Thanks Dave, spent a bit of time in Queensland a few years ago, lovely part of the world.

Thank you!

Thanks, will do!

Thanks for watching!

Yeh, I'll do a video on it when I'm not fixing leaks on it!

@@Olliegunns 😂😂

Hi, I agree, on the right work, a tilting hitch is a great addition. Most of the machines I review are hired for a certain job so they very rarely come with such luxury's!

@@Olliegunns @Olliegunns I see, but they also dont have a tilting bucket, i dont know hiring equipment is not so common in austria, but here almost every excavator from 1.5 to 8tons has either a tilting hitch or a tilting grading bucket. So the plant hire company send sthe machine out with the least possible set up?

You are right. But its a bit of a faff! Surely they could design something better

The 1.5-1.9t machine class is very popular for this kind of work here in the UK, mainly due to its ability to be towed easily behind a van or pickup, cost to buy and their compact footprint and width works well for access to gardens. I do a lot of work on bigger landscaping projects and we use 3 or 5 ton machines on those because they are often much larger and the access is better. So it really depends on the size of project you do, but you can do a lot with a machine like this - it just takes longer.

I think Takeuchi make really reliable and solid machines, but with the 200 series, I think they are behind the times with the push towards more features and options. Some don't even have an in cab fuel gauge let alone proportional rollers etc! And I've always thought the way Takeuchi make their machines last longer is by having them run at 80% - they always feel just a tad slower than the competition and are never the most powerful in their class. Great for longevity and I've driven plenty with no love and 000's of hours of hire that are still going strong. And one things for sure - the paintwork is spot on, many other brands could take note from the paint quality of Takeuchi

Got to be CAT all day long with its extra features at that price hasnt it?

I've not driven the E20 so cant really comment. Its a bit of an odd size in that its not a 1.5t machine but its not got the power or reach of the 2.5t class. Generally these Bobcats are a vast improvement over their older machines. But they are a bit cheap in some places and issues like the paint falling off in sheets, oil leaks from new, make me think that if you can afford the Wacker, or maybe the CAT 302, they are a much better built machine for an owner operator.

Ended up going with the tb216. Seems to be great at everything so far

​@@alistairmccoy9117 what's your opinion on the tb216? Are you happy with it? Any mayor issues? I'm looking to purchase a mini and that's the top of my list.

Honestly very happy. Lots of power and have never had any trouble so far. Mine is 2017 and around 1500 hours

@@alistairmccoy9117 Wow thank you for a quick reply! I'm looking at a used 22' with around 600h. Good to get some feedback from someone who actually owns one.

I'd love to when I can get my hands on one!

Bobcat have had a very low key presence in the UK excavator market until relatively recently. Their skid steers were well known but I don't think I have ever seen a 425 in the flesh. Its replacement, the EZ27 is gaining traction here, thanks in part to Bobcats 0% finance deals and a high spec as standard. But I cant really help you with the 425 unfortunately Charlie.

@@Olliegunns Thanks for that. Have been looking around at anything really from a 1.5 to 2-ton mini digger and happened to come across one. The Kubota U17-3a seems to keep popping up, along with the JCB 8014 and 8018. Not really sure which way to go... Slightly off topic, I know you have a lot of experience with dumpers, have you ever used one of the 2-ton high lift (skip tip) dumpers and if so what where they like in comparison to the standard 1-ton high lift. I know you have a 1.5-ton but I have never seen a used one around. I know that the 2-ton high lift usually have a swivel skip.

On machines this size, I like the Harford Wedgelock as they take up any slight play in the pins with the wedge. Or the Geith hitch's, they do a really nice little hydraulic one. The Whites ones would be great if they could take the play out of them. I just feel for a hitch to come with that much play when its brand new isn't acceptable. And they are like it across the range too.