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We have been shopping for a used rubber tire backhoe for some time now and now I have the mini ex on my mind


I need owner's opinions. I am considering

a 310E John Deere TLB 1999-2001
with 1500-2500 hours
or

New
Kubota 121 mini ex

or Kubota 161 mini ex (probably not because it is very expensive and we will not use it every day)

or used
91 kubota mini ex

[Dale Wiley]

TLB for versatility....

if access is a big inssue, the smaller mini ex...

[Paul]

What do you want to do with it?

If your loading trucks from either end a TLB is it.
If your installing pipe or storm drains on open projects TLB.
Features high loading height, long reach, and big buckets.

Installing retaining walls a mini ex is faster (360 degree house rotation)
Easier to move on site and off site.
Less damage on turf and can get to areas the TLB can't

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as for loading trucks, this will not present a problem, we own a S250 and a L4630 kubota tractor, both load well. And if we are clearing a job the bobcat is planned to be there to load stumps as soon as they leave the ground. I am looking for something that is versitle. One good point about the mini-ex I think is the weight . I will save money hauling the mini around.

all of our vehicles can tow the larger 15,000 machine, but the pickups and goosenecks are maxed out with this load. the 2 ton truck and 10ton trailer does well, but when we bury tanks for a local propane company we usually have the truck busy.

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is bill on vacation?

anybody have any great things to say about a mini-ex.

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I posted another thread about bucket sizes, but we bought the KX161-3 Friday. Well ordered it Monday and the dealer had the paperwork and prepping done Friday.

30 inch trenching bucket
18 inch trenching bucket
quick coupler
hydraulic thumb

ready to dig now...