Yet another 'newbie' here to pick your brains

[Henchard]

Greetings. Have just joined so apologies upfront for any stupid questions.

i am an elderly (retired) smallholder (of limited mechanical ability) whose smallholding has now expanded to 50 acres. I've decided that the time has come to buy a 1.5 - 2.5 tonne excavator to help me maintain things including clearing brambles in woodland, digging ditches and general improvements.I have driven small hire excavators in the past but not a 2,5 tonne one so even here I will have a learnng curve.

I've started researching but if you guys could point me to any threads (or even suggest machines) I may not have found about choosing a machine that would be great; my biggest issue as a mchanical numpty is how do I avoid buying a pile of shite/trouble when buying a used machine? What's your advice on this? Where do I start? Budget is not particularly an issue but then I am looking for a machine that will not depreciate much over time so the equivalent of 'money in the bank' (if that's possible).

Lastly anyone know anything about hydraulic post knocker's. As an attachment (I'm thinking of the pecker type with a cup) one might be useful; especially as some of the land is steep, So far advice seems to be that they are not fantastic (but then it would only be for repairs not contracting) and a 1,5 tonne machine is generaly not big enough to drive in strainer posts. Presumeably the digger would need to be piped for this?

Thanks in advance.

Thanks in advance

 

[doobin]

Buy a 3.5/4.5t machine if you're not moving it about, especially on that kind of acreage. More bang for your buck- everyone wants/needs something towable, therefore the 3.5t-4.5t class are slightly cheaper.

Money in the bank is where it's at- a man after my own heart! Basically you need to buy at the right money, ideally slightly below. That means waiting, scanning Facebook constantly, and being ready to travel straight away. But for God's sake don't send any kind of deposit- there are a million scams out there.

A proper mast type knocker is not expensive and much better than a pecker type. Then you can do all kinds of posts with ease.

Where are you based, and of course, what's your budget?

 

[Henchard]

Buy a 3.5/4.5t machine if you're not moving it about, especially on that kind of acreage. More bang for your buck- everyone wants/needs something towable, therefore the 3.5t-4.5t class are slightly cheaper.

Money in the bank is where it's at- a man after my own heart! Basically you need to buy at the right money, ideally slightly below. That means waiting, scanning Facebook constantly, and being ready to travel straight away. But for God's sake don't send any kind of deposit- there are a million scams out there.

A proper mast type knocker is not expensive and much better than a pecker type. Then you can do all kinds of posts with ease.

Where are you based, and of course, what's your budget?

Based in Carmarthenshire and thinking upto £20K or so for the macine. I take the point about a bigger machine but the only slight issue against that is working in woodland and restriced access?

Many thanks for the input.

 

[doobin]

Based in Carmarthenshire and thinking upto £20K or so for the macine. I take the point about a bigger machine but the only slight issue against that is working in woodland and restriced access?

Many thanks for the input.

You’ll fit a 3.5t anywhere you’ll fit a 2.7t.

That’s a sensible budget. You can take your pick of machines from dealers at that money but I’d hang on for a private sale with no vat.

 

[Smiffy]

Based in Carmarthenshire and thinking upto £20K or so for the macine. I take the point about a bigger machine but the only slight issue against that is working in woodland and restriced access?

Many thanks for the input.

When you have a machine in a woodland the access is as big as you need it to be
If you are worried about knocking the back end then there are plenty of zero tailswing options.
(I'm sure this will now start an argument)

 

[CPS]

Give Steve morgan a call +44 7974 617331

He has a nice little Doosan DX27

He's based in South West Wales and is a sound lad

 

[V8Druid]

Give Steve morgan a call +44 7974 617331

He has a nice little Doosan DX27
View attachment 46182

He's based in South West Wales and is a sound lad

but'll wanna charge you VAT

 

[CPS]

but'll wanna charge you VAT

He didn't mention vat, he could be Vat registered?

 

[Steve]

I would be looking at 3.5 tonne plus machines if you don’t need to trailer it away. The bigger machine would also handle a post knocker better on the steep ground.

 

[Lee]

Give Steve morgan a call +44 7974 617331

He has a nice little Doosan DX27
View attachment 46182

He's based in South West Wales and is a sound lad

Great machines, ours have been bombproof even on self drive. Cost little and depreciation is fantastic if you buy right. Got a high mast post knocker with 300kg hammer and works grand on this machine.

 

[Henchard]

He didn't mention vat, he could be Vat registered?

No not VAT registered. Just an old boy in retirement creating a private nature reserve and homestead before shuffling of this mortal coil. Thus trying to keep away from paperwork. Appreciate all the input from everyone Clearly a private sale (no VAT) wouuld be better but then I suspect that buying from a reputeable dealer is safer?

That Doosan above is 4000 hours was kind of thinking something half of that if possible. Presumeably service history is the important thing here?

Here is part of the project

 

[Henchard]

I would be looking at 3.5 tonne plus machines if you don’t need to trailer it away. The bigger machine would also handle a post knocker better on the steep ground.

Any suggested 3-5+ Tonne machines to consider ?

 

[doobin]

No not VAT registered. Just an old boy in retirement creating a private nature reserve and homestead before shuffling of this mortal coil. Thus trying to keep away from paperwork. Appreciate all the input from everyone Clearly a private sale (no VAT) wouuld be better but then I suspect that buying from a reputeable dealer is safer?

That Doosan above is 4000 hours was kind of thinking something half of that if possible. Presumeably service history is the important thing here?

Here is part of the project

Yeah, you will get something with much less hours no bother.

 

[JD450A]

3.5 tonner minimum, don't get too focused on hours, service history and previous ownership is far more important.

20k is a decent budget and will buy you something more than worthwhile. I'd go older but honest. Something like a Takeuchi 145 or similar 2000 era.... Avoid heavy electronics for what you want.

Anything from the Hitachi, Takeuchi, Kubota or Yanmar stable of that era will give good service... As will the likes of the older looking JCB 803

I'd also suggest spending £15000 of that budget, rather than the full wack. Save a few grand for a major component failure..... Any second hand machine is liable to have a breakdown.

Lastly for what you want, go steel tracks.

 

[Grahams]

I'd also suggest spending £15000 of that budget, rather than the full wack. Save a few grand for a major component failure..... Any second hand machine is liable to have a breakdown.

And look at attachments. There are a lot of things that can be done by machine with the right attachments that would be dangerous or impossible to do on your own, especially as you get older. I used to be all for getting stuck in by hand, but now realise using hydraulic power is a much better option.
So, you may want to look at machines with two way auxilary circuits. You can alter any machine to run both ways, but it takes skill and money. Easier to buy already piped up.

 

[Smiffy]

3.5 tonner minimum, don't get too focused on hours, service history and previous ownership is far more important.

20k is a decent budget and will buy you something more than worthwhile. I'd go older but honest. Something like a Takeuchi 145 or similar 2000 era.... Avoid heavy electronics for what you want.

Anything from the Hitachi, Takeuchi, Kubota or Yanmar stable of that era will give good service... As will the likes of the older looking JCB 803

I'd also suggest spending £15000 of that budget, rather than the full wack. Save a few grand for a major component failure..... Any second hand machine is liable to have a breakdown.

Lastly for what you want, go steel tracks.

Steel tracks and comes with thumb

2003 Kubota kx161-3 * 6 TON * STEEL TRACKS * DIGGER jcb 5 Excavator | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2003 Kubota kx161-3 * 6 TON * STEEL TRACKS * DIGGER jcb 5 Excavator at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[doobin]

Just an old boy in retirement creating a private nature reserve and homestead before shuffling of this mortal coil. Thus trying to keep away from paperwork.

I know you want to keep away from paperwork, but if you really want your legacy to last as you currently intend it, then you should involve as much paperwork is as neccessary to set this up as a charitable trust. Often this can be achieved at minimal cost by partnering with an existing organisation.

There's no shortage round my way of 'batchelor' Lords leaving their estates to the National Trust, with the stipulation that their long term gentleman companion can live out his life in the major house first, if you get my drift! But then it's just another National Trust property, badly managed to national goals which won't suit your vision.

So pick carefully. A local conservation group who's views align as well as possible with yours might be your best bet. I'm a contractor to one locally, they are currently setting up the paperwork for a bequest of 100 acres from a childless old couple.

 

[doobin]

Steel tracks and comes with thumb

2003 Kubota kx161-3 * 6 TON * STEEL TRACKS * DIGGER jcb 5 Excavator | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2003 Kubota kx161-3 * 6 TON * STEEL TRACKS * DIGGER jcb 5 Excavator at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Just what you need, already in Wales, and I know JB Plant has a great reputation.

@V8Druid will be along shortly to tell you that Jon's stock doesn't hang around, so act fast if you're interested.

However, I note with displeasure the bad re-paint job. I presume that was the previous owner, in a misguided attempt to maximise sale value- I don't think Jon repaints, as it's best to present a machine in it's honest working clothes. V* will know more.

 

[Giles]

Steel tracks and comes with thumb

2003 Kubota kx161-3 * 6 TON * STEEL TRACKS * DIGGER jcb 5 Excavator | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2003 Kubota kx161-3 * 6 TON * STEEL TRACKS * DIGGER jcb 5 Excavator at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

I run a kx161-3a and they’re a great machine, especially on steels be a great tool for you and can get in most places you’d get with a 3 ton

 

[Giles]

That dash is wrong for a uk spec kx161-3a must be an import or older model rebadged

Mine has hydraulics on joysticks and the -@ should be auto idle that doesn’t look it, cab should be white not dark blue/black