Everyone ready for a laugh ?

[Stebbo]

Hi all,
To be honest I’m rather hesitant in even joining the forum but on the few forums I have joined over a very wide range of topics I generally find them to be incredibly helpful. So here goes!
I’m in the autumn of my years, retired but still pretty active. I have an awful lot of work to do, involving earth moving, digging soak always, trenches etc. mostly to do landscape gardening and drainage at my daughters house. So the thought of a mini digger came to mind. Knowing only to look on eBay and machinery mart I perhaps shouldn’t have been surprised to see my budget (1st laugh) of £4/5K really doesn’t go very far !
Now for the real laugh. Has anybody had any experience of buying from, wait for it - Alibaba ? Alright I know I’ve opened myself to ridicule but surely in amongst all the c**p the Chinese sell there must be some good stuff ? Prices seem to start at a few K and the pictures look good, particularly when there are rows and rows of them. I’m guessing that although they are not branded, some must surely find their way to the UK and acquire a ‘known’ albeit obscure badge and a much inflated price tag?
I’d appreciate your thoughts. Just to say I have a fairly thick skin and won’t be too offended !!

Many thanks,

Stebbo

 

[doobin]

Don't even consider it.

 

[TiltyShaun]

Import duty and CE marks spring to mind before the old adage of the Old wise Chinese Probverb
No touchy no payee
Which translates into if you can’t touch it dont pay for it!!

 

[Maxus]

I think there's a thread on here regarding Chinese mini diggers, the brand 'Carter' springs to mind.

If you know what you're looking for, you'll need to spend at least 10k for something half decent and then, with any luck, sell for what you paid, if not more. Obviously it's a financial risk and potential for major hassle going down that road.

Hiring in is the safest most hassle free option that will get you a good machine and for a very reasonable price.

 

[TiltyShaun]

I forgot spare parts and service kit. Might not need a service kit…..might not last to the first one!!

 

[JD450A]

Where in the UK are you?

 

[Jimbo69]

What size of machine are you looking for? To get something decent you’d definitely have to up your budget, I wouldn’t even consider alibaba

 

[Stebbo]

Thanks guys. You’re pretty much confirming what I’d thought. I suppose I’d rather hoped that someone may have had the same thoughts. I hadn’t considered the CE complications or the spares problem. I guess you’ve all saved me a lot of money. I had thought about hiring but all the jobs are a nuisance and it would have been handier to have one handy to use as and when. I fully expect to sell it after the job is done but felt nervous at buying one that’s possibly seen better days.
To answer JD450A. Near Attleborough, Norfolk.
Thanks for all the advice so far guys.

 

[Smiffy]

Just looked at the ones on Alibaba and I would be absolutely amazed if the correct thing even turned up for the price they are listed at. Either nothing will turn up or a scale model.
I shiny machines may decrease in value shortly but I can't see the older stuff changing much.
Look on Facebook market place. But make sure you don't put a deposit down and come away with the machine the day you pay for it. Facebook has better deals but equally more scammers

 

[Stebbo]

Jimbo69. Don’t really know the weight, just that it has to small and on the small budget side. A micro, if it’s easier and quicker than an old man with a shovel !!

 

[Stebbo]

Hi Smiffy,
It seems I can’t type quickly enough before someone else replies. What an amazing response. I’m glad you looked at Alibaba. They do look shiny though don’t they ? Can you see the temptation ?

 

[Vinpetrol]

A micro is better than a shovel but with all the work you listed if you can afford to go up a bit in size you’ll find that the machines handle better so you can do more with them . There are a lot of very good sized minis under 2 tonne and if you’re vigilant you will pick one up . Everyone of us on here has ideas as what’s best brand but most of the main brands will do you fine . What you should be looking for is a 10-12 year old machine and you should get something for 7-10 k ish look for as low hours as possible . Guys on here sell them fairly regular so depending on how soon you need it one may come up. It’ll still be worth good money when you’re done so the better you buy the better you’ll sell.
If you see any options your considering ask on here and the guys will keep you right

 

[Vinpetrol]

@Regy53 also worth a shout. He runs the forum and also has a plant sale business Sandhill plant . He might have something coming in soon

 

[Stebbo]

Great advice Vinpetrol. Thanks for that. Great to find such an incredibly helpful bunch and no teasing either !
No real hurry so I’ll keep a lookout based on your advice. Sounds like I need to keep an eye @Regy53

 

[Vinpetrol]

Great advice Vinpetrol. Thanks for that. Great to find such an incredibly helpful bunch and no teasing either !
No real hurry so I’ll keep a lookout based on your advice. Sounds like I need to keep an eye @Regy53

Message him , he’s reasonably approachable on a good day

 

[Powerfab]

Stebbo, welcome to the forum.

I think you need to be closer to £10k to get anything half sensible.
Are you in any way mechanically minded? Your budget is severely limiting, but it can be done, but only if you have the ability to put a lot of work in yourself and would be happy to strip and rebuild a machine, and assuming a lot of luck and spares are available.

My avatar shows a Powerfab towable or walker digger, @druid has a similiar Gopher type machine. Neither are made now, but there are still a few pop up on eBay or local classifieds. Don't knock them, they can put in the work, although nowhere near the capability of a mini, they will get the job done.
I put in several septic fields, dug extension footings when no other machine could get acces, you name it I tried it.
These machines are as simple mechanically as you can get. Most of the frame is standard steel stock, hydraulics are off the shelf and motors are generally your bog standard go forever Johnny Honda.

I rebuilt and refurbished mine at very little cost, kept it 4-5yrs and sold it on with a decent profit. Then swapped it out for another auction project of a "proper" 1.5ton mini and started all over again.

Thats the other route, at the right auction, there are countless machines available. If you can look past the cosmetics of broken glass, torn seats gouged counterweights and twisted bonnets there are some mechanically sound. But you need to have someone who has a proper knowlege of them. that you don't end up with an auction lemon. And there's plenty of them about too.

Find an old Volvo EB or JCB mini and you're still pretty well assured of getting most parts and service kits.

 

[V8Druid]

Hi all,
To be honest I’m rather hesitant in even joining the forum but on the few forums I have joined over a very wide range of topics I generally find them to be incredibly helpful. So here goes!
I’m in the autumn of my years, retired but still pretty active. I have an awful lot of work to do, involving earth moving, digging soak always, trenches etc. mostly to do landscape gardening and drainage at my daughters house. So the thought of a mini digger came to mind. Knowing only to look on eBay and machinery mart I perhaps shouldn’t have been surprised to see my budget (1st laugh) of £4/5K really doesn’t go very far !
Now for the real laugh. Has anybody had any experience of buying from, wait for it - Alibaba ? Alright I know I’ve opened myself to ridicule but surely in amongst all the c**p the Chinese sell there must be some good stuff ? Prices seem to start at a few K and the pictures look good, particularly when there are rows and rows of them. I’m guessing that although they are not branded, some must surely find their way to the UK and acquire a ‘known’ albeit obscure badge and a much inflated price tag?
I’d appreciate your thoughts. Just to say I have a fairly thick skin and won’t be too offended !!

Many thanks,

Stebbo

there's a few of us on here @Stebbo ... and welcome to the best plant forum on the net - bar none ... you'll get good advice here from a good bunch of blokes with a vast wealth of knowledge. You're going to have to sit back and search - a lot, but there'll be summat out there to suit -- patience is a virtue when buying diggers

 

[V8Druid]

Stebbo, welcome to the forum.

I think you need to be closer to £10k to get anything half sensible.
Are you in any way mechanically minded? Your budget is severely limiting, but it can be done, but only if you have the ability to put a lot of work in yourself and would be happy to strip and rebuild a machine, and assuming a lot of luck and spares are available.

My avatar shows a Powerfab towable or walker digger, @druid has a similiar Gopher type machine. Neither are made now, but there are still a few pop up on eBay or local classifieds. Don't knock them, they can put in the work, although nowhere near the capability of a mini, they will get the job done.
I put in several septic fields, dug extension footings when no other machine could get acces, you name it I tried it.
These machines are as simple mechanically as you can get. Most of the frame is standard steel stock, hydraulics are off the shelf and motors are generally your bog standard go forever Johnny Honda.

I rebuilt and refurbished mine at very little cost, kept it 4-5yrs and sold it on with a decent profit. Then swapped it out for another auction project of a "proper" 1.5ton mini and started all over again.

Thats the other route, at the right auction, there are countless machines available. If you can look past the cosmetics of broken glass, torn seats gouged counterweights and twisted bonnets there are some mechanically sound. But you need to have someone who has a proper knowlege of them. that you don't end up with an auction lemon. And there's plenty of them about too.

Find an old Volvo EB or JCB mini and you're still pretty well assured of getting most parts and service kits.

as @Powerfab says ... the old walkers can put in some serious digging in a day ...
just limited by their slew radius really (170 deg.s usually)
mine is a Fleming/Manor Micron ... have had it 30 years and have done some muck shifting with it .. dug a lot of trenches and gotten into places nothing else would get to ... in good digging it'll keep 3-4 fit men, on barrows, going all day

with practice there's not a lot of places you won't get with one .. this un'll go through 28" doorway ... pull/push yourself along with the arm.
this'll give you an idea if you've not seen one

 

[Vinpetrol]

as @Powerfab says ... the old walkers can put in some serious digging in a day ...
just limited by their slew radius really (170 deg.s usually)
mine is a Fleming/Manor Micron ... have had it 30 years and have done some muck shifting with it .. dug a lot of trenches and gotten into places nothing else would get to ... in good digging it'll keep 3-4 fit men, on barrows, going all day
View attachment 45064 View attachment 45065
with practice there's not a lot of places you won't get with one .. this un'll go through 28" doorway ... pull/push yourself along with the arm.
this'll give you an idea if you've not seen one

 

[Lancs Lad]

as @Powerfab says ... the old walkers can put in some serious digging in a day ...
just limited by their slew radius really (170 deg.s usually)
mine is a Fleming/Manor Micron ... have had it 30 years and have done some muck shifting with it .. dug a lot of trenches and gotten into places nothing else would get to ... in good digging it'll keep 3-4 fit men, on barrows, going all day
View attachment 45064 View attachment 45065
with practice there's not a lot of places you won't get with one .. this un'll go through 28" doorway ... pull/push yourself along with the arm.
this'll give you an idea if you've not seen one

Corbyn 🫡🫡