Buying a JCB mini digger - need advice please

kincaid

Hi

Im looking to buy a 3ton minidigger and just have come across a jcb 3ton machine,
Its about 1997 and its in ok cosmetic condition, plastic at rear is broken, has blade but no Q/hitch, starts and digs great…
Rubber Tracks are about 95%
Its tight otherwise and has 3 buckets,
What would be the price of this machine, what should i look out for? any advice appreciated…thanks

NuckingFacker

kincaid wrote: »

Hi

Im looking to buy a 3ton minidigger and just have come across a jcb 3ton machine,
Its about 1997 and its in ok cosmetic condition, plastic at rear is broken, has blade but no Q/hitch, starts and digs great…
Rubber Tracks are about 95%
Its tight otherwise and has 3 buckets,
What would be the price of this machine, what should i look out for? any advice appreciated…thanks

I'd imagine somwhere from 6.5k to 8.5k depending on condition and condition would be everything at that age. Check for wear in the slew and main pins, smoke from engine and worn track idlers and sprockets etc etc. On the upside, they're a good strong digger to dig and nice to drive - I'd be a fan.

kincaid

Thats all good, so it worth at least €6500, i looked on Donedeal but just not many about

Busted Flat.

Takeuchi Is a far superior machine.

NuckingFacker

Busted Flat. wrote: »

Takeuchi Is a far superior machine.

They are, but they're also a lot dearer. The upside of a Tak is you'll always sell them for close to what you paid. For what it's worth, my personal fave is Kubota, especially the 3 tonners - brilliant diggers IMO. Bags of power and total reliability. Yanmars are also very good but less powerful. The Kubotas are fantastic to dig, punch well above their weight.

Doom

Check all ram seals. Under carriage. Roller bearing on tracks. Check for play on all pins, especially king pin. Slew ring play. Track condition. Control levers and cut off. Horn. Lights. Mirrors. Flashing beacon socket has power. Engine: dip the oil, ask him to start it from cold when you view it. Look for oil leaks. Check hydraulic block for leaks.

2pack

NuckingFacker wrote: »

They are, but they're also a lot dearer. The upside of a Tak is you'll always sell them for close to what you paid. For what it's worth, my personal fave is Kubota, especially the 3 tonners - brilliant diggers IMO. Bags of power and total reliability. Yanmars are also very good but less powerful. The Kubotas are fantastic to dig, punch well above their weight.

would the Hitachi not be a better machine

NuckingFacker

2pack wrote: »

would the Hitachi not be a better machine

Not the 3 tonners. I just sold my ex120 and ex60, I'm a Hitachi fanboy for the bigger stuff but I wouldn't rate the smaller machines. I'll buy a Tak or a kubota to replace them, don't have the need for a bigger machine at the mo. Have a Kubota 3T out on hire at the mo and it's a peach, driver loves it and it mows through work - I've had them in the past from 1 ton up to 3 ton and never had a problem. I don't think Kubota make a bad anything tbh. Their tractors and mowers are the same - excellent.

kincaid

i would say that €6k would buy this 3ton jcb

2pack

Is the YANMAR a good machine

NuckingFacker

2pack wrote: »

Is the YANMAR a good machine

Yes - excellent diggers, usually have their pumps turned down to nothing ex the factory as well so there's a lot of power that can be "freed" up in them if wanted. I'd take one at the right money without a second thought.