So I am in the market for a compact excavator, maybe

[Bill Guenthner]

I have a ton of work that I need an excavator for, I was going to rent one and pay for some one to build a few rock walls, but it ends up costing about half as much as an excavator.
I own a 270 acre ranch so there is no shortage of stuff to do with it. I own a Kubota L4240 but dont have a bucket for the back. From what the sales guy told me they are pricey and you lose the ability to use the PTO with out changing things over.

so my question is for $50-$60k can I get into something big enough to lift 3 footish rocks and dig up oak stumps etc, and general farm work.
I was considering something along the lines of a Kubota Kx033-4 or the 40-4, but I am open to other options. We have a Kubota and Peterson Cat local, was going to stop in a chat with them.

but am I living in a pipe dream that I can get enough of tool for the price? oh and it was the wifes idea to buy it.. i was going all the numbers for renting when she said "why dont you just buy one?"
not sure why I am asking after getting the green light..... just want to see if im bein crazy

thanks

Operating an excavator safely and effectively takes a LOT of skill. I just paid a guy for two and a half days excavator work and he got an amazing amount of work done. Assuming I didn't roll it over, it would have taken me a month to do a terrible job of it. Also, when you have to get it out of an area where it broke down, tipped over, or got stuck, will you have the equipment, know-how and help to recover it?

 

[NC419N]

If you have ever "thought" you want an Excavator or have the question that you will need to Rent one I'd say go for it!!! We are on our 3rd one now and will never be without one They are so handy it's amazing what you can get done with them. I am in the process of getting rid of one of my backhoes just cause there is no need for it any longer.
Try out several sizes before you jump in there are lots of options out there!!
And even an Old Man like me can learn to operate one pretty efficiently

 

[kleetus]

Operating an excavator safely and effectively takes a LOT of skill. I just paid a guy for two and a half days excavator work and he got an amazing amount of work done. Assuming I didn't roll it over, it would have taken me a month to do a terrible job of it. Also, when you have to get it out of an area where it broke down, tipped over, or got stuck, will you have the equipment, know-how and help to recover it?

well I am 50 and retired.. Time isnt an issue, I have tons of land dirt and rocks and the desire to learn how to use it. I also have a 40hp tractor and a almost every other farmer has a back hoe or dozer or grader to help me if I get stuck.

also you guys werent kidding, after I ordered it the guy said it might be 6 months before they can get one. I ended up getting the 40 with the 6 way bucket and cab. along with the 25 inch trencher and 36inch grader, quick attachments on both, and a thumb. so thanks for all the advice, it helped in making my decision.

 

[Joel/ak]

I don’t exactly like the haul bill but here’s how I scratched the itch for something bigger than my 40. View attachment 741258

My daughter has the same passion for HE that I do. She's getting quite experienced on our little bobcat 324. We drive by a real excavator or bulldozer for sale and she just smiles and says" dad, you can break serious shidt with that".

 

[Ken45101]

I have a Kubota KX-121-3. It might be a little small for some of the jobs, but it loads on a 14K GVW trailer nd keeps my total weight below the 26K that requires a CDL.

I've had it 14 years (950hours) and it's been a good, reliable unit.

 

[mikester]

Operating an excavator safely and effectively takes a LOT of skill. I just paid a guy for two and a half days excavator work and he got an amazing amount of work done. Assuming I didn't roll it over, it would have taken me a month to do a terrible job of it. Also, when you have to get it out of an area where it broke down, tipped over, or got stuck, will you have the equipment, know-how and help to recover it?

I found a local guy charging $150/hr running a new 27 ton excavator. Not worth buying or renting at that rate. If you are dealing with larger trees ie. over 24" you need a bigger machine.

 

[houska]

Just rented a KX040. Canadian Shield (Ontario), so rocks, boulders, oak and white pine stumps all over the place.

Had no trouble moving 3' x 2' x 2' standalone boulders, and only the expected amount of trouble digging out the stump of a standalone 18" oak. However, digging out a 2' x 2' x 2' rock wedged in with smaller rocks, and disassembling a cluster of rather more modest stumps in rocky terrain, was nearly at the combined limits of the machine and myself, a not very experienced operator.

So, enjoy your KX040. I'm sure you will find tons it can do very well, and with tenaciousness you'll get rid of boulders and stumps too. I will likely buy one too. But be prepared to decide it's time to bring in bigger machine to yank out in a day stuff that would take you 2 weeks with your 4 tons.

 

[docsfarm]

Wondering if you got your mini ex yet? I’m basically in exactly the same scenario.. 200 acre farm and want to just buy the mini ex.
I’m thinking of going bigger that you. About the same budget, but used is fine. My cousin is a heavy equipment mechanic so I’m ok with used.
I have a 50HP tractor. And have run my cousins bobcat E35 which is just too small for what I’d want. Looking at a used Tak TB260 or bigger.?.?

 

[kleetus]

Wish I could say I have it, I ordered it in April. at this point I dont believe it will ever come in. apparently I am next on the list, what ever that means.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

Really? What did you order. I’d do something else.

 

[kleetus]

I KX-040-4 with a few buckets. the most common order according to them

 

[dirttoys]

Wondering if you got your mini ex yet? I’m basically in exactly the same scenario.. 200 acre farm and want to just buy the mini ex.
I’m thinking of going bigger that you. About the same budget, but used is fine. My cousin is a heavy equipment mechanic so I’m ok with used.
I have a 50HP tractor. And have run my cousins bobcat E35 which is just too small for what I’d want. Looking at a used Tak TB260 or bigger.?.?

I have a tb 235, the equal to the e35. Has been a great machine, I would recommend tak all day (based on one machine). Would love bigger but couldn't haul it. I would certainly say get the biggest you can manage and afford.

Best,

ed

 

[dirttoys]

I KX-040-4 with a few buckets. the most common order according to them

Congrats!! they are more fun than 10 cats.

Best,

ed

 

[houska]

Just rented a KX040. Canadian Shield (Ontario), so rocks, boulders, oak and white pine stumps all over the place.
[...]
I will likely buy one too.

So, 5 1/2 months after placing the order, my new KX040 arrived yesterday. Only had 2 hours to play with it so far, but got the blade and bucket dirty, and created some brush piles.

Got with the standard 24" digging bucket and 36" cleanup bucket, and upgraded to the 6-in-1 blade. With snow on the ground masking terrain details, haven't meaningfully been able to play with the tilt on the blade, but the angle function is definitely a worthy upgrade to the straight blade on the unit I rented last summer.

Of course, less than 18 hours after taking possession, here I am watching YouTube videos of KX040s with claw-rake (landscape rake), brush cutter, and tree shear attachments....but patience, so they say, is a virtue.

 

[Fishin-4-a-Livin]

So, 5 1/2 months after placing the order, my new KX040 arrived yesterday. Only had 2 hours to play with it so far, but got the blade and bucket dirty, and created some brush piles.

Got with the standard 24" digging bucket and 36" cleanup bucket, and upgraded to the 6-in-1 blade. With snow on the ground masking terrain details, haven't meaningfully been able to play with the tilt on the blade, but the angle function is definitely a worthy upgrade to the straight blade on the unit I rented last summer.

Of course, less than 18 hours after taking possession, here I am watching YouTube videos of KX040s with claw-rake (landscape rake), brush cutter, and tree shear attachments....but patience, so they say, is a virtue.

I have a rake for my KX040, I’m in the process of cleaning up a lot of mulching debris.

if you decide to get one, I would recommend Showtime Fabrication.

Also have a disc mulcher from RUT manufacturing, have not had the chance to use it yet.

 

[dirttoys]

So, 5 1/2 months after placing the order, my new KX040 arrived yesterday. Only had 2 hours to play with it so far, but got the blade and bucket dirty, and created some brush piles.

Got with the standard 24" digging bucket and 36" cleanup bucket, and upgraded to the 6-in-1 blade. With snow on the ground masking terrain details, haven't meaningfully been able to play with the tilt on the blade, but the angle function is definitely a worthy upgrade to the straight blade on the unit I rented last summer.

Of course, less than 18 hours after taking possession, here I am watching YouTube videos of KX040s with claw-rake (landscape rake), brush cutter, and tree shear attachments....but patience, so they say, is a virtue.

Very nice, enjoy, be careful.

Best,

ed

 

[Hersheyfarm]

Probably one of the best tools I’ve ever bought is the mini ex. A ctl complements them well. I use mine for my plumbing biz but its asset to have on the farm.

 

[kleetus]

Finally!.. mine showed up 10 months after ordering... now I just need the ground to dry out. I will post some pics tomorrow, but its nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[Jrob730]

We have a Kubota mx 121-3, bought it used with 1200 hours and now has close to 1900 hours. It is by far the handiest thing to have. We have a 2’ digging bucket, 3’ clean up bucket and a root rake/ stumper from USA Attachments.

The root rake works well with rocks, logs and brush. I cut down three tall balsams trees that were dead. They were 40’ tall, cut them down, limb them up. Excavator gathered up brush, loaded dump trailer and hauled away logs. All this done in less that four hours. We could never live where we do with out this machine.

Enjoy it and post pics!