2 ton digger

[Bryredz]

Hi all, I posted on here a couple of weeks ago about getting a 1.5-2 ton digger. I'm a landscaper (35years) and getting too old for the job so I'm thinking of doing more digger based work. I have a jcb 8008 micro which has been a great machine over the last ten years. I am now looking at getting a bigger machine, probably around 2 ton region. I spent a day on a mates Takeuchi tb219 which I was quite impressed with it although I know 1 day isn't very long on a different machine ! Another mate who has 40 odd years digger operating has got a Bobcat E19 and he thinks it's a really good machine !
I have within 25 miles of me dealers for Takeuchi, Bobcat and Wacker Neuson!
Does anyone have experience with and/or thoughts on Wacker Neuson machines (specifically ET20) ?

 

[hiluxman]

It would take me a long while to explain my reasoning but the bobcat e19 doosan dx19 its a very good machine for what you pay for them (or used to pre covid). You are never going to find the best machine as it doesn't exist, all you can do is operate as many as possible and pick from that. That way your not going on anyone else opinion of what's great and not great

Ps I own 3 bobcat/doosan machines

 

[Storrsy]

Hi all, I posted on here a couple of weeks ago about getting a 1.5-2 ton digger. I'm a landscaper (35years) and getting too old for the job so I'm thinking of doing more digger based work. I have a jcb 8008 micro which has been a great machine over the last ten years. I am now looking at getting a bigger machine, probably around 2 ton region. I spent a day on a mates Takeuchi tb219 which I was quite impressed with it although I know 1 day isn't very long on a different machine ! Another mate who has 40 odd years digger operating has got a Bobcat E19 and he thinks it's a really good machine !
I have within 25 miles of me dealers for Takeuchi, Bobcat and Wacker Neuson!
Does anyone have experience with and/or thoughts on Wacker Neuson machines (specifically ET20) ?

How have you managed to be a landscaper for 35 years and not yet own a digger!?

 

[Storrsy]

I reckon they're all pretty good tbh. Some excel in some areas so really swings and roundabouts. Ive had 4 Takeuchis over 12 years- one thing that's been consistent with them is they have been boringly reliable!

 

[craig]

Hi all, I posted on here a couple of weeks ago about getting a 1.5-2 ton digger. I'm a landscaper (35years) and getting too old for the job so I'm thinking of doing more digger based work. I have a jcb 8008 micro which has been a great machine over the last ten years. I am now looking at getting a bigger machine, probably around 2 ton region. I spent a day on a mates Takeuchi tb219 which I was quite impressed with it although I know 1 day isn't very long on a different machine ! Another mate who has 40 odd years digger operating has got a Bobcat E19 and he thinks it's a really good machine !
I have within 25 miles of me dealers for Takeuchi, Bobcat and Wacker Neuson!
Does anyone have experience with and/or thoughts on Wacker Neuson machines (specifically ET20) ?

I`ve got a Wacker Neuson ET24, not done much with it, but for what I have, pleased so far. Cabs got plently of room, service access looks ok for size of machine, not a great amount of speed difference between hi and low track speed.
I think the dealer was saying the ET20 is one of his best sellers.

 

[GazCro]

Do you intend running any attachments, grab, tilt bucket, tilt hitch etc if so you want prop control on joystick for aux line. You won't get that on a taki 219.

 

[Storrsy]

Do you intend running any attachments, grab, tilt bucket, tilt hitch etc if so you want prop control on joystick for aux line. You won't get that on a taki 219.

Pedals proportional isn't it?! I know it's all a bit dated- but find the pedal on the 216 perfectly acceptable for grab work and the like. Was pretty good for the tilt hitch too but required a delicate touch as the hitch was so sensitive

 

[GazCro]

Pedals proportional isn't it?! I know it's all a bit dated- but find the pedal on the 216 perfectly acceptable for grab work and the like. Was pretty good for the tilt hitch too but required a delicate touch as the hitch was so sensitive

Yeah it is and if you want to be delicate use it two footed. I use my 219 with breaker and auger (2 footed to shake soil off auger) and am likely to get a tilt hitch for it at some point. But its not a machine i put a lot of hours on, if it were to be my main machine and was gonna be running a grab or tilt hitch a lot it would be a lot nicer on joystick.

 

[Bryredz]

How have you managed to be a landscaper for 35 years and not yet own a digger!?

When I was employed we had a compact tractor with loader & back hoe then when I went self employed I struggled for a few years hiring then got the jcb micro

 

[Bryredz]

I`ve got a Wacker Neuson ET24, not done much with it, but for what I have, pleased so far. Cabs got plently of room, service access looks ok for size of machine, not a great amount of speed difference between hi and low track speed.
I think the dealer was saying the ET20 is one of his best sellers.

It would be the ET18 or Et20 I would be looking at ! The dealers supposed to be calling me with prices etc , will see what he comes up with !

 

[DaveDCB]

Anything will be so much better than a 8008…. in reality I’d go Takeuchi, can’t really go wrong.

 

[Regy53]

Zx19U /thread

I love these machines .

 

[JD450A]

Carter /thread

I love these machines .

Regy, we never knew

 

[doobin]

Zx19U /thread

I love these machines .

They were going very cheap new a few years ago. Nice machines but I found them a bit tippy and very tall.

 

[craig]

very tall.

I used a zx17u on a job where I was on and off it a lot, and that was one of my thoughts on it a big step up on to it for a smallish machine with canopy, otherwise I was quite impressed with its speed and power.

 

[doobin]

I used a zx17u on a job where I was on and off it a lot, and that was one of my thoughts on it a big step up on to it for a smallish machine with canopy, otherwise I was quite impressed with its speed and power

That's how I felt it, although I also found it a bit underwhelming in the tracking department. Although not as bad as my current E19! Tons of torque but takes every ounce of engine power.

Bloody emmisions regs. There's no replacement for displacement.

 

[Gunners]

You also need a stepladder to get in a zx19U. The floor is mega high in them and the lack of A pillar means there isnt much to grab onto to haul yourself up.

In response to the OP, go have a look if you can at each of the 3 machines, or the dealer should be able to put you in touch with someone who has one if they don't have any stock at the moment. Get some prices and see who's keen to sell you one at a reasonable price. The Wacker is likely to be more expensive than the others but it will have more features as standard which may or may not be important to you. VDS for example.
Do keep us updated as you go, always good to hear what prices dealers are giving at the moment

 

[craig]

The Wacker is likely to be more expensive than the others but it will have more features as standard which may or may not be important to you. VDS for example.

VDS is an option

 

[Thomas7740]

Have no experience with any wacker machines apart from our EZ26 but find it a lovely machine, and any others who have drove it have agreed. Approaching 800 hours now and has been faultless. Only thing I don’t like is how the hyd hitch works, flick switch on lhs console, press button on floor with right heel and then open the hitch using the blade lever. Really annoys us but you kind of get used to it. Apart from that it’s a lovely machine, can handle an oversized bucket really well

 

[Furniss]

Have no experience with any wacker machines apart from our EZ26 but find it a lovely machine, and any others who have drove it have agreed. Approaching 800 hours now and has been faultless. Only thing I don’t like is how the hyd hitch works, flick switch on lhs console, press button on floor with right heel and then open the hitch using the blade lever. Really annoys us but you kind of get used to it. Apart from that it’s a lovely machine, can handle an oversized bucket really well
View attachment 30268

Place bucket in suitable position- Lift pod - open door if shut- put gloves (optional depending on muck on bar or outside temperature) and get bar from back of pedals - get out of machine and walk to end of dipper - put bar in hole on hitch and push down - walk back to digger and open door If you have closed it due to rain - place bar at back of tracking pedals - get in - take gloves off (if on) - put pod down - pick bucket up and click it into hitch

This sequence does not include the necessary steps or indeed make mention of the safety pin which must be used at all times.

Stop grumbling Thomas