Narrowing the choices

[Boondox]

In my quest for a mini-excavator I came up with several good deals on the Kubota KX71-3, but the machine is just simply too small for my needs. The KX121-3S is big, really big when it comes to maneuvering between hardwood trees in my forest, but the specs are awesome. The KX91-3S seemed like the perfect compromise: small footprint, good fuel economy, but a lot more power in the working group than the smaller 71. But I can't find one within 200 miles to look at, and I can't find a used one at all. And if they're that uncommon, I'd probably have to special order any parts needed for it, while the 121 is very common and parts available all over the place.

So tomorrow after work I'm driving a couple hours to check out a 2006 KX121-3S with rubber, canopy, hydraulic thumb, 24" bucket and only 222 hours on the clock. The seller wants $32k for it, which seems pretty reasonable if it's in the shape he described.

Are there any trouble areas or things I should definitely check on that model? Any suggestions for additional buckets on the 121? I was thinking a 12" and 30" would be ideal (the 12 for stumps), but with all that power maybe the 24" and a ditch bucket of 36" would be the best choices.

TIA, Pete

 

[john_bud]

bucket choice is Dependant on what you are doing. trenches are nice with a smaller bucket, digging a hole and moving dirt quick -> bigger bucket. My small bucket, 14", gets clogged up pretty easy in smucky woods soil. Shovel work to clear the bucket is not my idea of fun!

If you are cutting roots for knocking trees over, a blade like a middle buster can be made. There was a post a while back about one like that in the BIY section.

 

[Boondox]

I just returned from NH. Nice trip, decently warm weather. The only issue was my dog's big paws turning on the seat warmers, making the mirrors turn out, turning the stability control on and off, etc. Other than that he's a great traveling companion!

Checked out that KX121-3S and bought it on the spot. It had 222 hours on it and just a couple of light scuff marks on the counterweight. It went into service as a rental late last August and since they don't rent after Thanksgiving (because of the snow) it really hasn't seen much action.

Of all the minis I test drove (smaller Kubota, Takeuchi, Volvo, Bobcat) it was by far the SMOOTHEST rig I'd sat in. Being as how New Hampshire, like Vermont, has plenty of granite, so I drove over to a one ton chunk and picked it up with the thumb. No problem. Moved it to the side of the rig. No problem. Extended the working group as far as possible with the boulder about six feet off the ground. No problem. For the sort of work I'll be doing that mini excavator is gloriously stable! A very sweet rig!

Delivery some time next week.

A question: the dealer said for short hauls (like the 35 miles to my nearest dealer if I need repairs) my 10k trailer with brakes on both axles and my '06 Chevy 2500HD with the 6L V8 would be fine. The loaded trailer would be exceeding my truck's rated capacity, but he said folks do it all the time and there's a fudge factor built in to the specs. Any comments on that?

 

[Builder]

Sometimes I think I'd be better off with a mini excavator and a skid steer loader than a full size backhoe. The min EX's are about the dandiest little machines out there!

 

[Robert_in_NY]

If your trailer is close to the weight then yes you can haul it. If something breaks on either the trailer or the truck because of overloading you are the one that will foot the bill. I am not sure if it is the engineers or the lawyers that figure in some play room on the specs but it is there. So yeah, you should be ok but if the police stop you they will not care if your truck can handle it or not as if you are overloaded according to the papers then you will gain a piece of paper.

I am not sure how things are in your state but in NY the police are starting to nail all the small guys with pickups and trailers for all kinds of infractions. If you put a larger sized mini excavator behind a 3/4 ton truck you might get some attention. Just hope you never need to haul it in to the shop and don't worry about it.

One more thing, Congrats on the mini. I think every guy should be required to own one at some point in their lifetime

 

[Boondox]

Sometimes I think I'd be better off with a mini excavator and a skid steer loader than a full size backhoe. The min EX's are about the dandiest little machines out there!

Yeah, and that fact cost me dearly! The major reason I traded up from an L3010 to the L4630 was so I could save up and get a larger backhoe. Until the day I tried a KX71 mini-ex I figured using a backhoe was about as much fun as one could have with his or her clothes on...

Then a friend let me borrow his mini-ex for two months. I was hooked the first day! There was no way after that I'd ever be happy with a hoe. So I saved every penny and even sold a few things to save up for the excavator. I'd figured on getting the small 71, but after trying that 121 there was no comparison. Having bought things too small before, and spent hours in the seat thinking if only I'd held out for the size I really needed...there was no way I was going to fall into that hole again.

Hence the 121

 

[Haoleguy]

Congrats! If I recall correctly you were worried about the elements getting to the electronics how did you solve that? Enjoy!

 

[Boondox]

Congrats! If I recall correctly you were worried about the elements getting to the electronics how did you solve that? Enjoy!

Yeah, that was a concern of mine but after calling about a dozen dealers that rent excavators not a single one reported a weather-related failure so I got over it. The dealer I bought Bluto from (yeah, he already has a name!) had a local marine supply place make slip over covers out of the same stuff boat owners use. In winter, they just slip the cover right over the canopy and secure it with bungee cords. Gotta get one of those before next winter!

 

[nobull1]

Great to see you finally made a decision on a mini. Most people don't do near the research you did. I think you made a good choice, mainly by buying as large a machine as you could get, and be able to deal with. You will always find a time it is too small, regardless, but you should have fewer of them times.

As far as the trailer goes. It will all depend on your local enforcement of the rules, as well what the rules are. In our area you can haul a trailer over 10,000 lbs with just an endorsement on your license. This requires a road test with the trailer(pretty straight forward). In some other places though you need a cdl to tow a trailer with a combined weight of over 10,000lbs. I suspect though that you will never have to move it for years, unless you take it somewhere to do a job. The dealer in our area(35 miles away) does service calls for a reasonable price. If you don't have to take your machine from the yard it would probably be cheaper to just have them come do the services if required, than to take a chance towing. This is assuming the laws and enforcement is a problem in your area. If it isn't a problem then I wouldn't think twice about towing it to the dealer occasionally.

Now you have the machine it is your responsibility to provide action pictures for all of us to enjoy . Have fun and keep us informed of your thoughts on the new machine.

 

[Boondox]

nobull1 -- Good point. A service call to my home would be a lot less hassle than moving it to the shop...and it should have a fairly easy life here on my hillside farm.

As for the action shots, right now the only action here is me frantically pushing snow back with the L4630 trying to make room for the beast! We still have five feet of snow on the ground with piles in the yard and at the end of the driveway pushing 12 feet. I need to move one of those huge piles to create a parking spot for Bluto till spring thaw.

Thanks for your advice over the past month or so. Much appreciated.