Mini Excavator

[grassman222]

I was wondering , between the Gehl/Mustang , Cat, IHI, Yanmar, Komatsu,Kubota,well any thing but Bobcat which do you think is best . I would need it to be able to fit in like a fourty inch gate so i can easily get into peoples back yards . I used the IHI 15vx before and i liked it and it went right in this back yard gate which was less than fourty inches. i was digging a pond for a customer and well i just want to pick everyones brains. Any pricing info would be a help if you got any . Thanks :usflag:

[Scag48]

I've run some of Yanmar's line and they are a decent little excavator. I ran the 008 which is probably a little smaller than you'd want but for it's size, it sure beats a shovel. I think they have a 1.5 ton machine as well that I wouldn't be surprised to know is a good performer but I haven't personally run it. Komatsu builds a little powerhouse in this size class and Kubota is real tough to beat as well. I don't really recommend the Cat 301.8, they are an okay machine but if you're in these tight spots, you want zero tail swing.

[stuvecorp]

I've used the little Kobelco, called the 'Gatekeeper'? It was small enough to go through a 36" door I think, never tried it but we dug some window wells with it and it worked great. I would love to have one someday. I think Case has it but is called like the CX14 or something?

[KPS]

I know you said anything but Bobcat, but we picked up a 418 this year and it has proven to be one tough little machine. It is strong and can shrink down to 28 inches wide. It also has nice pilot controls like the bigger machines as opposed to the two levers mounted on the front console some companies like Kubota have on thier kx 008. For tight access areas it is one sweet little package. We use it to dig our trenches for the plumbing lines for the pool and dig test holes with it when we suspect there might be bedrock in someones backyard. It has proven to be very handy to have on our jobs and a real hand labor saver.

[Dirtman2007]

I've also had good luck with the takeuchi Mini Excavators. I'm not familiar with the ultra mini ones tho. I think they make like a TB 007 or something small like that.

[Lazer_Z]

KPS, Mind if ask what you paid for your 418?

Thanks

[KPS]

KPS, Mind if ask what you paid for your 418?

Thanks

It was $25k canadian with two buckets. Around here small mini ex's are very hard to come by, and usually around $17k ,beat up, and 3000 hours. For us the machine and price were perfect, we have never gone wrong buying more equipment to get the job done, we try to usually buy new cause we keep it a fairly long time and maintain it ourselves and that way we aren't buying someone else's beat up problem.

[Lazer_Z]

Thanks again for the price info, that doesn't seem too bad a price. It converts to roughly $22K US, I agree about buying new and not buying anyone else's problems. I saw one of those at a demo day and wanna try one out, but I haven't come across a job where I can try one out.

[ajo771]

Kubota makes a great mini.

[Gravel Rat]

At a Ritchie Bros auction quite a few years ago there was a small Hitachi excavator something in the size what you are looking for. I was really surprised how much money it went for.

In my area you never could convince a homeowner to pay you to use a machine that size. It would be digging with a ordinary shovel.

Don't be like this guy

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM2z8DMDCAE