5 ton excavator at high altitude (KX057 or U48)

[Jchonline]

Hello Everyone,

I am at 8600-9000 ft and looking at a 5 ton excavator for property management. My property is about 45 acres, high mountain climate with pines, firs, and aspen. Last year I had a fire come through and burn probably 5 total acres of it.
After a few years of experience with the M62 (rear blade, chipper, grapple, backhoe, bucket, forks) it is apparent the excavator will fill a much needed gap in maneuverability in the forest, clearing, and grading uneven ground (blade before tracks is a must). I am keeping the M62.

I am currently looking at 2 machines in my price/feature range. The KX057 and the U48. The 057 weights a bit more, has almost 2 feet of additional reach, is naturally aspirated, and is not zero tail swing. The U48 has the same track and blade width, with a bit shorter reach and is turbocharged.

The M62 is turbocharged, and it runs fantastic. I also have an RTV X110C that is naturally aspirated, and it smokes a good bit when I get on the gas. If the 057 were turbo it would be an easy decision but it isn't.

I went to the dealer today and sat in both units (already sold of course). Both feel really nice. My dealer thinks the U48 is a better choice, but he does have a customer with a 057 at about 8000ft that is happy with the unit. The dealer (salesman) has run the 057 on that same property (transporting it, etc) and said when you get to higher RPM it smokes some.

The 057 will have more reach, more lifting capacity, but take about a 35% hit to its 47HP at my altitude. My guess is it will smoke and be a bit underpowered for the weight. For this reason I am leaning towards the U48-5.

I may also branch out where we are up here and do some clearing/excavation work for small property owners. There isn't much competition for it up here. So trailering is a consideration and the U48 will keep me under CDL. Not a deal breaker though.

Any thoughts from existing excavator owners (especially if you operate them at altitude). Also others feel free to comment/ask questions. Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[PaulL]

I like your logic and think the direction you're already heading is the right one. I doubt you'd notice much difference in operation/capacity between the U57 and U48, and the benefits of a machine running at full power, plus being able to easily trailer it, are worth having. You've nailed it in my opinion.

 

[fried1765]

Hello Everyone,

I am at 8600-9000 ft and looking at a 5 ton excavator for property management. My property is about 45 acres, high mountain climate with pines, firs, and aspen. Last year I had a fire come through and burn probably 5 total acres of it.
After a few years of experience with the M62 (rear blade, chipper, grapple, backhoe, bucket, forks) it is apparent the excavator will fill a much needed gap in maneuverability in the forest, clearing, and grading uneven ground (blade before tracks is a must). I am keeping the M62.

I am currently looking at 2 machines in my price/feature range. The KX057 and the U48. The 057 weights a bit more, has almost 2 feet of additional reach, is naturally aspirated, and is not zero tail swing. The U48 has the same track and blade width, with a bit shorter reach and is turbocharged.

The M62 is turbocharged, and it runs fantastic. I also have an RTV X110C that is naturally aspirated, and it smokes a good bit when I get on the gas. If the 057 were turbo it would be an easy decision but it isn't.

I went to the dealer today and sat in both units (already sold of course). Both feel really nice. My dealer thinks the U48 is a better choice, but he does have a customer with a 057 at about 8000ft that is happy with the unit. The dealer (salesman) has run the 057 on that same property (transporting it, etc) and said when you get to higher RPM it smokes some.

The 057 will have more reach, more lifting capacity, but take about a 35% hit to its 47HP at my altitude. My guess is it will smoke and be a bit underpowered for the weight. For this reason I am leaning towards the U48-5.

I may also branch out where we are up here and do some clearing/excavation work for small property owners. There isn't much competition for it up here. So trailering is a consideration and the U48 will keep me under CDL. Not a deal breaker though.

Any thoughts from existing excavator owners (especially if you operate them at altitude). Also others feel free to comment/ask questions. Thanks in advance for the input.

I know very little about either of those machines.
That said: YOUR REASONING points very clearly to the U48 as being the better machine for your needs.

 

[NHSleddog]

If I had a tail swing overhang on my mini, I would have a severely bruised ass. For me, the zero tail is a huge benefit based on where I operate it.

 

[Jchonline]

Thanks for the input everyone, just closing the loop. I ended up going with the KX040-4 instead. Beats the U48 in just about all categories (except weight), is turbocharged. 6 way blade should be nice for all of my uneven terrain. Most of all its in stock! I should take delivery in the next few weeks and will post some pics.

 

[Jchonline]

Delivered today. Brought the manuals in so I can run through everything just in case. Not my first tractor, but it is my first excavator!

 

[UpNorthMI]

Congrats on the new machine, I have one too and love what it can do, I just purchased a 44” hydraulic tilt bucket made by Mongo for mine and have a lot of new forest track construction in the spring.

Good luck with it.

 

[Jchonline]

Not sure I mentioned but I did end up trading in the M62 for the KX040 and a L6060 cab. Got a rear blower SB1574, just could not justify over $10k for a front mount. Ill get a high Rez backup camera and a nice big screen to mount in the cab.

Took delivery yesterday but they have to come back and get the tractor once more parts come in. Its a laundry list...supply chain issues.

Im still due 2 buckets for the KX and rear work lights, wipers, 3 remotes, 3rd function, hydraulic blower kit on the L6060.

Dealer also threw in a QH15 because he didn't want to have to cut the PTO shaft..not bad. However it doesn't look level with the Blower attached, and the bushings are too thin to completely cover the pins under the bottom QH hooks. Ill remove, level the QH and replace with full length bushings.

 

[Jchonline]

And a few pics of that discounted (bit faded) LA1055 loader. Ill get my buff wheel and some Kubota orange paint (dealer will give to me no charge) and we will touch it up. I got $1000 off.

 

[shiraz627]

Turbo engines do not lose any power at altitude whether gas or diesel.

 

[Jared 756]

Delivered today. Brought the manuals in so I can run through everything just in case. Not my first tractor, but it is my first excavator!

Looking good!! The 6-way with float is very versatile

 

[Jchonline]

Turbo engines do not any power at altitude whether gas or diesel.

Do not loose any power you mean?

 

[Herkypilot]

Nice. A good compromise of weight and power and tow-ability. I've had mind for a year now and just added a RUT Mfg Brush eliminator. Lots of fun busting up brush and small trees.

HP

 

[shiraz627]

Do not loose any power you mean?

Turbo engines will make the same power whether at sea level or 7000'

 

[Jchonline]

Turbo engines will make the same power whether at sea level or 7000'

Yes I am aware, could not tell what you were typing sorry. Yes Turbo is a MUST at 8600. In fact I am having a turbo put in my RTV this year. It just smokes and bogs too much (even with hand throttle kit).