Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cCF_EDFE9M (15 min)

Mike goes over the latest changes to the standard Rippa R57 excavator (not the RM57 with the four-way blade) at our Boyd, TX dealership, where about 14 machines arrived in a single week.

WHAT'S NEW

- A larger welded tie-down opening, about 2.5 x 4 inches.

- A redesigned door with a latch you can flip from inside.

- Cab comfort upgrades: an air-suspension seat with a sliding headrest, an adjustable platform, and about 6 to 8 inches of headroom over Mike's head.

- A new, slightly bigger computer that we understand to be water-tight.

- A slightly better hydraulic pipe design.

MIKE'S WISH LIST

- Shift the controls and armrest a little for larger operators.

- Tint all the glass for hot Texas summers.

Questions about the R57? 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=BgWEVfvacn4 (7 min)

Mike walks around the latest build of the Rippa R32-5 to point out the small updates Rippa keeps making between production runs.

UPDATES HE POINTS OUT

- A part that used to be held on with Velcro now has a proper steel mount.

- The computer has been updated on the R18, R22 and R32, and you can now stream music from your phone over Bluetooth (see our separate short video).

- Door and latch details, and a reminder to owners not to let the door slam.

Mike also notes that Rippa tweaks its machines continuously, so it's worth checking the build date plate on any machine you're considering. Call us and we'll check one 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=IYirAYhnqFs (6 min)

Mike walks through the updated Rippa R18 at the Boyd dealership. Here is what's new.

WHAT'S NEW

- ISO / SAE pattern switch: switch control patterns using one switch in the cab plus a small lever in a cabinet.

- Safer bucket control: like the R15, you slide a red lever forward before rotating the control down, so the bucket can't drop by accident from a bump or button push.

- Cleaner layout: hydraulic lines are rerouted, extra labels added, and the diverter valve plus another accessory point are easy to see.

- Load-holding safety valve: an explosion-proof (check) valve on the boom and stick cylinders means that if a line forward of it fails suddenly, the boom or stick holds in place instead of dropping. Rippa has demonstrated this by cutting a line with an angle grinder and the bucket doesn't move.

- Pointed grease fittings throughout: all grease points, including the cylinders, are now the standard pointed zerk type instead of flat-faced. If you own an older machine, you can swap fittings yourself with M8 or M10 zerks from Amazon in seconds.

- Floor mat: a rubber mat comes with it, and we also add non-slip grit tape on the floor.

- Pre-delivery inspection tag: every machine in our yard gets a tag (yellow means ready to go, red means don't sell) before it goes out.

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=3r5uszRDJ2Y (5 min)

People ask us daily what separates the R10 from the R15. Specs are on the website, so Mike focuses on the practical difference: comfort and body size.

COMFORT

- Mike is 6'1" and 250 lb. In the R10 there is very little room (about two inches behind his heel). He is fine for two to three hours, then wants out, though he's not claustrophobic and the seat is comfortable.

- In the R15 he could sit all day. There is a lot more room on the operator platform.

SIZE

- R10: a 1-metric-ton machine, about 2,150 lb. R15: a 1.5-metric-ton machine, about 3,100 lb.

- The R15 has slightly larger tracks. Digging depth is about the same, and the roof and rock cage are similar.

- The R10 has tabs for adding lights, and a work light is an easy add-on.

QUICK ATTACH

- The R15 has a hydraulic quick attach like our larger machines.

- The R10 has a manual quick attach, where you pull a silver knob to release it.

BOTTOM LINE

If you are larger, spend long days in the seat or want the hydraulic quick attach, step up to the R15. If space and budget matter most, the R10 is a capable little machine.

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=PC5wFLnuOjg (10 min)

Mike from Rippa USA Sales visits the Houston warehouse, where hundreds of Rippa excavators and attachments are stored, and walks around the updated R32 and the R15 enclosed cab model.

IN THIS VIDEO

- R32 updates and the new air seat

- Safety and hydraulic upgrades

- Grease fitting improvements

- R15 enclosed cab option

- R32 cab design features

- Joystick controls

UPGRADES ON THE NEWER MACHINES

- Explosion proof valve: if a hydraulic line is cut or fails, the boom stays put instead of dropping. Rippa tested it by cutting a hydraulic line with an angle grinder, and nothing moved.

- Pointed grease fittings: the cylinders that used to have flat faced fittings now have the pointed style, so a standard grease gun connects easily. Mike gives every new owner the correct fittings.

- An air suspension seat on the R32.

- Buttons on the joysticks: they will operate the thumb and some auxiliary functions that used to need floor switches. Foot pedals are expected to remain for some attachments, such as a brush cutter or rotary grapple.

R15 ENCLOSED CAB

The R15 cab is solid and well built, but Mike points out a few things: there is no glass in the roof, so the operator has to hunch down to see up, and it has circulation air rather than air conditioning. In hot climates that makes it tough in summer, but it can be great in winter.

R32 CAB

The R32 cab has glass up top for easy viewing of the work above, and a door built differently from the R15. Mike also says to measure your machine height before you go under things or load it on a trailer.

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.