stumps. Would like to drift away from rubber tire backhoe loaders as its getting hard to find operators to run them in the mountains terrain.
- Should at least be able to load a smaller dump truck. I have a few ten wheeler dump trucks and can use large excavator for that.
- not sure if I should risk messing with EGR and DEF engines as I have no experience with them. I do a lot of repair myself unless it’s crazy technical such as transmissions or complex engines. But, if it’s worth the risk to buy something newer to gain something, I may try it.
- looking to keep as low of payment and insurance as possible. 30% work in winter and 80% in summer.
- would “like” to have an EROPS cab as the bees are becoming insane as well as summer heat. If the EROPS is a huge deal breaker in price, I’d skip it at a sacrifice.
- I wouldn’t mind having the ability to one day install a tilt rotator but that may asking too much of a mini Ex. I generally tend to baby my machines and use operating techniques that minimize abuse. 3 point turns, no bucket slamming in ditch and no bucket slapping (as if it’s always full of mud when it is not). Etc... A robust hydraulic pump and setup would be ideal. But, I do not use a hammer.
- I am familiar with renting mini excavators such as Kubota, Cat, and Tach. I am not opposed to Yanmarr or IHI as I know they are solid machines and supply engines and platforms for other brands.
- I have good access to Caterpillar parts through Yancey as well as aftermarket such as Heavyquip etc.... I suppose that the IHI-Kato dealer in Kentucky isn’t out of the question...but it’s a haul. I have a Tach dealer 40 miles from me. I have a Kubota dealer in my town (and surrounding towns) but they really charge upper dealership prices. Yanmarr headquarters is about 70 miles from me(I think this means parts are easily accessible or is it just an office building?).
- I prefer Cat when it comes to dozers and large equipment. I’m not as brand specific when it comes to mini machines. Although...I’ve enjoyed my Cat CTL and the toughness and quality.
- I want the option of buying parts from dealer, or aftermarket, as well as lots of eBay and Amazon. Standard stuff such as starter, pumps, electronics, hose fittings, bucket teeth, a/c compressor, alternators, etc......
- I would like for it to have a hand pattern changer. I run backhoe controls. Some of my part time helpers run Cat excavator controls.
-I like to be smart in purchases. Used is ok with me. I am not trying to do production contracting. I do lots of work through word or mouth, repeat customers, and relationships.
-Psychologically: I think along the lines of: Ford Crown Victoria Car, Mercedes 240d or 300d, Ford or Chevy trucks, lots of manual transmissions when it comes to automobiles. I like common, tried and true products.
- I like good resell. A machine that is widely known and regarded as quality and proven.
- What is the scale in hours for a used purchase? At what hour level would it be time for a new hydraulic pump-engine rebuild-final drive hydraulic replacement- re pin of the boom- etc? If I buy one at 3500 hours, is it a common time for a pump replacement? If it’s been replaced, do I get another 3500 hours? I can gauge this type of thing based on condition when it comes to old fashioned stuff like Cat d6 dozers but on a mini...it’s not my strong point.
- In the used market, what would be a good choice for a mini excavator based on what I’ve explained?
Thanks for your opinions.