Talk me into a $10k 2 ton vs A $5000 1 ton Chinese Mini!

[HawkinsHollow]

I don't want to spend twice as much, but I understand it might be a better play. Is a 2 ton really worth twice as much? Convince me!!

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Other than the obvious you can pick up heavier stuff, increasing its potential as a tool. And then there is:

TDN (three dog night) said it best:

One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
Two can be as bad as one
It's the loneliest number since the number one

 

[D'oh]

Tell us what your plans are? I started with a 1.2T did lots of work with it, now have a 1.8T Diesel. (and the 1.2t)

Biggest reason? Not weight, that is just time. dig a little longer around that Stump, cut that tree in 4 rather than 2 pieces,

Biggest reason was Heat. Liquid Cooled Diesel with Hyd Cooler

 

[Eagle1]

How is your ground? Will 1 or 2 be able to rip up the rocks you might normally encounter?
Here I would have to plan on digging out some big rocks....

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Tell us what your plans are? I started with a 1.2T did lots of work with it, now have a 1.8T Diesel. (and the 1.2t)

Biggest reason? Not weight, that is just time. dig a little longer around that Stump, cut that tree in 4 rather than 2 pieces,

Biggest reason was Heat. Liquid Cooled Diesel with Hyd Cooler

Thanks for your response. This is the exact info. I need.
I have a good handful of small jobs I want to do. Mostly digging related at this point but I am sure I would use it for digging out a stump or 2 along the way. Could you compare the perfommance between the two a bit more?

Heat might be an issue for me too. I live in the HOT and HUMID south. Was the liquid cooled engine REALLY worth thousands more though?

 

[HawkinsHollow]

How is your ground? Will 1 or 2 be able to rip up the rocks you might normally encounter?
Here I would have to plan on digging out some big rocks....

We have some rocks. But most of what I will encounter is rotten limestone ledge. Not the easiest to dig, but not the worst.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Oh, I also want to get one of those cheaper brush cutters like this. I suppose the 2 ton has a more capable hydraulic pump.

 

[ptsg]

Oh, I also want to get one of those cheaper brush cutters like this. I suppose the 2 ton has a more capable hydraulic pump.
View attachment 4025179

For your safety, please don't. Get something that offers more protection to the operator than that, even if it costs more money and you have to wait a bit.

That thing will throw stuff all over you, either hitting you, or breaking the front glass if you get a cabbed mini ex, along with the risk of breaking a blade and who knows where it can land.

I build this one for my homemade excavator some time ago. Offers much better protection to the operator.

As far as excavator size, I would go for the 2 ton for sure. More weight, much more stable, more capable. Usually offers better and smoother controls.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

For your safety, please don't. Get something that offers more protection to the operator than that, even if it costs more money and you have to wait a bit.

That thing will throw stuff all over you, either hitting you, or breaking the front glass if you get a cabbed mini ex, along with the risk of breaking a blade and who knows where it can land.

I build this one for my homemade excavator some time ago. Offers much better protection to the operator.

View attachment 4025181 View attachment 4025182

Yeah, I was going to add some guards on the cutter and make a 3/8 plexiglass screen I can attach to the canopy when in use.

 

[D'oh]

Thanks for your response. This is the exact info. I need.
I have a good handful of small jobs I want to do. Mostly digging related at this point but I am sure I would use it for digging out a stump or 2 along the way. Could you compare the perfommance between the two a bit more?

Heat might be an issue for me too. I live in the HOT and HUMID south. Was the liquid cooled engine REALLY worth thousands more though?

It's not just that it is Liquid Cooled, but also the Diesel, so in my opinion, I am happy with the Heavier one. Not unhappy with the Gas 1.2T though, except Heat.

I did have a 2.5T Mach Pro MP46, V Twin Rato 999 gas, That didn't have the Heat Problems, it was just too heavy logistically for In Town,(single axle trailer) and too fragile (Cab glass) for at the Cabin. But man, that thing could Lift! Stumps, Boulders, ex. Didn't really like the Grease Track Tensioners, much prefer the mechanical ones. They stay put, and if a Track Jumps, easier/cleaner to loosen.

One issue that I might have had with the 1.8T. When I started my main project, a Clay Soup Hole Lawn at the Cabin, the 1.2T work flawlessly with very little corduroying (2"x6"x8') under the tracks for floatation. The 1.8T would have needed a lot more assistance