10-23-2025, 12:59 AM
Overview of the Machines
When comparing a 1991 Komatsu PC40 and a 2002 New Holland EC35, the decision hinges on balancing size, age, features, and intended use. Both are compact excavators, but they differ significantly in weight class, hydraulic capabilities, and technological refinement. The Komatsu PC40 is a heavier, more robust machine, while the EC35 offers modern controls and auxiliary hydraulics better suited for attachments like thumbs or augers.
Komatsu PC40 Background
The Komatsu PC40 was part of Komatsu’s early compact excavator lineup, designed for general-purpose digging and grading. With an operating weight of approximately 10,000 pounds, it sits at the upper end of the mini-excavator class. Komatsu, founded in 1921 in Japan, has long been a global leader in heavy equipment, known for its durability and mechanical simplicity in older models.
Key features of the PC40 include:
The EC35 was introduced in the early 2000s as part of New Holland’s push into the compact equipment market. With an operating weight around 7,700 pounds, it’s lighter and more maneuverable than the PC40. New Holland, originally an American company founded in 1895 and later acquired by CNH Industrial, focused on operator comfort and hydraulic versatility in this generation.
Key features of the EC35 include:
In Connecticut, a contractor who transitioned from renting to owning chose the EC35 for its lower hours and auxiliary hydraulics. He later added a hydraulic thumb and used it for landscaping and trenching with great success. Meanwhile, a rural builder in Oregon preferred the PC40 for its raw digging power and simplicity, noting that parts were still available through Komatsu’s legacy support network.
Recommendations
Both machines offer value depending on your priorities. The Komatsu PC40 delivers brute strength and simplicity, ideal for rough terrain and heavy digging. The New Holland EC35 provides modern features, lower hours, and better adaptability for attachments. For a first-time buyer transitioning from rentals, the EC35 may offer a smoother ownership experience with fewer surprises.
When comparing a 1991 Komatsu PC40 and a 2002 New Holland EC35, the decision hinges on balancing size, age, features, and intended use. Both are compact excavators, but they differ significantly in weight class, hydraulic capabilities, and technological refinement. The Komatsu PC40 is a heavier, more robust machine, while the EC35 offers modern controls and auxiliary hydraulics better suited for attachments like thumbs or augers.
Komatsu PC40 Background
The Komatsu PC40 was part of Komatsu’s early compact excavator lineup, designed for general-purpose digging and grading. With an operating weight of approximately 10,000 pounds, it sits at the upper end of the mini-excavator class. Komatsu, founded in 1921 in Japan, has long been a global leader in heavy equipment, known for its durability and mechanical simplicity in older models.
Key features of the PC40 include:
- Open cab design
- Grading blade
- Mechanical control levers
- New rubber tracks and starter
- Maintenance records available
- Approximately 8,440 hours of use
The EC35 was introduced in the early 2000s as part of New Holland’s push into the compact equipment market. With an operating weight around 7,700 pounds, it’s lighter and more maneuverable than the PC40. New Holland, originally an American company founded in 1895 and later acquired by CNH Industrial, focused on operator comfort and hydraulic versatility in this generation.
Key features of the EC35 include:
- Enclosed cab with pattern changer
- Auxiliary hydraulics for thumb or attachments
- 24-inch bucket and grading blade
- New rubber tracks
- Maintenance records available
- Approximately 2,709 hours of use
- Pattern Changer: Allows switching between ISO and SAE control patterns, useful for operators with different training backgrounds.
- Auxiliary Hydraulics: Additional hydraulic lines that power attachments like thumbs, breakers, or augers.
- Grading Blade: A front-mounted blade used for leveling and backfilling.
- Thumb Attachment: A hydraulic or mechanical clamp that works with the bucket to grasp materials.
- Size and Power: The Komatsu PC40 is heavier and more stable for digging in tough soil or lifting heavier loads. However, its weight may limit transport options and increase fuel consumption.
- Age and Wear: The PC40 is 11 years older and has over 8,000 hours, which raises concerns about component fatigue and outdated systems. The EC35, with only 2,700 hours, likely has more life left in its hydraulic and electrical systems.
- Hydraulic Versatility: The EC35’s auxiliary hydraulics and pattern changer make it more adaptable for modern job sites and attachments.
- Cab Comfort and Safety: The EC35’s enclosed cab offers better protection from weather and debris, while the PC40’s open cab may be less comfortable and noisier.
In Connecticut, a contractor who transitioned from renting to owning chose the EC35 for its lower hours and auxiliary hydraulics. He later added a hydraulic thumb and used it for landscaping and trenching with great success. Meanwhile, a rural builder in Oregon preferred the PC40 for its raw digging power and simplicity, noting that parts were still available through Komatsu’s legacy support network.
Recommendations
- Choose the Komatsu PC40 if:
- You need more lifting capacity and digging force
- You’re comfortable with older mechanical systems
- You have access to affordable transport and storage
- You need more lifting capacity and digging force
- Choose the New Holland EC35 if:
- You plan to use attachments like a thumb or auger
- You value lower hours and modern controls
- You prefer a more comfortable and enclosed operator environment
Both machines offer value depending on your priorities. The Komatsu PC40 delivers brute strength and simplicity, ideal for rough terrain and heavy digging. The New Holland EC35 provides modern features, lower hours, and better adaptability for attachments. For a first-time buyer transitioning from rentals, the EC35 may offer a smoother ownership experience with fewer surprises.
