Ducati996

I like it Dougster, and think you did real good in your search. let the machine pay you back dividends, and worry about the added creature comforts you speak.

I like its looks and dont think its ugly at all - its got Im here for a reason all over it, now put me to work

New to the Fold: Kubota L39 w/grapple, pallet forks, BH QA buckets, and more!
JD 2520, 210Cx, 46BH, 60" Box Blade-Mid West, 52" Mid West aerator, 52" first choice Tiller, 5' Fontier blade, 42" pallet forks, Green MFG PHD, Mid West York Rake w/guage wheels, Cub 3204 with Blower & Simms Cab, Mowers (44",48",50"),Ford 2006 F550 turbo diesel 4x4 w/11' mason dump, 16' 10k Doolittle trailer, Southwestern enclosed trailer, Wright Stander RH 52", Better Outdoor Product Quick 32" WB mower, and more !!

Dougster

Thanks Duc! By their very nature, smaller zero tail swing excavators tend to be a little awkward looking... almost unbalanced viewed from some angles compared to a conventional ballasted machine like the KX91-3 or KX121-3 (masterpieces of compact construction equipment design in my view). But those who have operated zero tail swing units say that they would never go back.

I guess I will find out for myself this spring and summer!

Dougster

Mickey

Will be looking for further reports Doug after you start using the equip. Remember, pretty don't put money in the wallet except for rare occasions. An honest working clean is good enough for equipment that is actually use.

1970 Bolens 1257 w/tiller
2005 Cub 3204 48" deck
Yanmar Fx24D
5' Howse rotary mower
RSB 1300 Yanmar tiller

Dougster

It will be interesting to see if it achieves the goals (physical and financial) I have set for it. It's already helping on the marketing side of things even before it has pulled it's first stump or boulder. Potential clients already seem more comfortable with a "compact equipment" approach to their work when they hear or see you are not a one machine show. It should make the job of selling my services a bit easier... a potentially critical factor in the depressed market I am facing this year.

Dougster

irwin

Doug;

I have some very ugly stumps to remove and a few "large rocks" in the way. Ya wanna come down and give it a work out at my place? I'll pay for fuel and feed ya.

.... Tim

Dougster

I'd love to help Tim, but running 500+ pounds overweight on my trailer even before I replace the bucket and add the thumb makes an out-of-state run a very risky proposition. Might even need DOT numbers as well.

As I've mentioned before, your evil CT stormtroopers scare the bejesus out of me. But I'll tell you what: You find someone who is willing to haul the ULDM ("ugly little digging monster") down there and back safely and legally with insurance... and I'll consider it provided it doesn't interfere with my business work commitments!

How's that for a deal?

Dougster

irwin

Don't blame you. I'll see if I can do anything about all that before you find out how well it digs on the job.

.... Tim

Dougster

Got my first brief taste (followed immediately by extreme shock!) of what parts are going to cost me for this ULDM. Mama Mia!!! And I thought parts for the Bradco were expensive!!! Looks like I am going to be making whatever I can from now on... or I might as well just declare bankruptcy right now and get it over with.

The shocker of the day: A small "pin assembly" that locks the bucket in place should the hydraulic system fail and release pressure on the bucket's hydraulic coupler (thereby potentially releasing the bucket). These little pins (as big as your little finger) fall out easily due to bad design and most rental places don't bother to replace them. I was going to simply insert a $1.50 grade 8 bolt and nut... or a pin from TSC for maybe $4.75... but I decided to do it right: $34.50 plus tax!!!

It gets worse from there. A little missing guard plate for the blade cylinder was estimated at "about $100" when I can make one myself for maybe $5... $10 tops. Tiny flexible hydraulic lines for the hydraulic coupler about 16" long (which reportedly break often) are $200 a pair. Bucket dead pins are also an amazing $200 a pair. Touch-up paint was a more tolerable $12.50 per spray can... but I was warned that the next can(s) would be $15.00 due to a price increase.

New buckets (by TAG) range from about $800 to $1,200. I knew that already. In general, I like the new TAG buckets... but unfortunately the last one they had in the size I wanted (30" digger) was strangely malformed and poorly welded... right at the very spot that the original Yanmar bucket failed. Go figure.

I believe my plans for a "full cosmetic makeover" are now on permanent hold. New buckets arrive in two weeks. I am hoping that a 24" or another 30" arrives that wasn't welded on a hungover Monday.

Dougster

LarryRB

Irwin
for some reason I thought you had a good sized tractor or backhoe that you can do this yourself, no?

"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

Mornin' Larry - As I recall, Tim's got a nifty 3-point backhoe (that he converted to frame mount) on the back of his JD 770. He probably just needs a little more digging power.

As I found out the hard way, there is always a rock too big for you to move no matter what you own! That's why God made hydraulic rock splitters and the guys who run them!

Dougster