8T Digger Recommendations

[AndrewG]

I’d agree with you there @Hilly a good 5k more than I’d be looking to pay for it but then 2nd hand prices seem to be all over the place just now.

if you’ve got the time to use it properly then i think a digger would one of the most valuable machines on a lot of farms. You can make improvements that will last a lifetime.

 

[Romeogolf]

Diggers of any sort have not been cheap by any means for years n years , that one in the link is very expensive imo. Rubber tracks are the work of the devil

Agreed, but they ultimately they are worth what someone is willing to pay.
Last sold 2019 ECR88D’s with around 2700hrs for £48-£49k June21, which was only £7k behind new price when buying a few.
The one in the link should be £25k, and will no doubt sell at around that. I know I’d sooner that over spending £18k on a 20 year old hitachi with no knuckle.
However, I also agree about rubber tracks, but they have their uses. Although I certainly wouldn’t suggest they are the best for farm use.

 

[Hilly]

Agreed, but they ultimately they are worth what someone is willing to pay.
Last sold 2019 ECR88D’s with around 2700hrs for £48-£49k June21, which was only £7k behind new price when buying a few.
The one in the link should be £25k, and will no doubt sell at around that. I know I’d sooner that over spending £18k on a 20 year old hitachi with no knuckle.
However, I also agree about rubber tracks, but they have their uses. Although I certainly wouldn’t suggest they are the best for farm use.

Finding eight tonner on good steels is a nightmare as well , 13 ton machine are more for a farmer than an eight imo but sometimes other things dictate .

 

[nick...]

I don’t think you can buy a bad machine but I’d personally avoid chinese made machines due to human and animal rights but I’m sure they are ok.despite what’s said about about the kubota I had one a couple of years ago on hire and I’d have to say it’s one of the nicest machines I’ve used,it was nearly new though.ive used all makes over the last 35 years and they all have the good and bad points and it’s down to personal preference and how dealers see after you.i run volvo due to dealer being reasonably close but I never hear from them.volvo at duxford have been outstanding when I’ve needed them though.im a big case fan but no dealers even close and got jcb,kobelco,new holland and yanmar on my doorstep too but never see reps.id avoid anything from self drive hire fleets as I know the abuse they receive.if you can find a one owner/driver machine that’s been seen after that’s the machine you want.check pins and bushes but these are not expensive to replace.if you can find one with a quick hitch which most will have,some will pick up buckets from differant machines which can make finding buckets easier but plenty if second hand about.good luck.
nick...

 

[snipe]

when we were looking I asked my neighbour for a bit of advice as he worked for JCB TC Harrison’s for 25 years. In the 5 to 8 ton range he said the main one to avoid was JCB.

 

[organicguy]

I bought a Doosan 85 r last year on rubber.
The knuckle boom is invaluable for ditching work,allows you to get up tight to ditch, gives good visibilty and you can throw ditch spoil over the hedge. Gave 20k with 3500 digging hours. Been pleased to date but don't have experience with much else.

 

[Benr]

I don’t think you can buy a bad machine but I’d personally avoid chinese made machines due to human and animal rights but I’m sure they are ok.despite what’s said about about the kubota I had one a couple of years ago on hire and I’d have to say it’s one of the nicest machines I’ve used,it was nearly new though.ive used all makes over the last 35 years and they all have the good and bad points and it’s down to personal preference and how dealers see after you.i run volvo due to dealer being reasonably close but I never hear from them.volvo at duxford have been outstanding when I’ve needed them though.im a big case fan but no dealers even close and got jcb,kobelco,new holland and yanmar on my doorstep too but never see reps.id avoid anything from self drive hire fleets as I know the abuse they receive.if you can find a one owner/driver machine that’s been seen after that’s the machine you want.check pins and bushes but these are not expensive to replace.if you can find one with a quick hitch which most will have,some will pick up buckets from differant machines which can make finding buckets easier but plenty if second hand about.good luck.
nick...

Do you know roughly what it would cost to do the pins and bushes?

 

[nick...]

Do you know roughly what it would cost to do the pins and bushes?

No I’ve no idea but ring digbits or Evans and Reid.they will be able to advise you.will be substantially cheaper than line boring if previous owner has let them get too bad.
nick...

 

[cousinjack]

Takeuchi, hitachi, Volvo or CAT would be my only recommendations

preferably earlier models without all the associated electrical wizardry that is on the newer ones !

 

[Runs Like a Deere]

What’s the issue with rubber tracks?

I’ve used both and never had any issues with rubber in a variety of different sites including on farms.

 

[AndrewG]

What’s the issue with rubber tracks?

I’ve used both and never had any issues with rubber in a variety of different sites including on farms.

Steel better off the hard and better for tracking rock in, also get the option to put wide pads on if you want to make it floaty.

 

[organicguy]

What’s the issue with rubber tracks?

I’ve used both and never had any issues with rubber in a variety of different sites including on farms.

Building tracks/rolling hard core, otherwise rubber is great.

 

[Joe S]

steel tracks, mono boom unless you enjoy rocking about. king pin is better for cleaning ditches right enough but will sink faster if the soft going.
for 20 grand id be looking at ex60, zaxis 70, cat 307, case cx75, kobelco 75, if you can forgive its sins a takeuchi, kubota and volvo.
unless your dead set on a 8t machine look at the 5/6t class and the 12-14t class get a lot more for your money

 

[Lakesdigger]

Building tracks/rolling hard core, otherwise rubber is great.

Steel have far better grip on wet grass as well and make far less mess on it

 

[Benr]

steel tracks, mono boom unless you enjoy rocking about. king pin is better for cleaning ditches right enough but will sink faster if the soft going.
for 20 grand id be looking at ex60, zaxis 70, cat 307, case cx75, kobelco 75, if you can forgive its sins a takeuchi, kubota and volvo.
unless your dead set on a 8t machine look at the 5/6t class and the 12-14t class get a lot more for your money

How much less capable is a 5-6t compared with an 8t though?

 

[40 series]

I would say a fair bit

 

[benny6910]

In between the 2 cats I had a 4.5 ton on rubber tracks. The little digger had plenty of digging power and was fast on the hydraulics but it lacked stability with it having a narrower track base. If your planning on doing much ditch/ field work then I would definitely recommend steel tracks.

 

[snipe]

A 8t will do what a 5t will do but faster, unless you are tight for space which is unlikely on a farm. But a 5 won’t do what an 8 will. With an 8 you can load a decent size trailer without sitting on top of a pile.

 

[snipe]

Quite a few options on eBay.

 

[Spencer]

Really like my 86C-1