Mini Ex Advice Please

[billybonds]

I think I am in the market for a mini. I own a 10 acre commercial boarding stable and have a list of projects that would be much easier(and maybe even cheaper in the long run) if I buy one. Main uses would be trenching drainage, landscaping, and getting in and out of paddocks to scrape mud and muck. We already have a Kubota L6060 tractor and an SVL 65 Skid Steer. With no first hand experience with excavators, my research is giving me information overload. I think the the 1.7/1.8 size would be ideal, maybe the 2.5. 3.5 machines look too big for the maneuverability around paddocks and sheds I am looking for. A clean used machine with the options I want(hydraulic thumb and swing boom) would be ideal, but 30-35k for a new one would be in the budget as a last resort. I'm not a commercial guy who will be making money with it, so I dont want a payment. I will be a low hour user, so a longer time warranty would be more attractive than I high hour one. I am also pretty handy and do all my own maintenance and most of my own repairs on all our equipment that is out of warranty. So I guess my two main questions are:

1. New machines- what brands are most reliable and offer best value/bang for the buck?
2. Used machines- reliability and ease/cost of maintenance or parts availability I guess would be my biggest concerns.

Edit to add: I have considered a Chinese digger, but I quickly upsold myself from a $5k 1 ton that will need a ton of mods to a $15-20k VIO 17 clone, but at that rate I would rather buy a used top brand or even a new Yanmar. I am sure I can get a Chinese one for cheaper than $15-20 if I ordered direct, but I dont want to wait 3 months for it.

 

[bmaverick]

When I read the title, I thought you were looking for an EX-wife.

There are some of the smaller Yanmar excavators out there. Medford, MI has a few dealers too. So look over some of them first to get an idea.

 

[Mej13579]

I ordered mine off eBay. A 2 ton machine for 11800 sometimes on sale for 11200 if you watch. free shipping but it does take a couple of months.

 

[zzvyb6]

When I read the title, I thought you were looking for an EX-wife.

There are some of the smaller Yanmar excavators out there. Medford, MI has a few dealers too. So look over some of them first to get an idea.

Yep. Hard to find. Most are Maxi Ex's

 

[ptsg]

I ordered mine off eBay. A 2 ton machine for 11800 sometimes on sale for 11200 if you watch. free shipping but it does take a couple of months.

Nice machine. I really believe this is a much better way to go for an excavator vs a tractor mounted one. For a little bit more money, you have a much better machine and more versatile machine.

You guys do get some awesome prices on these. The same 2 ton machine with Kubota engine, costs €26,000 or nearly $29,000 over here.

 

[mikester]

my advice is to rent to see what works for you size wise. good reality check as to what you can actually do with it as well. that will make you an educated buyer instead of listening to a bunch of chin waggers

 

[D'oh]

I think I am in the market for a mini. I own a 10 acre commercial boarding stable and have a list of projects that would be much easier(and maybe even cheaper in the long run) if I buy one. Main uses would be trenching drainage, landscaping, and getting in and out of paddocks to scrape mud and muck. We already have a Kubota L6060 tractor and an SVL 65 Skid Steer. With no first hand experience with excavators, my research is giving me information overload. I think the the 1.7/1.8 size would be ideal, maybe the 2.5. 3.5 machines look too big for the maneuverability around paddocks and sheds I am looking for. A clean used machine with the options I want(hydraulic thumb and swing boom) would be ideal, but 30-35k for a new one would be in the budget as a last resort. I'm not a commercial guy who will be making money with it, so I dont want a payment. I will be a low hour user, so a longer time warranty would be more attractive than I high hour one. I am also pretty handy and do all my own maintenance and most of my own repairs on all our equipment that is out of warranty. So I guess my two main questions are:

1. New machines- what brands are most reliable and offer best value/bang for the buck?
2. Used machines- reliability and ease/cost of maintenance or parts availability I guess would be my biggest concerns.

Edit to add: I have considered a Chinese digger, but I quickly upsold myself from a $5k 1 ton that will need a ton of mods to a $15-20k VIO 17 clone, but at that rate I would rather buy a used top brand or even a new Yanmar. I am sure I can get a Chinese one for cheaper than $15-20 if I ordered direct, but I dont want to wait 3 months for it.

As a Chinese Mini Owner, I can spot 1 flaw in your calculations

Edit to add: I have considered a Chinese digger, but I quickly upsold myself from a $5k 1 ton that will need a ton of mods to a $15-20k VIO 17 clone, but at that rate I would rather buy a used top brand or even a new Yanmar.

That $15-20K will become $75-80K in a Name Brand Unit. 2 footittes we call it in the Boating World.

I am not saying that the Chinese Minis are anything close to the Name Brands in quality, but they dig the same holes, and if you are not using them daily, that $60K is awfully nice in a Bank Account.

Another benefit of the Chinese Minis is that they are repairable by Average Joes with a little mechanical aptitude. But, I currently have 70hrs on my 2023 unit without any work but maintenance, Oil Change, Track Tightening, and a few mods to reduce the Heat of the Air cooled Briggs, Liquid Diesels units seem not to have as bad a heat problem.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I have a Bobcat E20. I use it for landscaping and irrigation installation. It is a good fit for me and has been trouble free.

I bought it 2 or 3 years ago from a rental place with about 2400 hours on it.
I put about 50 hours a year on it, so it doesn't get used much.

Before this one, I had a Bobcat 322 which is a similar size, but older. It didn't give me much trouble, but one of the track motors was going bad, and a rebuilt motor is about $2500.

My son-in-law has a Kubota 40, which is bigger than mine. He bought it a couple of years ago and has over 2000 hours on it. It also has been fairly trouble free.

I don't have any knowledge or experience with a chinese model.

 

[BruceSH]

I have a Bobcat E20. I use it for landscaping and irrigation installation. It is a good fit for me and has been trouble free.

I bought it 2 or 3 years ago from a rental place with about 2400 hours on it.
I put about 50 hours a year on it, so it doesn't get used much.

Before this one, I had a Bobcat 322 which is a similar size, but older. It didn't give me much trouble, but one of the track motors was going bad, and a rebuilt motor is about $2500.

My son-in-law has a Kubota 40, which is bigger than mine. He bought it a couple of years ago and has over 2000 hours on it. It also has been fairly trouble free.

I don't have any knowledge or experience with a chinese model.

Curious how your experience with the Kubota's assists the OP's request on finding the best Chinese excavator?

 

[Citydude]

Agree with mikester. Rent one first to see what size fits your needs.