Dougster

I attended the Richie Bros auction yesterday in Stafford Springs, CT with cash in hand and the intent to bid on and (hopefully) purchase a used mini-excavator or full-size backhoe. I knew going in that this particular auction was not very big and would not be attended in the numbers seen last year. For once in my life, I was right. But it didn't stop the money from flowing in rather large & impressive amounts for some rather dubious equipment presented.

My main focus was on two late model TAKEUCHI cab mini-excavators w/hydraulic thumbs: a TB135 and a TB125... both with just under 1,000 hours... both former daily rental units. The TB135 was pretty banged up (including missing rear glass); the TB125 was in far better shape. The other two mini-excavators and the two full size backhoes in the auction were much older and beat to a pulp. As luck would have it, I need the reach, depth and performance of the TB135... but can only legally tow the TB125 without getting a higher rated trailer. The TB125 clearly falls somewhat short of my mini-ex performance goals.

The TB135 ran very smoothly... but had a nagging noise to it... kinda like the engine was straining hard with every movement. The TB125 had no unusual noises, but was not quite as smooth and seemed to have a slight left track control issue. The TB135 ended up going for $24K + CT sales tax. The TB125 went for $20.5K + tx after some confusion and a rebidding. I was never really in the running on either.

This whole episode has got me thinking "new machine" again... even if that means a decrease in my mini-ex performance goals and an increase in my payback period... and probably an open FOPS in place of a nifty cab too. At the end of the day, I question whether or not I can take the cost and downtime risks of buying a used mini-ex with 1,000 to 2,000 hours.

Dougster

LarryRB

I should have told you that people who live around here usually do not attend that particular auction. There is always (questionable) things going on that just don't add up or seem right. An example is,, just two weeks ago, maybe three at the most,, a large company in Charlton MA brought ten of their 06 and 07 Mack tri axle dumps there for auction.. They weren't on the property three days, and I no longer saw them there for yesterdays auction.. Where did they go? Who knew and bought them outright before yesterday?

"this morning I woke up with nothing to do, it is now afternoon and I have over half of it done".
Digging in hard clay is more relaxing to a worm than going fishing..

Dougster

They were there Larry. So were their two near-new CAT 980 loaders. In fact, those items were the highlight of the entire auction... the only reason half the smallish crowd was there from what I could tell.

Those Macks went for an average of $88,000 each. I have no idea if that is good or bad... but I sure would have liked one of those beauties for myself!!!

Dougster

LarryRB

This could be, however,, my neighbor is the one who brought the tri axles there, went back the end of the week to see what it would take to get one, and none of them were there. They were moved off property,,, Evidently they were brought back because that property is more than big enough to park whatever for an auction. I use to tow stuff in there for International Harvester and things there were always questionable. BTW, the guy made out if those trucks sold for 88 as that was what he paid for them new...You have to remember that the particular company (which I knew a few that worked there plus the vice president) swapped over 8 trucks a year.. So 8 12 to 14 month old trucks turned in and 8 new ones replaced them,... He did this for years and years....

"this morning I woke up with nothing to do, it is now afternoon and I have over half of it done".
Digging in hard clay is more relaxing to a worm than going fishing..

Dougster

Can't explain why they might have been moved unless they went out for cleaning, detailing or some sort of security concern. They were immaculate. The guy standing right next to me (who kinda looked like a tall version of Jay Leno) took the first two at $88K each. The other six were scattered among other bidders throughout the tent. A couple went for slightly more and the rest went for slightly less. Average was right around that initial $88K winning bid.

I didn't know much about the company that owned them and what had happened to it. Someday you'll have to tell me the rest of the story.

Dougster

Dougster

After some hard and painful reflection yesterday, I've come to the conclusion that the only brand spanking new mini-excavator worth going after in my situation is the Kubota KX91-3. It fits my maximum weight, digging depth and digging force requirements perfectly. No other machine out there comes nearly so close.



Now comes the hard part: Shopping for the best price, trying to get the financing I'll need (without a separate steady income) and understanding the tax ramifications of such a large business purchase. I wish I could say that my nearest Kubota dealerships had the sharpest pencils of all... but based on past experience, they aren't even in the "competitive" ballpark.

I may be completely crazy... but what the heck: Let the fun begin! The worst that happens is that I fall flat on my face.

Dougster

Attached Images

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PaulChristenson

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Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright

Dougster

You are too funny! You know full well that the old Dougster is far too old to deal with the daily battle of keeping a 12-to-15 year old mini-excavator alive and operating in a business environment. I'm having a hard enough time shopping and looking at 3, 4 and 5 year old machines. Most of the used machines I've looked at are beat to a pulp. Anything halfway decent cost megabucks... and you may as well buy new and get the 0% financing and the warranty. The hourly cost of ownership & operation really isn't all that different.

Dougster

PaulChristenson

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright

Ducati996

Its a shame that what you were looking for didnt appear to be in good shape at 1,000 hrs. Makes me wonder if the hours were correct, and everything is on the up & up. I suppose with some experience you can pinpoint the areas that kinda show the true life hours, kinda like looking at tires or brake pedals on a car, when the tires are shot at 10k miles, and the brake peddle looks like a trucker used it. But the Odometer shows, 15k or something not believable.

As for the Kx91, I myself have been looking at them, I dont believe Kevin Emerich carries that line.
As for tax ramifications, you would write the unit off, and hopefully with the refunds, you will have basically gotten the money back within 2-3 years (via the refund).


Good luck either way