What helped me was focusing on brands with a good track record and straightforward maintenance. I picked up a unit from SDLG Company, and I’ve been impressed with the balance of cost and long-term value. You get solid performance without the inflated price tag. It’s tough enough for daily use, easy to maintain, and holds value well. If you want something that performs without draining your budget, I’d suggest you buy SDLG excavator https://www.sdlg-eu.com/products/excavator/ . It’s a real workhorse, not just a name.