doobin

Apparently the E20 is basically a ZTS E19. So that's true enough, but comes down to transportability and access in the end. 2 tone machines are very much an oddball- I'd imagine a Kubota U-20 is a lot more than their basic 1.5t? The E19/20 is a much higher spec than the E17, much the same as the E27 is much higher spec than an E26. Larger engines, more capacity. The E27 has 1km/h faster tracking than the E26. Might not sound like much but tracking requires huge hydraulic capacity. It's the premium machine in the range, they do cheaper ones but not sure if the E17 can come with cab. You can spend even more on an E19/20 if you want, and have a 'comfort pack'- air seat and the boom swing on a porportional rocker. I'd happily put down the extra 1k for that were I buying one. I think Jack might have ticked that option too ? I've bought on price before though- the Hyundai was shortlisted due to price (£14.5k from memory) and a decent demo won me over with it's silky smooth hydraulics. Shame the dealers gave such shit backup, and shame I needed so much backup.

Let’s talk ex vat so we all know where we’re at. I had a quote for a Hyundai 2.7t at 22.5k, but by the time you add interest you’re closer to 26k from memory. My e27 was 27k and worth every bit of it. Way better spec than the Hyundai. Oodles of power and just wants to work. Loads of extras as standard too such as extra counterweight. The E19/E20 is a top end machine. An E17 is a good deal cheaper. The E27 was what I wanted, and the price was 27k before theyoffered free finance, as I called a year ago and decided it was too much. The free finance meant i could justify it easily E10s fly off the shelf for 14k as the best micro going, and you can get free finance on them too. ?

You can finance one at a later date- just make sure you buy an S30 hitch and buckets now, and spec a second aux in case you want the cheapest tilty with no control system. There's a spread on a DX19 (same machine in orance as E19) with a tilty in this months UK Plant Operators- doesn't look half bad with it.

ZX19 was almost as bad- I demoed one before buying my Hyundai. I don't rate them much. Very tall to get on and off and lacking in power, particularly tracking.

Don't waste your time with a TB216. Worst machine I've driven for a long while. Totally gutless and unpredicatable slewing. My Hyundai is twice the machine, and E19/20 would proabbly be even better judging by my two Bobcats. Apart from anything else, the interest you in particular (no offense) would be paying on another brand means that Bobcat at 0% five years is your only sensible option. I don't think you'll be dissapointed, and like me you've driven a size up and size down.

Sounds OK to me. I was quoted just under 20K for an E20 with three buckets and hitch. You've specced a Hardford powertilt (3k? must be at least) and a few extras. Think carefully about whether you go down this route, or take an S30 hitch and buckets and finance a tilty later, as 3k is a big chunk towards a basic tilty. If you think you might want to do this, then also spec the machine with a second aux, as I have- £535 according to my E20 options list. Haggle with them to throw this in or something. Letting you pay the VAT on installments is why they appear high- guess it's lease purchase rather than hire purchase (I think that's the difference anyhow). Should be fine, but obviously check what the payment is to take ownership at the end of the term. E27 I was quoted the same money as you on (and it's worth every penny!!) so I don't think they're loading your quote. If you can get approved for the finance on that (QUICK! it ends at the end of the month!), I'd add another two years warranty, then get out there and put all your effort into getting work for it. You'll need just two days a month for the next five years at £250-£280 a day to cover the finance and running costs. Find yourself another five days with it and quit your minimum wage job, then you will have time to grow properly. Go for it mate, you won't look back. Finance on something like the above isn't bad or even particularly risky- how can you not find two days a month?? Three tops if you were a desperate fool and went out at under £200 a day. It's when people get cocky and start to take bigger risks that things can go pear shaped, but even then - better to have tried ay?

Spreads the risk. For that reason I'd consider asking for a fleet policy, any driver over 21. Make sure that you don't have haulage listed on your truck policy also- this adds a huge whack.

So was mine 14 years ago!

You could always have a power tilt quick hitch and be able to tilt any bucket, but not cheap.

Grapple for a 1.7t is nice and light. My hydraulic grab is much heavier, more suited to the 2.7t. Id have a 9” bucket too. Yes bobcat can get the buckets from the manufacturer and add them to the finance deal. They might try to convince you to have a whites hitch, but can get hardford too.

You mean like my land rake and clay spade? Used once and never respectively ?

Yeah, hire kit is always shagged. Unless it’s from somewhere like travis Perkins, then it’s just a rip off. Far better to own. If you can sign with bobcat before the end of the month it’s 5 years 0%. Had a price for an e19 with cab last week, £18.5k. E17 canopy would be a fair bit cheaper I should think. I like ratchet type hitches like the hardford wedgelock. Keeps everything tight. A ripper tooth is always useful. Flail, no, not really. Sort of, but not much use. Just don’t have the flow. Get at your buckets with blades and teeth you can swap about. Incredibly useful. Get at as many buckets etc as you can on the finance deal. I had 7 buckets with my first digger. How did I forget? GET A GRAPPLE!! A must for any clearance work. Over half my work is grab work.

I did two years with just an ldv convoy drop side and a 125cc Honda motorbike due to insurance costs.

£60 is dirt cheap for an E26. It’s twice the price of an E10 yet only 50% more to hire? That’s why I say make your first purchase a 1.7t. I do operated hire only. £250-£280 for E10 or 1.7t, and £300-£320 for E27. More if doing clearance work, around £400-£450 when felling and burning. Sussex. The main reason I have them is to make my own jobs profitable. Hiring has always been a hassle for me- plus I like having specialist attachments.

Try fleet and commercial. They are my brokers and seem pretty good.

1.3tdci Corsa or Astra or combo. 57 genuine mpg. Available for around 2.5k ex meter reading with 70,000 ish. Change the oil every year, no problems touch wood.

I make that £192 a day.

Looks like an E26. I have an E27, finance is around £450/month over 5 years. 1.7t machines are cheaper, and can still do an awful lot especially if you’re scratching about landscaping. I’d start there. Mine is £250/ month over 5 years. The E10 is a great machine and I love mine, but unless you are always needing narrow access it’s too small to be effective when you are on a priced job. As regards finance- go new. I was refused finance on 12k of second hand 2.5t machine, then approved for 31k of new E27 and attachments. ?‍♂️ I go five years warranty, five years finance. Like long term hire only you get the residual value too.

I used to get up at 4am every day and deliver papers to cover the rent before working on my business, so I know where you’re coming from. Used to work till 11 at night on commercial strimming work some nights too. Insurance is also always a killer when you’re young. Keep on keeping on, and increased age and profit will make it seem insignificant in the future. I now have five vehicles, all oldish but always the perfect one for whatever job we’re doing. If you end up with three vehicles somehow (maybe truck, van and missus car?) then that’s the minimum for a mini fleet policy, which can save you money sometimes. Subbies who want £200 a day take note- some of us have damn well paid our fucking dues, and we’re not being tight when we say we’re not paying you that!

If you’re thinking about getting a digger, the most profit (for normal work, especially landscaping, but also small scale clearance jobs) is in a mini digger. I have three from 1.2t to 2.7t and I can move them with a normal 3.5t trailer, no haulage required. Some great finance deals around at the moment. Head on on over to the plant talk forum if you’re interested- planttalk.co.uk

Glad to hear it mate. You might not believe it but I was once your age and hot headed just the same. I’m 30 now, much more chilled and make much more money. Some pointers based upon what you’ve said in recent threads. You complain about customers not taking you seriously. It’s a real issue. You can’t change your age, but you can adopt mannerisms, clothing style and the like- effectively a slightly different persona when you go to quote a job. Also, it might not be popular with some, but I had no hesitation lying about my age to appear older. You’ll soon work out who is trying it on because of your age- drop them, they won’t improve. A certain type of ‘customer’ is always looking for a mark for a cheap job. The flip side of this is that you will need to deliver the results to back this up. It seems like you want to take a pride in your work, but funds don’t always allow. Charge more. Pretend you’ve been in business longer. Get yourself a Spons landscape price book (£130 for the ebook) and see what the actual going rate is. PM me if you want a couple of rates from the book, but it’s a great investment. Then, deliver over and above what the customer wanted and they will recommend you. You sound like you’re pushed for time- this is great, but is also usually an indication that you could be charging more. Don’t run stupidly overloaded, and as mentioned, never do it as a ‘favour’ for a customer. They extend the job- they pay extra. It’s all in how you frame it to them. You could have said ‘tell you what guys, I’m flat out at the moment, but I’ll rearrange my diary and get the extras done for you because there’s no sense coming back to do it. The depot have problems with the lorry at the moment, but I can get the blocks on my truck and trailer in two loads. It’ll only cost you £200 for me to go and collect them, so cheaper than having them delivered by lorry anyway.” You’d still have been a hero to them. Above all, be safe. It makes my blood run cold to think of some of the stupid shit I’ve done because I was desperate for £50- luckily I’m still here to tell the tale. Invest in your kit and skills-I’ve not had a proper holiday in years, but I’ve got three new diggers and all the tools you could imagine. Work is easy for me now, we never break a sweat. I can make £3-400 profit after paying a labourer most days, with anything from a ride on to a welder.

That one is always doing the rounds. Total scam.

Fuck off, you’d put a 21 tonner on it! ??

Meh, I've had plenty of 'trained' lads who hit the ground with the second cut. Ones trained for places like the National Trust seem to be the most hapless.

Can\t see why not if specced properly. That 2.7 tonner posted would usually use DN08 couplings, good for around 50l/m. The smallest MultiX I can find (and the one fitted in the photo by the looks of it) uses DN10, so oversize for that application.