The background on this is that I recently decided that I wanted to add some capability for 2015. What I do is repair gravel surfaces, mainly driveways.
I wanted to add the ability to widen existing driveways correctly, or installing completely new ones; which means removing grass and several inches of material before building back up.
I also wanted be able to do ditching and trenching to address drainage issues. That means French Drains, Drain Tile, Culverts, etc. Sometimes just digging a trench to fill with Rip-Rap.
I had recently been looking at a Skid Steer and a TLB. While I am am still looking at the Skid Steer (currently arranging for inspection by my mechanic and field testing of all the attachments, etc.) I have decided to walk away from the TLB for several reasons, one of which is that I realized it was actually TOO big for the intended purpose.
For that and a few other reasons I have come to the conclusion that I would be best served by a mini-excavator, which I gather means excavators in the 12,000lb and under class.
To give an idea of the size range I THINK am looking for, I can use new Kubotas as an example:
A KX121-3S or a KX040-4 would both probably be a good size. They are both around 40hp and are at roughly opposite ends of the 9,000 pound range. The KX057-4, at 50hp and almost 13,000 is as large as I would want to go and might be too large. On the "might be too small side" would be the KX-91-3S2 at 30hp & 7,500 pounds.
In the U-Series I suppose the U35-4 at 25hp/8,500lbs would be slightly smaller than I'd like and the U55-4 at 50hp/12,000lbs would be slightly larger than I'd like, but either would probably work.
All of these examples also come with a nice modern 6-way blade that can move in all three axis; Pitch, Roll & Yaw.
Now...
If I were buying new I would probably just go buy a KX040 and be done with it, but I am NOT buying new.
Here's what I need help with:
1) I can figure out the alphabet soup that all the manufacturers use. I look at a model number and I wonder... "What the heck does that mean?" It makes it hard to shop if you don't know what to look for.
2) I would love to keep the cost to around $15,000, which I figure probably means something fro the 90's, but I honestly don't know. I'm not even sure if that's a realistic budget, because I'd rather spend more than buy junk.
3) I'd REALLY find that 6-way blade useful, but I get the impression that it's a fairly recent development and I don't know how far back they go. I mean, maybe I HAVE to look for something just a few years old at the most if I want that kind of blade.
So that's it.
I would be grateful for any advice that helps me clarify these muddy waters.
I wanted to add the ability to widen existing driveways correctly, or installing completely new ones; which means removing grass and several inches of material before building back up.
I also wanted be able to do ditching and trenching to address drainage issues. That means French Drains, Drain Tile, Culverts, etc. Sometimes just digging a trench to fill with Rip-Rap.
I had recently been looking at a Skid Steer and a TLB. While I am am still looking at the Skid Steer (currently arranging for inspection by my mechanic and field testing of all the attachments, etc.) I have decided to walk away from the TLB for several reasons, one of which is that I realized it was actually TOO big for the intended purpose.
For that and a few other reasons I have come to the conclusion that I would be best served by a mini-excavator, which I gather means excavators in the 12,000lb and under class.
To give an idea of the size range I THINK am looking for, I can use new Kubotas as an example:
A KX121-3S or a KX040-4 would both probably be a good size. They are both around 40hp and are at roughly opposite ends of the 9,000 pound range. The KX057-4, at 50hp and almost 13,000 is as large as I would want to go and might be too large. On the "might be too small side" would be the KX-91-3S2 at 30hp & 7,500 pounds.
In the U-Series I suppose the U35-4 at 25hp/8,500lbs would be slightly smaller than I'd like and the U55-4 at 50hp/12,000lbs would be slightly larger than I'd like, but either would probably work.
All of these examples also come with a nice modern 6-way blade that can move in all three axis; Pitch, Roll & Yaw.
Now...
If I were buying new I would probably just go buy a KX040 and be done with it, but I am NOT buying new.
Here's what I need help with:
1) I can figure out the alphabet soup that all the manufacturers use. I look at a model number and I wonder... "What the heck does that mean?" It makes it hard to shop if you don't know what to look for.
2) I would love to keep the cost to around $15,000, which I figure probably means something fro the 90's, but I honestly don't know. I'm not even sure if that's a realistic budget, because I'd rather spend more than buy junk.
3) I'd REALLY find that 6-way blade useful, but I get the impression that it's a fairly recent development and I don't know how far back they go. I mean, maybe I HAVE to look for something just a few years old at the most if I want that kind of blade.
So that's it.
I would be grateful for any advice that helps me clarify these muddy waters.
Shopping for Excavator but the Alphabet Soup is driving me crazy.
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