What to buy?

[Weaknee]

Hi have followed the forum for some time but new to posting, looking into buying a second hand digger will most likely be a micro as this suits my work for the time being however I'm stuck with what to buy never used jcb and would only consider a 8010 but unsure of reliability and there's very few around apart from buying new, I find the kubotas very twitchy when tracking but would prefer a u10 over the 08 mainly due to reach but they seem decent enough in all other areas then there's the bobcat no idea how reliable they are and the blade design is crap but it's got pilot controls which is far nicer to use, any input would be greatly appreciated thanks

 

[Bri963]

As a K008 owner, I agree re the tracking but if you hardly ever dig down to 5’8” I’d recommend one. I know there are close equivalents that dig deeper but the Kub sips diesel and is up there with the best as regards reliability. Parts are readily available and there’s no electronics.

 

[Weaknee]

Thanks for the reply I do on occasion need to dig footings deep but it's not a deal breaker i just thought if im parting with potentially over 10k i should get the most for my money but no issues getting in a trench for me, just wondered how a jcb would compare as I've never used one though the kx008s I've used have been surprisingly capable for their weight/size

 

[6feetdown]

Small takeuchi last 1 I used on hire last year got down to approx 2m in soft grd.
Did the job on the limit of its dig

 

[Weaknee]

I'd love a tak really like the 016 and 216 used a 108 which was nice but not sure on how easy it is to get parts for but needs to be able to go through a doorway so the 210 is out as 750 minimum which is a shame

 

[Brendan]

Bobcat will also do 2m at a push.

Will all depend on how marrow you need to be tb210r and the u10 are both 750mm wide so need a good 800mm to get in places.

Bobcat/doosan is 710mm

Both jcbs are 700mm but the 8010 will dig over 2.1m deep

Yanmar and the older tb108 are around 680mm

 

[GazCro]

Don't get too hung up on max dig depth figures in reality what may reach 2m deep will probably only comfortably dig a flat bottomed trench around a foot less in depth. Parts for taki 108 not a problem from experience other than filters only had a throttle cable and 2 hoses, owned from new and 18 year old this year. You'll be lucky to find one in decent condition though as they haven't been made for quite a few years now.

 

[Weaknee]

Depth isn't the main thing for me I'd probably say width is more important so would be down to kx008 jcb or bobcat though the bobcat is at the ceiling for my budget and never used a jcb so would lean more towards kub or bobcat

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

Only two in the game from repair point of view K008 or tb108

 

[T whiting]

One of the jcb's is the narrowest I've ever had much to do with but to be honest given choice of a micro to use regularly it would be a E10 there very stable and much much comfier to drive than any of the ones with leavers up front

 

[Weaknee]

And that's the dilemma can pick up a kubota sub 10k not afraid of hour readings as if serviced and looked after that won't matter but then there is operator comfort but it comes with a price literally

 

[Maxus]

They'll all have good and bad points. I think your best of seeing what's out there and buying the best condition. I have 8010, does the job and is very narrow, quite a few jobs wouldn't have been possible with anything wider.

 

[doobin]

Operator comfort is worth the extra couple of grand if you are spending that much anyway. E10/dx10 is the only one for me. I’d love to try a new Kubota but 750 wide is a deal breaker unfortunately

 

[Weaknee]

Unfortunately budget only extends to used otherwise I'd look at new kubotas as I thought they did the new kx008 with pilot controls but as long as it gets the job done won't be much bother think I'll be looking at a kub or bobcat

 

[Russell]

I can confirm the E10 will fit through a 730mm opening as that was it's last job. I've driven a kx008 but it didn't multitask as well as the bobcat and was a lot less stable so I doubt it would lift as much. The blade design is crap on the E10 but you can just weld them up and slide them on when needed and carry in the bucket when tracking to the job.
Bobcat were doing 0% finance for 5 years with 10%deposit.
Think their about £17,000 now with the vat.
I think I was quoted £20k for a takeuchi but he couldn't get one for a year plus and was not too sure on price because of that

 

[Weaknee]

As i suspected looks like my top of budget is the one to go for does anyone know if bobcat still do 0% finance as that would solve a few problems and where is the nearest bobcat dealer in the southeast as bobcat london is gone now

 

[doobin]

As i suspected looks like my top of budget is the one to go for does anyone know if bobcat still do 0% finance as that would solve a few problems and where is the nearest bobcat dealer in the southeast as bobcat london is gone now

0% for three years. Long lead time though- end of the year I’d say. Speak to Barry at Versatile Equipment.
Where are you based?

 

[Weaknee]

Hmm everythings a years wait aha barnes plant has a decent looking one and im based in surrey work in the surrounding areas and london

 

[Russell]

I got my one from TVE in Abingdon which is Oxford I think

 

[Weaknee]

May ring and see if they still do 0%