Page 1 of 3
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:01 pm
by GB_Groundworks
sold our terex/scheaf hr14 so in the market for a new 3 ton machine.
so we have narrowed our choise to a takuchi tb125/tb225. i wanted the bigger tb235 but got veto'd on grounds of moving it with trailer rather than wagon or tractor.
or
kubota kx61-3
this is also likely to influence our choice of replacement for our 1.5 ton and 8ton.
so anyone have experience of them etc, driven both and takuchi is very smooth but kubota better cab.
so opinions please gents
giles
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:15 pm
by ambient
hitachi bullet proof on my 3rd good value smooth comfy quick powerful and still is after 7 years nearly got talked into a volvo last time but tried one and came to my senses was going to replace this year but too quiet to risk it
zx 30 q/hitch 3 buckets and piped 17/18k at moment and good secondhand value when you sell them ???
my mate has takeuchi and it has slowed down as its got older nice machine when he bought it
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:22 pm
by msh paving
IV got a bobcat 428 zearo tail swing 3 tonner great machine had 3 bobcat 3 tonners now keep em 3 years till waranty runs out, got a 1.5 ton bobcat im on 3rd one too should have gone this spring buts its staying a while now,with work as it is,
takuchi would be my second choice next to bobcat i guees im stuck in my ways but get great service from AMS bobcat
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:08 am
by lutonlagerlout
the guy we use has a 3 tonner takeuchi and he swears by them, hes dug us footings out 3 M deep with it and he has all the attachments auger,slit trenched etc
he used to use pel job but hes converted now
my 2p worth
LLL
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:04 am
by Dave_L
In the end it's down to you Giles - we like the Takeuchi. Both are as good as each other.
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:58 pm
by dig dug dan
they are both japanese,so you cant go wrong, but Kubota are still the best. Easier to gets bits for, not that you would need them though!
They hold their value better too.
just a matter of the best deal on the machines at the time.
not sure where you are but leach lewis do some great deals on machines. Do a google search for them.
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:32 pm
by GB_Groundworks
we are the proud new onwers of a kubota kx71-3, only got 5 mins on it today after wasting a day going to liverpool to get a passport, interview took 3 min then had to wait 4 hours for it to be printed. what a waste of time that was.
but kubota is great really quick and smooth and secure with coded keys etc
just need a quick hitch for it now
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:48 pm
by dig dug dan
bloody hell that was quick!! dealers must have the standing by!
do you use a semi quick hitch or a fully automated one?
trouble i found when i brought a semi hitch afterwards, was that two buckets did not fir, and i had to change them ( pin centres were 5mm out)
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:53 pm
by GB_Groundworks
well we had 2 offers on the table after doing a bit of enquiry and the kubota was a better deal as it had double acting hydraulics already for auger where as takeuchi was an extra.
i think it will be a semi, we have full auto dromone quick hitches on our js130 and on the rented js220 and they are great but are factory fitted, bit of an arse running the lines to have a full auto so yes semi auto i reckon.
we have full equiped workshop with coded welder so bit of modding no probs,
what make did you go for, was that on your micro?
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:02 pm
by dig dug dan
yes the micro k008, i brought one from sed . a company called plantforce. It was £90 delivered, but had to buy 6 dummy pins for the various buckets and attachments.
Just sold the old 6" bucket that didn't fit, now just the rake to do!
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:27 pm
by GB_Groundworks
when i get a day free i'm going to get the plasma cutter out and make a rake and a thumb for our 8 ton for site clearance work, the rakes look a good bit of kit
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:45 pm
by msh paving
iv had all my buckets and kwick hitches from evans&reid in wales on the 1.5 t i put a semi quick hitch just one pin to fit on self drive they cant go wrong, but the 3 tonner it needs a spanner to tighten it down,very rare it goes self drive,harford buckets and quick hitches are good from norwich norfolk
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:47 pm
by msh paving
just bough a bobcat thumb and grapple for my 3 ton, not used it yet,iv got a hydraulic grapple for sale for 3 tonner works from the aux. hydraulics need 2 way flow to open and close 
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:08 pm
by Dave_L
msh paving wrote:iv had all my buckets and kwick hitches from evans&reid in wales on the 1.5 t i put a semi quick hitch just one pin to fit on self drive they cant go wrong, but the 3 tonner it needs a spanner to tighten it down,very rare it goes self drive,harford buckets and quick hitches are good from norwich norfolk
We've got a Harford Hitch on our TB145, bloody good hitch it is too. Bit fiddly with the wind-down retainer, but hey-ho.
Don't loose the safety plate and pin - replacement cost £36!!!!!!!
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:18 pm
by GB_Groundworks
what the off the shelf price for a 3 ton grapple? priced one for our 8 ton and was £1500 that worked of fixed leg to dipper arm and then bucket linkage to open and close
[url=http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MECHANICAL-GRAPPL ... temQQptZUK
_BOI_Industrial_Tools_Construction_Tools_ET?hash=item350133979107&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A3%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318]ebay link to grapple[/url]