Best towable excavator (over next 10 -20 years)

[JerryRtilt]

HVO works well. Ran a few vans on it last year with no dramas.

Think it could be the way forward until hydrogen is a practical option, I'm currently running machines on GTL, not completely green but no clogged filters etc.

 

[Storrsy]

That size generally has little electronics.
I drive mostly Hitachi's and the current 2.6 will will run with the dashboard not working.
They are really not the best comfort wise but 100hrs a year that's unimportant. But some of the ones I've driven have been so unbelievably abused it is actually quite impressive as they still operate perfectly fine.They do thousands of hours with virtually no maintenance. Let alone grease. For a machine to keep for a long time I think they would be hard to beat.

That is true actually. I know a Hitachi u33 I think it is that's on 2500hrs owned by a wealthy landowner and it's literally never had a service

 

[JerryRtilt]

If I could get one tomorrow...I'd go with what I'm familiar and punches well for it's weight...KX027 full fat
So many about that parts won't be an issue ..

Probably the best bet, just because of numbers sold, maybe in 20 yrs time someone will be offering a kit to convert the Kubota engine to hydrogen ? Only the heads that will need to be changed perhaps ?

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Never going to be as convenient as owning but call the local hire company, zero outlay/up to date machine/zero maintenance and just stick bit of diesel in it. Use the capital for something more productive. ?

Lack of accessories usually the issue. If you want a rake/grab/beam/pecker it starts to get disappointing

 

[JerryRtilt]

Lack of accessories usually the issue. If you want a rake/grab/beam/pecker it starts to get disappointing

Wait until the market bottoms out and find a nice low hrs. Kubota/Takeuchi and keep it in a nice shed maintain to the book, 15 years time convert to Hydrogen or whatever the current favour is at that time Happy days

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Wait until the market bottoms out and find a nice low hrs. Kubota/Takeuchi and keep it in a nice shed maintain to the book, 15 years time convert to Hydrogen or whatever the current favour is at that time Happy days

I know a little bit about alternative fuels due to my day job HVO seems only sensible option. Not sure Hydrogen will be a viable diesel alternative.

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Wait until the market bottoms out and find a nice low hrs. Kubota/Takeuchi and keep it in a nice shed maintain to the book, 15 years time convert to Hydrogen or whatever the current favour is at that time Happy days

Bobcat run a Kubota engine as well? Assume Doosan is the same. Less spares availability on the rest of the build? I have a Kubota dealer about a mile away.

 

[JerryRtilt]

I know a little bit about alternative fuels due to my day job HVO seems only sensible option. Not sure Hydrogen will be a viable diesel alternative.

My crystal balls a bit rusty but i like the sound of HVO also, just needs market forces to level out the playing field, time will tell.

 

[Smiffy]

That is true actually. I know a Hitachi u33 I think it is that's on 2500hrs owned by a wealthy landowner and it's literally never had a service

Oh and I forgot the other bonus. The paint doesn't fall off

 

[JerryRtilt]

I know a little bit about alternative fuels due to my day job HVO seems only sensible option. Not sure Hydrogen will be a viable diesel alternative.

Have a look at JCB Youtube vids, quite convincing, it will be that or Efuels like HVO etc, the infernal combustion engines not dead yet.

 

[JerryRtilt]

Oh and I forgot the other bonus. The paint doesn't fall off

Probably be a few EX60" still going strong to, in Ireland

 

[Furniss]

Although Kubota is good shout they are not made like this anymore.
No netflix or coffee cup holder but a smart ash tray !
Guess the year ?

 

[Storrsy]

Although Kubota is good shout they are not made like this anymore.
No netflix or coffee cup holder but a smart ash tray !
Guess the year ?
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Although Kubota is good shout they are not made like this anymore.
No netflix or coffee cup holder but a smart ash tray !
Guess the year ?
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View attachment 52478

Got to be late 80s surely? Let's go with the year I entered this rotating ball of magma- 1988?

 

[V8Druid]

Although Kubota is good shout they are not made like this anymore.
No netflix or coffee cup holder but a smart ash tray !
Guess the year ?
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1982/3

 

[Grahams]

Lack of accessories usually the issue. If you want a rake/grab/beam/pecker it starts to get disappointing

I started out buying the accessories with bolt on heads and hiring machines as needed. I still hire a fair few machines and use my own attachments even though I own three excavators. Works well for me.

 

[Brendan]

Not seen prices of new machines but would be interesting to see how much they have jumper in the last couple of years
Although if I was buying again would probably avoid the JCB this time round, new cat looks smart but expensive

 

[6feetdown]

Although Kubota is good shout they are not made like this anymore.
No netflix or coffee cup holder but a smart ash tray !
Guess the year ?
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View attachment 52478

1985

 

[bobthebuilder]

got a 2002 tb 125 here ,put 1400hrs on it in 15 years never missed a beat ,hoses ,a new dipper ram ,tracks ,and a starter motor. regular servicing every year ,and they last well

 

[Brendan]

Funnily enough cat called today the 2.8t is £34k plus vat

 

[CPS]

Funnily enough cat called today the 2.8t is £34k plus vat

That would have bought a 5 tonner not so long ago