Let's talk skidsteers

[09 arctic cat m8]

Hey guys looking at buying a gently used skidsteer, I've ran cat,bobcat,case,new holland,gehl, my favourite was the case for smoother running felt better, but What's the best, radial lift or vertical? Tell me whats got the highest lift for shingles or what have you, I'm wanting tires not tracks, and a medium sized not big not small,

 

[Merc63]

Cat 242b3. Vertical lift, bigger engine, 2speed, still 66" wide. Some really nice used ones on Kijiji lately. Cat is the best and the b series are bullet proof.

 

[09 arctic cat m8]

Thanks man I've been leaning towards a John Deere as they can lift the most and not tippy

 

[sirkdev]

More importantly what do you plan on doing with your skid steer and what is your budget? How many hours per year do you plan on putting on? Tracks or tires? Do you need to load dump trucks?

 

[Merc63]

JD are medium duty compared to CAT. Resale is very good on cat as well.

Vertical lift will will go higher than radial, it's definitely better for loading tandems. Radial can load a tandem but taller boxed trucks will need to drop their bags. Radial is better for grading work, they spread and back plate good.

if you're lifting weight high up, consider the weight and check the capacities of each machine.

 

[09 arctic cat m8]

Thanks guys, I'd mostly be spreading gravel plowing snow moving dirt, , lifting deer or moose up, acreage use, trees shingles ect

 

[Cdnfireman]

Another vote for Cat. Smooth, quiet, excellent dealer support. A little more money but you get what you pay for. If you’re doing more dirt/snow/ground engaging work, get a radial lift machine. Loading trucks, moving pallets etc get a vertical lift machine. Deere has a good reputation but are noisier and harder to service.

 

[Cyle]

JD are medium duty compared to CAT. Resale is very good on cat as well.

Vertical lift will will go higher than radial, it's definitely better for loading tandems. Radial can load a tandem but taller boxed trucks will need to drop their bags. Radial is better for grading work, they spread and back plate good.

if you're lifting weight high up, consider the weight and check the capacities of each machine.

Generally speaking the biggest difference between the two is vertical lifts lift out much further then a radial, not higher. But yes loading trucks with a radial is much worse. The distance they reach can vary like 8" on many machines. A radial will out dig a vertical though.

 

[sirkdev]

once again whats your budget? The sky is the limit here..

 

[Cyle]

The newer cats seem nice, but the problems you hear on older ones where engines only like 4000 hours ish, sure isn't great and the prices are insane. I'm very partial to Case, the others have caught up but there is a reason they use to always be so sought after and get such a premium. I wouldn't own a bobcat if someone paid me. Case is nice because they don't rev the hell out of the engines to get the power like in particular bobcat and cat do. Big thing to consider is dealer support. Brandt is a joke unless you're a 10 million dollar company you're not important enough for them to want to deal with you at all, I am very happy to no longer have any JD equipment so I don't have to deal with them any more. Not sure how Martin is as I had equipment they didn't handle.

 

[09 arctic cat m8]

15-20

 

[mxz800x]

I'm in the situation as 09 arctic cat m8. Looking for the same. Looking to spend around 20-25. Keep going with the info. Not trying to steal this post. Just need some info on what people think is a good acreage skid steer.

 

[Merc63]

You honestly wont get much in that price range. Something hour'd out with potential problems. Do 20-30 if you can.

 

[Merc63]

Cat 236 or 226 are good cheap machines too.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

I have a bobcat s300 vertical lift.

Gets the job done

 

[deaner]

You honestly wont get much in that price range. Something hour'd out with potential problems. Do 20-30 if you can.

Was just gonna say......not sure where a guy would find a low hour, mid sized unit for 15-20!

 

[moyiesledhead]

Was just gonna say......not sure where a guy would find a low hour, mid sized unit for 15-20!

Ditto. I payed $14000 for an old 743 Bobcat last year. 15-20 doesn't buy much any more.

 

[LUCKY 7]

15 grand doesn't even buy a new sled

 

[ducati]

I have an older Bobcat 753. Nice little machine overall, there are times I wish it could lift a little more but I can lift a round bale on flat ground or uphill. I like that it can get in places that are a little tighter than my Dad’s Cat 246D as it is a nimble little machine. Naturally aspirated Kubota engine will last forever as well. Mine is under 2000hrs still and the dealer figured I could get 18 for it if I wanted to sell it privately but I don’t have the extra cash to get something in decent shape a little bigger right now.

 

[09 arctic cat m8]

I am seeing bobcats for 17-22 a nice 2005 for 19500