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=tou7k7WUqQ8 (3 min)

Excavators come with two common control patterns: SAE (often called backhoe) and ISO. On the new Rippa R18 Pro you can switch between them yourself in a minute or two.

STEPS

1. Turn the machine off. Always do this first.

2. Rotate the lever by the seat down to change from SAE to ISO.

3. Open the access panel on the floor plate and find the small round spring-loaded ball.

4. Pull it down and slide it back over to the new position.

5. To go back, rotate the handle the other way, then reposition the lever.

6. Reinstall the access panel.

The switches are in different places on different models. Some models have the second switch inside a box instead, so ask your dealer to walk you through it when you buy.

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=cy-c_V1owlw (16 min)

Mike walks through how to use and troubleshoot a hydraulic thumb on a Rippa excavator, and the habits that cause most problems.

HOW IT WORKS

The foot pedal opens and closes the thumb after you raise the safety lever. Press it gently, since you don't want the thumb flopping all the way open or closed.

DO AND DON'T

- Don't side-load the thumb or use it to push or back-drag things. The thumb body, especially out near the ears, is heavy-duty steel (roughly half an inch) but it can bend under side loads.

- Don't use the thumb on its own to shove a log back a few feet. Use the bucket with the thumb to grip the load.

IF THE THUMB ISN'T WORKING RIGHT

- Check that both sides of the diverter valve are open the correct way, and that all hydraulic connections are fully plugged in.

- Check for leaks. One customer had a pinhole leak in a steel hydraulic line, which was replaced under warranty, and he bought a local part to avoid waiting.

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=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.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wY37oKq1dc (5 min)

An impromptu safety lesson from the shop while Mike and the team prepare a new batch of attachments, fitting connectors and lubing them. He uses a Rippa mini excavator (the R18) to show two details that matter more than they look.

1. Blade spacing. On this machine the dozer blade sits about 3 inches in front of the track. If a rock or debris of that size or bigger gets between the blade and the track, it can slice or derail the track, both of which are costly and stop your job. Spacing the blade out helps keep material from getting trapped.

2. Counterweight and lifting. With about 300 lb on the end of the arm, the front of the machine tips easily on a machine without counterweight. The rated lift capacity of the R18 comes from the weight of the machine and its counterweight, which is what allows you to dig deep with a large bucket, such as when excavating a basement or a pool, without the rear lifting.

Mike's message is that safety comes first in everything the team does and teaches. Specs are on the R18 page of our website.

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.