Mini Diggers

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fred

Well-known member
here is a spreadsheet comparing the 3 tonners when I was looking at one same as you, few years old now but Kubota was head and shoulders above the rest.

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Thomas7740

Thomas7740

Well-known member
Turns out the sk26 is a repainted Yanmar and not available here, so an sk28sr-6 is £26k with hyd hitch and 3 buckets. 3 years warranty too. Looked at some online and seem like a lovely digger. Although they are touching 3 ton
 
F

fred

Well-known member
Looks like hitachi was best on reach and dig depth etc?
Yes, unfortunately it was an old model even then, also I couldn’t get the dealer to ring me back to price . Rang 3 times and never called back.
 
Gunners

Gunners

Well-known member
Buy the 8026 especially with the 0% and warranty. Its a really good machine I don't know what JCB did with the 8026 but its different to all the others (8025 8030) in the lineup and is a real pocket rocket. Its disadvantage is at 2.8t its very near the limit on what you can tow and with mud on the tracks and buckets you would be overweight. Once on site though it digs to well over 3m (yes I've done this several times even before I put the tilty on) and throws a bulk bag about with ease.

I've driven most of the others in this weight class and the only ones that I would consider is the Volvo as it has the same spec's as the JCB and the Kubota U27 (not driven the KX27 but I imagine its pretty similar)

Not sure where you got that chart from Fred but its not right and quite outdated. Hitachi don't do the ZX30 anymore (or the 27 for that matter - both great machines) and now make the 26U which I reviewed on my youtube channel
(cheeky plug 😉 )
Volvo have replaced the 27C with the 27D for at least 2 years now and the Kubotas are KX27 or U27 now. The figures also don't tally up with what I know certainly for the 8026 and the 27U either.
 
A

AGWP

New member
Hi folks, currently pricing up 2.6/2.8 ton mini diggers. Trying to keep the specs as close as can be, although it’s not easy with some makes not offering conventional tail swing. So far I have got these prices. This is just for digger and manual hitch.
Hitachi 26U £23k
Case 26C £23k
Yanmar SV26 £24.9k
JCB 8026 cts £20k
Also going to price
Takeuchi TB225
Kubota KX027-4 (last year was £23.5k but no doubt more now
Bobcat E26
Komatsu PC26MR-3

Anything else worth pricing? Also are they are fair comparison? We would prefer conventional tail swing but the machine, price and warranty will pay a big factor in our decision. Also which one would have most legroom in the cab?


We are Takeuchi Mfg Main Dealers for the Midlands Thomas in case we can be of service. Plenty of stock available as well. Willowbrook Plant Ltd.
 
Regy53

Regy53

I like cake
Give Robert at Ballyward plant a call, he deals in Hanix i think and is a lovely guy with a great customer service
 
Thomas7740

Thomas7740

Well-known member
Thanks for the reply’s guys, plenty to think about. Speaking to the kobelco dealer has made us thinking, I know he is upping his product but I fear he may be right when he says we would be disappointed if we went from an EX30-2 to a 2.6 ton machine. Yes we would like to tow with the van but we have always shifted with the tractor, so would be wiser to go to Hitachi 33U etc
 
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Smiffy

Well-known member
Thanks for the reply’s guys, plenty to think about. Speaking to the kobelco dealer has made us thinking, I know he is upping his product but I fear he may be right when he says we would be disappointed if we went from an EX30-2 to a 2.6 ton machine. Yes we would like to tow with the van but we have always shifted with the tractor, so would be wiser to go to Hitachi 33U etc

The 33u doesn't really feel like an upgrade from the 26 imo
Although I haven't tried much in the way of the competition so don't know if the 33 is underwhelming or the 26 is a strong machine
I don't know if there is any difference in reach as I haven't seen them next to eachother but you I can't think of any circumstance where I have noticed any difference
 
JimboCX

JimboCX

Well-known member
Thanks for the reply’s guys, plenty to think about. Speaking to the kobelco dealer has made us thinking, I know he is upping his product but I fear he may be right when he says we would be disappointed if we went from an EX30-2 to a 2.6 ton machine. Yes we would like to tow with the van but we have always shifted with the tractor, so would be wiser to go to Hitachi 33U etc

Any more developments on this? Did u price an Airman of Konrad deane? I would be interested to know what the Price difference is between a hitachi and an airman. Speaking from experience yes you would be disappointed with a 26 compared to a 30-2. After I got my zaxis 30 stole I very nearly replaced it with a zx27u. But thankfully I held off untill a zx30u came my direction. The shorter track frame and shorter reach really will be noticeable to you. Also I think the 33 comes standerd with aircon and auto idle. I don’t think u can get auto idle in the 26 as it revs up with a hand throttle instead of a knob.
 
Thomas7740

Thomas7740

Well-known member
Any more developments on this? Did u price an Airman of Konrad deane? I would be interested to know what the Price difference is between a hitachi and an airman. Speaking from experience yes you would be disappointed with a 26 compared to a 30-2. After I got my zaxis 30 stole I very nearly replaced it with a zx27u. But thankfully I held off untill a zx30u came my direction. The shorter track frame and shorter reach really will be noticeable to you. Also I think the 33 comes standerd with aircon and auto idle. I don’t think u can get auto idle in the 26 as it revs up with a hand throttle instead of a knob.
Never got a chance to do anything this week, but tomorrow I plan to phone Konrad about Airman. Will be interesting to see how it compares to Hitachi price wise. Also plan to phone Sany. 5 year structural and 3 years full warranty and the guarantee to buy it back after 3 years for 75% of purchase price is rather appealing.
Anyone any opinions on Volvo?
 
Thomas7740

Thomas7740

Well-known member
So went to see Sany yesterday as was driving past dealer, look to be well made, drove a 3.5 tonner in the yard, first impressions where really smooth hydraulics, spacious cab although a tad noisy. Got a few prices, SY26 is £22,350. That’s a standard digger with no hitch or buckets but with 3 year warranty. Same spec SY35 is £25k. So they aren’t really any cheaper than other brands. He also gave me a price for an SY75C with hyd hitch and 3 buckets, £46k. Seemed a nice machine and a fair chunk cheaper than any equivalents.
A new machine is still an option, but we are starting to wonder whether we should restore the ex30 and buy a fresher low houred ZX30 etc? Would give us 2 minis, both similar size and we know that size of digger well and suits us. Whereas if we go for a new 2.6 tonner we could feel disappointed and short changed?
 
doobin

doobin

Well-known member
You could have a look at a 'heavyweight' 2.7/8 tonner such as an E27 or JCB 8026 (which actually weighs in at over 2.8t!) My E27 must be around 2750 with the extra counterwight- it's very planted.

They will usually have the same engines in them as a 3 - 3.5t machine. The Sany is a 'small' 2.X class machine with a smaller engine.

Then you'd have something that was just about legal (and plenty legal enough in Ireland!!) on a trailer behind a suitable tow vehicle.
 
JimboCX

JimboCX

Well-known member
I’m in the notion of a new three tonner at the minute myself. U wouldn’t be interested in my Hitachi Zx30u. If ur thinking of adding another machine instead of buying new. It’s a great machine and only been sold to fresh’n up the years.
 
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