Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVfgYv4U6U4 (22 min)

Mike gives a full reveal of the Powston PE65, the 6.5 ton excavator he ordered, with a closer look than his first quick video. (This was filmed at the Powston factory and posted afterward.)

FEATURES HE POINTS OUT

- A backup camera mounted high, hydraulic and engine compartments, and a step layout for climbing in.

- Large front tie-down points, which Mike requested before the machine was built because he and many customers use 5/8 inch chain to secure equipment.

- A fully insulated, lined cab, including the door and upper areas, and lift hooks if the cab ever needs to be removed.

- Large-cell batteries, an offset boom for good visibility, and a loud low-fuel alarm.

Mike compares some differences between Powston and Rippa machines and says the PE65 is a higher-quality machine for the price. Full specifications are on the website, and you can reach us at RippaUSASales.com with questions.

Questions? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8115t7GSAEY (13 min)

Two Rippa R32-5 excavators sit side by side at our Boyd, Texas dealership, built a couple of months apart (plate dates of March and May 2026). Mike compares them, and the news is the cab. The machines are about 92% the same mechanically, but the cab is much improved in the newer one.

WHAT CHANGED IN THE NEWER CAB

- It's wider than the R32-3 cab by roughly 6.5 to 7 inches, with more room for taller operators (Mike is 6'1").

- A latch you can reach from the seat to open the door, so you don't have to climb out and push a button.

- More room in the engine compartment for service.

- A big single piece of front glass, large hinges, bigger vents and fans, and better air conditioning airflow.

- A cleaner look overall.

Mike's advice: if both machines are the same price, choose the newer cab. Wondering which R32 you're looking at? Call 817-382-3201 and we'll check the build date for you.

Questions? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX2FDr3Xa4c (6 min)

Mike shows the refreshed Rippa R15 with the optional enclosed cab. Both the R15 and R18 are available with or without a cab.

THE CAB

- Roughly the same size as the R22 cab, and in Mike's opinion the cab is very well made. It sits nearly edge to edge with the body when the tracks are fully extended.

- Two mirrors, adjustable LED lights, a big glass door, a safety light on top, a fan, windshield wiper, a roof window you can open for venting, a dome light and a fire extinguisher with a glass breaker.

- There is no air conditioning, because the engine is too small to support it.

- The door doesn't have a positive latch like on other machines. It is spring-loaded and keeps pushing toward the closed position. Mike calls that a minor annoyance and notes the spring may eventually need replacing.

- It's easy to remove: unscrew four to six bolts and disconnect a couple of electrical plugs. Lift eyes on top let you use a hoist, much like removing the top of a Jeep.

- Fuel fill (diesel) is on the side.

Otherwise it's the same R15 owners know. See our video on the refreshed R15 features, including the ISO/SAE pattern switch.

Questions? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3krjaliJZhU (9 min)

The Rippa R13 is a very small excavator, and that is exactly its use case. Mike gives a walk-around of the R13 at our Boyd, Texas dealership.

HIGHLIGHTS

- Very narrow: about 29 inches wide at the outside edge of the tracks when retracted, which is what you need for tight gates and spaces.

- Steel tracks with rubber inserts, for extra traction on such a narrow machine. Steel tracks cost much more than rubber.

- True two-speed drive motors. Four hydraulic lines run to the motors, unlike the R10, which has only two.

- Engine: a Kubota D722 (the R10 uses a Z-series Kubota engine).

- Controls: unlike our other excavators, both pilot joysticks are activated by the safety levers, with a push-and-turn button for swing boom.

- A plastic roof instead of metal, which Mike likes because metal roofs vibrate, and a handy mirror.

- Service points: coolant, dipstick, battery shut-off, and a water separator that may be a bit tight to reach.

Questions? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVLV9ilHcqg (17 min)

Mike parks the three smallest Rippa mini excavators side by side to answer a common question: which one should you buy?

R10

- The entry-level machine. It has a manual quick-attach coupler and very long tracks.

R13

- Very narrow, so it is the one to pick if you need to get through a gap about 30 inches wide.

- Powerful for its small footprint, with true two-speed drive motors.

- The tradeoff is cab room: it is tight inside. The rubber track inserts can be removed if you need extra clearance.

R15

- The one Mike recommends for most buyers.

- A roomier operator area, much wider tracks than the R13 (roughly 7 to 9 inches), and a hydraulic quick attach.

WHAT THEY SHARE

- About the same digging depth (the R10, R13 and R15 can reach deeper with a boom extension).

- The same hydraulic thumb, an adjustable chassis and a hydraulic swing boom.

Need help choosing? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6FcqmhvR9k (7 min)

Mike compares the Rippa R32 with an enclosed cab to the open-canopy version, to help you decide which fits your work.

WHAT'S THE SAME

- Everything except the cab. The front of the machine, controls and mechanical specs are identical.

- The open version has steel mesh at the front like the R18, and the seat is different. If you buy the cab version and want to swap seats, the seat can be changed easily.

PRICE

- The no-cab machine costs less than the cab version, but not as much less as you might expect. Current pricing is on RippaUSASales.com, since prices can change.

UPDATES HE LIKES

- A better tie-down point matching the one on the R57.

- A computer rated as water-resistant. Rippa tested it with a water hose for 30 minutes, and the same computer is used on the RS06-3.

Not sure which to choose? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com and we'll talk through your jobs. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aitytP6bceY (14 min)

Mike parks the Rippa R22 next to the R32 and walks around both to show what the extra size gets you.

DIFFERENCES HE POINTS OUT

- Size: the R32 is a bit shorter in overall height, but its cab is wider, the machine is wider, and the track height is about 4 inches taller. At 6'1", Mike can walk under the R22's boom without ducking, and says the R32 will be more comfortable for most operators (no knock on the R22).

- Dozer blade: the R32 has a four-way blade, while the R22 has a straight up-and-down blade with wings.

- Chassis: the R22 has a retractable chassis so the tracks can narrow; the R32 does not.

- Heavy-duty parts: a thicker stick, a larger cylinder and a bigger bucket on the R32.

- Cab: the redesigned R32 cab has a purpose-built cubby for the backup camera, plus work lights for night operation.

Not sure which size fits your work? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com and we'll help you compare. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PE5Yw7MWuw (1 min)

A quick teaser from one of the Powston factories. Mike can't share details yet, but shows a very large excavator headed to our dealership, with a bucket over six feet wide, and says it is not the biggest machine he has coming. Check back for updates, or call 817-382-3201 to ask what is on the way.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj8noWqYPtE (6 min)

Mike gets up close with a very large Powston excavator that will be painted with the Powston logo and arrive at our dealership later.

SIZE, AS SHOWN IN THE VIDEO

- About 4 feet of clearance from the underside to the ground.

- A bucket about 8.5 feet wide. The machine cannot fit in a shipping container and has to ship another way.

- Hydraulic lines far larger than on the Rippa R57 or the Powston P80, which use half-inch lines. Mike estimates a fitting of about an inch and a quarter and a line outside diameter near two inches.

- The top of the track is about five feet off the ground.

Mike also talks about greasing a machine this size, with extra grease fittings run to convenient spots so one person can pump grease while another turns the machine. He promises more detail on similar machines soon. Mike was limited in where he could point the camera at the factory.

Questions? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52F_8--ZwOk (3 min)

Mike closes out his factory visit with the Rippa R57 (also called the RM57) with the new four-way dozer blade and a built-in toolbox.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

- A manufacture date of September 2026 or later, which marks the newer build.

- The four-way blade, redesigned from the ground up because Rippa did not want structural weakness. Mike compares the leverage on the blade to holding a gallon of milk at your chest versus at arm's length. The steel is around an inch thick.

- This unit moved from prototype to production after thorough testing.

Mike's one wish is for the lights to be mounted further forward so more light shines out. He also asked the factory about a six-way blade, which would take a complete redesign. He was told maybe next year if sales justify it.

Questions? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.