DIGGING IT

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IMAGES MANUFACTURERS Bobcat

The mini-digger sector is competitive and most manufacturers have a machine in the 3-tonne weight class – some are a little under, or over. The excavators in the class have features found in larger machines, with more spacious cabs and hydraulic capacities that can match up to using some key attachments, with the weight to work with brash and trees. Diggers in this class are often used in a support roll, feeding a shredder, or tidying up after a heavier machine has been on site.

As with many of these articles, we’ll try and nd common feature sets – we’re not comparing like for like. The stand-out features will be hydraulic capacity, boom and dipper features, engine power, and track equipment. In the forestry sector, out and out digging performance is unlikely to be the top of a buyers list – hydraulic performance to run mulchers and shears is more likely a consideration.

Bobcat

One of the brands that doesn’t have an exact match, but its E27z is in the right range, with a base weight of 2,705kg with cab and bucket, the zero-tailswing will be too heavy to tow by a 4x4 once you t a quick hitch and it’s ready to work. The Bobcat comes with a 1,550mm dozer blade, which can go down 420mm from track base, and up to 385mm. With a standard dipper, the E27z can reach 4,518mm, dig to 2,547mm and has 23.7kN of digging force with standard bucket. Maximum dump height is 3,043mm, and max digging depth is 2,547mm.

The boom swing can go left by 70 degrees and right 55 degrees, slew rate is 9.3rpm. The track length is 1,965mm, with 25kPa of ground pressure with rubber tracks, and can travel at 2.5 and 4.3kph. The hydraulics have a total capacity of 94.25L/min, with the primary auxiliary output of 53.75L/min at a relief pressure of 180bar. The Bobcat is powered by a 19.98hp Stage 5 Yanmar motor. The cab is an airy space with front and side opening windows, the soft grip joysticks provide access to high frequency functions as well as the main working controls.

Takeuchi

The TB230 weighs in at almost exactly 3 tonnes, tipping the scales at 3,020kg with a bucket and fuel and standard cab. The TB230 measures 1,330mm from centre to tail, which has a normal swing. The blade is 1,460mm wide, and height range is 380mm upwards and 310mm down. With standard dipper, the TB230 can reach 4,710mm at ground level, and has a maximum digging force 20.9kN with a bucket. Maximum dump height is 3,230mm, and max digging depth is 2,835mm.

The Takeuchi can swing the boom to the left by 79 degrees and right 58 degrees, slew rate is 10.3rpm. The track length is 1,900mm, ground speed is 2.9 and 5.2kph. Primary axillary hydraulic output is 54L/min at 210bar. Takeuchi uses Yanmar engines, and the TB230 has an 18.2kW (24.4hp) Stage 5-ready motor. The cab provides similar space to the larger class Takeuchi excavators, the controls have sliders for auxiliary hydraulics with programmable presets accessed via the touchscreen.

Doosan

Doosan’s DX27Z-7 zerotailswing excavator has a 2,798kg operating weight with cab and bucket.

Blade dimensions and range are 1,550mm wide, lifting up to 383mm, maximum depth is 335mm. A standard dipper gives the Doosan 4,655mm of reaching digging for of 21.8kN, and this digger has a maximum bucket capacity of 0.6m2

Maximum dump height is 2,935mm, max digging depth 2,645mm.

The DX27Z-7 has a boom swing of

66.5 degrees to the left and 53.5 degrees right. Slew speed is 8.3rpm, track length 1,960mm, ground pressure 28kPa, and travel speed is 2.4 to 4.2kph. Primary auxiliary output is 58L\min at 220bar. The engine is Doosan’s own 3-cylinder Stage 5 18.4kW (24.7hp) motor. The cab is air conditioned and has front and side opening windows, a radio is tted as standard.

Yanmar

The Vi033-6 weighs in at 3,275kg with cab, rubber tracks and a bucket. It’s a zero-tailswing machine, and the front of the upper structure is also within the tracks when slewed. The blade is 1,550mm wide and its working range is 375mm upwards and 325mm at its lowest position. With standard dipper, the Vi033-6 can reach 4,870mm and has a digging force of 29.9kN at the bucket. Maximum dump height is 3,160mm and max digging depth is 2,950mm.

Boom swing to the left is 43 degrees and 65 degrees to the right, slew rate is 10.5rpm. Track length is 2,160mm and travel speed is 2.7 and 4.5kph. Primary auxiliary output is 53.8L/min at 210bar. The Yanmar engine is rated at 18.5kW (24.8hp), and has an eco mode as standard. The cab can be equipped with air conditioning, and has front and side opening windows. Air suspended seat is standard, and the controls have proportional controls for the auxiliaries.

JCB

JCB’s offerings in the sector are wide, but here we’ve gone for the 8026, which weighs 2,698kg transport weight (includes a 12-inch bucket). The blade is 1,550mm wide and can lift 333mm above the ground, and lower too 405mm. With standard dipper, the 8026 CTS can reach 4,770mm and has a force of 23kN at the bucket. Maximum dump height is 3,220mm, and max digging depth 3,050mm.

The boom can swing 450 degrees to the left and 600 degrees to the right, while slew speed is 9.6rpm. Track length is 1,870mm, and the JCB can travel from 2.5 to 4.9kph. Primary auxiliary hydraulic output is 59L/min. The 8026’s Stage 5 engine outputs 18.9kW (25.3hp), and the cab has front and side opening windows, which are all at glass. There are also electro proportional thumb switches for the auxiliary outlets.

Kubota

Kubota brings its KX030-4 to the table, at 2,865kg ISO weight – rubber tracks, cab and 12-inch bucket, and 75kg operator, but no quick hitch. Blade width is 1,500mm.

With stock dipper, the Kubota can reach 4,690mm and has a digging force at the bucket of 24.5kN. Maximum dump height is 3110mm, and max digging depth is 2,670mm.

Kubota’s boom can swing can go 77 degrees left and 57 degrees right – slew speed is 9.5rpm. Track length is 1,980mm, with a ground pressure of 26.6kPa. Traveling speeds are 2.9 and 4.5kph. The primary auxiliary hydraulics have an output of 49.5L/min at 240bar. Kubota naturally uses its own engine, which is a 4-cylinder, Stage 5-compliant unit producing 17.7kW (23.7hp). The cab is one of the larger spaces, and has side and front opening windows, adjustable wrist supports, and electric proportional auxiliary hydraulics.

Volvo

The EC27D is in the 2.7-tonne range at 2,730kg with cab and rubber tracks but no bucket and quick coupler. Blade width is 1,550mm. With a stock dipper, the Volvo can reach 4,427mm and has a digging force at the bucket of 24.59kN, plus a maximum dump height of 3,092mm and depth of 2,586mm.

The Volvo’s boom swing travels 72 degrees left and 53 degrees right. Slew speed is 9.4rpm. Track length is 1,906mm with a ground pressure of 27.8kPa, and travel speeds are 2.6 and 4.8kph. Primary auxiliary hydraulics have 50L/min ow at 250bar. Volvo has its own motor, which is rated to 15.6kW (20.9hp) in this machine, and is Stage 5-compliant. The cab is quite central on the Volvo, with front and side opening windows, proportional electronic controls for the auxiliaries.

Hyundai

Hyundai’s R30Z-9AK is almost bang on 3 tonnes at 3,005kg including cab, rubber tracks and a 0.8m3 bucket, but no quick coupler. Blade width is 1,550mm. A standard dipper will give 4,650mm of reach and digging force of 20.1kN at the bucket. The R30Z-9AK offers a maximum dump height of 2,890mm and digging depth of 2,500mm.

Boom swing on the Hyundai is 75 degrees left and 50 degrees to the right, with a slew speed of 9.1rpm. Track length is 1,970mm, and ground pressure is 29kpa; the Hyundai will travel at 2.4 and 4.3kph at out. The Primary hydraulic output ow is not available, but the circuit runs at 220bar. The R30Z-9AK is powered by a Kubota Stage 5, 18.5kW (24.8hp) engine. The cab has front and side opening windows, and oormounted auxiliary control pedal.

CATERPILLAR

The 302.7 CR is the 3,050kg option from

Cat and that weight is with cab and fuel but no bucket or quick coupler. The blade width is 1,570mm. A stock dipper will give you a maximum reach of 4,510mm with a digging force of 23.3kN at the bucket. There’s also a maximum dump height of 2,950mm, and maximum digging depth of 2,510mm.

Boom swing on the 302.7 CR is 75 degrees to the left, and 50 degrees right, with a 9rpm slew speed. The tracks put down 29kPa, and travel speed is 2.6 and 4.5 kph. The primary hydraulic output has a ow of 65L/min, at a pressure of 245bar. The engine is a Cat C1.1 Turbo, Stage 5 motor producing 17.6kW (23.6hp). The cab has side and front opening windows, and can be equipped with air conditioning. It also has adjustable wrist rests and a suspension seat.

Hitachi

With the ZX33U-6, Hitachi has one of the heavier machines – the smaller model tops out at 2.5 tonnes, so this 3,320kg machine is closer to the others in capacity. With standard dipper, the ZX33U-6 can reach 4,890mm and has a maximum digging force at the bucket of 27.2kN. Maximum dump height is 3,030mm, while maximum digging depth is 2,790mm.

The Hitachi’s boom can swing 62 degrees in both directions with standard con guration, with slew speed 9.1rpm. The tracks are 2,110mm long and create ground pressure of 31kPa; tracking speed is 2.8 and 4.3kph. Primary hydraulic pressure is 250bar. Power comes from a 3TNV88 Yanmar engine rated to 18.8kW (25.2hp). The cab has side and front opening windows, adjustable armrests and thumb sliders for auxiliary controls.

Caterpillar