Thomas7740
Well-known member
Looking into conventional tail swing minis in the 2.5-3 ton class. On my list is JCB 8026cts, Tak TB225 and 230, Yanmar Vio26 and Kubota KX027-4 and KX030-4. Have i missed any out?
craig
Well-known member
Wacker Neuson ET24?
craig
Well-known member
Bobcat E27
TiltyShaun
Well-known member
How old do you want to go? Kubota Kx71-3
craig
Well-known member
Volvo ec27
GazCro
Well-known member
Are you wanting to be within the 3.5 ton inc trailer for towing?
doobin
Well-known member
The Bobcat E27 is described as conventional tailswing. Whilst the tail doesn't seem as pronounced as others, I have the extra heavy counterweight and it's incredibly stable.
The E19 though? Now there's an arse!
The E19 though? Now there's an arse!
Thomas7740
Well-known member
Forgot about wacker, will have a look
R
Russell
Well-known member
Kobelco SK26
Thomas7740
Well-known member
Not a major concern for us, but not wanting to go to a 3.5 tonner as they are bigger and generally wouldnt have room for one on alot of our jobs.
Never realised the E27 was conventional swing, cab looks small tho?
At the minute we are thinking of going new, second hand prices are through the roof and by time you consider warranty and finance packages it could be as cheap going new
Thomas7740
Well-known member
Enquired about them before and was told they arent for the uk market
doobin
Well-known member
That looks like a well built and strong machine. Decent size engine.
Proportional aux as standard too- I wonder if you can get a second aux? Looks ot be two rollers on the pic.
doobin
Well-known member
More fool them then!
M
Monkeybusiness
Well-known member
There is an E27 (conventional) and a more popular E27z (zero) - they both look the same from a passing glance. The conventional is more powerful and generally more capable all-round, and the cab is a good size and really comfortable IMO.
Hg2702
Well-known member
Looks like a yanmar painted blue
Gunners
Well-known member
Are you looking to replace the legendary EX30 with this machine? All the sub 3t machines are smaller than the EX30 in bulk and arm reach, although probably not far off in terms of power these days.
My picks in this class would be;
Volvo EC27D - not driven one (have driven the ECR25) but on the spec sheet, its up there on power. Not the biggest back end though, and flimsy bodywork. @Pedrod355 has one - he would be the man to ask.
Kubota KX27 / KX30 - not really sure what the real difference is between these two are. But they do high spec versions with twin aux's and the cabs are good. Lacks the dipper power of the Volvo and JCB though, most noticeable when trying to pull through a pile of type 1 etc. @Antony Holmes has one.
JCB 8026 - needs a refresh in the cab and some more spec options, but underneath is no doubt the most powerful machine in this class. I have one, @sjs5060 does too.
Bobcat aren't far behind, neither are Yanmar. The Yanmar drives a bit nicer than the Bobcat in my opinion but the options list is very appealing with the Bobcat, they have certainly nailed the options an owner operator would want. Hitachi no longer make anything with an arse on it. Shame after they nailed it with the EX30 you currently own. The Takeuchi TB230 is quite a bit bulkier than any of the true sub 2.8t machines, but the cab is biggest in class and it matches the JCB in terms of power. But like I say, its that next size up.
Be interested to hear where prices sit at the moment. I know you can negotiate an 8026 with buckets and hitch to around £25k. Be interesting to see where the others are. Do keep us posted.
My picks in this class would be;
Volvo EC27D - not driven one (have driven the ECR25) but on the spec sheet, its up there on power. Not the biggest back end though, and flimsy bodywork. @Pedrod355 has one - he would be the man to ask.
Kubota KX27 / KX30 - not really sure what the real difference is between these two are. But they do high spec versions with twin aux's and the cabs are good. Lacks the dipper power of the Volvo and JCB though, most noticeable when trying to pull through a pile of type 1 etc. @Antony Holmes has one.
JCB 8026 - needs a refresh in the cab and some more spec options, but underneath is no doubt the most powerful machine in this class. I have one, @sjs5060 does too.
Bobcat aren't far behind, neither are Yanmar. The Yanmar drives a bit nicer than the Bobcat in my opinion but the options list is very appealing with the Bobcat, they have certainly nailed the options an owner operator would want. Hitachi no longer make anything with an arse on it. Shame after they nailed it with the EX30 you currently own. The Takeuchi TB230 is quite a bit bulkier than any of the true sub 2.8t machines, but the cab is biggest in class and it matches the JCB in terms of power. But like I say, its that next size up.
Be interested to hear where prices sit at the moment. I know you can negotiate an 8026 with buckets and hitch to around £25k. Be interesting to see where the others are. Do keep us posted.
R
Russell
Well-known member
I like the look of the sk22 but I'm not sure if it will be too big for the domestic type of work I get. It's that or a E20z for me .
I got quoted £21,000 for the E20 with twin auxiliary on the sticks, hitch and no buckets.
I'm awaiting price for the sk22 but it's been a few days.
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Thomas7740
Well-known member
Excellent reply, thank you.
Starting to think of changing the EX30, tbh it's starting to give a bit of bother again, gave some trouble at 7000 hours (new engine and hyd pump) and its approaching 14000 hours now and worried its going to be the same again. On top of that it needs pinned and bushed, although its never been done so cant complain (tighter than some 4000 hour machines). So we are seriously thinking about selling her and going for a new one. We realise that nothing nowadays is comparable to the 30, but our customers wont know a difference and we get paid the same so its one of them things. To get the same performance we would probably have to go to a 3.5 tonner.
How do you find your 8026? Would like to back British but have had bad experiences with an 8035zts and its putting us off
CPS
Well-known member
I know its not Zero tail, but the ZX33 would be a close contender in my opinion.. we'll balanced for a zero tail.
Big Jordy
Well-known member
Can speak for zx33u drove one for nearly 2 years and loved it that saying it was a 2014 machine but I can’t say anything bad about it handles a 900mm Scott bucket no bother and for a zero bloody stable over the side with a full bucket.. bit hungry on the fuel but then again only a 33 litre fuel tank. All the work it was used for was road/ footpaths/ heavy civils. Never gave much bother just servicing when I left, had 6500 hours on it and still tight on most of the pins.
Jordy
Jordy
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