Best mini excavators - Opinions

[Simon Bowler]

Hi im new to this forum. and im just wondering what their views are on the best mini digger on the market currently between 1.5-8 tonnes?

[Dave_L]

Depends what work you've got for it!

Anything Takeuchi in my books.

[Kuts]

I like kubotas.
I've got a 2.5ton JCB and hate it.
The bottom bolt on the king post keeps snapping+ its jumpy and feels unbalanced.
I hired a little komatsu a few weeks ago and was surprised at how strong it was.

[Simon Bowler]

ah im just intersted as we were talking about it at work today. i think id keep my first post simple

[Dave_L]

Everyone likes different things - otherwise it'd be a boring old world.

I guess it's what you're used to.

Don't think you can go far wrong with a TB145 in our game.

[lutonlagerlout]

all takeuchi seem to do no wrong for us
not saying others are wrong
LLL

[Pablo]

Takeuchi and Kubota are my favourites Jcb hanix and Yanmar are bloody terrible.

[dig dug dan]

Takeuchi and Kubota are my favourites Jcb hanix and Yanmar are bloody terrible.

i agree. I had a three tonne jcb on hire recently and it was the worst machine i had ever driven. As giles said, 13 tonne upwards for jcb

[local patios and driveway]

I dont have much seat time in the over 3t ranges but..

The jcbs dont get decent until you reach 5t and above, the smaller jcbs are shite.

Takeuchi make a great machine in every class but at 8t the kubotas have it, really smooth in the correct hands, well spec,ed machines, can get loose quickly though, but engine wise bullet proof.

Kubota has the residule values in the bag, components seem that little bit better and they wear better too. the kx41-3v being my all time favorite 1.5t

Ive always liked the 1.5t hanix, felt very similar to the tak tb016 and was spec'ed the same for about 2k less. Nice smooth hydraulics.

Dont like the little yanmars, havnt tried any larger than the old scoppy b08 though.

I have a little hitachi that is going to germany next week, nice smooth machine comparable to the kubota, the small 3t zero swing is a very nice machine. I would buy another

Terex, you just cant get the bits for them easily enough so they are a non starter

Neuson, bad build quality

Bobcat, good little machines, tough but maybe lacking in finesse

Cat, ive never tried one.

Airman, may as well be made of lego blocks, just nasty in every respect

Volvo, the very best customer service, have known repairs free out of warrenty, good solid machines too. Maybe a little expensive for a low spec machine though. 1.5t can overheat due to exhaust to close to rad and design of rad trapping debris on day to day basis

My heart says takeuchi but my head says kubota or hanix.

[ambient]

1.5 ton range takeuchi tb 016 best machine available even tho i have a cat 301.8 at mo but dont rate it the same and is going to be replaced with a takeuchi soon as sold cat

3 ton range hitachi zx 30 bullet proof on my 3 rd one

[Kuts]

Anybody tried New Holland machines?

[DNgroundworks]

kubota for me

[Stuarty]

kubota for me

and me

[dig dug dan]

Neuson, bad build quality

is that the same for their little 1 tonne dumpers, they took over lifton didn't they? the market seems to be flooded with them

Anybody tried New Holland machines?

ford. so no. and not going to either!

My relative on a farm wanted to do a bit of ditching work, adn the odd bit here and there. instead of hiring a machine when he wanted, he brought a 3.5 tonne hyundai for 22grand. he has had it for 18 months, and done 50 hours with it.!