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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:32 pm
by 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?
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:39 pm
by Dave_L
Depends what work you've got for it!
Anything Takeuchi in my books.
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:43 pm
by 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.
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:43 pm
by Simon Bowler
ah im just intersted as we were talking about it at work today. i think id keep my first post simple 
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:47 pm
by 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.
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:58 pm
by lutonlagerlout
all takeuchi seem to do no wrong for us
not saying others are wrong
LLL 
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:05 pm
by Pablo
Takeuchi and Kubota are my favourites Jcb hanix and Yanmar are bloody terrible.
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:55 pm
by 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
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:42 pm
by 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.
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:11 am
by 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
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:19 am
by Kuts
Anybody tried New Holland machines?
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:56 pm
by DNgroundworks
kubota for me
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:57 pm
by Stuarty
DNgroundworks wrote:kubota for me
and me
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 3:49 pm
by 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.!