Used skid steer

[Cdnfireman]

I have tried a few different makes and my favourite is the 333D John Deere with tracks. But with everything you’ve said I think a wheel machine would suit you better. I have a 225 JCB that has been a great machine. Love how easy it is get in and out of, great visibility and runs very smooth.

How do you like the tweels?

 

[niner]

How do you like the tweels?

The tweels are great on hard surfaces. Can drive over a 2x4 on concrete and not even feel it. But as soon as the site is muddy that machine never moves. Horrible in the mud.

 

[TROLLCAT]

The tweels are great on hard surfaces. Can drive over a 2x4 on concrete and not even feel it. But as soon as the site is muddy that machine never moves. Horrible in the mud.

not enough tweel speed in the mud !?!?

 

[Trashy]

The tweels are great on hard surfaces. Can drive over a 2x4 on concrete and not even feel it. But as soon as the site is muddy that machine never moves. Horrible in the mud.

Would snow be the same as mud for traction?

 

[niner]

Would snow be the same as mud for traction?

Sorry can’t give a review of the tweel on snow.

 

[Caper11]

Interesting, Im a big fan of the bobcat, especially the bigger machines. I spec’ed and bought a S850 awhile back to replace our big gehl. I liked the sideways engine over the inline engine, for maintenance and servicing, and I despise working on skid steers. The gehl had stronger hydros amd was a faster working machine over the 850.

Nothing wrong with a cat but they do not make a big machine, and there parts are way over priced, so is the machine. The s850 was alot cheaper than the largest cat and had way more lifting capacity.
The options, and the tech in the Bobcat was pretty neat, remote control, 4 wheel steering etc.

Im definitely not a fan of tracked skid steers, they serve there purpose in landscaping and low ground pressure situations, but they are not good all around machines, and they are pricey to maintain.

Id seriously look at a JCB, my brother has one of there mini telehandlers, he like it alot.

 

[busted2x]

Interesting, Im a big fan of the bobcat, especially the bigger machines. I spec’ed and bought a S850 awhile back to replace our big gehl. I liked the sideways engine over the inline engine, for maintenance and servicing, and I despise working on skid steers. The gehl had stronger hydros amd was a faster working machine over the 850.

Nothing wrong with a cat but they do not make a big machine, and there parts are way over priced, so is the machine. The s850 was alot cheaper than the largest cat and had way more lifting capacity.
The options, and the tech in the Bobcat was pretty neat, remote control, 4 wheel steering etc.

Im definitely not a fan of tracked skid steers, they serve there purpose in landscaping and low ground pressure situations, but they are not good all around machines, and they are pricey to maintain.

Id seriously look at a JCB, my brother has one of there mini telehandlers, he like it alot.

I’ve been really considering one of those little skid steer telehandlers, but haven’t had a chance to try one. Our zoom boom is just such overkill most of the time. Only thing that worries me about them is abusing a bucket with only 1 arm. Has to be hard on bushings etc.

 

[kanedog]

Skid steers and skid steer attachments are like crack. So addicting. Sorry that you are about to take your first hit of crack.

 

[niner]

Another thing I do is put cameras in all our skid steers. Saves from twisting your neck all day.

 

[DeNytroguy]

Another thing I do is put cameras in all our skid steers. Saves from twisting your neck all day.

What brand of camera is that? Would like to put one on the Skidsteer!

 

[kanedog]

Another thing I do is put cameras in all our skid steers. Saves from twisting your neck all day.

That’s bs. I need one!

 

[niner]

What brand of camera is that? Would like to put one on the Skidsteer!

Bought them at a farm show years ago. Prices have come down a lot since then. Even put one on my wake board boat rather than using the mirror. Check Amazon.ca.

 

[pfi572]

https://www.skidsteersolutions.com/accessories/back-up-cameras

Lots of different ones out there but buy a good one IMO.
Put one on my loader and it’s awesome compared to not having it .
Very clear and broad view that’s not distorted .

 

[doorfx]

Is it a toy or are you planning on hiring it out?

 

[pfi572]

Like to add as well that buy what works for your needs and what will work best for 80% of your use ?
If you’re on good ground ? Gravel or pavement ? Wheels make the most sense and rent a track machine when required?
Same goes for the opposite? Soft ground , landscaping ,sand or whatever? Buy the tracks as wheels suck and rent the wheel machine as it will save you on under carriage and track wear .
This is why so many different options . Get what suits your needs and don’t buy on price to a degree ?
Cheers

 

[Cyle]

Depending on use for wheels or tracks. I run a Deere 319D and would never dream of trying to use a wheeled machine for 90% of my work, it’s too slow but mine very rarely sees hard surfaces, all dirt work. It’s not just the wet days, ground pressure is huge driving over areas you just backfilled without a problem, even when it’s dry a track machine will move dirt so much faster, a wheeled machine just doesn’t have the traction. Yes they cost a lot more to buy and maintain, but I charge for it when I’m doing hourly jobs, and for the cost per yard of dirt moved, tracks is cheaper.

 

[DeNytroguy]

Depending on use for wheels or tracks. I run a Deere 319D and would never dream of trying to use a wheeled machine for 90% of my work, it’s too slow but mine very rarely sees hard surfaces, all dirt work. It’s not just the wet days, ground pressure is huge driving over areas you just backfilled without a problem, even when it’s dry a track machine will move dirt so much faster, a wheeled machine just doesn’t have the traction. Yes they cost a lot more to buy and maintain, but I charge for it when I’m doing hourly jobs, and for the cost per yard of dirt moved, tracks is cheaper.

100% agree. We run a tracked JCB, use it for a mix of farm chores and landscaping... very rarely sees concrete or ashphalt. Compared to the tired John Deere it replaced I prefer the JCB. The JD had flat frees that absolutely sucked in snow or mud- the JCB with regular tracks would easily out perform in any conditions I could think of other than ashphalt. Flotation of a tracked machine in wet areas is unreal compared to a tires unit that want to bury itself. Tracked machines are generally a little smoother too. Like Cyle, I charge accordingly and that's worked really well for me. Just my .02

 

[rsaint]

I have a case 2014 tr320 and in 1000hrs I have spent 3000 in repairs out of pocket vibration is a killer on track machines. Its over years for warrenty 1 drive hose vibrated thru lost all fluid, ALL pins and bushings have to be replaced before 900 hrs, wires wore thru arms would not lift routing of wires wrong from factory but my fault, and local dealer is a joke to deal with.

 

[pfi572]

I have a case 2014 tr320 and in 1000hrs I have spent 3000 in repairs out of pocket vibration is a killer on track machines. Its over years for warrenty 1 drive hose vibrated thru lost all fluid, ALL pins and bushings have to be replaced before 900 hrs, wires wore thru arms would not lift routing of wires wrong from factory but my fault, and local dealer is a joke to deal with.

Contractor had a case also and traded it off for a newer one as the one he had was a complete POS also .
Had to stick with Case in order to get something out of it and he has dealt with case for years on rubber tires hoes .

 

[Luke The Drifter]

Personally I’d stay away from mustang. Their only draw is a low price. Very basic machines with a hodgepodge of components with a poor dealer network and parts availability. Same with gehl.
My preference is cat. More expensive to buy, but resale is better, parts availability is probably the best, excellent dealer support and their pilot control technology comes from their excavator experience so is long proven and top shelf.
About the only thing to watch for in the cat machines is the older small frame machines (216, 226 ) say from 2000 to 2004 was some of the Perkins 2.2 engines had some oil pump supply issues that would destroy the engine if it occurred. Cat corrected some with upgrades and warranty and I would think that by now any still out there that could fail have already done so.
Case builds basic but very reliable machines as well, but a lot are hand and foot controlled. Once you’ve operated the pilot controls, it’s almost cave man to go back to hand and foot IMHO. Some guys love them, but not me.

Bingo, I've worked on and around enough of the Cat skid steers that I agree with this 100%. Better electrical and hydraulic systems for sure. As much as I don't like Finning's parts markup, they do have a wicked parts supply should something need repair.

Skid steers overall are kind of an after thought in the equipment world and a lot of manufacturers tend to cheap out on them. If you can find a gently used unit (one owner type deal) thats fairly clean and has maintenance records, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with 3000-5000hrs. Otherwise, after 3000hrs, its a crap shoot. Keep in mind that in a fleet scenario, most of these things are fired up cold and then bagged on from the get-go. By far one of the most abused pieces of equipment on a jobsite IMO.

I'd stay away from the JCBs personally. The single boom arm design is slick for getting in and out, I'll give them that. However between engines grenading for no reason (IE the POS Kohler engines in them), electrical gremlins and EGR issues, as a tech I made a lot of money off of those things.

As for John Deere, I haven't played with their E series skid steers but I did a lot of work on the D series. The front engine cover's are notorious for leaking coolant and/or oil(requires the engine to be pulled to reseal). As well they have that god-awful tapered pin setup they use for their quick attach. The engines aren't much better either, pretty much disposable after 2500-3000hrs