Buying a mini ex

[Builder]

<div class="bbWrapper">OK, I&#039;ve decided to buy a USED mini ex to add to the fleet. <br /> <br /> List of requirements: <br /> <br /> Comfortable cab w/ heat &amp; air<br /> rubber tracks<br /> pilot controls<br /> aux hydraulics for hammer or thumb<br /> approx 10-12K lbs<br /> quick coupler for buckets <br /> <br /> would like to stay under $30-35,000<br /> <br /> Looking at Case, Deere, Kubota and Bobcat but am open to other brands<br /> <br /> Recommendations based on first hand knowledge would be greatly appreciated. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></div>

 

[atgreene]

<div class="bbWrapper">I rented a Kubota, Bobcat and Takeuchi before buying a Takeuchi. I ran that one for 3 years then bought a new Takeuchi 135 with all the extras.<br /> <br /> I did a lot of research and Tak had the best specs. Kubota was close, but track power was weaker and parts availablity was an issue.<br /> <br /> Everything I have ever needed for the Tak the dealer always asks, overnight, next day or regular shipping. My first Tak had a homemade thumb from the rental yard I purchased from, first day out the outer boom snapped in two. They had welded across the boom creating a weak point. Tak sales said they could have me a new boom in under 24 hours from GA for $900. I about fell over. I had it repaired, but the idea that I could get a major component in 24 hours floored me.<br /> <br /> The Kubota I was renting blew a track motor, Kubota said 4-6 weeks for a new one. My father has run 3 Kubotas, all new, and had issues with parts.<br /> <br /> I will say, Komatsu makes a nice machine and I will look at them next.<br /> <br /> Other than that, I hated the rubber tracks, they tore up grass worse than steel. Mine lasted 1200 hours before tearing, I bought a used set of steel and they work much better for what i do (lots of rough ground and rock).<br /> <br /> Thumb is a must for handling wood and rocks.<br /> <br /> I also got the tilting grading bucket. Amazing how much work that saves, I&#039;d never own a machine w/o one.<br /> <br /> Hope this helps.</div>

 

[Kays Supply]

<div class="bbWrapper">Don&#039;t forget Yanmar. I have had a used one and a new one. Mine is smaller than you want but the hydraulic quick coupler is enough to sway me to another one. I can change buckets in a couple minutes, no bull. I can&#039;t say much about parts, I haven&#039;t needed any. My contractors I work around have had Bobcats. They all were sloppy and weak in less than 1000 hours. Not impressed.</div>

 

[Builder]

<div class="bbWrapper">Another requirement would be that it can load over the sides of a 8&#039; high dumptruck bed with a wide loading/grading bucket. Don&#039;t know if a 10-12K unit can do that. My dump has pretty high sides. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2357240510034043331arfbfm" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener"><img src="http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/28462/2357240510034043331S425x425Q85.jpg" data-url="http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/28462/2357240510034043331S425x425Q85.jpg" class="bbImage " loading="lazy" style="" width="" height="" /></a><br /> <br /> I have the backhoe &amp; my CAT Challenger loader to do the loading, but I figure there might be times when only the mini-ex will be on the jobsite. Versatility is a must.<br /> <br /> atgreene,<br /> <br /> can you post a few pics of your 5500? I really like them and just like looking at pics of them. Thanks.</div>

 

[atgreene]

<div class="bbWrapper">My 135 would load my 7 yard Topkick and I have loaded 14 yard wheelers before. The wheelers you need to use the blade to raise up a little, but it does work. My 5500 is no problem to load or scoop out of, but that has a landscaper body.</div>

 

[rtdiggr]

<div class="bbWrapper">Builder i on occasion use a Deere D27 that is a 3 ton unit but it is nice, and has alot of power. I can&#039;t speak about the parts because it isn&#039;t my. <br /> I am actually thinking of buying it.<br /> <br /> <br /> Shane</div>

 

[Builder]

<div class="bbWrapper">Thanks for the replies guys. Big help. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></div>

 

[landrake1]

<div class="bbWrapper">hi, i am a new member today, I own 4 yanmar vi0 45. that run 12 hour days hard work, we never haver any problems with these machines,only regular maintanance. the machines weigh 4.5tons and can reach over a large wagon. plus they are zero tail.<br /> they are not the cheapest machine but you only get what you pay for. we have had bobcats and jcb but they never last.i hope this is some help.</div>

 

[Barrettseq]

<div class="bbWrapper">I sell Yanmar Excavators in Florida and have sold around 100 of them in the last 5 years. To this day I have had 5 warranty claims for all 100. A B15 with an electrical short, Vio 35 with a noisy pump (replaced), Vio 15 with broken swing motor gear (customer fault), and a couple of other warranties that Yanmar paid but should not have. The bushings will out last any other brand, parts are no problem based in Chicago and they burn less fuel. Right now they offer a 3 year or 3000 hour warranty. You may not buy one but you should at least check them out. barrettseq.com</div>

 

[rtdiggr]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 24782" data-quote="Builder" data-source="post: 1554119" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forums/goto/post?id=1554119" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1554119">Builder said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Another requirement would be that it can load over the sides of a 8&#039; high dumptruck bed with a wide loading/grading bucket. Don&#039;t know if a 10-12K unit can do that. My dump has pretty high sides. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2357240510034043331arfbfm" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener"><img src="http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/28462/2357240510034043331S425x425Q85.jpg" data-url="http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/28462/2357240510034043331S425x425Q85.jpg" class="bbImage " loading="lazy" style="" width="" height="" /></a><br /> <br /> I have the backhoe &amp; my CAT Challenger loader to do the loading, but I figure there might be times when only the mini-ex will be on the jobsite. Versatility is a must.<br /> <br /> atgreene,<br /> <br /> can you post a few pics of your 5500? I really like them and just like looking at pics of them. Thanks. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> I love that truck<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /><br /> <br /> Shane</div>

 

[atgreene]

<div class="bbWrapper">Here&#039;s a few, as well as one of the 135. Also a pic of my old Topkick that I used to load and unload with the 135.<br /> <br /> The 4500 on it&#039;s side is not mine, local DPW found a mud hole while plowing behind the town hall.</div>

 

[rtdiggr]

<div class="bbWrapper">Atgreene is your 135 able to pick that stump up?<br /> <br /> That looks like a nice set up you have there.<br /> <br /> Shane</div>

 

[atgreene]

<div class="bbWrapper">Yes, I had the ripper tooth on, so I can lift more than with the buckets I have, as the ripper weighs less. It will pick more than the machine will handle, so usually I set the blade down and pull the large stuff onto the blade and balance with the bucket or ripper tooth. Great for huge logs and toe stones.<br /> <br /> Here&#039;s a wall I re-did. Some of the granite was more than the machine should have handled, but it did it.</div>

 

[Builder]

<div class="bbWrapper">I should have mentioned Yanmar as being on my list, too.</div>

 

[AX MAN]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 41918" data-quote="rtdiggr" data-source="post: 1555060" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forums/goto/post?id=1555060" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1555060">rtdiggr said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Atgreene is your 135 able to pick that stump up?<br /> <br /> That looks like a nice set up you have there.<br /> <br /> Shane </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote> I thought the same thing. Is he going to pick that STUMP up ?<br /> Atgreene that was some nice work on the wall. You da Man.</div>

 

[curtisfarmer]

<div class="bbWrapper">My KX121-3 would pick that stump up in a HEART BEAT. It is dead and rotted, so no problem. Fresh cut and green, problem.</div>

 

[rtdiggr]

<div class="bbWrapper">Atgreene, beautiful job on the wall, looks like quality work. That machine is nice.<br /> <br /> I am sure you guys have been to other sites, people consistently say Takeuchi&#039;s are nice machines especially there skid steers i don&#039;t think i have ever heard a bad thing about them.<br /> <br /> My problem is the closest dealer to me is about 100 miles away getting service and parts would not be easy therefore not realistic for me to look at.<br /> <br /> <br /> Shane</div>

 

[Builder]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 41918" data-quote="rtdiggr" data-source="post: 1554849" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forums/goto/post?id=1554849" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1554849">rtdiggr said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> I love that truck<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /><br /> <br /> Shane </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote> <br /> Thanks, Shane. Nice to get a compliment after what I&#039;ve been through! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></div>

 

[rtdiggr]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 24782" data-quote="Builder" data-source="post: 1555372" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forums/goto/post?id=1555372" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1555372">Builder said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Thanks, Shane. Nice to get a compliment after what I&#039;ve been through! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Details?????<br /> <br /> Shane</div>

 

[atgreene]

<div class="bbWrapper">The Tak has been nice, but I&#039;ve never tried a Yanmar, so I can&#039;t say one way or the other in comparison. <br /> <br /> I found Kubota to be equally as powerful, but the lack of track power in comparison was a deciding factor (ran 4 different Kubotas) and the parts issue (Kubota dealers around here have never heard the word service) and Tak was 15 miles away, so easy choice for me.<br /> Good luck.</div>