Thoughts of a Mini Excavator

[Shawn T. W]

I was only considering Deere, CAT, Hitachi, Bobcat ...

My "hang-up" was I really had a lot already invested in my SCUT in modifications and add-ons, that to park/hide $8K of BH in the corner of my barn, to buy a Mini-X didn't make sense to me ... My SCUT TLB does what I need done.

I have almost no space constraints, my 16 acres is mostly wide open, so there is plenty of room for my BH, I do wish I had more side swing on my BH, but ... Not enough to make me take a loss on parking or selling it ...

 

[someguy9000]

Late to the party. If you have the $$ and don't mind the maintenance of an extra motorized machine, get the excavator. The BH77 is NOWHERE near as good. Had mine on an L3901 for 6 years, and its better than a shovel. I've dug up rocks, stumps, used it as a poor man's grapple to move logs ect. Bought the BXpanded quick attach, thumb, ripper, 6 inch bucket, all useful.

Do I regret it....no....I've still had to rent an excavator (4ton) a couple times to dig out massive stumps/rocks. The BH doesn't have the juice. The middle pin finally snapped on mine because its poorly engineered IMO, so now im dealing with that.

Where it 10000% SUCKS is related the weight of the tractor. The BH is strong enough to pull the tractor, to it, so you are CONSTANTLY having to get off and readjust position. With the mini ex, you save alot of time not readjusting position.

In OPs use case, id probably just get all like tasks grouped up, and rent a mini ex. I dug 14 oak stumps out in one day the last time I rented one. I probably spend 2-3 hours working on 1 stump with the BH77, before I either get it out, or decide I'll never get it and save it up for the next mini rental.

 

[John T]

Where it 10000% SUCKS is related the weight of the tractor. The BH is strong enough to pull the tractor, to it, so you are CONSTANTLY having to get off and readjust position. With the mini ex, you save alot of time not readjusting position.

Agree. I've done a lot of work with mine but it is a pain to flip the seat/constantly readjust etc.
it makes a good rear ballast though.

 

[John T]

I saw this on Marketplace this morning. I suspect someone slapped some Bota decals on a chinese mini. (am I wrong?)

I PM'd him for the model # and a picture of the ID plate.
$7500.00

 

[Sidekick]

I saw this on Marketplace this morning. I suspect someone slapped some Bota decals on a chinese mini. (am I wrong?)

I PM'd him for the model # and a picture of the ID plate.
$7500.00

View attachment 180024

Looks like he thought a Kubota sticker would raise the value $4k over the auction price.

 

[Shawn T. W]

It's possible that it has a Kubota engine, some of the "better" chinese ones have that ...

 

[PaulL]

One thing I learned yesterday about having a CUT and a mini-ex, is that when you have two machines you can accidentally drive one into the other when you're not paying attention, and then you need to buy a new rear light for your MX. I think this is a problem people don't pay enough attention to - with only one machine this wouldn't be possible.

 

[dirtydeed]

Having a small CUT and a mini-ex would be a pretty versatile combination, with each machine doing what it does best. Sometimes you only realize the ideal setup after you've spent some time working with what you already own.

"Sometimes you only realize the ideal setup after you've spent some time and money working with what you already own."

Fixed it for ya...

but, yes, I would also have to agree with your assessment...

 

[whatsupdoc]

Well its always good practice to park your car as close as possible to where you are working with heavy equipment so you dont have to walk far. Body shops need work.