Thinking about a Mini-X ... ?

[Shawn T. W.]

Yeah, I've read of some of your chinese cursed adventures ... but ... your "retired" aren't you?

I ain't got time for field repairs from shoddy work ... Bad enough when it's from my own abuse!

Hit a rock at speed ... Splashed the windshield washer fluid all over me too that it was filled with!

All fixed!

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

Make sure you get a good one. I know you read up on my used Kubota mower!

 

[D&D]

What are "pilot controls"?

I've read that some machines have the choice of excavator or backhoe control, and that at a flip of a switch or valve it's somehow a different use of the controls? How does that work?

With pilot controls, the sticks get a low pressure oil which is sent to various valves to tell them when to open/close. This allows for easier operator movements and more precise control without placing an “order of operations” on the activity.

Some machines offer switchable controls, “backhoe pattern” or “excavator pattern”
ISO mode (most common) uses the left stick for swing/stick and right for boom/bucket, while SAE (traditional backhoe) swaps the stick and boom controls.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Thanks!

I was just reading up on that stuff ... I think for my situation it seems the ISO "excavator mode" is what I'd want to operate with . . . As quite often now I'm trying to manipulate both the bucket curl, and pulling the dipper back, with the same stick at the same time ...

Even though I'm familiar with the SAE "BH mode" it will be different enough "environment" as in having controls to the side of the seat, instead of sticks in front ... That I can easily adjust ...

Should be easier than my switching tractors, which I'm getting use to now ... Massey Ferguson hydrostatic controls are two side by side pedals, and throttle is push forward to increase rpm ... Kubota has a "treadle pedal" and throttle is pull back to increase rpm ...

 

[Carl_NH]

Most of the Bobcat, Kubota, JD have a switch for ISO and SAE - and your Massey will be BH controls. You will not like going from one to the other.

 

[D&D]

I never had any instructions on bh use, I did read the manual but most things like you mentioned were not discussed ...

There is a pretty good book out there. Maybe your library has a copy

Operating techniques for the tractor loader backhoe Paperback By Gary J. Ober

Looking for Operating Techniques for the Tractor - Loader - Backhoe? Shop now on buildersbook.com at best prices. Fast and secure shipping.

www.buildersbook.com

 

[D&D]

Would something this size also be able to run a "jackhammer" to bust up "rocks"?

Yes, would it meet expectations, I don’t know

Best Hydraulic Breaker for Mini Excavator (2026 Buyer's Guide)

Complete 2026 guide to buying the best hydraulic breaker for mini excavators. Learn sizing, flow rate compatibility, ROI metrics, and moil vs chisel bit selection.

www.huilianmachine.com

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Unfortunately at this time, and my schedule, I'm rarely in town when they would be open ... Do you think it's worth $50?

Would that knowledge transfer to an excavator?

Right now, my thought is if I get a Mini-X the get to know it ... If it's as great as everyone says it is ... To maybe see If I can convert some of my BH attachments to the Mini-X, then trade my TLB for a slightly bigger TL ...

 

[Shawn T. W.]

The brochure for the Deere 17D (which is the closest to me now) says they take a "breaker" aka "jack hammer" are they gonna shake my teeth loose! I currently have carpal tunnel in both wrists ...

One of the things I like about the 17D is it does have some tail swing, which for my my purposes of digging out in the open seems like a better digger and stability platform, plus it seems to have the option if additional counter balance, and a slightly longer arm option too which the closest to me one also has ...

I'm not sure how to interpret this hydraulic flow capacity stuff ... Is it saying that the pistons on the arms are getting 5.1 GPM per stick? The tracks get 3.3 GPM? And the breaker (or post hole digger) would have the 8.4 GPM?

Looks like it weighs about 4K without an operator in the seat ...

What would be the most likely "wear items" on one with say 2000 hours?

 

[Carl_NH]

Usually the gear pump runs the pilot controls, slew motor, blade, and the piston pumps direct the flow via valves to run the dipper, boom, and bucket, hammer etc.

The aux flow, is for like a hammer will use a portion of the pumps output too, and normally when hammering you may apply downpressure, but your not using other functions.

Wear items are pins and bushings in the bucket linkage mostly - they aren't too bad to replace - really depends on the operator and how it was treated. Running a hammer does create more wear just due to the nature of hammering.

 

[4570Man]

Thanks!

I was just reading up on that stuff ... I think for my situation it seems the ISO "excavator mode" is what I'd want to operate with . . . As quite often now I'm trying to manipulate both the bucket curl, and pulling the dipper back, with the same stick at the same time ...

Even though I'm familiar with the SAE "BH mode" it will be different enough "environment" as in having controls to the side of the seat, instead of sticks in front ... That I can easily adjust ...

Should be easier than my switching tractors, which I'm getting use to now ... Massey Ferguson hydrostatic controls are two side by side pedals, and throttle is push forward to increase rpm ... Kubota has a "treadle pedal" and throttle is pull back to increase rpm ...

I run my excavator on backhoe just because I owned backhoes first and learned on that. A lot of guys get heated about the control pattern but it makes zero difference. It’s completely operator preference.

 

[D&D]

Hiring a pro to perform a pre-purchase checkout wouldn’t be a waste of money.
The question is actually more of , “what isn’t a wear item”. Seat, Tracks, idlers, bottom rollers, top rollers, drive sprockets, tensioner, frame rails, swing drive, pumps, controls, cylinders, boom, dipper, pins, bushings, bucket, aux couplers
Pull an oil and hydraulic sample and have them tested.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

The Deere 17D listed in 1st post (which I'm the most interested in at this point) is actually at a Deere dealership ... Would you trust them to do a "inspection"?

The add doesn't really say much ...

 

[D&D]

The Deere 17D listed in 1st post (which I'm the most interested in at this point) is actually at a Deere dealership ... Would you trust them to do a "inspection"?

The add doesn't really say much ...

Always do an independent inspection. If anyone tries to discourage that, I would simply walk away. There’s lots of equipment for sale. Some of the older, bigger stuff is selling at about the same prices as the little stuff
A quick example

https://www.machinerytrader.com/listing/for-sale/255015905/1996-komatsu-pc75uu-2-crawler-excavators?gclid=CjwKCAjwqazPBhALEiwAOuXqdPdovidOZs-8-SLX4MTxgD5utMLTHI2akAf26hSTE5ppHpCSYmW0cxoCOW4QAvD_BwE&gad_source=1

 

[check 6]

For what it’s worth I have a Kubota 008–5 mini excavator and I love it on my first BX. I had a backhoe and it was always frustrating digging a little getting up moving a tractor setting it back up and digging a little with a little excavator, I can dig move dig move dig move With no change in my seating position> it’ll actually dig a lot more than you think. I’ve actually taken out stumps as large as 20 inches. He just takes a longer time to do it. They’re very capable of a little machines and fairly easy to operate the limiting factor if you gotta do some work down the street for a neighbor the max ground speed is 2 1/2 miles an hour. So if you’re taking it anywhere of any distance, a small trailer is very helpful.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

While agree that the big stuff can get a similar price, it won't fit on my trailer, at this time arranging shipping with my crazy schedule just doesn't work ...

How would I go about finding someone to do an independent equipment inspection when I live 300 miles away?

 

[Shawn T. W.]

For what it’s worth I have a Kubota 008–5 mini excavator and I love it on my first BX. I had a backhoe and it was always frustrating digging a little getting up moving a tractor setting it back up and digging a little with a little excavator, I can dig move dig move dig move With no change in my seating position> it’ll actually dig a lot more than you think. I’ve actually taken out stumps as large as 20 inches. He just takes a longer time to do it. They’re very capable of a little machines and fairly easy to operate the limiting factor if you gotta do some work down the street for a neighbor the max ground speed is 2 1/2 miles an hour. So if you’re taking it anywhere of any distance, a small trailer is very helpful.

My Little Baby Fergie is about the same size as your BX ... And while the 008 is smaller than I'm looking at ... I'm curious on how you would compare the 008 to the BX w/BH in actual digging performance?

I understand the moving "problem" quite well!

 

[Yander]

I'm contemplating maybe getting a used mini-X … will not consider a chinese model … here I've found a few in my proposed price range … and weight range …

Deere 17D weighs 4173 Lbs
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/254776369/2013-deere-17d-mini-excavators

Bobcat 325 weighs 6145
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/252517949/2003-bobcat-325-mini-excavators

Bobcat E20 weighs 4167 Lbs
Pardon Our Interruption

Ideally something halfway between these two basic weights would be great!

I currently have a SCUT TLB which I have about $8K into the BH part of it, including modifications and accessories, which would not be used much anymore … which is hard for me to justify, but I do understand I believe the benefits of a mini-X over a backhoe, as in a bit more reach/depth in the same weight rating, and obviously a lot larger choice of areas to put the spoils … but it seems to me that the weight of either machine usually is the limiting factor on these little machines is what ultimately limits the digging force/power … right?

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View attachment 5547780

My TLB with the way I have it setup is about 3300 Lbs, and it will sometimes still get pulled a little around … if I'm gonna buy another dirt digger I'd like to go a tad heavier … my trailer is limited to 5000 Lbs on it, but some of the weight goes on my truck, I have a weight distribution hitch so probably a one time move with the Bobcat 325 weight would be OK, but I'd not want to do it on a regular basis.

While I do have a manual thumb on my TLB, I'm not sure if I really need one on the mini, but curious if what I'm seeing on them is the hydraulic connection for one? Seems like a single line, what's it for?

View attachment 5547776

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Are there particular areas I'd need to check out for wear, tracks? Sprockets? (or whatever they are called)

My TLB is rated at ...
Dipper 2476 Lbs
Boom 1748 Lbs
Depth 78”
Hydraulic GPM - 6.8

Just how much better would one of the above mini's be over my TLB in actually digging work ... I have kinda rocky ground.

If you end up getting one, I'll be really interested to hear how it differs from your small backhoe and how you like it overall. Also interested in which of them has the most cab space, as I think you have noted, you are somewhat tall.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Yeah ... I'm sure to do a "comparison" with a 100 pictures! As I plan to keep my Little Baby Fergie for awhile anyways ...

If I really like the Mini-X ... I may trade my SCUT for a small CUT like the new Massey Ferguson 1E.25 with a loader ... Then I can still use all my attachments I have, and get bigger tires and more lift capacity ...

Just had a required fitness physical for my CDL ... They said I was 6'2" (but I have heels on my cowboy boots!) and 185 Lbs ...

 

[D&D]

While agree that the big stuff can get a similar price, it won't fit on my trailer, at this time arranging shipping with my crazy schedule just doesn't work ...

How would I go about finding someone to do an independent equipment inspection when I live 300 miles away?

Fit on the trailer. - you plan on moving often or are you thinking of hiring out? If the latter, check prices on insurance first, you may quickly rethink that plan.

Google and the telephone - see who gives you a warm and fuzzy when you ask for an inspection. Ask here if someone knows a mechanic in that area