Everybody Needs a Mini Excavator

[@airframefixer]

Buying construction equipment has to meet 3 criteria for me: 1) buy under market value, i.e. used and pay cash 2) take an ammortization charge against my income for tax purposes 3) earn money with it. Looked at the 1.8 and 2.5t machines.. and settled on a used takeuchi tb216.. i know i can use it as a trade to upgrade. I ruled out sany right away when sany dealer said they wouldnt do that if even if i bought a new machine through them.. youll want to upgrade at some point or cash out. Knowing you can have an exit plan is important when buying any machine.

[@timothyfinch9340]

I purchased a Bobcat E35 7000 lb machine and it was around 4500$ 5 years and no Intrest

[@SetitesTechAdventures]

@@timothyfinch9340 Looks like you missed a 0 there

[@lwwarren]

2.5T to 4.5T is the way to go for someone without a CDL who's limited to a 10k trailer. I got a 2.75T machine and I can get it and my mini-skid safely on my 10k equipment trailer pulled behind my F250. They're a great combo for the kind of dirt work I do on my 55 acres and what my neighbors need.

[@ajpsawmill4314]

I have both ,sany 26 and a Kubota kx71-3, the Kubota will run circles around the sany, prices aren't much different but the Kubota is so much smoother to operate

[@jeffvw1994]

So glad to hear that, just bought the kx71-3 with only 500 hours, can't wait to get it.

[@RobertBrothersJr-dc7nr]

Brock, for your first time talking a tree down with an excavator you did a great job. Every tree is different and there are different ways to go about it but you did fine. I think your tractor experience was helpful also. I hope you are able to purchase a mini excavator. I think you would have lots of uses for it. Enjoyable video Brock. Thanks

[@SetitesTechAdventures]

I totally agree. My next purchase is a mini-excavator. I am probably getting one of the cheap chinese ones because I need it to be cheaper than renting for the projects I have planned. I need to do some digging and leveling for a shop build, trenching to irrigate my garden and chicken cool, trenching for my solar wiring, stump removal, and maybe some pond modifications but thats a bit of a pipe dream.

[@FullCircleOzarks]

Thanks Brock for the visit. I trust the seat time on the SANY SY26U is helpful as you decide on your next purchase. For me, I bought a machine that can do 80 percent of planned work and will rent a bigger machine (or hire a local business) for the big stuff.

[@PrismaticFarm]

I bought land in 2022 and my first purchase was a side by side and zero turn and this year I got a bobcat e42. The mini ex has sped all land projects to hyper speed!

[@cliffh8486]

E42, kx040, sv40, that’s the machines you want

[@nelsonsridge]

My Takeuchi TB260 is a monster. I planned to buy, do my projects, and sell. There’s no way. Too useful.

[@jayjay6804]

Good information! Several points I'd like to add from experience. First, if you don't need to regularly transport an excavator, you should consider a used larger machine then, when necessary, use a rental machine delivered for remote jobs. As machine size increases the capabilities significantly increase and operating time decreases for the same amount of work. Second, beware of pushing trees with the mini. If a tree has internal rot and 'barber chairs' you will be in a whole lot of trouble. Stay Safe!

[@Cowboy_Steve]

Howdy Brock! Looks like a pretty capable machine, and sounds like it is in the ballpark for your anticipated use. I've seen old Marty on Homestead Rescue do some pretty crazy stuff with a mini excavator like that... lol. My 2 cents worth is... go as big as you can afford. Because no matter how big you go... you always wish you'd gone bigger 😁Well done and thanks for sharing 🤠

[@bobbyspenser7304]

great video my friend thank you for sharing

[@dustdevl1043]

The first time I saw a mini excavator I thought "what a cute toy"! After watching some videos, I was amazed at what they are capable of doing.

[@DipajcDipa]

Yes, mini excavators also can deal with many problems. For example, digging a pool.

[@JCWren]

As someone who has a John Deere 26G, which is in the same weight class as this Sany, I would recommend a heavier machine. It's capable enough, but I hit its limit pretty often. I bought mine during the early part of the pandemic, and the wait time to get any machine was crazy. I would suggest looking at the Bobcat E35R2 or other brand in that class. A 3500kg (~7,700 pounds) machine is about the heaviest you can tow and stay under 10,000 pounds. I'd like to upgrade to a E35R2 or E40R2 at some point.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

I really think the e35 is a great choice. Perfect weight and its very capable.

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

I really think the e35 is a great choice. Perfect weight and its very capable.

[@davidcharles3131]

Did I miss digging depth on this machine. What is on your John Deere?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

@davidcharles3131 9’ 3” on this

[@JCWren]

@@davidcharles3131 26G digging depth is 8' 6", digging reach is 15' 2".

[@Supercruiser66]

Mini excavator is so useful. Picked up an older Tak and find it to be good.

[@blakefreudenberg4865]

Owner of a 1025r,Mx6000 kubota and Kx040 mini definitely wish I had a kx57 multiple times. Don’t be scared of a 12k pound machine you will thank me later.

[@survivalguyfyi5718]

I’m not sure exactly what your budget is but I live in Central Texas. I priced out a new Sany SY35, enclosed cab, thumb, manual quick attach and it came out to 56k. I also looked at a Develon DX35Z-2 (formally Doosan). It’s a little heavier at about 8,900 pounds. Nicer cab, 4 year4/4,000 hr warrantee, remote quick attach and it came in at $52,000. Now both quotes are without taxes so factor that in but I’ll be getting the Develon as soon as I sell my tractor.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

I looked at those at the Tulsa farm show yesterday

[@survivalguyfyi5718]

@ personally, I want to stay under 25 hp so I don’t have any emissions stuff like DPF or DEF fluid. If you get into anything bigger than about 9,000 pounds, you get into the next tier of hp range and you have to deal with all that extra emissions junk. The SY35 or Develon DX35Z is about the max weight I want to go because I need to trailer my machine around along with my commercial mower, road roller, or pipe steel for welding jobs so I like to have an extra 2,000 or 3,000 pounds of wiggle room.

[@CFAinNoVA]

Nice video Brock. Thank you. I have rented something similar and was surprised by how much I could do with it.

[@JTilesEverything]

Just bought a 35G. Almost went smaller but ended up getting the biggest heaviest machine I could safely transport and afford. I really wanted a 4 ton machine but didn’t want to deal with emissions and the added costs because I also bought a 317G at the same time.

[@haggetthill]

Great video....two guys who's channels I watch regularly. I'm on the east end of the Ozarks with a very small channel.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for watching neighbor Everybody starts somewhere

[@brendahogue5487]

May the lord bless and protect you Brock and working

[@themintlord4744]

I work for a big construction company that bought a bunch of new sanys last year. I've personally run the SY35U which is one size bigger than that one, and one of the big SY265C's. They're both junk. They aren't very reliable, they can't lift anywhere near what similar machines from other brands can, and my main problem with them is they lose massive amounts of speed and power any time you preform more than one function at once. For example, when I side swipe with them to level something out, the machine will move very fast when it's just swinging but I lose more than half my power as soon as I try to curl the bucket at the same time. The metal is also not as heavy duty as it looks. It cracks much easier than other brands. I've yet to talk to anyone else in the company who likes them either. The company only bought them last year because of the price and to my knowledge we haven't bought any more this year. It's not like TYM where you can pay half the price and get the same quality; you're getting what you pay for.

[@lyleharkness-rv5vf]

Good video with a lot of information 👍

[@coolftp]

Class 3.5-3.7 tons is a limit for smaller engines (without DPF). Kato 35, Case 37, Takeuchi, etc. - usually have a stronger hydraulics than classes 3 and 2.5, which can be useful with simple accessories - like a mower for a bush, but not everyone needs it. Class 2.5 tons is also cool. Or a small backhoe (such as JD 110) as an alternative :-)

[@jamesharless5357]

Great video Brock!👍🏻

[@lynnshomestead7545Johnlynn]

Hello Brock and Tony , I'm buy a mini excavator next year to use on my homestead

[@brday5898]

I have a Bobcat E26 that I bought 9 months ago. Bobcat has zero percent financing for 48 months. If they offer financing that is less than inflation costs, it is a no brainer to use their money.

[@AaronTurnwald]

Dream equipment! Of course i never thought i would have a compact tractor loader backhoe or a sawmill, or dump trailer, either but here I am less than a year after losing my job and have all that stuff. You never know for sure i guess. What are you needing the mini excavator for Brock?

[@frankdrahos8569]

Nice machine if you can keep it busy enough to justify it to yourself (and the CFO)!

[@Lens-KeepingBusy]

Good job, no widow makers, 👍🚜

[@marcusmoralez8872]

Yea was wondering about the equipment you are selling and talking about buying more.

[@DipajcDipa]

Sany is a famous brand in China.

[@hpw59]

perfect timing

[@jeromebecigneul2911]

So many great machines, so little money these days. I could really put one of those to work.

[@jeffshiner6087]

The hydraulic thumb should be mandatory. I didn't think I'd need one when I got my 30G but the one on the lot had one so that's what I got. I use that thumb soooo often. It's next to impossible to pick anything up without one.

[@bigdad24]

Add a counterweight to that machine...makes it a million times more stable, like a different machine. Do you know where he purchased the rake? I've been looking for one for my machine. Thanks!!

[@toddcaskey9984]

Morning

[@Cowboy_Steve]

Mornin' 🤠

[@OldIronAcres]

Looks like a LOT of fun Brock! I'd love to get seat time in a mini-ex!! Best, -- J. Andre. / Old Iron Acres

[@davidmays2161]

I think buying a minix is a good move good move for you. Check out the Kymron dealer down in Oklahoma. They have some great deals with thumb and yanmar or Kabota engine XH26D for 30k

[@patrickcorbett8361]

Good video Brockster !Did you get your Deere sold ? pc

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Not yet

[@Larry-hi1ri]

I wouldn’t bury the stump when it rots you gonna have a sink hole

[@pietroverrelli2650]

Yeah that would be nice but not everyone can afford one

[@cyumadbrosummit3534]

There is no safer way to fell a tree than with properly sized excavator.

[@chrisbuxton2778]

Didn't you get rid of equipment because you were to much in debt?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Yeah, I had a conversation about that in the video

[@jimmerrithew453]

Hello Brock. Good video. A year ago, I bought a 1 ton Chinese min-ex at a price I could afford. The engine is a 13 HP Briggs & Stratton. Over the past few months, I worked on a project to cut down about 50 trees, dig the stumps, strip the topsoil, and install two prefab storage sheds. The area involved was about 50 x 40 feet. This project taught me many lessons. Our 5 acre property is hilly. The min-ex's footprint is short and narrow. The machine does not have a seat belt or a real ROPS. I feel uncomfortable driving on the slopes. The mini-ex was useful when digging up stumps, but does not have the power or weight to rip up roots larger 1.5 inches in diameter. When I used the dozer blade, the tracks spun if there was any resistance. I used my JD 2025R to move the stumps and relocate the topsoil. The tractor has a lot more power than the mini-ex. The machine saved me a lot of shovel time, but it was too small to do the work I needed. I will be selling the mini-ex in the spring for these reasons, and I bought it primarily to work on this project. Take care. Good luck with your mini-ex search.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Nice video, Brock. We love our mini ex.

[@brianworley7705]

Hello Brock, I believe Clint from C&C Equipment learned a tough lesson regarding Sany. If the equipment has been through an auction, warranty is gone/void. Evenif a dealer sells and another dealer purchases to sell, that equipment has no factory warranty, via Sany's company policy. Anyway, just make sure there is no auction in a machine history, or you don't care buying a machine sans warranty.

[@usmarshall336]

Go buy a Yanmar! * Don't buy an excavator because of a warranty. It boils down to price is why he went with this..