Buying an excavator soon would love your insight.

Just-Joshin-ya · Dec 31, 2020

Brand new here, my background is 24+ years as an Automotive Warrant Officer for the US Army, and Construction Equipment Repairer before that. Anticipating retirement in the next few years I started a new business this year doing septic systems mainly leech field and setting plastic tanks, concrete set by company, some land clearing, mowing, light grading etc... looking to buy a new excavator not really a need at the moment I could rent for a while but at the point of doing 4 days of work a month it would only make sense to buy. Plus I’d use it around my land a good bit. Specifically weighing the options of 2 machines with a third being compared on the side lol. My weight is restricted to 12050lbs trailer capacity, otherwise all options are still on the table. Both Bobcat and Yanmar sales seem really engaged so far.

Bobcat E42R2 with cab, long arm, thumb, angle blade, 16” toothed bucket, 36” smooth, and ripper. My quote was $62,895 if I add the extended warranty to take it to a 5yr 3000hr full warranty it would bring me to around $66k.

Yanmar VIO50-6a cab, thumb, angle blade, 18” and 36” bucket quoted at $60865. 4yr 4000hr warranty standard

Yanmar SV40 with same options but 6way blade. $58943

Weighing out pros and cons
So far spec wise only.
Power goes to Bobcat
Comfort probably goes to Bobcat (radio, display, etc)
Reach goes to Yanmar
Hyd Aux goes to Yanmar
Tail swing Bobcat 12.8in, 0 for Yanmar
Overall price is less with Yanmar
Resale isn’t anticipated but still a concern.

Throw any thoughts, concerns, insights, questions etc out there! Thanks Josh

f311fr1 · Dec 31, 2020

Parts and service are a large part of the equation.

CM1995 · Dec 31, 2020

Welcome to the Forums JJy!

X2 on the parts and service so the question is -

How far away from you are both dealers?
How large are the dealers?
Does any of the two dealers have a rental department?
How large is their parts department and how much do they keep in stock?

A very large dealer may give you the cold shoulder and a very small dealer may lack parts and service availability. The dealer having a rental department offers two things - a loaner if you machine goes down under warranty and additional equipment at your disposal when you need a different machine for a job.

I don't think you can go wrong with either of the 3 brands. Kubota and Yanmar would be my final 2 IMO.

Good luck!

John Canfield · Dec 31, 2020

I have a 2019 Bobcat E42 and I'm quite pleased with it and have a good local dealer. Consider the entire ownership package - good dealer, good equipment.

Just-Joshin-ya · Dec 31, 2020

Both dealerships are about 40miles away, I’ve not been to the Vermeer dealership to check it out, I do know they have no Yanmars in stock so I’m guessing they do not have a rental fleet either. Bobcat on the other hand is a pretty good size dealership with rental so that may be another plus for Bobcat. There is a Kubota dealership 20miles or so but I’ve not checked their prices yet, I looked on the website and assumed they were more expensive than Bobcat.

Just-Joshin-ya · Dec 31, 2020

John Canfield said:
I have a 2019 Bobcat E42 and I'm quite pleased with it and have a good local dealer. Consider the entire ownership package - good dealer, good equipment.

Does the tailswing of the E42 limit you on any jobs, the only place I could see it being a problem for me would be French Drains, or in the woods if I wasn’t paying attention.

NepeanGC · Dec 31, 2020

I've never had an issue with the tailswing on my e42, and I've got an extra counterweight that adds 6".

skyking1 · Dec 31, 2020

It's a consideration on some kinds of work. General mini work, I can handle having a tail out there.
I dig for plumbers inside the building footprint, and get right up against pipes, columns, other people's stuff. I can't deal with a tail in my particular situation. I really value the zero thing.

NepeanGC · Dec 31, 2020

skyking1 said:
It's a consideration on some kinds of work. General mini work, I can handle having a tail out there.
I dig for plumbers inside the building footprint, and get right up against pipes, columns, other people's stuff. I can't deal with a tail in my particular situation. I really value the zero thing.

That is true, it all depends on what you do. I've got a tiltrotator and swing boom that keeps me out of trouble in tight spaces. Really depends on the application. If you're digging up against walls all day long, get a zero swing. If you're lifting heavy stuff, a conventional will typically lift more than a zero swing of equal weight.

skyking1 · Dec 31, 2020

Yes a thousand times on the bigger machines especially. The old 120 with a butt is so much better balanced than a similar big footed no butt machine.

catman13 · Dec 31, 2020

what other dealers are near you.
Parts and service are a large part of the equation
i would go with 0= swing,
i do a lot of odd jobs /trenching / grading / mowing / brush clearing / and im glad i have 0-swing , some of the jobs would be undoable other wize

Just-Joshin-ya · Jan 1, 2021

As far as dealerships with rental fleets it would be between John Deere, Takeuchi, Bobcat, Case.

John Canfield · Jan 1, 2021

Just-Joshin-ya said:
Does the tailswing of the E42 limit you on any jobs, the only place I could see it being a problem for me would be French Drains, or in the woods if I wasn’t paying attention.

I have the optional 500 pound counterweight on the butt of mine also, however my use of the E42 is general ranch stuff. My priority was good lift capability especially with the boom over the side. The tail swing has never been an issue for me.

The Bobcat E50 is zero swing and incrementally a larger machine over my E42.

KSSS · Jan 1, 2021

That seems like a lot for that size mini ex. Maybe that is what they go for now, but it seems high. Yanmar makes a really good mini ex as well.

Just-Joshin-ya · Jan 1, 2021

I’ve debated going down a size to the 3.5-4t class but with those it seems over the side stability drops off pretty quickly and hydraulic aux flow for running mowers and such. I really think the majority of my business will be digging leech fields, ditches, driveway work, compared to mowing/land clearing. Do you think the smaller machine would better suit my needs? As with just about anyone I like the thought of more power, but don’t really need overkill. I’ve dug with a couple 26’s and 22hp E35, and I know they could do the job just a bit slower, and not sure about their ability to run a mower.

John Canfield · Jan 1, 2021

Just-Joshin-ya said:
........snip......Bobcat E42R2 with cab, long arm, thumb, angle blade, 16” toothed bucket, 36” smooth, and ripper. My quote was $62,895 if I add the extended warranty to take it to a 5yr 3000hr full warranty it would bring me to around $66k.

Yanmar VIO50-6a cab, thumb, angle blade, 18” and 36” bucket quoted at $60865. 4yr 4000hr warranty standard

Yanmar SV40 with same options but 6way blade. $58943......snip.....

Forgot to thank you for your military service. I was in the USAF for one enlistment.

Anyway I wanted to comment about your attachments and configuration. I was torn between an angle blade or just the straight blade. I do quite a bit of grading with the blade and sometimes I wish I could angle my straight blade but from what I've read the angle blade doesn't have the 'push' capability of the straight blade. I have no idea if this would be a limitation or not.

You absolutely do want the thumb - for me it's incredibly useful to move rocks, stumps, trees, etc. My E42 with the extra 500 pound butt weight can lift 4500 pounds three or four feet off the ground and out five or six feet or so.

I have the ripper which is probably my least used implement because I don't be a lot of trenching. If you will be doing mostly digging you will find it useful. I did use the ripper to bury coax cable a few inches underground, I ripped going in reverse. The 'trench' was quite sloppy but it was fine for my need.

My 12" tooth bucket is my go-to bucket most of the time when I'm trenching/general digging/and picking up heavy loads. It weighs less than the larger buckets

The 24" tooth bucket is a good size for large excavations which I rarely do so it sits most of the time.

My last attachment is a 40" grading (no teeth) bucket, it gets a lot of use around the ranch since I'm making swales to control runoff.

I don't think you mentioned a pin grabber, Bobcat calls it X-Change or something like that. Incredibly useful option, I've thanked myself a thousand times for selecting that option when I spec'd out my E42.

skyking1 · Jan 1, 2021

Regarding size, we asked and answered that question this summer. For my work, the 35 was better. I can wring a lot out of it if need be, and you can always rent upward for a particular job. Keep that in mind.
I was going to be pushing the axles and tires on my 12K trailer with a 50. It's almost a foot wider, and that becomes a liability now and again with my work.

Just-Joshin-ya · Jan 1, 2021

John Canfield said:
Forgot to thank you for your military service. I was in the USAF for one enlistment.

Anyway I wanted to comment about your attachments and configuration. I was torn between an angle blade or just the straight blade. I do quite a bit of grading with the blade and sometimes I wish I could angle my straight blade but from what I've read the angle blade doesn't have the 'push' capability of the straight blade. I have no idea if this would be a limitation or not.

You absolutely do want the thumb - for me it's incredibly useful to move rocks, stumps, trees, etc. My E42 with the extra 500 pound butt weight can lift 4500 pounds three or four feet off the ground and out five or six feet or so.

I have the ripper which is probably my least used implement because I don't be a lot of trenching. If you will be doing mostly digging you will find it useful. I did use the ripper to bury coax cable a few inches underground, I ripped going in reverse. The 'trench' was quite sloppy but it was fine for my need.

My 12" tooth bucket is my go-to bucket most of the time when I'm trenching/general digging/and picking up heavy loads. It weighs less than the larger buckets

The 24" tooth bucket is a good size for large excavations which I rarely do so it sits most of the time.

My last attachment is a 40" grading (no teeth) bucket, it gets a lot of use around the ranch since I'm making swales to control runoff.

I don't think you mentioned a pin grabber, Bobcat calls it X-Change or something like that. Incredibly useful option, I've thanked myself a thousand times for selecting that option when I spec'd out my E42.

Does your thumb get in the way digging with the 12” bucket, that’s the only reason I’m looking at a 16”. Lines from the house to the tank will be 4” schedule 40 so really anything over 12” is overkill.

KSSS · Jan 1, 2021

Running a mower requires strong GPM and PSI at the aux. to be productive. Also enough machine to stabilize the mower at full articulation. I have a Rock Hound mower on mine, it is a bigger unit and 6 ton machine, it is a good mower. Typically the hyd. specs improve considerably as you step up in size and of course they can lift more. I would select the mower you want, then you know what GPM and PSI you need, as well as the weight of the attachment and find an excavator that meets those needs. I think your probably in the right weight class in a 45ish size.

Everyone is different, but I prefer running a 2' as a primary dirt bucket. Putting in 4" PVC with a small bucket requires exact cutting, which is easy when the runs are straight, not so much when changing direction. The 2' allows for the ability to manipulate the pipe easier on hook ups. Just my experience.

Just-Joshin-ya · Jan 1, 2021

skyking1 said:
Regarding size, we asked and answered that question this summer. For my work, the 35 was better. I can wring a lot out of it if need be, and you can always rent upward for a particular job. Keep that in mind.
I was going to be pushing the axles and tires on my 12K trailer with a 50. It's almost a foot wider, and that becomes a liability now and again with my work.

Very true...

Buying an excavator soon would love your insight.

Member

Senior Member

Administrator

Senior Member

Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Senior Member

Well-Known Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Member