I am a home builder who has a 15 case TR270, I do all of my own backfill and final grades and I want to start digging my own basements and slab footings. I have never operated an excavator for much more than tearing down trees. But I do have an operator on staff who has much more experience.
Doing only work for myself i expect to dig 12-20 foundations a year, I will install a system like Idigbest or buy a machine with grade control built in, or some trimble/Lieca 2d
I am looking at used and new machines.
I have found a 07 Kobelco 135SR LC - 5800 hrs - asking 36k
I played with this one and it feels really tight, but I wasn't able to dig with it. Tracks don't have a lot of adjustment left Id call them 80% used up. Over all the machine was in good shape for its age. Used machines get me worried because repairs on these things are expensive to say the least. But the savings might be worth the risk
I also looked at a new CAT 313 with grade assist, which seems to have a great lease plan. But its $160k depending on how I outfit it.
I also looked at a Doosan 140 w 1,000 hours for $99k. But if I finance that I could get the new cat for less than $200 more per month.
I really liked the older Kobelco, but even if it was to be a great machine its going to need work in the near future. Is the savings on this machine worth the risk? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Doing only work for myself i expect to dig 12-20 foundations a year, I will install a system like Idigbest or buy a machine with grade control built in, or some trimble/Lieca 2d
I am looking at used and new machines.
I have found a 07 Kobelco 135SR LC - 5800 hrs - asking 36k
I played with this one and it feels really tight, but I wasn't able to dig with it. Tracks don't have a lot of adjustment left Id call them 80% used up. Over all the machine was in good shape for its age. Used machines get me worried because repairs on these things are expensive to say the least. But the savings might be worth the risk
I also looked at a new CAT 313 with grade assist, which seems to have a great lease plan. But its $160k depending on how I outfit it.
I also looked at a Doosan 140 w 1,000 hours for $99k. But if I finance that I could get the new cat for less than $200 more per month.
I really liked the older Kobelco, but even if it was to be a great machine its going to need work in the near future. Is the savings on this machine worth the risk? Any suggestions would be appreciated.