Super nice Kubota excavator

[fried1765]

Good stuff Rustyiron, but maybe some background and context would be useful here. I have 2 main uses
Cutting high brush and digging out rocks. So a SS would Hebb helpful, but less ideal than a mini ex.
Almost all my brush cutting falls into 2 categories: pond banks (steep) and field edges (branches). Skid steer not useful here.
While breaking my back cutting field edge branches 5-25 off the ground with a pole saw, I realized I needed a cutter with an arm that can reach up high and grind-off branches.
I also do 2 different customers annual large cuttings around streams and ponds. These are good paying jobs. However, I have to stand in canals or on pond banks to cut them with weed whacker and saw blade for weeks to complete them. The pond has a flat-top berm which a mini ex could be driven on. With properly weighted smaller mulcher head, I could sit in cab and cut pond on one side and canal on the other. I could also sit on dry ground and reach over swampy land with dipper stick. This would cut my weed whacking task down by 80-90% and allow me to keep the contract well into my older years.

Rocks:I cut about 250 acres of hay fields. Some fields have significant rocks and a few stumps which are deadly expensive to hay cutter. Removing them lowers risk of damage and injury.

There are other uses. I still build an occasional construction project where a foundation or footings are needed.
I have seen some KX161 and U45 models that are fairly affordable, but the KH28L was really clean and cheap. However, if the aux circuit doesnt have any GPM, whats the sense in buying it.
Also, I have a 200HP Massey Ferguson 7495 I could mount a front mulching mower on, but I don’t really have a lot of brush in open space to cut. Its mostly field edges.

It must be horribly time consuming/tiring doing the work in those pix manually!

 

[4570Man]

40 K, brand new. That included the quick attach setup, a 2ft digging bucket, ripper tooth, and a 3ft grading bucket. I know... it's more than the other...

New? And what size?

 

[Hay Dude]

It must be horribly time consuming/tiring doing the work in those pix manually!

Yeah it sucks, fried. A mini with a mulcher head would be great for this aging body. I’ve been doing it for years. Each year it takes a little longer.
Seller texted me this morning that someone said they’re coming to probably buy it.

 

[ovrszd]

New? And what size?

A Kubota KX71 is a Mini.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

New? And what size?

KX-71. Bought it 11/24/15 and have about 190 hours on it so far.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

A Kubota KX71 is a Mini.

Yes, it's a 3 ton unit.

 

[4570Man]

I was looking at a KX040. The dealer quoted $53,000 base model. Add $7,000 for a cab, add $2500 for hydraulic thumb, add 2500 for an angle blade. They’ve got a 1200 hour used one with a cab, hydraulic thumb, and 4 way blade for $35,000.

 

[Peter 315]

KX040 Nice size machine.........

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I was looking at a KX040. The dealer quoted $53,000 base model. Add $7,000 for a cab, add $2500 for hydraulic thumb, add 2500 for an angle blade. They’ve got a 1200 hour used one with a cab, hydraulic thumb, and 4 way blade for $35,000.

I looked at the kx 91 and the 040; but for my personal use I just couldn't justify the extra cost. Mine at 6,000 lbs is amazing when compared to a tractor/back hoe, but has it's limitations compared to the 10k lb machines. But, it sure is sweet to run and every minute on it is productive and fun.

BTW, that isn't a bad price for that sized machine. All depends on how it was maintained.

 

[4570Man]

I looked at the kx 91 and the 040; but for my personal use I just couldn't justify the extra cost. Mine at 6,000 lbs is amazing when compared to a tractor/back hoe, but has it's limitations compared to the 10k lb machines. But, it sure is sweet to run and every minute on it is productive and fun.

BTW, that isn't a bad price for that sized machine. All depends on how it was maintained.

I really wanted an 80 but they’re better than 100g for a new one. I looked at the 57s to but they’re not much cheaper.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I really wanted an 80 but they’re better than 100g for a new one. I looked at the 57s to but they’re not much cheaper.

It's a lot of money either way. My choice would have been a bit bigger, but all in all I am very happy with the KX 71.

 

[4570Man]

It's a lot of money either way. My choice would have been a bit bigger, but all in all I am very happy with the KX 71.

One of my buddies has a case 80 that I can get when I need to so I think the 40 would be adequate. But I’m really not satisfied with my M59 performance and the 40 isn’t a whole lot better. Another full size backhoe is pretty cheap muscle.

 

[ovrszd]

One of my buddies has a case 80 that I can get when I need to so I think the 40 would be adequate. But I’m really not satisfied with my M59 performance and the 40 isn’t a whole lot better. Another full size backhoe is pretty cheap muscle.

Yep. It's a crapshoot but worth the risk to me. I've got less than $9K in a full sized TLB with 20' hoe reach and a 4n1 front bucket. Only thing it lacks is 4wd. But it will literally drag itself wherever you need to be. I was very fortunate to find it.

If I were near this Excavator I'd buy it and sell my TLB. It's a bargain in my World.

 

[4570Man]

Yep. It's a crapshoot but worth the risk to me. I've got less than $9K in a full sized TLB with 20' hoe reach and a 4n1 front bucket. Only thing it lacks is 4wd. But it will literally drag itself wherever you need to be. I was very fortunate to find it.

If I were near this Excavator I'd buy it and sell my TLB. It's a bargain in my World.

It cost so dang much to setup a full size backhoe the way I want. Add a hydraulic thumb and a quick attach front bucket with at minimum some forks and grapple claw and you’ve doubled the price of the machine. That’s why I sold my last Deere backhoe.

 

[ovrszd]

It cost so dang much to setup a full size backhoe the way I want. Add a hydraulic thumb and a quick attach front bucket with at minimum some forks and grapple claw and you’ve doubled the price of the machine. That’s why I sold my last Deere backhoe.

Eddie has a very nice TLB setup like you want. I can't remember what he said he had in it. Maybe he'll chime in.

 

[Hay Dude]

I had a fully equipped 4wd NH backhoe, 4/1 bucket, extenda-hoe, thumb, even a rolling compactor sheep foot for compacting dirt under concrete slabs.
Since I have flipped from mainly construction, lesser construction to mainly farming, lesser construction, the need for the ability to brush cut is the tail wagging the dog.
I agree it was a super nice, low priced excavator, but I dont suspect even with its aux hydraulics, it could run a mulcher head.
Hopefully Im not being too blunt or succint, its unlikely to fit the main need for my operation.

 

[4570Man]

Most of the excavator mulchers I’ve seen even on much bigger hoes have external hydraulic packs.

 

[Hay Dude]

Most of the excavator mulchers I致e seen even on much bigger hoes have external hydraulic packs. View attachment 677481

Yeah thats great for clearing acres of forest stands.
Im looking for something more like this

 

[ovrszd]

I had a fully equipped 4wd NH backhoe, 4/1 bucket, extenda-hoe, thumb, even a rolling compactor sheep foot for compacting dirt under concrete slabs.
Since I have flipped from mainly construction, lesser construction to mainly farming, lesser construction, the need for the ability to brush cut is the tail wagging the dog.
I agree it was a super nice, low priced excavator, but I dont suspect even with its aux hydraulics, it could run a mulcher head.
Hopefully Im not being too blunt or succint, its unlikely to fit the main need for my operation.

I understand. It's been a great discussion though. Thanks for starting the thread.

 

[fried1765]

I understand. It's been a great discussion though. Thanks for starting the thread.

It is a somewhat SAD day though......for those of us who would just love to have it as a toy.
I would even agree to always keep it inside!