Wacker Neuson EZ38

[Beckbenj]

I’m considering a WN EZ38 that’s near me, looks to have about 1,500 hours. Looking at the EZ38’s specs makes me a little leery with 25hp for what seems to be 9,500lb machine. Many other machines in that weight class are running around 40hp.

Anyone with experience using these? Are they underpowered, reliability issues, etc? I would assume with a yanmar engine they are good to run 5,000 hrs minimum.

 

[KSSS]

I think it depends a lot on what you want to do with it. If your running attachments, I think you would notice the lower hp due to lower GPM. If your primarily just digging, I doubt you would notice much difference, especially at your elevation. My Taki 153's which were heavier but not much more hp than what you have did fine, until I got over 6K feet in elevation. WN makes the ET42 which is just a little heavier has 42 hp. I would demo and see what you think of the 25 hp while digging. It all depends on how the OEM manages the hydrualics with the hp they have. Just looking at the hp doesn't always tell the tale.

 

[Beckbenj]

Trenching, small foundations, and light demo would be my main uses. There is a slight possibility of adding a breaker attachment to it. From what I see in the manual (a little tough to decipher) the machine can produce around 10gpm. That appears to be adequate for a small breaker. Does this sound reasonable?

It does also have a tilting turntable (15 degrees). I haven’t seen anything negative about this.

This machine seems to be in the best condition / lowest hours for price. I’ve had nothing but good experiences as well with Yanmar engines.

 

[KSSS]

The tilting turn table is really handy. I used it to dig septic lines on a hillside and it was the perfect application. My only complaint about it that I had is that the house sits up higher getting into the machine. Not quite convenient getting in and out of. 10 gpm will run most breakers of that size. There is no question that Yanmar builds a heck of an engine. Had them in 4 different Taki excavators, and I never spent a dime in repairs on any of them.

 

[skyking1]

That would be handy for all sorts of site trenching. My work is all flat but if I were doing site development that would be nice to stand up a stable trench without a bunch of gymnastics.

 

[Beckbenj]

A 2019 Wacker Neuson EZ53 has popped recently that is catching my interest. Has about 800 hours on it and has the Perkins 404F-22T. Are these model Perkins one I should keep away from? Also, as I understand it this is a Tier 3 engine, anything to be concerned about there?

No tilting house on this one, unfortunately.

 

[KSSS]

I don't have any insight on the Perkins engine. I am not sure how it could be considered Tier 3 being a 2019. I have run these WN53's and while they seem to run fine, I was never in love with it. WN redesigned this size machine recently (ET50). That machine is running the Perkins 403J.

 

[Beckbenj]

Their tech sheet says tier 3, but the marketing literature says final tier 4. In either case they seem to have the 404F-22T.

What was it about the EZ53 that you didn’t like? Just curious, I may still take a look at it.

 

[KSSS]

By all means take a look and run it. WN makes some exceptional excavators, I just don't think this is one of them. The ergonomics are not that good. I found it a little slow in multifunctioning. I am sure they are dependable and tough like their other excavators, just not my favorite to run. Now their ET90....that is an example of one of their exceptional machines in my opinion. The ET42 would also be on that list.