Takeuchi 135

Degolyerent · May 11, 2013

I am looking at used excavators and ran across some good deals on 2006-2007 Takeuchi 135 they are available with full warranty for up to 2 years, and some have under 2000 hrs. They are available with full maintaince history. I was needing something to do light clearing and digging up stumps etc. And this machine has the highest breakout force and deepest digging depth for it's size. I hear good things about this machine but I wanted other input about the durability of this brand of machine.
Thanks
John

DJ54 · May 11, 2013

I can't speak for the 135, but I rented the next size smaller unit to run a new sewer line, then again to run some new water lines. It did appear to have some hard hours put on it, from it's appearance. But it did a great job, with plenty of working force, and response on the controls.

I'm not sure if it is an option, but it did have a selector valve to choose what type of control settings you prefer. Standard, or John Deere. Our much larger machines at work were set up with standard (Cat) controls, so it wasn't like I had to "think" what I was about to do, it just came natural.

Loved the boom swing, plus the upper structure 360º swing. Makes it a lot easier to get into those tough spots.

Digging stumps will be the hardest on it, just know it's limitations, and don't use it like a pry bar... Should last a long time.

Bob Rooks · May 11, 2013

I've rented the TB 135's quite a few times, and they are great machines. Great for stumps. The only drawback I could see was that there wasn't a float detent for the boom.

Degolyerent · May 11, 2013

I was trying to find a machine that was about the same weight as my tractor so it would tow good with my f250 w/7.3 diesel on a 14,000 lb. Trailer that is 22' length, it is a bumper pull with weight distribution hitch.
The tractor is a MX4700 4wd with front loader and 1,100 lb box blade and filled tires, it tows nice with 3.73 gear, being in FL.the hills are small. The weights are within 200-300 lbs. Of each other, they both go around 7,500lbs each, the excavator being slightly heavier.
John

Bob Rooks · May 12, 2013

Degolyerent said:
I was trying to find a machine that was about the same weight as my tractor so it would tow good with my f250 w/7.3 diesel on a 14,000 lb. Trailer that is 22' length, it is a bumper pull with weight distribution hitch.
The tractor is a MX4700 4wd with front loader and 1,100 lb box blade and filled tires, it tows nice with 3.73 gear, being in FL.the hills are small. The weights are within 200-300 lbs. Of each other, they both go around 7,500lbs each, the excavator being slightly heavier.
John

What's the GCW rating on the truck? I'll bet it could be too light. I have a '08 F-350 dually /6.4L and a 14k tilt trailer. My truck is rated at 15k GCW, and I'm around 14k with the Tak TB-135 on board. Of course your truck may pull it just fine, but if something bad happens or someone gets killed as a result, you'll have some explaining to do, plus it will automatically cancel your insurance.

204saskman · May 12, 2013

I looked zt one before I bought my kobelco sr35.2. Just couldnt justify the 12k price difference for it. They seem like good machines but expensive up here. That machine is about the same class as mine and it will be fine on a 14k trailer. Mine weights 8600 lbs.

mud23609 · May 12, 2013

Bob Rooks said:
What's the GCW rating on the truck? I'll bet it could be too light. I have a '08 F-350 dually /6.4L and a 14k tilt trailer. My truck is rated at 15k GCW, and I'm around 14k with the Tak TB-135 on board. Of course your truck may pull it just fine, but if something bad happens or someone gets killed as a result, you'll have some explaining to do, plus it will automatically cancel your insurance.

Link to the spec's for your 08. You can tow lots more than you think with that 08.

2008 Ford Super Duty F250 F350 Technical Specifications

The 15000 figure is what you can tow with a weight distributing hitch. On the 08 DRW you can go up to 18,800 with a gooseneck.

As a point if reference my gooseneck is a 20,000 pound trailer 20+5 with tandem duals and weighs in a bit less than 5000 pounds

A 7.3 F-250 is rated at 10,000 pounds with a weight distributing hitch and depending on configuration right around 14000 with a gooseneck trailer.
Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 2001 Ford Super Duty Specifications

That being said Bob Rooks is likely right on his suspicion that you would be pushing your rated weights on that 250 14k bumper pull trailers are typically around 3000 pounds and with a excavator that is running about 8000 full of fuel and ready to go you will be overweight for your ratings. It will pull it and do well but its something to think about. Personally that size and weight of a load I would much rather pull with a gooseneck. Much more stable.

MBTRAC · May 12, 2013

We run Takeuchi CTL's & would have no hesitation buying a Takeuchi 135 excavator.
Takeuchi makes premium products with superior feaures & advanced hydraulic's, there are only a few downsides including as the machines ages/accrues big hours the can be a little more costly to repair (the wearing items), parts cost(becuase there's virtually no grey market/generic competition) & parts availabilty can a take a week or more...........IMO small "trade off's" vs the quality of these machines.

Degolyerent · May 12, 2013

I realize that I am close to pushing the limit but I am on the lookout for a 3500 dodge dually, I prefer a 12v 4wd flatbed but they are hard to find and go very fast when you can find one. I think that if you take off 10-15% for hitch weight that I am still legal for now, hopefully I can find one soon it would make me rest easier towing for sure.
John

Bob Rooks · May 13, 2013

Bob Rooks said:
What's the GCW rating on the truck? I'll bet it could be too light. I have a '08 F-350 dually /6.4L and a 14k tilt trailer. My truck is rated at 15k GCW, and I'm around 14k with the Tak TB-135 on board. Of course your truck may pull it just fine, but if something bad happens or someone gets killed as a result, you'll have some explaining to do, plus it will automatically cancel your insurance.

I should have been more specific. I have a class V bumper-pull hitch rated at 15k. It's as steady as a rock. The truck GCW is rated more, yes.