hvy 1ton
Senior Member
You're right. Only the the 307.5 and 310 are chinese built. The 308 developing a new leak every couple days for awhile clearly effected my memory.
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Favorite 7-8 ton excavator?
- Thread starter materthegreater
- Start date
materthegreater
Senior Member
Even if it's not a Cat engine?
materthegreater
Senior Member
No EPA sticker, sounds a little suspect maybe?
I’ve worked with a number of machines in that 7 to 8 ton range. The Takeuchi TB290 is definitely popular for a reason, solid build, good dealer support, and plenty of hydraulic power. That said, I’ve also been impressed with the Wacker Neuson ET90 lately. It’s heavier than most in the class, but it feels planted and powerful, and the Perkins engine has plenty of grunt. Downsides are transport weight and a bit of extra complexity depending on setup.
In general, I’d say this class is great when you need more breakout and reach than a 5-6 ton, but don’t want to deal with the headaches of a full-size machine. That sweet spot around 18 to 19K pounds seems to offer a lot of versatility without pushing you into CDL territory.
In general, I’d say this class is great when you need more breakout and reach than a 5-6 ton, but don’t want to deal with the headaches of a full-size machine. That sweet spot around 18 to 19K pounds seems to offer a lot of versatility without pushing you into CDL territory.
materthegreater
Senior Member
18-19k definitely is CDL territory...
materthegreater
Senior Member
Interesting.
Yeah, many 5 ton class machines and almost all 6 ton class are CDL territory to haul them legally. An 11,500lb machine is basically max capacity for a 15K trailer and 3/4-1 ton with a 10K GVWR. Class 6 medium duty truck with a flatbed you could haul a 13K machine on the back if the truck has a light enough empty weight, but that isn't a common setup these days.
materthegreater
Senior Member
I wasn't doubting you, I just have very little experience with Cat machines and find it odd that they would repaint the engines.
Not just repaint. They have CAT valve covers and data tags. . . At least the Kubota / Cat C3.3 and C3.8 do.
materthegreater
Senior Member
Update: over the last few months I talked with the local Deere dealer and Caterpillar dealer to get pricing on new machines, and get trade in values for my Bobcat.
2025 Deere 75P - $127,500
24" steel tracks, blade, hydraulic coupler, 24" bucket, thumb
$25,000 trade in for Bobcat E60
Cat 308 fixed boom - $165,000
Steel tracks, blade, hydraulic coupler, 30" bucket, 48" tilting ditch cleaning bucket, 34" ripper, 2nd auxiliary circuit
$28,000 trade in for Bobcat E60
The Cat salesman said that the 308 fixed boom that has been available in Europe will be replacing the North American 307.5 starting in 2026. It seems like quite an improvement based on the specs I've seen.
2025 Deere 75P - $127,500
24" steel tracks, blade, hydraulic coupler, 24" bucket, thumb
$25,000 trade in for Bobcat E60
Cat 308 fixed boom - $165,000
Steel tracks, blade, hydraulic coupler, 30" bucket, 48" tilting ditch cleaning bucket, 34" ripper, 2nd auxiliary circuit
$28,000 trade in for Bobcat E60
The Cat salesman said that the 308 fixed boom that has been available in Europe will be replacing the North American 307.5 starting in 2026. It seems like quite an improvement based on the specs I've seen.
DM&RDBulldog
Well-Known Member
Last time I was at my Case dealer they had a few CX75 models, a few years old with under 1,000 hours in the 70k-80k price range. Out of factory warranty though, if that's a deal breaker? They also have a new model CX85 but I didn't see the price. Another brand to consider.
If you're close enough to NH, work with a dealer that has a presence there so you can take delivery in NH and not pay sales tax.
If you're close enough to NH, work with a dealer that has a presence there so you can take delivery in NH and not pay sales tax.
Having a local dealer is a big power adder, I have a yanmar/hitachi dealer nearby and it makes owning a yanmar easier, I'd love a bigger cab but the vio70 is a workhorse.
I finally ran the ET90 over the scale. With a HD 24" bucket, direct link thumb, hyd. coupler, long stick, and additional factory counterweight it weighs 20960. Had to replace a coolant sensor this Fall, put 500 hours on it, its not perfect in my mind, but really impressive.
materthegreater
Senior Member
I should look at Case at some point. The closest dealer is in NH I think. A friend has a 57 Case and doesn't like it. But I've heard that the smaller machines are made by a different company than the larger ones.
materthegreater
Senior Member
This popped up recently and doesn't seem too bad. Might need chains and sprockets. Can't really tell from the pictures. 2020 Komatsu PC78 with 2800 hours for $60k.
KenMac
Well-Known Member
I have no personal experience with Komatsu machines, but I've heard from several sources that operators seem to either really like them or really dislike them. I don't know why that might be, but sounds kinda odd to me.
southernman13
Senior Member
Hyundai makes the case mini x. I had a cr60-9a Hyundai was a very nice machine. I only put like 100 hrs on it but nothing I didn’t like about it