Sub 2 tonne excavators

[felixthelogchopper]

Hi all. I'm currently looking to buy a used mini digger for general use on the estate and wondered if anybody had any tips of what to look for/avoid model-wise. I've got a shortlist so far consisting of Kubota KX36-3, Yanmar B15-3 and Takeuchi TB016. I want a model with a full cab and I have about £8k to spend.

[codlasher]

As a Tekeuchi TB175 owner I'd go for the 106 as I like their controls and simplicity.

I looked at plenty of machines in my size before buying and ended up with the 175.

As has been said before look as what the utilities companies have on the roadsides....TB's so they must be ok.

I used to hire many Kubota's and can't fault their machines either, they go on and on.

Resale, well between Takeuchi and Kubota there's not much to choose from.

I'm sorry that I can't comment on the Yanmar as I have no experience with them.

 

Test drive some....?

Get one with very good tracks.

codlasher

Edited October 2, 2013 by codlasher
Addendum as usual!

[Matthew Storrs]

Hi all. I'm currently looking to buy a used mini digger for general use on the estate and wondered if anybody had any tips of what to look for/avoid model-wise. I've got a shortlist so far consisting of Kubota KX36-3, Yanmar B15-3 and Takeuchi TB016. I want a model with a full cab and I have about £8k to spend.

 

Takeuchi Tb016 is what I have with a cab and it has been absolutely fantastic, smooth controls, bullet proof and simple to work on, never had a problem with lack of power. Your budget should buy you a pretty decent one with between 2-3000 hours.

Im not decided yet but seriously thinking of selling mine for the new 2 tonner they make so if you do decide on this model PM me- mines a beut!

Kubota also make a good machine with excellent resale value, somehow the Tak seems a bigger machine tho when your in it, this could be down to the expanding tracks and longer arm reach??

One thing- don,t get a JCB, appaling machine, totally underpowered hydraulic system, and some have a bent scaffold bar for the boom which looks very mickey mouse.

I drove a 3 ton Jcb the other day and id sooner be in my 1.6t tak any day- soo much faster.

[dig-dug-dan]

The above post is so right about jcb. Anything under 13tonne they are useless.

Whatever you get, make sure its got a kubota engine

[Matthew Storrs]

Or yanmar engine, they seem to go on and on

[Le Sanglier]

Got a Tb016, on 2000 hrs love it! Don't have much experience of diggers but I like mine.

[onyx landscaping/fencing]

agreed small jcb's are total c$%p

[Matthew Storrs]

T

Got a Tb016, on 2000 hrs love it! Don't have much experience of diggers but I like mine.

 

Its still a baby then, iv seen tb016 with over 6000hrs still going strong, mines got 2400 but not much wear at all, greassing every time you use it helps.

[Le Sanglier]

T

 

Its still a baby then, iv seen tb016 with over 6000hrs still going strong, mines got 2400 but not much wear at all, greassing every time you use it helps.

 

Since putting the thumb on it I won't use it for digging, only tree work.

[Matthew Storrs]

Since putting the thumb on it I won't use it for digging, only tree work.

 

Oh yours has the anti gravity function.