Excavator? Kubota vs CAT vs Takeuchi vs ?
 

I'm thinking seriously of buying a mini-excavator. Something with zero tail swing, like a Kubota U17 or U25. I'll be cutting a path on a steep slope, trenching, grading, and such. I figure I'll only end up using the machine 100-200 hours a year, but the use would be spread throughout. I'd really like a thumb. An angle blade would be nice. I might want a breaker, but probably I'd just end up renting for the few times I need it. An enclosed cabin would be nice, partly for when using and partly for not having a disgusting cabin after the machine sits outdoors for all its life. Weight doesn't really matter, because it will stay at my property and not get trailers around. Footprint matters, though, because I think a ~5' wide trail is plenty.

Good controls are a must. Not sure how the brands compare. I hate the two bar and foot pedal mess that my neighbor's old Bobcat skidsteer has. Also, that machine is just brutal, bucking and beating up the driver. I'd like a machine that won't be so bad.

I'm hoping I can spend 20-30k for a lightly used or new machine. Which brand? Which model? Any advice? Resale value after 10 years or so matters too, for total cost of ownership.

No idea, but my wife will be jealous whichever one you get. We want to do some landscaping at our cottage, including building a big rock garden and a set of stone steps. My wife has been daydreaming of driving a "digger" herself. I'm scared...

For 100 to 200 hours use a year the best ROI is to rent. This type of equipment does not take sitting in storage well and the maintenance on rarely used units is a pain in the butt.

If must buy just grab whichever make has the most features you want at a price you are willing to pay. They are all about equal in quality.

If the hours were all at once, I'd agree, but I think I will use 5 hours at a time, every other week. I think transportation would make that impossible. I will rent a machine no matter what, just to be sure I want it.

Ya true. I was picturing a couple of week long runs a year. If used ever couple of weeks a pile of the sitting issues would not pop up.
Best bet might be to watch the local auctions for one from a shut down business.

My wife announced today that she wanted to research "little tractors, something that would take attachments... like a blade for mowing the lawn and a digger on the front for moving rocks". I told her anything small enough that she would want to use it on our lawn would be too small to take a shovel big enough to do what she wants to do. I'm not sure that will dissuade her. I fear one day I'm going to come home to an old John Deere.

http://static.bootic.com/_pictures/1...-ride-on_1.jpg

$399 at TSC

Just buy something used with lots of hours on it and sell it when you're done. Only issue will be if you have a breakdown. Hydraulics and heavy equipment service ain't cheap. Mind you, aside from possibly learning things the hard way, the end result should cost a fair bit less when you drop labour costs. You might even get close to what you paid for the machine if you buy well.

Better than a Dear John.

I have an out-of-work buddy who fixes/fixed these for a living. I bet he can do a lot. I'd have him inspect any machine. I'll talk to him. He's just not a driver.

Phew, she might not be able to do much damage with that one, to her or the property. I wonder if she would notice...

Oddly enough, she seemed offended when I showed her this!

My wife is offended by my mini front end loader all the time.

This thread is useless without pictures.