Off Brand/Chinese Equipment

[ATH]

Totally. Agreed, most of the time the cheapest option isn't the best.

I'm looking in to an SBA loan for spring/summer time. I'd most likely get all new, brand name equipment. Downtime is too expensive and it'll help keep my guys happy. Just weighing options.

I saw Bobcat has 0% interest on their minis. I despise borrowing money...but it's got me thinking!

 

[ATH]

I bought one at the start of the 2023 season - the brand is lynx, but more or less looks like the first one you posted. I've put around 160 hours on the machine and have been very happy with it. It's got a Honda motor, simple hydraulic system and straightforward wiring. The only issue I've had was after a track popped off I had to replumb the grease lines to standard fittings so I could tension the track.

I'm anticipating running into problems down the road but honestly for the price I don't care- I bought a machine I could afford to buy outright and it has been a great addition to the business.

Honda engine would certainly change my calculations when considering a cheap machine. At least engine parts should available.

I kinda feel like a lot of the other pieces could be manageable. Even if the hydraulic system took a dump, the cost to replace it would still leave the machine a lot cheaper than standard alternatives...but that doesn't calculate down time.

 

[evo]

What is the cost of a comparable (in regards to actual lifting/size) cost? 25/30k?

 

[Matias]

Spending 6.5k is being 6.5k further away from a quality machine.
Yet spending the 6.5k might generate enough to replace it with a quality machine.

Can you make enough not only to pay for the machine + maintenance costs + generate funds for a replacement when it’s service life / depreciation + turn a profit? Those are the requirements on equipment.
So sticker price, and all that taken into consideration probably not worth cheaping out. But if it saves you labor and worker hours (employee) it can pay itself off in under 10 work weeks. Lots of weights to scale out

These are the important equations here

 

[Colin1234567]

What is the cost of a comparable (in regards to actual lifting/size) cost? 25/30k?

I just got quoted a new sk800 at 37.5k and the sk900 at 39k. A friend of mine bought his tx1000 last year for 40k. Different ballpark machines than the Chinese made but it seems like around 40k is standard from any of the big well known manufacturers.

 

[MA Arborist]

I think if business is good then there’s plenty of money to buy a quality brand machine. It will pay for itself.

 

[Serf Life]

I saw Bobcat has 0% interest on their minis. I despise borrowing money...but it's got me thinking!

….that you’d own a bobcat mini.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

I just got quoted a new sk800 at 37.5k and the sk900 at 39k. A friend of mine bought his tx1000 last year for 40k. Different ballpark machines than the Chinese made but it seems like around 40k is standard from any of the big well known manufacturers.

My quotes have been for 40k ish too.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

I think if business is good then there’s plenty of money to buy a quality brand machine. It will pay for itself.

Business is good means different things for different folks. We're a new, small company with a service area that has 200k folks in small towns up to an hour away. In 2 years business is good will look a lot different right now.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Honda engine would certainly change my calculations when considering a cheap machine. At least engine parts should available.

I kinda feel like a lot of the other pieces could be manageable. Even if the hydraulic system took a dump, the cost to replace it would still leave the machine a lot cheaper than standard alternatives...but that doesn't calculate down time.

Even a Briggs and Stratton would.

 

[chiselbit]

I saw Bobcat has 0% interest on their minis. I despise borrowing money...but it's got me thinking!

That’s how I bought my kubota x040 excavator, zero down and zero interest. I think I had to pay for the grapple outright but I always felt like that machine made its own payments every month.

 

[Treetopflyer]

That’s how I bought my kubota x040 excavator, zero down and zero interest. I think I had to pay for the grapple outright but I always felt like that machine made its own payments every month.

What grapple do you run on the kx40?

 

[chiselbit]

What grapple do you run on the kx40?

It’s a Valbey rigid grapple.

 

[chiselbit]

What grapple do you run on the kx40?

The rigid grapples are nice for vertical attitudes, we propped this failed white fir yesterday to stabilize until we can get a crane in.

 

[27RMT0N]

Very cool. Is that some kind of VW based buggy under the tarp?

 

[chiselbit]

Ha. Good eye. Yes it is. Other than that I know nothing. It faired pretty well considering how much of the top landed on it.

 

[oceans]

Plus one on a rigid grapple. I went for a good piece of used equipment rather than new off-brand or new name-brand. Just saying it’s another option that may allow you to own something outright from jump.

Had a problem with the swing drive. Bobcat said “We can’t get the parts because the unit is too old. You’ll have to find it third party”. Took the swing drive to a local hydro shop. They said “Oh, that’s a nice Rexroth unit. We can reman it”. SWEET!!!

If I loose a track, it’s readily available rather than waiting (indefinitely?) for an out of stock, special order metric pitch size.

Lots of considerations, but I’ve long felt that good used is a better option than cheap new. Just my opinion as another foolish arborist.

 

[Treetopflyer]

I had a conversation with @Graeme McMahon few years back at a tree conference and his exact words were and I know because I was hanging on every word! “ A good mini excavator with grapple was one of the best purchases I ever made for my company”

 

[chiselbit]

I agree!

 

[Serf Life]

Plus one on a rigid grapple. I went for a good piece of used equipment rather than new off-brand or new name-brand. Just saying it’s another option that may allow you to own something outright from jump.

Had a problem with the swing drive. Bobcat said “We can’t get the parts because the unit is too old. You’ll have to find it third party”. Took the swing drive to a local hydro shop. They said “Oh, that’s a nice Rexroth unit. We can reman it”. SWEET!!!

If I loose a track, it’s readily available rather than waiting (indefinitely?) for an out of stock, special order metric pitch size.

Lots of considerations, but I’ve long felt that good used is a better option than cheap new. Just my opinion as another foolish arborist.

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Damnit Oceans, I’m trying to not by more equipment!