Excavator??

[Flienlow]

I have to admit, I am bit surprise that OTT does not have an Excavator section.
MODS????

Anyway, I was wondering if any of you also owned a Kubota Mini and what your thoughts would be on it? I had a recent opportunity to run a U55 that a neighbor rented. It was a nice machine, but too big and expensive for my needs.
The BX25 is great, however, I need a machine that will bail material as I need to rebuild several retaining walls. With the amount of stuff I have to do around my place, I think it might be an advantage to just buy one, use it for a year or 2 and then sell it once the need is no longer there.

Thinking of a U17 or 18, Perhaps Yanmar VIO17.

 

[Billdog350]

Hi Flienlow....I have operated and serviced many Kubota excavators and recently helped a friend purchase a "near new" KX41 with only 160hours, thumb, and quick attach bucket for $19k. Its worth at least $5k more than that so he bought it with equity.

There are plenty of U15, 17 or KX41's available on Craigslist, just depends on how close to you.

I agree you're on the right track with looking at buying something used, using it for projects and then selling when done. If you buy it for the right price with the right hours, only put a few hours on it, and maintain it well, you can sell it and either make a profit or at least break even. The key is getting it for the right price.

I have seen "medium hour" machines with 500-1500hours on them in the $15k range. Some are pretty beat, pass on those and try to find a cream puff.

A backhoe for your BX will only accomplish about 20% of what a U15 or KX41 would in the same amount of time. They're apples and oranges and the X is superior for excavating, retaining walls, etc.

 

[luketratts]

Yeah I am looking around for a digger at the moment to buy. Would like a 5t with blade and tilt bucket...I can't find anything for the $$$ I want to spend, $10-$15k. I hired a 3t for the weekend a few weeks ago and put over 20hrs on it over two days, little Yanmar. Cost $500 to hire, dropped to my place Friday arvo and picked up Monday morn. It used about 60lt of fuel which surprised me, way more thirsty than my tractor.

Pushing trees over 300mm dia without a struggle. Trees fear me...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Bulldog]

I own a Bobcat mini but would love to have a Kubota.

You might try a rental first. If you like it and it's a good machine make them a offer. Most places will apply the rental fee toward the purchase. Just a thought.

 

[Lookie]

I just purchased a used RX401 and can't seem to find any info
for or on it.

Newbie here.......................

Any ideas where I can find some helpful resources for
this Grey Kubota?

 

[PenderBen]

I also have a Bobcat mini, a 323j, which is Kubota powered- most if not all Bobcat excavators I've seen have Kubota engines.
It has a hydraulic thumb, which makes it way more useful if you're trying to move logs, big rocks, blocks of concrete, etc around. Also, quick change buckets with a few sizes makes a big difference, I have a trencher (8"), digger with teeth (12") and cleanup with smooth edge (24"), all have been very useful for their specific tasks.
I haven't worked with other excavators, but I will say access for servicing the engine is limited, haven't had to do anything other than clean the radiator (if you work in dusty conditions they need this done a lot), and all filters and fluids are easily accessible, but anything more would take major disassembly, other makes might be better in this respect, something to keep in mind while shopping around.
Between the excavator and my B6200 with loader and blade I can do pretty much anything I've needed to do, and couldn't with just either one.
In short: get an excavator, you won't regret it, and they hold their value well.