Swetz
Senior Member
All,
I have been looking for a used class 8 size excavator for quite some time (saving up) now. My focus has been on Takeuchi TB290 (or 285), but lately my neighbor has been talking up his brand new Bobcat excavator, and the place he got it. The dealership is very close to my property, closer that the Takeuchi, but neither are crazy far.
With that in mind, I began looking into a used Bobcat. I have noticed that they seem very available and are listed for less money than many of the Takeuchi's I have seen.
The machine will be staying only on my property, so I am not looking to make a living with this machine.
I have found the class 80 excavator comparison document that Stump Wally put out back in 2015. He did not include the Bobcat E85 in the comparison because he stated that bobcat was not very forthcoming with specs.
I did some research on Bobcat and it says that Bobcat is owned by Doosan. It also appears that at least the vintage I am looking at (2013-2019) is USA made. That seems good, but then there is that Doosan piece??
The engines seem to be the same Yanmar that others use, so no real difference there, I would think.
So, I guess this is where I ask some questions:
First, are these Doosan or a different animal?
Were they really made in the USA (remember 2013-2019 era)
Are they a do not buy, and if yes, why? (I am kinda looking for specifics, for example they have junk travel motors...)
Would I be better served with the Takeuchi, even though it is a bit more, and why? In Stump Wally's document, the Takeuchi scored very high.
I would love to hear from current owners here too. Would you buy an E85 again? What kind of problems have you had, etc..
Thanks in advance!
I have been looking for a used class 8 size excavator for quite some time (saving up) now. My focus has been on Takeuchi TB290 (or 285), but lately my neighbor has been talking up his brand new Bobcat excavator, and the place he got it. The dealership is very close to my property, closer that the Takeuchi, but neither are crazy far.
With that in mind, I began looking into a used Bobcat. I have noticed that they seem very available and are listed for less money than many of the Takeuchi's I have seen.
The machine will be staying only on my property, so I am not looking to make a living with this machine.
I have found the class 80 excavator comparison document that Stump Wally put out back in 2015. He did not include the Bobcat E85 in the comparison because he stated that bobcat was not very forthcoming with specs.
I did some research on Bobcat and it says that Bobcat is owned by Doosan. It also appears that at least the vintage I am looking at (2013-2019) is USA made. That seems good, but then there is that Doosan piece??
The engines seem to be the same Yanmar that others use, so no real difference there, I would think.
So, I guess this is where I ask some questions:
First, are these Doosan or a different animal?
Were they really made in the USA (remember 2013-2019 era)
Are they a do not buy, and if yes, why? (I am kinda looking for specifics, for example they have junk travel motors...)
Would I be better served with the Takeuchi, even though it is a bit more, and why? In Stump Wally's document, the Takeuchi scored very high.
I would love to hear from current owners here too. Would you buy an E85 again? What kind of problems have you had, etc..
Thanks in advance!