Anybody own one or have experience with one? I have some odd and end jobs I need to get done around the farm and house. If I contract the work out its probably 10k or so. There is a local dealer selling these little Chinese mini excavators for $4500. Powered by 13.5 hp brigs. Has static thumb. I'm considering buying one and doing the work myself. Obviously harbor freight quality, but it won't be used commercially and I'll be money ahead even if it shoots craps after I'm done with the chores. I have the time so that isn't an issue. Mostly good youtube reviews. Biggest complaint is that the nuts and bolts aren't torqued properly.

What say you?

ol' dad

neighbor has one ..i used it ... handy little bugger... no issues that sure sounds cheap

I ran a lot of the sub-compact excavators and loader/backhoes over the years on various jobs. My biggest complaint is how light they are. You can't take a big bite or you just pull the machine instead of digging dirt. It can be a real PITA.

I own a Kubota L35 now that weighs about 6,000 lbs. with implements and it can still be an issue but much less noticeable than with he really small machines.

Beats a shovel. I use my kubota mini ex all the time.

There are a couple in my area. The guys purchased them because they could not justify spending 30 for a machine that only gets used on occasion.

All the little machines are tippy.
Lift capacity is not much.

I would rent a larger machine.
10 g worth of X work is only a couple days of op time.
I rent my 10k machine for 780 a week and the 12k for 1050 plus delivery.

I've been wondering if I could get one into some of these beaver jobs without getting buried. Probably need some sort of mat to keep it out of the muck.

Vinke, how many hours are you allowed during the week on the machine. I paid over $500/weekend for the last skid steer I rented and was only allowed 8 hours of run time before I had to pay more.

that would be kinda handy if you replaced that thumb with a splitting wedge

pick up the big rounds and split them over the trailer

That is a problem for sure. I have seen a few guys build counter weights for them that seems to help.

Hydropillar, that price is for one with canopy only. No cab. He seems to be about $500 cheaper than the other competition.

The problem with renting one is that I only have a couple hours a day to work. Most rent by the day around me.

Greencounty, they would be great for picking up logs to buck.

ol dad

This guy has a pretty big youtube following and just bought one for $4k.

ol dad