irwin

Hi Larry;
What he said...
The rocks don't have to be moved, but if it could happen and I get to see an excavator in action (run by Doug) well..why not move them biggin's and a few monster stumps too.

.... Tim

Kennyd

Hey Doug, Congrats on the Mini We want to see pictures of YOUR machine!

As to this comment:
Having operated both, I prefer the NON-ZTS models in most situations. They are a lot less "tippy" felling while your digging. But in a tight spot, the ZTS will work better with lest collateral damage.

John Deere 4110HST
FEL, MMM, FEL Forks (homemade),I-Match, Ballast Box, #380 plow (modified to fit) Markham LD-48 Grapple, and lots of other STUFF.

Dougster

Oh, they will be coming Kenny! But it is still a mess in my opinion. Needs a replacement bucket and lots of TLC in the paint area! Still looks like the "before" picture in some restoration thread. Anyway, I am up to my butt in repairs and maintenance on it and the Mahindra for the next two weeks. Gotta be ready for a job set to begin on or about May 1. Expect some "action" photos right around that time!
Totally correct. I should have made that distinction. I was speaking of those working often in tight quarters.

You may recall that the old Dougster was very hot for a Kubota KX91-3 (a ballasted unit) before this local Yanmar deal suddenly fell in my lap. I felt I could tolerate the swing issue on the KX91-3 for its lower trailering weight (the weight on Kubota's zero-tail-swing U35 was just too high).

I am pleased how it all worked out since now I am payment-free. But ask me again at the end of the season whether the zero-tail-swing worked out to be a net plus or a minus.

Dougster

irwin

Here's an open cab with a thumb.
The color scheme reminds me of a kitchen in the 1960's, somewhat nostalgic.

.... Tim

Dougster

Yep! Looks like it has the 30" TAG bucket and TAG pin-mount hydraulic thumb too... same as I will likely end up with!

Yes, the colors and decals make me want to barf. That awful yellow with the greenish tint to it looks about as professional as me wearing a pink dress! And why a green undercarriage? Why not simple gray or black?

But I do believe in keeping the stock colors so I will restore the paint to it's original "as-new" look. It is what it is. When I win that lottery, I'll be able to trade up to a Kubota or CAT machine!

Dougster

p.s., If you think the colors are bad, you do not want to hear about Yanmar Construction's rotten (so far) dealer support. -d

Dougster

This week's update: The old Dougster is growing increasingly discouraged and frustrated with the entire Yanmar Construction organization from top to bottom. Whether these Yanmar mini-excavators are good machines or bad, the support organization is for the birds... and not at all well-suited to the needs of a business person. The main problem seems to be that most Yanmar Construction dealers are either: a) Small to medium sized equipment rental places (with little help, no parts info or even a parts counter), b) Clueless lawnmower dealers out of their league, c) Agways looking to make some fast money on the side (i.e., zero support), d) Other brand compact tractor dealers in way over their heads, or e) some unfortunate combo of the above.

Most dealers within a couple hundred miles of me are very or fairly new to Yanmar Construction... some not even having their first machine yet, let alone parts or parts info. Some do not answer their phone at all... or if they do answer, they say they will have to call you back with the parts info you want. None ever do. Phone messages are not returned. E-mails are not answered. Even the factory guys have failed to reply with the information they promised to provide.

This problem seems to be unique to Yanmar with it's lack of a professional construction equipment dealership and support organization. Certainly the CAT people, the Deere people, the Kubota folks and Kobelco buyers are very well cared for in my area. The same is true of New Holland, JCB, Volvo and all the others I can think of. Only Yanmar is unique in it's bizarre reliance on understaffed, overly busy rental shops, Agways, lawnmower guys and compact tractor guys more interested in selling their main brand tractors than supporting a piece of construction equipment with badly needed parts.

So far, this hunt for parts has been a near total disaster. I hope it gets better. I can't see how it could possibly get any worse. I am manufacturing and adapting my own critical parts from other sources as we speak... just to be reasonably ready for my May 1 project commitment.

If anyone knows of an on-line or mail order source for Yanmar mini-excavator parts, please contact me ASAP. I am getting desperate. Thanks.

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

Dougster

Thanks Paul! I'll give them a call first thing tomorrow morning. This appears to be a much bigger operation than any of the places I've called and/or visited here in New England. Maybe they even have a genuine Parts Manager!!!

Wouldn't that be something!!!

Dougster

Dougster

Well Paul... Very nice & friendly folks, but they say they can't help me out any more or any better than the ma & pa locals. [English translation: We can't be bothered.] All they handle is regular scheduled maintenance consumables. They recommended I call Yanmar directly on anything else.

Thanks for trying.

Dougster