301.8 on Demo

[Squizzy246B]

The things I like about a machine of this size:

1. It fits in a 12ft trailer with plenty of room for the rest of the cra....ahhh stuff we carry around.:)

2. It fits between a small shed and a sewage riser and digs out footings in an area that was too tight for our 161.

[Squizzy246B]

3. It can lift and lay a 550lb block.

[Squizzy246B]

4. It can dig along an old fibre cement fence so it can be removed nice and easy.

[Squizzy246B]

My kids love it!.

Having done some serious work in this 2nd Hand machine in the last week I, for the life of me, don't know why we haven't bought one years ago. We are looking now at the 2006 model when it hits the shores down under...anybody know anything about the 06 Cat mini's.

BTW - Hitachi don't bring the 1.7 machine down here:confused: :(

[DUSTYCEDAR]

nice machines arent they the miny-x of any kind rock

[Squizzy246B]

nice machines arent they the miny-x of any kind rock

I have never run one this small before. I must admit that I had a lot of fun, better still the machine proved very productive.

[UNISCAPER]

Squizzy:

You want to know our biggest beef with the 301.8?

It does the things we were doing other ways so fast that I have to sell more work to keep the guys busy or, someone is getting laid off soon....Not a bad problem to have.

[Squizzy246B]

Squizzy:

You want to know our biggest beef with the 301.8?

It does the things we were doing other ways so fast that I have to sell more work to keep the guys busy or, someone is getting laid off soon....Not a bad problem to have.

Yep, I think I'll manage:)

[turfquip]

Thanks squizzy for the great review and photos. I'm leaning towards purchasing this machine myself. Your information is very helpful.

[Gravel Rat]

Nice little machine :D

The problem I can see for me would be my knees would be throbbing I get all cramped up running some full size excavators.

When you get into machines that small they are nice to have but you sure would have to have enough work to pay for itself. Most contractors struggle to keep enough work for a 6000lb mini but for a 10-11,000lb mini there is lots of work. If a contractor needs a machine that small they will rent it there is no way it can be justifyable to buy.

[Bill Eh]

Well Squizzy does look cramped in there but he is obviously a big boy. I have a Kubota KX41-3 (basically the same 3600 pound machine) and I'm 6 foot 2 inches and I'm quite comfortable in my machine. Now I was told that the KX41-2 was less spacious. The machine Squizzy is in appear to have a screen on the front which mine doesn't have. I put my feet out front to stretch and it feels as good as being in a recliner chair. I've spent 12 hour a day working in my machine and felt good at the end of the day. With regards to work for a machine this size in my area these are more useful than the 6000 pound machine. Houses are built closer together so getting in through 39 inch door/gate is the reason why they are the size of choice for many people. It is the 6000 pound machines that are rented if needed. Bottom line once more is it really depends on what kind of work you do the most.

[UNISCAPER]

Rather than ask yourself how can I keep it busy, or will I have enough work to justify the cost, if you look at what you would pay employees to trench, dig, etc etc, by hand or small machine the equation turns very favorable for the purchase. Even if the machine sits 50% of your season, if you cut an equal amount of hand labor or small machine labor, it pencils out. Labor on 3 guys has a tremendous burden on the net of a company, and if you can reduce that amount of labor and still charge the same amount of money, which you can, you justify the purchase. That is/was our case. We have pleanty of room in that cab. You want a tight one, try a 463 Bobcat of LX125 New Holland.

[allaccesslandscaping]

no not the 463

[Gravel Rat]

Labour is cheap here you pay a guy 20 bucks per hour to do some digging you got no choice unless you bring in a 20 ton crane to hoist a excavator over the house to get it into the spot you want.

If a 6000lb 325 Bobcat size machine won't go then its either got to be done by hand or they make the access larger. Most places you have to build a small road into peoples back yards anyhow because its too rough to safely walk a mini over it.

If you have to remove trees,fences etc to get a machine into the spot the homeowner usually says go for it. As 99% of the time it needs a machine that size to do the job required because its heavy lifting or you need the reach to bench out a slope to build a rock wall.

[UNISCAPER]

Now we are getting somewhere.

$20.00 per hour, 40 hour week. $800.00. Plus workmans comp, plus state and federal income tax. So, that $20.00 per hour becomes more like $31.00 an hour after you collect and pay that persons taxes. That person will sprain limbs, get cuts, have to stop to take a crap, eat lunch etc. Not to mention the pissing matches that go on because someone feels someone else has more antennas on their car and deserves more.

The machine, rarely breaks, it needs service. It digs as more in one hour than 3 men can do all day. And guess what? It does not belly ache!

It's payments are dancing around $650.0 a month with 3 buckets. Do the math.

[Scag48]

We cut guys after we bought our 303. Iron doesn't B!tch, shows up to work everyday, and flat out gets more work done.

[Gravel Rat]

The thing is most digging jobs if they have to be done by hand is 4 hours max maybe once a month if you get one of those odd ball jobs.

I'am all for using a machine when ever possible trust me I have done lots of hand digging I won't do it anymore my back won't take it. One of the worst jobs was digging about 6 yards of dirt out of someones basement using a shovel and wheelbarrow.

If a home owner needs some hand digging done they will find a student or some younger people looking to work for cash money at 10 dollars per hour. If it comes to construction labour most guys are paid 20-25 dollars per hour the homeowner pays for it.

When your in the landscaping business here digging with a shovel is part of the job. The one landscaper I work with his guys do allot of digging by hand its cheaper for the home owner to pay for the labour than it is bringing in a excavator.

When 90% of the jobs can be done with a 161 Kubota sized machine why buy anything smaller its not worth it. A 161 makes 70-75 dollars per hour and it can be working every day of the week as its big enough to-do big and small jobs. If the machine won't fit they make the access to make the machine fit simple as that. If your paying 650 dollars a month for a machine that will be used once a month or less isn't worth it when a larger mini will work 10 hours a day 5 days a week makes more sense.

[Squizzy246B]

You guys have been busy while I've been at work:dizzy:
Just wish you'd learn to get your sun to come up at the right time.:rolleyes:

We just had the Cat salesman out for a couple of hours dabling in the promised delights of the 06 model soon to hit our shores. I'll post more later.

[Bill Eh]

In Peterborough Ontarion Canada the 301.8 will cost $32,000 or I think that is $36,500 Australian dollars. What price are you expecting to pay in Australia Squizzy.

[Squizzy246B]

In Peterborough Ontarion Canada the 301.8 will cost $32,000 or I think that is $36,500 Australian dollars. What price are you expecting to pay in Australia Squizzy.

Funny you should mention that Bill. About $47K AUD is the price the way we have the machine specced. $32K USD = $42K AUD (approx).

Well Squizzy does look cramped in there but he is obviously a big boy. I have a Kubota KX41-3 (basically the same 3600 pound machine) and I'm 6 foot 2 inches and I'm quite comfortable in my machine. Now I was told that the KX41-2 was less spacious. The machine Squizzy is in appear to have a screen on the front which mine doesn't have. I put my feet out front to stretch and it feels as good as being in a recliner chair.

Bill, I'm 6' 1" and I was hanging me feet out the front of the 302.5 we demoed. The 06 301.8 promises more room. I didn't mind the room too much but getting in and out was a chore...something we do a lot when laying blocks.

The 06 model looks to have the best figures in the market but that doesn't mean a lot in my books. However, the variable displacement pumps and the Mistuipillar engine should be an improvement...Not that there was much wrong with the Perkapillar its just I find the Mitsi easier to service.

[UNISCAPER]

Gravel Rat:

Here's the thing with the mini-mini sized X. 90% of our work, the 301.8 is the only thing that will get back there. By using it and our Ingersol power buggies to run "mass earth" ( a smaller scale of using a 245 with a 10 yard bucket and 70 yard off road trucks) we have eaten every time we had on file before away.

I know where you are comming from with the larger machines. Bigger machine, more productive, yada yada, I got it! But, when you can't get that back to where you are working, you might as well be using teaspoons.

So, with Squizzy, I'm sure he is on the same page I am. He has got size, access issues. By the way, my wifer and I are planning a trip to your neck of the woods in the next year or so Squizzy. I'de love to meet you if you got a minute or two.

Anyhow, it's all about size and accessability. I would love for the 301.8 to do the same work as a 305. The problem being, the 305 can't even get near where the 301.8 operates.

[Squizzy246B]

So, with Squizzy, I'm sure he is on the same page I am. He has got size, access issues. By the way, my wifer and I are planning a trip to your neck of the woods in the next year or so Squizzy. I'de love to meet you if you got a minute or two.

Anyhow, it's all about size and accessability. I would love for the 301.8 to do the same work as a 305. The problem being, the 305 can't even get near where the 301.8 operates.

They said size wasn't important!!!:rolleyes:

You and your wife are welcome Bill, Bar-B-Q, burnt meat, heaps of flies...it hit the 100 F here today!..:rolleyes: :) ..seriously Bill would like to hear from you if you end up on this side of the country.

Here's the thing with the "size thing". We have run 161 for 2 1/2 years now doing landscaping prep/hardscaping mostly...we have to be very versatile and multi-skilled (sounds like a nineties thing doesn't it?). Our illustrious Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (State Gov Dept = DOPI) has decreed that, in order to combat urban sprawl, all new development will take place within existing burbs and gazetted lands. So, quick as a flash, the value of your backyard just went through the roof.

The Mums and Dads, who have ridded themselves of their offspring, and no longer want a big garden, are sub-dividing and selling off their unwanted land. Some are building themselves a retirement house in the backyard and selling off the house at the front. Some are demoing their house, sub-dividing and selling off two blocks and so on.

Now, you are going to need a somebody to demo, clearing, maybe tree lopping, drainage and services, house pad prep, grano, probably fencing...I might just need a retaining wall, or even some rockbreaking etc etc...you can pay 5 or 6 different guys to do this or you can come to Uncle Squizzy's One Stop Shop...hand over a big fistfull and we will take care of the lot for you. The next trade you will need will probably be a bricklayer..everything else will be done...well preped anyway.

So, a lot of these blocks a barely 1/4 acre to start with and the builders sure pack them in these days. We have used the 302.5 and 301.8 for two weeks now and there has been 5 or 6 jobs that they have done in minutes, that the 161 could not have done and saved us hours we could not afford to delay. Even if the home owner wanted to pay some extra labour it would be costing us money to have two key guys tied up on a shovel when they should be building a wall, doing the drainage or something that earns us real money. Two guys out for three hours would put me back a day and cost me over $1000.00 its as simple as that....and having been operating without a mini for awhile now I know where my competition has been killing me on some jobs.

Its only a diesel powered shovel..and any time your going diesel you are doing better.

[zim bob the landscaper]

i like that machine alot. i want one so i can make huge ponds but maybe ill get a bigger one for more power. and for a bigger bucket but that is very good for smal areas i see.:)

[Gravel Rat]

Bill you have to remember Squizzy has to pay for shipping or the dealer has to pay for shipping the machine to the island thats probably pretty costly. Its not like here in Canada throw it on a lowbed and off you go.

[Squizzy246B]

Bill you have to remember Squizzy has to pay for shipping or the dealer has to pay for shipping the machine to the island thats probably pretty costly. Its not like here in Canada throw it on a lowbed and off you go.

Eggszactly!..Although I still think its expensive, however Cat is always the most expensive here in this market. Worktools, service/support, warranty and the finance package are tipping the deal Cats way.

[UNISCAPER]

Ok. Even if it cost another 10K more than what they sell for in the staes, it will just take you longer to recover the labor you will save. I'm seeing those machines come off rental fleets and sold to the public for $19,000, with up to 3,000 hours on them. Projected life on one is 6000 hours before it would waste a body rocker cradle. So, he could get 6,000 hours out of it, and way pencil past what wages will be every year.

[Squizzy246B]

Ok. Even if it cost another 10K more than what they sell for in the staes, it will just take you longer to recover the labor you will save. I'm seeing those machines come off rental fleets and sold to the public for $19,000, with up to 3,000 hours on them. Projected life on one is 6000 hours before it would waste a body rocker cradle. So, he could get 6,000 hours out of it, and way pencil past what wages will be every year.

The costs are all relative when you work it out. Generally our cost of living is somewhat lower in Aus than the states.

Back on track...the idea of a mini for us is that it broadens our capabilty and will lead us into work we didn't do before. Regardless of the labour factor broadening your market has got to be good. We already have a task to plant 5000 trees in May this year. Now the Landscaper was not going to pay $80.00 and hour for the 161 to drill 18" holes in the sand. But, he is happy with $65.00/hour for the 1.8. So you have to ask the same old question when its occaisional hire/hourly rate work, taking into account overheads, running and maintenance (transport), pound for pound, which machine earns the most money.....I know..:p payup :)

[Bill Eh]

Makes me wonder why a machine would cost $10,000 more where you live. The Kubota and probably the Cat are built closer to you than to Canada. Is the Kubota as expensive?

Bill

[Squizzy246B]

Yeah, we wonder too!. The Kubota starts at about 5K cheaper and then you have to deal with snake pit dealer.

With Cat the price is the price.

[Squizzy246B]

Finance is approved:) :) :) :) :) :)

[UNISCAPER]

yER OFF MAKING MONEY THEN!