KX-121 opinions

[skennedy04]

Ok guys im just starting the process of buying a mini-ex.
As posted in another thread i will be using this machine with US mower head or similar,as well as other projects.Opinions for or against would be great.....or other brand suggestions.Dealer support is key...so Kubota,Deere,Cat,Bobcat.....New or Used ?????

[zedosix]

I don't think jd makes a mini x. I have 2 kubota mini's the largest being the kx 91 they work flawlessly. I bought new, I don't like other people's leftovers so if it was used it would have to be a low hour unit.

How much will you be using the unit, if 3 or 4 times a week I'd buy it new, good deals are out there and the financing is (or was) real good.

[turfquip]

I'd buy new as well. Kubota may still be offerring 0% for 36 months and in my opinion, this is a good idea right now.

Heck, if inflation hits in the next three years they will be paying YOU to buy their machine.

[Junior M]

I don't think jd makes a mini x.


yeah, they do, a few of our members own them.. :hammerhead: One of them does just what Skennedy wants to do..

And so this isnt totally off topic, I've never ran Kubota, but alot of guys have them down here and dont seem to have a problem with them.. As far as other brands, not many guys like Bobcat mini ex's, just go run one and see how you like it...

[zedosix]

yeah, they do, a few of our members own them.. :hammerhead: One of them does just what Skennedy wants to do..

And so this isnt totally off topic, I've never ran Kubota, but alot of guys have them down here and dont seem to have a problem with them.. As far as other brands, not many guys like Bobcat mini ex's, just go run one and see how you like it...

John deere used to make snowmobiles too! They gave it up for a reason, they were no damn good at it.

[Digdeep]

The 121 is a darn good 4 ton excavator. Are you limited by width or weight? If not you might just think of going up to the 161 or another 5 ton machine. You'll get a little more hp and torque, a little more pump flow, more reach, etc. Kubota makes a solid product. Make sure you look at some other brands as well. It is a very competitive market and there are some other good brands. Good luck.

[Digdeep]

John deere used to make snowmobiles too! They gave it up for a reason, they were no damn good at it.

Actually, the JD excavators aren't too bad (not great), but its only because they don't make them...Hitachi does.

[Junior M]

Actually, the JD excavators aren't too bad (not great), but its only because they don't make them...Hitachi does.
I thought it was the other way around? Well, I've had that screwed up for a while.. :hammerhead: :laugh:

[AWJ Services]

Kubota makes a great machine.
I have no experience with mower heads but from my research if you are extending the mower at full reach that size machine might get tipsy over the side.

The best deals on used equipment seems to be in the 5/6 ton machines.

[Gravel Rat]

I would go with the 161 more weight to handle reaching out with a mower head. I have ran the 161 Kubota you have to get used to them they are like any other mini with the coffin cab. You will probably want a machine that can use steel tracks or ones with rubber inserts.

I also agree try not to buy a used mini the newer the better of course brandnew is the best.

[minimax]

For mowing the deere mini is the best for flow and are the most stable.I like the us mower for being built the best.I would put the mini's you listed in this order deere,cat,and bobcat and Kubota tied for 3rd place.From what I know about the Kubotas you can't move the machine without killing the mower to get flow to the track motors:confused:.Deere also has a add on counter weight option for the minis

minimax

[zedosix]

For mowing the deere mini is the best for flow and are the most stable.I like the us mower for being built the best.I would put the mini's you listed in this order deere,cat,and bobcat and Kubota tied for 3rd place.From what I know about the Kubotas you can't move the machine without killing the mower to get flow to the track motors:confused:.Deere also has a add on counter weight option for the minis

minimax

I have to agree with what minimax says, a guy I know bought the newest and biggest kubota last season and was extremely dissapointed with the pushing power of it. Maybe the deere is worth checking out

[Digdeep]

For mowing the deere mini is the best for flow and are the most stable.I like the us mower for being built the best.I would put the mini's you listed in this order deere,cat,and bobcat and Kubota tied for 3rd place.From what I know about the Kubotas you can't move the machine without killing the mower to get flow to the track motors:confused:.Deere also has a add on counter weight option for the minis

minimax

Deere/Hitachi do have good aux. flows. I think the 5 ton size would do very well with a mulcher on them. I would look at both the Deere and Hitachi even though they are both the same machine. With the market beign the way it is you might be surprised with the price quote you get. Dealers need to move iron to have cash flow.

[coopers]

As much as I love Kubota I'd have to say that statement made by minimax is probably true. That's the one thing that needs to be improved w/ Kubota is leaving power in the machine while traveling. Other than that....I absolutely love Kubota though.

Junior, Hitachi makes Deere trackhoes.

Zedosix,
Just how much pushing did your friend want to do. I've never run the new kx080's but I've used 121's and 161's and have had no problem. They're no dozer or bladerunner but they'll do the job. I avoid pushing much w/ minis anyway because the blades are so small. That's just me though.

[AWJ Services]

My 161 sucks in the pushing power.


From what I know about the Kubotas you can't move the machine without killing the mower to get flow to the track motors

It would be nice if we as a consumer could find out how the aux circuit is powered.It always seems to be married to another function.
So on Deere machines when the aux is running it does not take power away from any other function?

[minimax]

On my Deere 35d it takes some flow from the aux. to travel but not that much,Deeres give the flow to the track drives first if you have alot of load like walking up hill.
minimax

[bobcat_ron]

On my Deere 35d it takes some flow from the aux. to travel but not that much,Deeres give the flow to the track drives first if you have alot of load like walking up hill.
minimax

You can also test your mini's performance by lifting the blade while travelling, if the machine slows down, it means the pump is shared by the blade and travel and the aux. function, if the travel speed is not affected, that means (1) the blade has it's own pump (2) the blade runs off the aux. function (3) it has the blade off the main valves. My Dad's PC-60's have their own blade pump, which is separate from the aux. pump, but the Hitachi ZX75 shares the blade and travel together to save space and deter people from using the blade like a damn bull dozer.
The mini Hitachi/Deere excavators (17-50ZTS) are some of the best power management machines I have run, they divert and split the power really nicely, and still have incredible tractive effort and draw bar pull.

[AWJ Services]

Kubota concentrates on effective digging power no matter the engine rpm or the functions.It meters the hyd flow to the item with the highest resistance.
The machines dig as well at 1/2 throttle as wide open.

[ssprtman12]

we have a kx121-3 at work. . .has all the goodies. . .if you get one you will be very happy, great machine. . .and yes the travel is slower than others b/c of the power being directed to the boom/digging etc. . .if u want travel speed buy a CTL

All in all they are great and i would say buy new if u can. . .if u have every rented a machine u will see they are generally abused, especailly smaller machines that tend to be rented by in experienced do-it-urselfers