Mini digger advice anyone?

[AJB Temple]

Does anyone know much about mini diggers?

I want to buy a cheap used one to deal with some building projects this year that include laying pipes in trenches, wall foundations, building foundations, digging a fairly large pond (maybe 80 cubic metres) and some driveway work at home. I am not in a rush with this work and would prefer a small machine – i.e. not 3.5 tonne. Access is no problem, I can easily get 18 tonne lorries in.

I don’t know much about what to look for in diggers (excavators) other than that I want three buckets. When we have finished the jobs this year or next, the plan is to sell it again. Hiring would be an expensive option as we have several projects that we will do as and when we get round to it. Anyone have any advice or experience?

Thank you, Adrian

 

[Graham Orm]

Make sure it's a mini and not a micro. The micro's tip themselves up when you try and lift a full bucket of clay out of the ground. I hired this to dig out for my workshop. It was good enough and one bucket filled a barrow.(This is a mini as opposed to a micro which is smaller). Needless to say it was great fun and only took about half an hour to master. Although you can't see it theres a small buldozing blade on it too which is useful not only for pushing earth but to put down to act as a stabilizer.

 

[blackrodd]

My landscaper architect friend has A Yanmar, very good machine, Kuboto are a good make, the sort of useful tools a builder or landscaper would, and do buy and use.
These machines are popular and imported from Japan by the container load so you will be dealing with either an
importer or a second dealer.
You should make sure that the rubber tracks are still available for you're choice as some are used in really confined spaces, and have got damaged in use, they seem to be amazingly cheap.
Get the fanbelt number or measure it's outside dimension, he lost a working day with other hired in plant not working through a mangled, unidentified belt, get the air and diesel filters organised too, both crucial.
Not aware of any engine problems, they are not usually "flogged".
He's dug several ponds and probably miles of footings etc
Be aware, they will NOT load a big lorry 'cos of the short reach, they can build a shelf of spoil and load that way, needs thought sometimes.
HTH Regards Rodders

 

[AJB Temple]

Thanks. I do not need to load lorries. I only mentioned that because I don;t need it to go through narrow paths or doorways. Everything I dig out will be used on site to landscape banks. Most of the work I plan to do is in the same area of the garden within 50 metres or so. From a bit of internet cruising, it seems that maybe a 3.5 tone or 5 tonne might be a better bet as the size difference is not huge. The only reason why I specified mini really was I want to excavate some foundation footings inside a 3 bay garage as one of the jobs.

 

[n0legs]

First, when you get one.
Get away from everything, belt some pegs into the ground then try and dig parallel to them.
Practice like this before you get near the house :lol:

Pistons need to be shinny, definitely not rusty or soaking wet with oil.
Hoses you want them clipped up and secure, no bulges and certainly no splits or perishing. With the machine operating look at the hoses to see if they move okay, tight hoses at the joints of the arm could indicate they've been shortened for a cheap repair.
Hydraulic fittings nice and dry. Look for ones that have been rounded off, it's a good sign of a previous leak and a bodged repair.
Tracks, good and tight to the sprockets and rollers. Get the machine up with the front blade and bucket, have the tracks run for a few revolutions. Watch for the way they move and the noise they make, a lot of slapping about means the running gear could be really worn or the tracks are stretched (maybe the tension isn't right), but it could throw a track when being used. Maybe not expensive, I've never bought one, but a right pain.
All the movable joints want to look greased. Have a close look for loose fitting joint pins. Squeaks are okay but grinding noises are a big no no. Make sure the cab rotates both ways and it does so smoothly.
The controls can take a hammering, but they should feel positive and obviously operate the functions of the machine. Listen out for the hydraulic squeal as they are operated, it will make a noise but should not be screaming. Screaming means the control valves are worn out.
The engines are usually solid. I've seen most things with mini diggers, falling off trailers and lorries, tipping over, sunk in mud, driven into rivers and flooded, but I've never seen one blow an engine. A few over heating and a couple with oil and water leaks, but the engines are impressive (well what I've seen of them and I started with the Power Fab towable demountable digger) .
Most engines are measured in hours, look for the counter. Low hours is obviously better, but with regular servicing they can go for years
Wide grading bucket is great for leveling/spreading and the 450 or 600 bucket is a general purpose. The narrow trenching buckets are handy for loads of things, yeah you may take a load of bites with it but it'll get places the others won't.

To be honest go see a good hire company and see how their machines look and sound. Poorly maintained machines don't earn them any money, so decent companies usually keep their fleet tip top.

Good luck and have fun, some silly beggars pay to go to Digger World :lol:

 

[Lons]

I've hired a lot over the years, micros and minis, never had a micro tip on me but they are a bit limited. I liked them 'cos I could pick one up myself on my trailer and almost bought one.

Most of the minis I had were 1 1/2 tonne and they coped with an amazing amount of works including a lot of major foundations. They're pretty bullet proof if looked after but advice about the tracks is sound.

Bob

 

[Woody2Shoes]

You've already had some excellent advice. The largest I've used is a 3.5t digger. My 2d's worth:

- Why not hire one or two different sizes for a weekend or for a specific job, so you can get a better feel for their relative strengths and weaknesses?
- For many jobs, esp. excavating footings, it's very handy to have a dumper as well.
- Don't underestimate the unquantified "costs of ownership" which you don't have to worry about so much when you hire rather than own e.g. insurance/maintenance/repair/secure storage/worrying that some toe-rag will come and pinch it in the night just before you most need it etc. etc.
- When you have one it's amazing how many uses you discover for it!!

Cheers, W2S

 

[AJB Temple]

Thanks No Legs and everyone. Very helpful. It is clear to me based on this that I need to hire one first and learn how to use it and what to look for prior to purchasing. I have never operated one. Hire doesn't really make sense for me long term. There is a lot to do and I want to do it when I feel like it not when the machine is available from the hire company. We have Skelton plant hire nearby so I will go and have a chat with them. They have a Kubota fleet.

I know that a dumper is handy - we had a groundworker in a couple of months ago to clear a massive hedge and he had one, but I am not moving the spoil far, and buying and storing another machine is not ideal. I already have a small tractor and trailer so that will have to do for anything that needs shifting more than say 20 metres. Otherwise I will just accept that the work proceeds more slowly.

Adrian

 

[timber]

Thanks No Legs and everyone. Very helpful. It is clear to me based on this that I need to hire one first and learn how to use it and what to look for prior to purchasing. I have never operated one. Hire doesn't really make sense for me long term. There is a lot to do and I want to do it when I feel like it not when the machine is available from the hire company. We have Skelton plant hire nearby so I will go and have a chat with them. They have a Kubota fleet.

I know that a dumper is handy - we had a groundworker in a couple of months ago to clear a massive hedge and he had one, but I am not moving the spoil far, and buying and storing another machine is not ideal. I already have a small tractor and trailer so that will have to do for anything that needs shifting more than say 20 metres. Otherwise I will just accept that the work proceeds more slowly.

Adrian

Adrian,
I have had a few diggers, Kubota are good. I can't remember which digger had an ejector bucket but it was handy on sticky soil/clay. You will need a ditching bucket for leveling the ground etc .Most of the small diggers have a blade some need extensions that increase the width.
Just ask if I can help more
Timber

 

[Lons]

Very wise decision to hire first Adrian especially as you haven't used one! If you're going to spend upwards of £10k (asuming buying used) then it's worth spending £80 - £100 to try one out.

 

[Graham Orm]

I know that a dumper is handy - we had a groundworker in a couple of months ago to clear a massive hedge and he had one, but I am not moving the spoil far, and buying and storing another machine is not ideal. I already have a small tractor and trailer so that will have to do for anything that needs shifting more than say 20 metres. Otherwise I will just accept that the work proceeds more slowly.

Adrian

Adrian have a look at my picture, one bucket from that filled a wheelbarrow. It was tedious for that reason.