Used kubota mini excavator

Types of used Kubota mini excavators

A mini excavator is an excavating machine with a tiny body suitable for confined spaces. The types of used Kubota mini excavators are as follows:

• Tight Access Mini Excavator

  A tight access mini excavator is a machine designed for restricted and narrow areas where large machines cannot access. This excavator has a smaller width, allowing it to pass through tight spaces easily. It is an excellent choice for projects in urban areas, landscaping, or construction sites with limited access. A unique feature of the tight access mini excavator is its zero or minimal tail swing. That means the machine's upper structure does not extend beyond its track width when turning. As a result, the operator can safely maneuver the excavator in confined spaces without the risk of hitting obstacles or damaging the surrounding area.

• Wheeled Mini Excavator

  A wheeled mini excavator is a compact excavating machine equipped with wheels instead of tracks. This feature offers high mobility and maneuverability on flat surfaces. The wheels allow the mini excavator to travel quickly between job sites and cover long distances. In addition, the wheeled design provides excellent speed and agility in urban and open spaces. Wheeled mini excavators are ideal for digging, trenching, loading, and other excavation tasks in construction, landscaping, and utility work.

• Rubber Tracked Mini Excavator

  Rubber tracked mini excavators have rubber tracks for excellent stability and traction in most terrains. They are small and agile, with the capability to go around tight spaces. The rubber tracks are able to absorb shock and reduce vibration. This feature offers a smooth ride and gentle ground contact, making them suitable for delicate surface and tight area operations.

Specifications and maintenance of used Kubota mini excavators

Specifications of mini used excavators vary depending on the models. Below are some key spec details.

• Sizes

  Specifications of mini excavators are either in a compact or conventional form. A compact form reaches a maximum length of 98 inches and a maximum width of 65 inches. The conventional form has dimensions of 140 inches and 74 inches, respectively.

• Operating capacity

  It is the measuring ability of the excavator to deal with a given material in a specific location. The operating capacity also depends on the configuration of the excavator, such as attachment and bucket size. Excavators with a compact form typically have an operating capacity of 1,500 lbs. Excavators with a conventional form have more operating capacities, ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 lbs.

• Reach and depth

  A critical digging ability of the excavator is its reach and depth. A compact excavator can dig to a depth of 10 to 12 ft. On the other hand, conventional models have greater depth and can dig 12-15 ft.

• Engines and Power

  Mini excavators mostly use diesel engines. The excavator's travel speed and digging power depend on the horsepower. Smaller excavators usually have horsepower of 15 to 25hp. The larger excavators can have horsepower ranging from 50 to 75hp.

• Typical attachments

  Mini excavators come with several attachments to suit different tasks, including trenching buckets, tilt buckets, break hammers, grapples, augurs, and land shakers, among others.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures the mini excavators operate efficiently and have a long lifespan. Below are some maintenance tips from expert Kubota excavator suppliers.

• Daily inspections

  Operators should take a few minutes to conduct routine daily checkups. They should inspect the used Kubota mini excavator for obvious damage, abnormalities, and loose parts. Additionally, operators should check the tracks for tears or wears and the buckets for cracks and leaks. They should also check hoses and belts to ensure proper functioning.

• Fluid top-ups

  Before operating the equipment on the first day, the operator should top up all crucial liquids. Some important liquids to replenish include hydraulic fluid, coolant, fuel, and engine oil. The operator should adhere to the excavator manufacturer’s fluid specification and maintenance interval.

Regular and scheduled replacement of crucial components should also be done. They include air filters, hydraulic filters, water separators, and engine oil filters. To enhance equipment performance, excavator owners should use manufacturer-approved fluids and lubricants.

Applications of used Kubota mini excavators

The versatility of the used Kubota mini excavator makes it suitable for many applications in landscaping, construction, and infrastructure. They can handle jobs that are huge, requiring heavy machines, as well as those that need more delicate operation.

These mini excavators are used extensively in the construction industry for digging and backfilling. They can easily handle tasks such as trenching, foundation digging, and laying pipelines with precision. After the completion of digging activities, the excavator can also be used for backfilling.

They are ideal for landscaping and site clearing. Mini excavators can do tasks like digging holes, removing stumps, and leveling the ground. In tight or sloped areas, their small size is especially useful. They also easily move around obstacles, making them suitable for urban settings where space is limited.

Mini excavators with attachments become versatile workhorses. For instance, a hydraulic breaker can be used to demolish concrete structures and hardscape. A bucket can be used for sorting, loading, and digging. A grapple can be used for handling and transportation of materials. With an auger attachment, they can be used for digging holes or deep shafts. Other used excavator attachments include trenchers, shears, rippers, and compactors.

With the rake attachment, used excavators can be used for clearing land by removing bushes or trees. The rips work well for breaking up hard or compacted soil. Excavator rippers are toothed attachments that are fixed to the excavator bucket. They are also used for mining activities and to break up solid rock.

Mini excavators can also carry heavy materials such as soil, gravel, and asphalt. They are loaded onto trucks easily. Using the right attachment, mini excavators can also compact materials such as gravel and soil, preparing a stable foundation for construction projects.

How to choose a used Kubota mini excavator

As mentioned above, when considering a used mini excavator purchase, all the tiny details must be inspected thoroughly to help make the right choice. The following list summarizes some of the critical points that should be checked before buying a second-hand excavator:

• The excavator's hydraulic system should be given a closer inspection to see if it has any present or past visible leakage issues. Hydraulic issues in mini excavators can become a nightmare for users, so ensuring they are in excellent working condition and without leaks is crucial. If possible, also, check the hydraulic hoses and ensure that they are top quality.
• All tracks and undercarriage parts, like chain wheels and rollers, should be inspected for wear or damage. This includes carefully examining their state of functioning, too, to avoid purchasing an excavator with tracks that may soon require a replacement.
• The excavator's operation should be checked, along with ensuring the functioning of all joysticks. Listen to the sounds it produces during its functioning, and look out for issues like unusual temperatures or excessive noise. Also, ensure that there aren't any present or past leakage issues by inspecting the excavator thoroughly.
• While older models must be checked for the availability of parts, most used excavators will have their parts easily available for buying and replacing. It's always a good idea to check the parts catalog to see which parts are easy to find and their estimated prices so that one is prepared before a replacement is ever required.
• All hoses and electrical connections must be checked closely for damage or wear. Things like chafing or damaged connectors can lead to bigger, more severe issues, so ensuring they are all in good shape is essential.
• The operating hours of the mini excavator should also be considered when making a buying decision. While there's no doubt that excavators will show signs of wear and tear as they approach higher operating hours, the main components, like the engine and hydraulics, can still be in good, well-working condition if maintained properly. Thus, it is essential to note that the number of operating hours isn't the only thing that should be used to determine the used excavators' overall health. Instead, the maintenance history should also be considered. If the excavator has been regularly maintained and taken care of with the necessary required parts replacing it, then there's a good chance it can still have many years of use left.

Q&A

Q: What is the difference between a used and refurbished mini excavator?

A: A used excavator will have its original parts, while a refurbished excavator may have new parts added to upgrade the machine.

Q: How can one determine the right size used mini excavator?

A: The reason for buying the excavator will help determine the size. If it is for digging in tight spaces, a smaller machine will suffice. For larger volume digging, a bigger excavator will be needed.

Q: What type of used excavator is best for urban construction projects?

A: The used mini excavator is preferable when working in confined urban spaces. Its size makes it easy to maneuver in tight areas. Smaller models can navigate through standard-width (not paved) urban roads.