Conventional tail swing minis

[JimboCX]

What are opinions on case minis, like the cx26c? I know it's a zero swinger but dealer isn't far away and is a good dealer so maybe worth a shot?

No comparison to a cx26 and the hitachi ex30. I got a demo cx30c out when I still had my Zx30u hitachi and even it felt small beside it. That’s why I decided to go for the cx37c there actully isn’t abig difference in it and the 3 ton hitachi. Slightly wider undercarriage and slightly more reach.

 

[Gunners]

If you didn't go for the 8026, what was next option? Have you any plans for replacing it?

If I had to replace it and another 8026 wasn't an option, I would be all over the Kubota KX30. There are some really nice details on those machines, I have a good local dealer and the KX30 is much better in the dipper power than the 27 which I felt was a bit lacking. Now I've looked at the spec sheet you've got me thinking.....

I actually agree with Gaz on this one, there is a big difference between the legally towable 2.5-2.7t machines and the "on the limit" towable 2.8-3t machines. The TB230 has a great cab, but looking at the features its not as powerful as the Kubota or JCB. The Kubota really puts a fight on the JCB specs actually, Kub has a little more bucket tearout and reach. JCB has a little more dipper force and 10Lpm Aux flow. They weigh neigh on the same, within 10kg of each other.
The KX30 wasn't about when I bought my 8026. I'd be interested to see what JCB come up with for the 8026 refresh, but the machine is still competitive even 8 years after its launch.

Reality is when I fitted the tilty I wanted the 8026 to do me 4 years with it on the end. So that's another two to go yet - should get to 4000hrs with 2000 on the tilty... ish. This year might see my old 8015 replaced and having looked into what's out there, the 1.5 - 1.9t class is even more of a minefield.

 

[Furniss]

Or anywhere to put your overpriced coffee! Its third world in there, I'm not sleeping in that all day!

Waaaaait a minute ... kx71 has a coffee cup holder

 

[Furniss]

The lad I bought my old relic kx71-3a from replaced it with a new kx030 about a year ago - I will ask him for his thoughts on the new versus old

 

[Giles]

Waaaaait a minute ... kx71 has a coffee cup holder

I stuck one on, abd in my kx161 I’ll get a pick when I get to the yard

 

[Furniss]

Sat in the office with snow on the ground .... rare thing where we live so had the chance to have a chat with my mate who replaced the KX71 with the KX030 and its not all good news unfortunately.

He had them out to it twice in the initial weeks because he finds it really difficult to grade with,finds the dipper too slow and says you cant flick stone about with it.... aparantly its all fine and specs are normal, but he said its nowhere near as nice and precise for trimming up compared to the 71-3a and also said it wont lift and handle a bulk bag like the 71 did, tracks same as KX71 so still a bit savage.

On the upside ........ somewhere better for the grease gun, larger door for access ,really big filler cap so no need for a funnel from drums and of course Netflix in colour with surround sound.

 

[V8Druid]

The lad I bought my old relic kx71-3a from replaced it with a new kx030 about a year ago - I will ask him for his thoughts on the new versus old View attachment 22126

I assume the more substantially built one is "the relic"??

 

[V8Druid]

Sat in the office with snow on the ground .... rare thing where we live so had the chance to have a chat with my mate who replaced the KX71 with the KX030 and its not all good news unfortunately.

He had them out to it twice in the initial weeks because he finds it really difficult to grade with,finds the dipper too slow and says you cant flick stone about with it.... aparantly its all fine and specs are normal, but he said its nowhere near as nice and precise for trimming up compared to the 71-3a and also said it wont lift and handle a bulk bag like the 71 did, tracks same as KX71 so still a bit savage.

On the upside ........ somewhere better for the grease gun, larger door for access ,really big filler cap so no need for a funnel from drums and of course Netflix in colour with surround sound.

situation normal then, from what I read of manufacturer improvements/developments !! more backward steps in the name of progress .. bet he's gutted

 

[Furniss]

I assume the more substantially built one is "the relic"??

Relic on the right ... its interesting to see them side by side like that, same bucket, same distance from blade, blades lined up, you can see the differences in geometry.
He said the machine is alright but what it really should of been is a KX71 with better cab, access door,grease gun holder,netflix,coffee cup holder etc and it isnt.

 

[V8Druid]

Relic on the right ... its interesting to see them side by side like that, same bucket, same distance from blade, blades lined up, you can see the differences in geometry.
He said the machine is alright but what it really should of been is a KX71 with better cab, access door,grease gun holder,netflix,coffee cup holder etc and it isnt.

pretty sure I know which one i'd want parked on me patch ..... and wouldn't be the shiniest one

 

[fred]

Sat in the office with snow on the ground .... rare thing where we live so had the chance to have a chat with my mate who replaced the KX71 with the KX030 and its not all good news unfortunately.

He had them out to it twice in the initial weeks because he finds it really difficult to grade with,finds the dipper too slow and says you cant flick stone about with it.... aparantly its all fine and specs are normal, but he said its nowhere near as nice and precise for trimming up compared to the 71-3a and also said it wont lift and handle a bulk bag like the 71 did, tracks same as KX71 so still a bit savage.

On the upside ........ somewhere better for the grease gun, larger door for access ,really big filler cap so no need for a funnel from drums and of course Netflix in colour with surround sound.

strange my 030-4 hi spec was just the opposite apart from the tool locker was filled with pipes from the extra pump so couldnt use it.. Did he have the base version ? The high spec had additional vari pump.

 

[Giles]

-3 kubota cup holder mod off eBay and no nails

 

[fred]

12v beer fridge instead ? !

6L 12V Table Top Mini Fridge Heating & Ice Box Freezer, Beer & Drinks Cooler UK | eBay

6L large capacity, inherently powerful, do not have to worry about space, can put five bottles of 596ml of mineral water, 10 cans of 330ml drinks. - Heating temperature: up to 65℃. - There are four shelves on the cover, the house is very firm, easy to put in the car cup.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Furniss]

Looks like standard spec by the pipework ..... still should grade though shouldnt it

 

[Storrsy]

More fool them then!

I think they’re a yanmar sv26- same machine different paint I believe.

 

[Storrsy]

situation normal then, from what I read of manufacturer improvements/developments !! more backward steps in the name of progress .. bet he's gutted

I honestly believe this to be the case in my experience.
Gutted with the TB216 compared with my old tb016
I’ve yet to find a modern 2.8t that I feel outperforms my 2007 tb125, although haven’t tried the jcb8026...
And lastly I’m on a TB290 (8.5 ton)this week- nice machine- but not convinced the breakout is vastly better than my 2001 kubota kx161 (5.5t).

 

[Furniss]

I honestly believe this to be the case in my experience.
Gutted with the TB216 compared with my old tb016
I’ve yet to find a modern 2.8t that I feel outperforms my 2007 tb125, although haven’t tried the jcb8026...
And lastly I’m on a TB290 (8.5 ton)this week- nice machine- but not convinced the breakout is vastly better than my 2001 kubota kx161 (5.5t).

Tb016, tb125 and even kx161 ...... hard acts to follow

 

[Thomas7740]

Cheers lads, yous have royally fried my brain so many options out there. I imagine we will go for a 2.5-2.7 ton machine, to help with towing rules if we ever decide to shift with a vehicle and not the tractor. Plus we have the ex60 now and arent relying on the mini digger to do heavy work, just foundations, Landscaping, indoor slurry tanks etc. Also not totally set on conventional tailswing anymore.
Have a good relationship with my NH dealer and the salesman is a neighbour so have him pricing up an E26c. Will also try the equivalent Case, Wacker ET24/EZ26, Tak TB225, volvo ecr25d, kubota KX027-4. Think they should be fair comparisons?

 

[Furniss]

Cheers lads, yous have royally fried my brain so many options out there. I imagine we will go for a 2.5-2.7 ton machine, to help with towing rules if we ever decide to shift with a vehicle and not the tractor. Plus we have the ex60 now and arent relying on the mini digger to do heavy work, just foundations, Landscaping, indoor slurry tanks etc. Also not totally set on conventional tailswing anymore.
Have a good relationship with my NH dealer and the salesman is a neighbour so have him pricing up an E26c. Will also try the equivalent Case, Wacker ET24/EZ26, Tak TB225, volvo ecr25d, kubota KX027-4. Think they should be fair comparisons?

I would consider making Nick an offer for his Volvo if I was you

 

[Storrsy]

The tb225 is a bit of an odd one in my book- I can kind of see the appeal for some- but I actually think it’s a bit naff. Kind of a half way house between 1.8t expanding track machines and your 2.8tonners. with proper undercarriage. It has skinny tracks, poor ground clearance. compromises so it can have expanding tracks yet in reality it only goes down to 1.1 meters so still a potential to be to big for back garden access, perhaps a bit of a niche machine and probably great in some circumstances, but personally I’d prefer a proper x frame undercarriage with 300mm tracks and ground clearance, and just hire a 1.8t if access was ever the issue...