3 - 4 ton tracked excavator choice

[pb2nutter]

in terms of the 3ton mini excavator, i have a few in mind. takeuchi tb125 or tb228. other options maybe kubota kx71-3 or kx121-3
which of these would you choose.
owners of these please chime in, thanks

 

[fred]

the 71-3 has been replaced by the 030-4. I have one in the high spec version with an engcon.

It's a brilliant tool, plenty of power and quite frugal on the red.

 

[doobin]

Do you mean a towable sub 3t machine or a true 3.5t excavator?

 

[pb2nutter]

Do you mean a towable sub 3t machine or a true 3.5t excavator?

would be towing behind the tractor

 

[doobin]

Might as well have a 5t machine then?

 

[V8Druid]

would be towing behind the tractor

ooooh! ..... can of worms?

 

[Shovelhands]

ooooh! ..... can of worms?

Best not open that can of worms until you know the ops circumstances though

 

[V8Druid]

Best not open that can of worms until you know the ops circumstances though

that's why I didn't James

 

[pb2nutter]

ok lets say something in the region of 3 - 5 ton what would yous go for. good clean second hand machine. from my understanding kubota and takeuchi seems to be the best choices.

 

[Left hooker]

Hitachi 33u or 30u

 

[doobin]

There’s another bloke from Ireland on here who really rates his 3t hitachi. It’s done over 10k hours!!!

 

[Quattromike]

Ive a Takeuchi TB145 and to be honest she holds her own against most 6ton machines. I suppose it all depends how much you are looking to spend, this would let folk know what era the machine is. E.g are you looking new, nearly new, used but some life left or as cheap as chips?

 

[TiltyShaun]

I run a 2008 model kx71-3 with an Engcon. Very happy with the both!!
If you have the ££ and are going newer I would look at the new Takeuchi Tb225 with the expanding tracks. Slightly lighter so would tow on a trailer with some buckets and be under 3.5T if that is an issue!

 

[sjs5060]

If your pulling with the tractor the surely a 5 ton would be better for you?

for what it's worth if you did want one nearer 3 ton a kx101 is a bloody good machine, and often a touch cheaper second hand as they're just over 3 ton so to heavy for behind a jeep.

Ste

 

[Thomas7740]

There’s another bloke from Ireland on here who really rates his 3t hitachi. It’s done over 10k hours!!!

Northern Ireland
Coming up to 12,200 hours, still going nearly everyday. Bit rough and ready but still out performs newer machines and bigger ones. Pee’d all over the u48-4 Kubota.