Dougster

Well, the deed is done, the bank account is empty, the machine is here, the first hour or so of operation has rolled over and it's time to post some initial impressions. As always with me, there tends to be a little initial self-doubt and buyer's remorse for such large purchase... but it usually tends to go away in time. The only known exception to this was my Mahindra, which was a buyer's dream machine right from day one.

To start off with, this used (ex-rental) 2004 Yanmar VIO35-3 with 900 hours is an ugly little monster. There is no getting away from the fact that it has an appearance that only a mother could love. Unlike our magnificent tractors, there is little to naturally love appearance-wise in a little "zero tail swing" beast like this... especially one decked out in Yanmar's carefully chosen "baby clothes" colors and cheap, flashy decals. If appearance and status mattered most, I would be back shopping for a Kubota KX91-3 or a CAT 303C CR.

But appearances aside, I bought this machine to dig. I bought this machine on Yanmar's reputation and a gaggle of great reviews. I bought this machine because I could afford it without a new loan. I bought this machine because it was local and I could check it out in person and as many times as was necessary to assure myself it that it was sound and would meet my needs. I keep having to tell myself all that every time I drive by my local Kubota Palace and see that nifty new KX91-3 still sitting there! But until that big lottery win, this VIO35 will have to do.

Compared to my tractor-mounted Bradco 509, operation of the VIO35 seems much smoother... almost effortless with the twin, armrest-mounted joystick controls and twin variable flow hydraulic pumps. Even the seat is far more comfortable. This is clearly the deluxe way to dig. I could get used to this in a hurry! It could only be better with an enclosed cab and tunes... but that is not my work style. I like to be closer to and fully focused on my work in every possible respect. A glass cage and tunes would unfortunately take away from that focus.

Raw digging power has always been my main concern and the principal reason I sought a second machine for the business (the other reasons relating to job range, redundancy, recoverability and movement logistics). The 509 is a very fine backhoe, but as currently plumbed, it lacks the raw digging power I need for digging out large rocks and stumps quickly and efficiently. It is still too early to tell if I have achieved this primary goal. I'll need several dozen large buried rocks and a few ugly stumps before I'll know for sure whether the VIO35 beats the 509 to any great degree.

One thing that I hadn't expected: those rubber tracks tear up whatever property they traverse pretty darn good. Somehow I had thought that it would be generally better than the tractor in this regard... but the opposite is true. Just like the folks with the steel-tracked machines, it looks like I will be putting down some mats or plywood boards at times to minimize client property damage.

Bucket width, depth, capacity and thumb compatibility are also potential sore spots for me. I guess I was spoiled by my 509's rugged, deep bucket and relatively high capacity for an 18 incher that meshes perfectly with my Bradco thumb. Things are much more complicated in the Yanmar mini-excavator world and I cannot understand why their buckets aren't deeper and why more of them don't mesh properly with the hydraulic thumb they offer. On the plus side, changing buckets with that remote hydraulic quick coupler is a dream come true for an old man like me!

Yanmar recently switched over from using Yanmar buckets to using American-made TAG buckets. I believe that the TAG buckets are stronger and will last longer. I am anxious to see them in person in my frame size. The Yanmar bucket on this 900 hour rental machine is trashed beyond economic repair.

So far, support from the Yanmar extended organization has been mixed. Much depends on who you call and what you are looking for. Right now I need everything from filters and manuals to new buckets and a hydraulic thumb. I am impressed by the factory rep I have dealt with on several technical issues. I am less impressed with some of the dealers. The good news in the latter regard is that there are Yanmar construction equipment dealers all over the place. Finding what you need locally is just a matter of getting in touch with the right dealer.

I won't be posting a lot of pix until I bring this machine up to my standards with at least one new bucket, a hydraulic thumb, some new lighting and a ton of cosmetic work. 900 hours in rental service tends to show... and I like to be reasonably proud of the pix I post!

Dougster

Dougster

No, not the actual new Dougster machine... but a close serial numbered sister unit I found (With no grease showing - how do they do that??? ).



This is what mine will look like after I degrease it, touch-up the boom paint and get a new(er) bucket! No, I never said it was pretty. Dang ugly little monster if you ask me!

Note: The machine to its left is still a few years away for me!

Dougster

Attached Images

Yanmar VIO35-3.jpg (110.4 KB, 32 views)

Edster

Dang, that thing is so small. Does it fit in the back of the pick up or what?

Dougster

May every cop I pass feel exactly the same way!!!

Dougster

Edster

I hope it has an adequately sized cup holder. The one good thing about a glass cage is that most often it includes a climate control system.


That's the funny thing about rubber tracks Doug. They were designed to lighten the machine weight. That and to minimize tearing up pavement. No consideration was given to lawns. I believe the general thought was that if you were traveling across a lawn you were working on it any way.

Dougster

No cup holder. Maybe the new VIO35-5 has one.

Talked to a lot of mini-ex operators and got a lot of opinions about the pros and cons of going cabbed on a mini-ex. You can see above what I decided on. Bottom line is that it's a workin' machine and I am a one man show. I don't work in the rain and unless the cab had A/C, I'd be working with the door braced open anyway. The only really valuable advantage I saw to the cab was winter storage outside. Everything lasts longer in an enclosed machine. But I am already 500 pounds over on trailer GVWR and the cab would have added another 300 or so pounds. How many years do you want me to spend in jail???
Oh man!!! Now you tell me!!!

Dougster

Edster

You never asked!!!!

Dougster

Well, in all honesty, LarryRB did warn me.

And since I am being totally honest here, the used KX91 in New York that I was trying so hard to buy had a cab and steel tracks. But beggars cannot be choosers and frankly I was out to get the best machine I could for the lowest price. The local deal helped a lot and I think I did okay... but if I win that PowerBall Lottery tonight, I will be over at the Kubota Palace first thing tomorrow with cash in hand for BOTH an M59 and a KX91-3... cab and canopy models! One of each!

Dougster

Edster

Well you'll just have to price lawn repair into the jobs. If the lawn is critical you'll have to use the TLB. If not go for the mini. If it is a job that the mini is a must inform the client that the lawn will get torn up, you'll grade and reseed when done and that cost is in the price.

Dougster

Well, I can always throw down some plywood to merely cross a lawn to get to a work area... and lets also remember: The Red Beast ain't exactly a rider lawnmower. Those R4's under the 509 backhoe's weight can be pretty bad too. Fact is that I was hoping the mini-ex would be much better in that regard. Surprise for me after all my research: It is not.

Dougster