New guy no clue

[LCA078]

Not that Doosan.
Example machine:
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/hvo/d/everett-2006-hitachi-zx-200lc-excavator/7824336889.html

Skyking is pointing out some very key details that can make your life much more happier.

1) This is an Hitachi which I think is similar or practically same as a John Deere. I think they share a lot of parts but I'm a Cat guy. Hitachi/JD guys can chime in and discuss the benefits of those brands but I know each is highly respected.

2) This machine has a beefy progressive thumb which is about the best you can find. A fixed thumb like on the Doosan you posted is okay for basic grabbing but it's limited on diameter of what you're grabbing as you have to curl the bucket a lot more to grab smaller items. And that can get in the way a lot of times. A simple hydraulic thumb is better (what I have) but you can still limit out on what you can grab as these thumbs have limited range of motion, like I can't go past center. And the grip capability decreases the further you extend the thumb. On the other hand, a progressive thumb like the one Skyking shows gives the most constant range of grip along with the largest range of motion. Again, the type of thumb is a small detail but it makes a huge difference in machine capability when a lot of picking/placing will be done with a hoe.

This machine's progressive thumb:

My machine's thumb. And if I remember correctly, I took that pic with my thumb fully extended. A progressive thumb will curl the thumb a lot further, past center and a bit more.

 

[LCA078]

Forgot to mention that the Doosan doesn't have a coupler so to change attachments, you'll be sledging away at heavy pins. And that ain't fun by yourself especially when trying to get them back in.

On the other hand, the Hitachi has a coupler (like mine) and you can sit in your cab sipping your coffee from one hand and change buckets with ease with the other hand. Boots won't touch dirt with when changing buckets with a coupler.

 

[BC Placer gold]

Thanks for that! Any specific make or model suggestions much appreciated. Puts me on the right track while I search marketplace and auctions. There is an auction that runs in MD which is close to me.

Hitachi Straight ZX series. A bit older…. Hitachi EX200-6

Cat 320B, C series

Deere 210D series

Some examples of good ones in my opinion, there are many more…

Our Current ‘big’ machine is a 2004 Hyundai 210-7. Cummins 5.9 mechanical, Kawasaki pumps etc. We got this for $38k 7 years ago. It was a well maintained city of Kamloops trade in at the local Finning dealer, mid-winter (slow sales time here).

3 buckets, no thumb….have always had a pro-link thumb (pretty spoiled…). Have got pretty good at tree work etc without using a thumb. But I would HIGHLY recommend a thumb for your usage.

Our experience has been to get the best condition unit you can find and learn to maintain and take care of it. Excavators ‘can’ be pretty low maintenance units in the right hands. But….you definitely do not want to end up with a machine needing a large repair…ie rotec bearing, pumps, final drive motor etc….

 

[skyking1]

ITR is not rubber tracks. You are not getting rubber tracks in a machine larger than about an 8 ton.
ITR is an inexpensive brand of replacement steel tracks from China.
It is a job that you can do yourself. I did use a mini because I had one.



New shoes does not fix everything, but on a potential sidehill job like yours, you want good tracks. It opens up your possibilities of potential machines.

 

[LCA078]

Plus I’m learning a lot of the terminology, just from your posts… ITR= rubber tracks, CTL compact skid steer, tracked. Good stuff. Is there a prebuy inspection guide out there of things to check for? I know on aircraft there is a list of things to be aware of that you will have to fix but there is also a list of things that you should just walk away from…can’t be fixed or just not worth fixing no matter how cheap. The most expensive airplane is a free airplane.

There are a few folks here who posted checklists for inspecting machine. I think @epirbalex and @John C. had a lot stuff posted. There are even videos that are very helpful. If you know aircraft, then it's quite easy to "relax your specs" to understand heavy equipment.

And since you know that a free airplane is the most expensive type of plane, you'll do just fine here....

Btw- did you retire out of McGuire-Dix? Lots of a/c over there.

 

[BC Placer gold]

Yes, a pro-link thumb is a lot nicer if possible. Really useful for brush work etc at full reach.

 

[LCA078]

Yes, a pro-link thumb is a lot nicer if possible. Really useful for brush work etc at full reach.

Yup, I learned that the hard way. Bought my machine before I knew the differences between progressive and regular. You can see the scrub cedar I'm "plucking out" in the background of my pic. I can grab the cedar pretty far out but then I have no leverage. When I crowd the dipper closer to my machine so I get max lift or plucking strength, my thumb isn't going past center so I lose grip on the cedar. Curling the bucket much more to increase the grip and the bucket lifts the grab spot off the ground too much and I just tear the top off the scrub leaving the stump. There's a sweet spot where my dipper isn't straight down but slightly out where I get most grip on the stump portion and do a clean pluck. And I almost forgot to mention I bought a 30" toothed bucket that really makes huge difference compared to my 42" smooth lip bucket when plucking cedar.

Yup, all small details that I wish I knew before I jumped in. But still glad I bought my machine.

 

[BC Placer gold]

Good description, if the op is doing a lot of brushing no doubt pro-link would be nice. That said I am currently thumbless!

 

[LCA078]

BC- that's pretty country. Makes me want to give up the hot weather and enjoy some mountains.

 

[Acoals]

I did use a mini because I had one.

If you don't have a mini or skid steer handy you had better have some brawny friends . . .

 

[BC Placer gold]

One thing about buying a big excavator; It will be a great machine for doing a lot of the rough initial work, but for a lot of other work, such as building houses, spreading gravel, moving stuff around, ect it won't be much use.

In the long term you may find it more useful to purchase a CTL and rent big iron when you need it.

Good points made here.

We are on a small acreage and all the big work is long done so the most useful machine for us now is a skid steer…kind of does everything. When I retire from bush work we would sell everything except the skid steer and the Deere 50d (if my wife would let me keep that one!)

That said, we have never rented as would rather buy a good machine (very carefully chosen) complete the work then resell. This has always worked for us as price has been recouped or exceeded when selling. Perhaps different in your market but up here a 210 is $8500/month. A solid machine (perhaps like Skyking posted) for 40k or so shouldn’t depreciate much if any over a couple of years.…then sell.

 

[BC Placer gold]

BC- that's pretty country. Makes me want to give up the hot weather and enjoy some mountains.

-15c this morning. Come up for a visit if you are ever up this way!

 

[skyking1]

If you don't have a mini or skid steer handy you had better have some brawny friends . . .

That was my first track change. Now that I have done one, I could get it done with some big blocks of wood and come-along and just the machine. Need good open space and a good hand at single tracking and walking the other side with the boom/swing/stick.

 

[PeterG]

Initial plan is to build a small place garage and live in it until I can build the forever house. Probably build 3 small houses for the kids

Before you get the big excavator and go at it, have you looked into local building codes to see if you need a grading permit, are allowed to remove trees, environmental approval, septic design and approval, drainage and utility access, and on and on. Skyking can certainly fill you in on all this. Also, when you bought the land, what was it designated use as? You may need to change the designation to build multiple homes.

You mentioned you want to build a small garage and live in it. Are you going to live in an RV while you build this? Do you have the garage/home designed yet. If so, what is the footprint size of it?

You might be able to get away with just using an old backhoe or 5 ton mini excavator just to get a gravel road in and level out the garage pad foundation.

 

[Buffallobull]

All great input! First thanks for the specific models and manufacturer… that helps and also the gouge on the progressive thumb requirement. Permitting is pretty lax in that part of Pennsylvania but yes I will check. One doesn’t last 35 years in the military without learning to follow rules!

Yes we do have a camper and I’m good roughing it but the better half won’t take much of it. Thankfully the grandbaby lives about 2 hours away and Gigi is more than happy to spend time there. I could also see getting a small house close by and living in that for a while, just until I get my bearings on all this land.

Thanks for the reference on the checklist as well. I have flown into and out of McGuire many times but never stationed there…Dover DE, yes Charleston SC Westover MA, DC, Texas. I been everywhere man I been everywhere. Moved 21 times in 35 years, she wants to name the future farm “no.22…”

 

[laidback01]

Thanks all! Laidback I hope to be in your shoes someday. I’m using this equipment for my purposes on my land. I do enjoy fixing things… my 2001 truck has 350000 miles on it, diesel still going good as new. 7.3.

hey, I still drive a 2001 dodge with 270k miles on it - and it's a gas rig. It needs some work, and I need to finish my shop, etc. that's what the equipment is for! life stays busy for the curious.

 

[Tyler d4c]

What part of pa are you in? Perhaps I could be helpful to look a machine over or something.

 

[Buffallobull]

Hyndman PA, Buffalo Mills

 

[skyking1]

What part of pa are you in? Perhaps I could be helpful to look a machine over or something.

Even better!!!

 

[Tyler d4c]

Hyndman PA, Buffalo Mills

Bedford county eh my wife grew up on gravity hill Im about 45 minutes or so away. Dont hesitate to ask