midi excavators

[kp100]

Looking for a new Midi. Sold the 1989 Hitachi EX60.
Looking to upgrade. Finding in the 6-8 T class there are more machines to choose from that have what I believe they call swing booms.

They are mounted on the front of the turret and cab and can be swung to either side for digging along buildings. They seem to have the same lift and digging capacities.

I am more familiar with the booms being mounted in the center of the machine.

I do more tree and fence line cleaning then I do digging along basements with the machine.
What do you think of these swing boom machines vs the center mounted booms?

Thanks

 

[Case450]

Mini excavators are pretty handy and I dont have any first hand experience with the swing boom excavators but I have seen them being used in the city and they were really good at getting into the tight spaces between the houses and the fences and stuff...........buuuuuuuuuuuut if your in the country where operating space isn"t a premium and the center booms are cheaper why not stick with that?
My friend has a swing boom and he just uses his like a center boom. So I guess it is up to you and what you plan on using it for and how much money you want to spend.
Just my two cents.

 

[Anonymous-0]

There are 2 kinds of swing booms. Some where the offset is on the boom itself and moves the stick and others that pivot the whole boom from the base. In tight quarters and along buildings, etc. they are extremely useful. Even if you want to dig a hole say 6' wide, you can dig it much faster with straight sides because the machine doesn't have to be repositioned. For a used machine, I don't think the offset booms are much more money. I'd get an ofsset boom over a standard boom if I was buying one. They're a much more versatile machine that will still do everything a standard boom can. A dozer blade is nice too. Dave

 

[kp100]

Thanks for the replies. Often find the double hinged booms really cheap. Makes me think that the extra wear points are not popular. Was looking more for whether there was differences in lift capacities or issues I wasn't aware of. Like the looks Of JCB JX70's but not any around. Looking for the 7' stick with blades. Finding a lot of Takeuchi's 175s that look good. Don't have any experience with them. Dealer is 45 minutes away.
Thoughts???

 

[Anonymous-0]

If the offset is at the base shouldn't affect lift capacity. They don't get constant use like the bucket pivot so I don't wear is a big problem if they're greased. From what I've heard Takeuchi's are very good machines. I think they had one of, if not the first, tracked skid steer. JCB's are good machines but I think they use odd ball hydraulic fittings which could be a pain if you blew a hose and needed it fixed right away. Dave

 

[jm.]

If I were buying an mini excvator the first one I would buy is a KUBOTA ..More features, better engines, best resale ad,ad,ad, They are the market leader that everbody else looks up to something like 23% of the total mini excvator market share. Their booms swivle at the base and if maintained never give trouble.

 

[kp100]

Like every thing I see and that's being said about Kubota except not a lot to choose from in this area.

Resale is high for the kx080's. Not looking to spend much over $25000.

I guess that verifies what you are saying, as well as that larger model hasn't been out that long.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Kubota's are a good machine but compare the specs. to the competition. In most cases Kubota's don't have as much digging or lifting capacity. This may or may not affect the condition you'll be working in. Dave