2.5 ton diggers again.

[Storrsy]

I think it’s safe to say this topic has been touched on a few times, I plan to upgrade my Takeuchis sometime soon.
As ever the procrastinator- I’ve ballsed up on one machine purchase already (TB216)- so making a decision on the new one is rather turning into an exercise of over caution.
My shortlist so far- is
Yanmar Sv26 - tried one and think it’s good, nice weight for towing, don’t like the limited offset boom too much.
Volvo EC27D- never tried one but fits the bill as again comfortably towable and looks pretty good- perhaps a bit plasticy on the rear for my liking.
Kubota KX030-4- this would be the Ideal for me I think aside from the fact that it’s probably overweight on my trailer (much like my TB125 is). But I like the brand and dealer is near, good reach and well counter balanced, lift capacity is everything to me.

Any Volvo owners here? Or other recommendations, bobcat- possibly but a threada while back didn’t exactly fill me with confidence in them- and no local dealer around here...

One thing I’m sure on is I don’t want zero tail, even supposed conventional models seemed to have slimmed their arse a bit down now...

 

[JD450A]

Stick with what you have keep your wallet in your pocket

 

[Hg2702]

No to the Volvo mate ! Spent 2 weeks on one a couple of weeks ago and it was horrendous no balance and hard work made my grading look even worse than my normal standard I will add I was the zts version but the 5 tonner was just as bad ! I’d replace it with a second hand 216

 

[Hg2702]

Stick with what you have keep your wallet in your pocket

Rory is the west country’s big spender

 

[Storrsy]

Your probably right- but it’s just infuriating me on many levels now. I really want proportional rocker controls, hydraulic hitch, and I want something just a little lighter so it’s legal behind my disco- defender wasn’t too bad as all the buckets went in the pickup bed.

 

[Storrsy]

Stick with what you have keep your wallet in your pocket

Thing is what is the point in keeping too much money in your account- just gets taxed come April, i sooner spend a bit and make life a bit easier for myself.

 

[Hg2702]

Your probably right- but it’s just infuriating me on many levels now. I really want proportional rocker controls, hydraulic hitch, and I want something just a little lighter so it’s legal behind my disco- defender wasn’t too bad as all the buckets went in the pickup bed.

Like I said a second hand 216 with all that on

 

[Storrsy]

No to the Volvo mate ! Spent 2 weeks on one a couple of weeks ago and it was horrendous no balance and hard work made my grading look even worse than my normal standard I will add I was the zts version but the 5 tonner was just as bad ! I’d replace it with a second hand 216

Yeah I hear mixed things about Volvo, I haven’t ever spent much time in one though.

Like I said a second hand 216 with all that on

How much- I want your hitch with it! Miss mine a bit now!

 

[Hg2702]

Oh stop it I’m to scared to change at the minute. Volvo wise all 3 of us moaned about it. My mates got 3 Kubota u27’s I think that’s what they are and that’s a lovely machine.

 

[Storrsy]

TBH the 1.8 size machines are just too small for the bulk of my work- I keep one just to increase my services offered and they are handy to tow around to small jobs- the 2.8t is my bread and butter machine and it’s something I want to get kitted out just right now.

 

[Hg2702]

I hear you mate wish there’s lots of done different on this one which I’ll just take onto the next one... one day when I have an idea of what the next 3 months looks like

 

[Gunners]

We've run through this weight class a few times now but it always seems to come down to the same old. Don't buy anything other than a Takeuchi - do not pass go - do not collect 0% finance. Your wallet wont be happy, neither will you as the operator but this forum will be.
If you have your own mind then the Kubota is the best of the ones you have mentioned.
And I'm with Harry on the Volvo ECR25D - didn't grade very well, a bit too sharp on the leavers. Has some nice features though.

 

[JD450A]

Your probably right- but it’s just infuriating me on many levels now. I really want proportional rocker controls, hydraulic hitch, and I want something just a little lighter so it’s legal behind my disco- defender wasn’t too bad as all the buckets went in the pickup bed.

I know what your saying but that 125 of yours is a peach. I'd get the likes of @Dr pecker or @CPS on it to retrofit a proportional rocker Shear and Rotate setup on it and a Hydralic Q hitch. The legality thing I think you'll struggle to get away from as it's a fact of life Perhaps now is the time to look at a little lorry? That'll sort the money out!

BTW have you got a car park to do round the back of Cornwood and would it be handy to put a 7.5 tonner on It? Mine is not far away and your welcome to have it if you want

 

[Storrsy]

We've run through this weight class a few times now but it always seems to come down to the same old. Don't buy anything other than a Takeuchi - do not pass go - do not collect 0% finance. Your wallet wont be happy, neither will you as the operator but this forum will be.
If you have your own mind then the Kubota is the best of the ones you have mentioned.
And I'm with Harry on the Volvo ECR25D - didn't grade very well, a bit too sharp on the leavers. Has some nice features though.

Yes apologies, It is a bit old hat this topic. But I’m an expert I’m going round in circles when it comes to making decisions.
The Tak TB230 isn’t an option for me, firstly I’m bored of looking out the window at a white arm having run Taks for over 10 years now, I fancy a change of brand tbh, and my experience of the TB216 has rather left me with a sour taste in my mouth! I suppose the Yanmar is probably choice of the hour as basically ticks the boxes but that restricted arc of the offset arm Is going to bug me I can feel it, I do a lot of ditching and being able to offset more or less 90degress to the left brings you so much closer to the near side of the ditch for visibility etc, the yanmar iS nowhere near this and was something I disliked when I had one on hire last year- the rest of machine was pretty impressive though so perhaps a compromise has to happen.

 

[Alan caddy]

I would not have volvo either we have 25 and 27 both not very good to operate compared to the Hitachi 26 loads of movement in all the bushes from new not good to grade with,

 

[doobin]

Whatever you get I’d get twin aux fitted so you are grab or even tilty ready.

I liked the look of the kubota 30 hi spec which has this as standard. But 0% finance swung it for me much to the collectives derision.

 

[Storrsy]

I know what your saying but that 125 of yours is a peach. I'd get the likes of @Dr pecker or @CPS on it to retrofit a proportional rocker Shear and Rotate setup on it and a Hydralic Q hitch. The legality thing I think you'll struggle to get away from as it's a fact of life Perhaps now is the time to look at a little lorry? That'll sort the money out!

BTW have you got a car park to do round the back of Cornwood and would it be handy to put a 7.5 tonner on It? Mine is not far away and your welcome to have it if you want

Ha, I bet I know where that car park is? I looked at one there last year and then it all went quiet.Thanks anyway though!

 

[doobin]

I reckon you’d be best to try them all mate. Get one in on hire for a week at a time. Nothing like getting a proper feel for the machine.

You’re welcome to come and use mine on some real work (as much as you like )

 

[Furniss]

Never been in a Yanmar SV26 but they seem well liked - as gunners says though the Kub would be favourite - a mate of mine bought a 030-4 last year and he says its a very decent little digger.

Like Doobin says I would find a Hi spec with twin prop rollers

 

[JD450A]

Ha, I bet I know where that car park is? I looked at one there last year and then it all went quiet. Thanks anyway though!

Your welcome, might all kick off again soon as was talking to the landowner who's given permission for it to go there. (I'm doing some work for him) Will likely overwinter the digger up there if the weather doesn't f****ng improve so the offer is there.