The XT-850 has the same attachment plate as the Dingo, Boxer Ramrod, ect so you can use all the same attchments and its a sit down machine, not a walk behind or stand on. It has more lift cap and higher lift with a 25hp Diesel and a track machine.
You swing the seat around like a backhoe and push a button and now you have a mini ex. It does not have a 360 degree turrent swing but the boom has a double swing that will allow you dig right up against a foundation with a 6.5 ' digging depth.
For those people like me that loved his Mini skid, witch I still have, will love it. I also had a small mini ex which meant i had two trucks and trailers going to one job site. Now I can send just one crew and one truck and get all done.
You will loose a little bit of the compact size but for the extra uses its well worth it. I paid about $19,000.00 for my mini skid and $15,000.00 for my mini ex. I got the XT-850 for around $29,000.00, you do the math. It still only wieghs about 4000lbs so my guys still don't need a CDL. This unit is really hard to explain but you can see it at
www.ditchwitch.com They now have a XT1600 wich may be replacing my 8500lb mini and 753 Bobcat after I do a little more research