Looking for a mini for my homestead

[CM1995]

You can get a 9 ton TB175 for 30K.

Agreed. A 9 ton machine would be much more useful for what OP describes, if the machine doesn't have to move regularly bigger is better. OP if you have to move it just hire it out as needed.

Big jump in production from a 10K lb machine to an 18K machine.

 

[MovingRox]

The Tb145 has good reach, and it's better at lifting heavier items. I was actually looking for that size machine but could never find one, and that was several years ago. I now have little TB016, a TB240, and a TB153FR. The TB153FR (6 ton machine) has been nice. You can get a 9 ton TB175 for 30K. For moving big rocks for walls and erosion control a 6-9 ton or bigger machine can be a great choice.
The image is of my TB153FR doing Rockery. For doing a trail in the woods, you don't need always that big a machine.

I saw afew tb138fr’s for sale in my budget but I was thinking those would be tippier than say the tb135 /145. How do you like the tb240. I initially started looking at those but I saw dpf and you have to run regen on them and kinda lost interest.

 

[MovingRox]

Agreed. A 9 ton machine would be much more useful for what OP describes, if the machine doesn't have to move regularly bigger is better. OP if you have to move it just hire it out as needed.

Big jump in production from a 10K lb machine to an 18K machine.

I’m also considering ability to work on the machine … bigger you go heavier pumps/ final drives/ cylinders are and tighter things are torqued and bigger tools are needed.

 

[KSSS]

The 138 has a different swing configuration than does a 135 or 145-240. The 138, 153, 180 have a slide mechanism that rotates more under the cab. This keeps more of the weight in the center of the machine than does a typical swing boom mini ex. You will find they can lift more than can the same size swing boom mini ex. There are more moving parts, more grease zerks, but they have some good capability. Any Taki with a Kubota motor will have a DPF. The Taki's with Yanmar do not have a DPF, at least none that I am aware of.

 

[MovingRox]

Ok I found one I’m interested in it’s a Takeuchi tb153fr with 3283 hrs. Seller is responsive and answered all my questions . They are asking 25k and owned it for 2.5yrs … it’s further than I have been looking 340 miles away. A guy he knows can move it for 2k. I though that was a bit high to transport but I like he knows the guy and would make the transaction easier as he can move it the day after I go see it if I decide to buy it. I have a few videos but don’t see a way to attach those . I Attached afew some pics. Any thing in particular to look at or check on. This will be my 1st excavator. It’s a 2014 or 2015 … how can I tell what year it is ? I have the serial number .

 

[MovingRox]

Here are afew more pics

 

[CM1995]

That's a nice looking machine for $25K. As far as the year goes with equipment it doesn't really matter the year per say but rather the series machine. For example manufacturers will change the series of a machine mid year and there can be substantial differences in series.

That's a little salty on the move price, might want to check around yourself. A towing company can put that on a larger rollback.

Other than the normal things to check on a used machine I'll revert to the guys that know more about Taks.

 

[reganj]

If it has already been said, good.
If you can not put your butt in the seat and operate for one hour to make sure everything works,
DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY

 

[PeterG]

DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY

The 25K asking seems about 7K low, so that's a flag. Most machines that size and hours are 35K. I'm looking to sell my TB153Fr with just under 2000 hours for 42K. There's a lot of use Mini excavators out there now, and it's not a sellers market. I believe he plans to go see it.

 

[KSSS]

He sent me the video of someone running the machine. Pretty clear the back pins under the machine that attach to the slide mechanism, had a lot of movement. I have replaced those pins once on one of my 153's or I should say paid the dealer to do it., they did not have fun with that.

The guy running the machine did not know how to pull the boom up along the side of the cab. I think he came to the conclusion that, that machine is not the one.

 

[skyking1]

These are not the droids you are looking for.

Op, good on you for stepping away. More people need to do that.

 

[MovingRox]

KSSS said it perfectly…the search for a machine continues. I appreciate all the feedback and help.

 

[Swetz]

I have a Bobcat E85. Somehow bobcat figured a way to pass emissions without regen and def. I think that continues in the e88 as well (new model).

Just throwing that out there cuz you said you don't like the whole regen thing.

 

[MovingRox]

I haven’t looked into bobcat much … what models would be around 9k pounds ? Any models to avoid ?

 

[MovingRox]

Looked at a case cx55b … seemed like a good size … didn’t end up buying it but if I found one in better condition I’d jump on it. I think tb145 or bigger machine. Maybe a tb260 if I could find one in my budget . Any other recommendations on 6 ton ‘ish machines to check out? Maybe a kx161-3?

 

[DM&RDBulldog]

If you look at Kubota KX161-3, or KX080 would fit the weight range you are currently discussing. KX121-3 is a little lighter but still a great size landowner machine. Kubota is very popular in my area and seems to support everything they ever made. Ive been able to get every part ive needed to rebuild my KH191 multiple times.

If you end up looking any newer than 2015ish Bobcat and JCB don't use a DPF or regenerate. I doubt youll find anything worth buying that new for 30k though.

Lots of older Takeuchi machines still being used around me as well and they seem to still support their products going back pretty far.

 

[Legdoc]

I just purchased a new Kubota KX-33. It is a 4 ton machine without DPF. It is their largest machine without DPF.

 

[MovingRox]

I just purchased a new Kubota KX-33. It is a 4 ton machine without DPF. It is their largest machine without DPF.

Thanks for the info

 

[MovingRox]

If you look at Kubota KX161-3, or KX080 would fit the weight range you are currently discussing. KX121-3 is a little lighter but still a great size landowner machine. Kubota is very popular in my area and seems to support everything they ever made. Ive been able to get every part ive needed to rebuild my KH191 multiple times.

If you end up looking any newer than 2015ish Bobcat and JCB don't use a DPF or regenerate. I doubt youll find anything worth buying that new for 30k though.

Lots of older Takeuchi machines still being used around me as well and they seem to still support their products going back pretty far.

I have seen some bobcats I’m considering going to check out. E50 2017and 2016. So neither have emissions stuff? How do they not need it as other brands ?

 

[Swetz]

Bobcat was, and is, complying with the standards with the system in place. It is not that the machine does not have emissions. Bobcat was just able to get certified without the def and associated crap.