Review of the Kobelco SK50SRX-7 mini excavator. As ever, all opinions are my own, but I would love to hear your thoughts on other 5 ton class machines I should test.
I've run a mix of sizes of kobelcos but the smallest I've run is a new SK75-7 and I found it to be excellent for the little bit I used it. Guys that run Kobelcos all seem to say the same thing: they are incredibly reliable. I prefer the 20 ton class or Kobelcos to the cat next gens. Much smoother controls overall, they feel more similar to an F series Cat.
I think the 7t and above machines seem to be well regarded. You aren't the first to say that. Same with the smaller machines - not that I have tried them personally. But this SK50 is pretty poor
Thanks for the review. We recently brought a new SK45-7 here in Australia and have alot of the same complaints and more. Been very disappointed with it and have been made feel like its the way i operate it. Watching this review confirms I'm not the only one. What would you say the best overall machine in the 5t range?
I'm really sorry to hear you've put hard earned cash into a machine and aren't getting on with it. That's the main reason I started doing these reviews - its not cheap kit this, and nobody gives you an idea of how the machine stacks up against the competition (in their opinion of course). If you read the sales brochure, every machine is best in class.... The 5t range is hotly contested and really spans from 4.5t-6t machines. zero and conventional tail swing. What the best one is really depends on your needs, if for transport reasons you need the weight savings of a 4.5t then that's the main factor and rules many others out. And if you don't work in tight spaces often, then I would always say go for a machine with a bigger back end on it - they will always handle better with or without fancy attachments!
The main thing is to try and get some stick time on a machine you are looking to buy. Hire one for a week ideally, or find another guy locally who has one and see if he will let you run it for a couple of hours to get a feel for it. Backup, is also important. The best machine in the world is useless when it breaks and you cant get parts.... So sometimes the best machine for you isn't always the best machine in the class, but with all the compromises taken into consideration, overall its the right machine. Its why I run JCB's, they aren't bad diggers, but they have their faults. But overall the backup is excellent, the price is good, and they drive well. So I can overlook the negatives a bit to mean that its the machine for my business. But that might not be the same for you on the other side of the world! let me know what you're looking at, be interested to know what machine you end up getting.
Ive driven the 13 ton kobelco and wasn't blown away by it. To be honest, i spend most of my time in 3 and 5 ton kubota and rate them, perhaps not perfect but nothing too terrible about any aspect with them.
I think that's what Kubota do well. They make pretty comfortable cabs and and pretty good on how they drive. Never the best, but far from the worst. Which overall makes them a pretty good machine, not my favourite, but I can understand why they are so popular.
Interesting, i would like see manufacturers offer plug in display, so i use my mini work tablet not just administration work but access to digger HAV controls, radio n data related to my use. Surprised there no room for lunchbox nor coat/vest or hard hat, toolkit especially when tracking away from site office or work vehicle.
I'd like to review several machines but I cant get my hands on them very easily. Its as and when I have one on a job that I can do a review really. And Case mini's aren't on any hire fleets around me.
just bought a new develon dx55r cant fault it touch screen smooth can easy lift a full pack or blocks and all air seat air con floating blade all standard and very good price comes with 3yrs 6000 hr warranty i had a kobelco on demo i hated it shocking really as the 35 ton one i used to drive was not a bad machine apart from been light on the back end
Nice review Ollie, as you know I’m on a 210-11 brilliant machine, but not perfect, there are some things I really dislike, one of them you pointed out in this video, them stupid door catches! Should be a self latching catch
You sound like me when I talk about the case 130 e series compared to the volvo145 I had 😂 case hunk of junk compared to volvo,it must be bad that kobelco cos kubota are horrible machines and I've driven machines tractors for over 40 years hard to beat volvo or takeuchi
Trust me, the Kubota U50 is far from my favourite machine. But weight wise its the equivalent to this Kobelco, and I had one on the site to compare it to. But even against Kubota's basic 5t machine in the line up, the Kobelco wouldn't keep up. Against a U56 or KX60 it has no chance!
Just got a jcb 48z lovely machine to drive and side mounted engine is fantastic for maintenance
I've run a mix of sizes of kobelcos but the smallest I've run is a new SK75-7 and I found it to be excellent for the little bit I used it. Guys that run Kobelcos all seem to say the same thing: they are incredibly reliable. I prefer the 20 ton class or Kobelcos to the cat next gens. Much smoother controls overall, they feel more similar to an F series Cat.
I think the 7t and above machines seem to be well regarded. You aren't the first to say that. Same with the smaller machines - not that I have tried them personally. But this SK50 is pretty poor
Thanks for the review. We recently brought a new SK45-7 here in Australia and have alot of the same complaints and more. Been very disappointed with it and have been made feel like its the way i operate it. Watching this review confirms I'm not the only one. What would you say the best overall machine in the 5t range?
I'm really sorry to hear you've put hard earned cash into a machine and aren't getting on with it. That's the main reason I started doing these reviews - its not cheap kit this, and nobody gives you an idea of how the machine stacks up against the competition (in their opinion of course). If you read the sales brochure, every machine is best in class....
The 5t range is hotly contested and really spans from 4.5t-6t machines. zero and conventional tail swing. What the best one is really depends on your needs, if for transport reasons you need the weight savings of a 4.5t then that's the main factor and rules many others out. And if you don't work in tight spaces often, then I would always say go for a machine with a bigger back end on it - they will always handle better with or without fancy attachments!
The main thing is to try and get some stick time on a machine you are looking to buy. Hire one for a week ideally, or find another guy locally who has one and see if he will let you run it for a couple of hours to get a feel for it. Backup, is also important. The best machine in the world is useless when it breaks and you cant get parts.... So sometimes the best machine for you isn't always the best machine in the class, but with all the compromises taken into consideration, overall its the right machine. Its why I run JCB's, they aren't bad diggers, but they have their faults. But overall the backup is excellent, the price is good, and they drive well. So I can overlook the negatives a bit to mean that its the machine for my business. But that might not be the same for you on the other side of the world! let me know what you're looking at, be interested to know what machine you end up getting.
Ive driven the 13 ton kobelco and wasn't blown away by it.
To be honest, i spend most of my time in 3 and 5 ton kubota and rate them, perhaps not perfect but nothing too terrible about any aspect with them.
I think that's what Kubota do well. They make pretty comfortable cabs and and pretty good on how they drive. Never the best, but far from the worst. Which overall makes them a pretty good machine, not my favourite, but I can understand why they are so popular.
Interesting, i would like see manufacturers offer plug in display, so i use my mini work tablet not just administration work but access to digger HAV controls, radio n data related to my use. Surprised there no room for lunchbox nor coat/vest or hard hat, toolkit especially when tracking away from site office or work vehicle.
Can you review the Case CX50B cheers
I'd like to review several machines but I cant get my hands on them very easily. Its as and when I have one on a job that I can do a review really. And Case mini's aren't on any hire fleets around me.
just bought a new develon dx55r cant fault it touch screen smooth can easy lift a full pack or blocks and all air seat air con floating blade all standard and very good price comes with 3yrs 6000 hr warranty i had a kobelco on demo i hated it shocking really as the 35 ton one i used to drive was not a bad machine apart from been light on the back end
I've not tried any of the new series Develon's yet. I'm sure as they get into the market more I will get my hands on them.
if your up shropshire give me a shout you can willing have a play on mine @@Olliegunns
Nice review Ollie, as you know I’m on a 210-11 brilliant machine, but not perfect, there are some things I really dislike, one of them you pointed out in this video, them stupid door catches! Should be a self latching catch
From my instagram post the other day, it seems the 7t and above Kobelco's are well regarded. But plenty agreed with me on this sk50srx
Not sure but I don’t think you like it. Used a old SK8.5 for about a year liked it comfortable and the A/C worked.
Could you review Takeuchi
I would love to try the TB260 but there arent many around here and even fewer that I can hire to try it out.
Never been in a Kobelco that I liked , would never reccomend or buy one of any size
Sounds and looks pretty poor !
I need to try your Wacker Neuson out!
You sound like me when I talk about the case 130 e series compared to the volvo145 I had 😂 case hunk of junk compared to volvo,it must be bad that kobelco cos kubota are horrible machines and I've driven machines tractors for over 40 years hard to beat volvo or takeuchi
Trust me, the Kubota U50 is far from my favourite machine. But weight wise its the equivalent to this Kobelco, and I had one on the site to compare it to. But even against Kubota's basic 5t machine in the line up, the Kobelco wouldn't keep up. Against a U56 or KX60 it has no chance!