Bobcat e19/20 or alternative?

[Treetom15]

Again, another rambling……

 

On from the skid steer idea, after chatting to a few people my way who run both I’ve decided a digger makes more sense for the workload/type, plus they are similar money and more versatile! 
 

I’ve got my heart set on a 1.8/2t machine, that will go on my 2700 plant trailer (weighs 600kg) and has vari tracks for access. I know 2.7t machines will move more but the lower weight/versatility is more important to me currently (plus they are cheaper)

 

Does anyone out there run the smaller bobcat e19 or e20 as an arb digger, or a machine if a similar size-if so how do you find them? I did try trawling the arb digger thread but ran out of concentrate……..

[doobin]

This is the thread you need. Barely 2 pages and my posts cover the essentials.

 

Basically the spec you need to run a grab and rotator sucessfully (four aux lines, short dipper) will be special order from new and expensive. And still painfull to use compared to a 2.7t machine. You're probably only looking at 8, maybe even just 6k difference between a new 2.7t and a 2t in the spec you are asking about. Recent prices I've seen for the E19/20 in that spec were 23/34k, the Yanmar 2.7t is available from around 30.5k.

 

Sany or LuiGong often have four lines as standard and are the cheaper end of the market, so worth a look. But don't underestimate the frustration of having a long dipper coupled with a grab and rotator.

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by doobin

[Treetom15]

Thanks mate, that was basically what I was after! 
 

I can’t afford new, and don’t want the overhead of finance with a machine that may not come out every day. I’m looking at 2nd hand e19’s that come in around 10/12k, but obviously I need to make sure they have a short/regular dipper.

 

Towing a 3.5t rig would be a lot of extra load for my vehicles as we’re doing up to 2 hours each way some days, so the lighter weight would be a big bonus. 
 

It’s basically a bit of a demo for me-if the machine is a godsend and I quickly realise I need bigger, then so be it. If not, I haven’t spent £25k plus to try it out. 
 

I know the e19 would never match up to an e27, but as a stand alone machine how do you find it @doobin? 

[doobin]

1 hour ago, Treetom15 said:

Thanks mate, that was basically what I was after! 
 

I can’t afford new, and don’t want the overhead of finance with a machine that may not come out every day. I’m looking at 2nd hand e19’s that come in around 10/12k, but obviously I need to make sure they have a short/regular dipper.

 

Towing a 3.5t rig would be a lot of extra load for my vehicles as we’re doing up to 2 hours each way some days, so the lighter weight would be a big bonus. 
 

It’s basically a bit of a demo for me-if the machine is a godsend and I quickly realise I need bigger, then so be it. If not, I haven’t spent £25k plus to try it out. 
 

I know the e19 would never match up to an e27, but as a stand alone machine how do you find it @doobin? 

I love it on the right job. The right job is one with restricted access. Otherwise I hate it as a grab/rotator machine, it’s gutless in the lift compared to the e27 and even with the short dipper runs out of lift height very quickly. That said, it’s still a very capable (possibly the most capable) 1.9t machine I’ve tried- it’s just that none of them measure up to a 2.7t. 
 

frankly I don’t think you will find a secondhand one with a short dipper. I’m fairly sure mine is the only short dipper machine ever sold in the uk! The secondhand ones you’re looking at won’t have four pipes either but if they have the roller on each joystick (and no foot pedals for the swing/aux) then they are cheap enough to add extra aux pipes to. 

 

Id be looking for a sany or luigong to test the water- four pipes as standard and cheap machines. Often bought new by people who are looking for a cheap machine to be their own boss and are the first to let them go in a downturn- so haggle hard on price. If you like the machine you could always have an engineering firm shorten the dipper. 
 

You could also speak to Hywel Evans- he’s usually got something kicking around. He had a sany with cab and 300 hours for sale at 12k for ages- couldn’t shift it. He can also fit extra aux pipes to most machines. 

[Treetom15]

Thanks mate, I know I’m aiming for something that won’t do the same as a 2.7t machine, but I’m hoping it will be a stepping stone so long as it’s useful to begin with! I was after a mini skid steer originally so I’m hoping this will be more efficient.
 

I’ve asked Hywel to see what he can find, he’s a hell of a nice guy! Very helpful so I’m sure he will come up with something but I thought it never hurts to get opinions from people who run them themselves. 
 

Are there any machines out there that DONT come with a long dipper commonly?  I’ve seen a couple of Doosan DX19’s that look good for the money, sany seemed about the same bracket.