Used skid steer

[Trashy]

So I got the “ok” to buy a skid steer and of course I’ll be looking for the newest, cheapest and least amount of hours lol.
I’ll be looking in the 20g range, would prefer winter tracks and use all year.
Any brands or models to stay away from? Any good deals that you know of? I will consider wheels if the price is to good to be true!!!
All help and advice is appreciated

 

[freeflorider]

If buying skid steers are anything like in my world you will not find a cheep unit. Things are crazy now a days, everyone is looking for top dollar and most are getting it. I would say best bet is watch the auctions and hope someone is a sleep when the price is right. Also if your handy with the wrenches the inoperable section has some good buys from time to time and usually not a pile of $$$ to fix.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

Personally is never buy anything but Cat. Had Bobcat, jdeere and gehl.

And never tracked units
Cost 30% more to buy
And probably close to 30% more to maintain
My two cents.
Sell the tires wheels and buy Tweels and never look back!

https://youtu.be/13nZKynpeGo

 

[sirkdev]

Tracks are overrated unless you need them. Expensive and suck in the winter unless you have winter soft tracks. Which tear up fast in the summer. For 20k you could be into a s185 or 205 bobcat both reasonable machines.

Track machines use a fair bit more fuel and require more hp. Remember to leave budget for a trailer and all your implements they add up fast.

What do you want to do with it? Radial or vertical lift are considerations.

 

[Trashy]

Well..... within the first 3 comments, looking like tracks may not be what I want? And I have noticed wheels are considerably cheaper
For the last couple of years I have had access to an older JD with wheels and only hand controls, which I really liked. I like that my feet did nothing other than support me from tipping over lol. But.. the seat belt was a major PITA!!! I think a drop bar would be a lot better.

What about hours??? I have been told over 3500 is done. What’s your thought a?

 

[TROLLCAT]

if there serviced should last longer than 3500 hrs

 

[OVERKILL 19]

Maybe beat has caught up but I like the two stage pump on the cat, hence you don’t have to have rpm at max to be able to lift anything! Which is great for tight work around a house etc! IMO

B-Cat J Deere are great machines too it’s just about personal preference. But don’t waste $$$ on tracks!
They have there place buts it’s more contractor based imo

 

[SHREK1]

Have a mustang and it has been very good, think they are priced good, its on the wheels but would like to try one on tracks. Just have to keep, there are deals out there

 

[Dazzler]

Overkill is right, tracked skidsteers are at least 30% if not more to operate and maintain. I've had several brands over the years and have had the best luck with bobcat and although many swear on JD, I swear at JD. Had a wheel and track and constant electrical issues with both. I found cat too expensive for maintenance repairs etc but I only had a tracked cat. I currently run two tracked and two rubber tire bobcats. As far as hours go, 3500 is lots if they've really been abused, but maintained and run properly they will go much further, I have seen some with 6000-8000 hrs on them. Case builds a very solid machine as well, and I've seen more hours on them than any other brand, they would definitely be my second choice. Also 20G should be lots for a decent machine??
Good luck with whatever you choose!!

 

[Cdnfireman]

You’ll find it tough to get a decent tracked machine for what you have to spend. Most skid steers hold value pretty good. I’d try to keep the hours below 2K. Watch for leaks, engine blow by, smoking etc. Pick the front wheels up with the bucket and watch the pins for slop, and while it’s up, try turning the front wheels by hand and see how much slop there is in the drive chains. Should be almost none. If you find a decent looking machine, take the serial number to the dealer and have them look for the machine history.
Older case tracked machines had a bad tendency to break axle shafts and take the planetary with it. Cat 257 tracked machines are heavy, under powered and hard on the suspension. Id avoid both of these models.
For your price point I’d stick to a wheeled machine, radial lift, cat, Deere, case, bobcat in that order. I’d stick to hand pilot controlled machines, and work into the deal taking oil samples for both engine and hydraulics with the deal contingent on good results. Enclosed cab is a must, preferably with A/C, and having a hydraulic quick connect for the bucket is way nicer than having to get out and Swing the locking levers.
Watch for fresh paint or decals, overspray etc , usually a 5 gallon overhaul is suspicious.

 

[busted2x]

I have a newer cat with the single joystick control, and a 97 bobcat with foot/dual joystick control, and honestly I prefer the old bobcat. And just having to drop the bar to go is great not like the new ones with like 15 safety interlocks. Nothing beats the comfort of the new cat in the winter tho. Tracks are nice if you are on grass, doesn’t tear it up so bad, but you can buy over wheel tracks too for the odd time you need them. Father in law has a case on tracks, and is literally always fixing them.

 

[Trashy]

Have a mustang and it has been very good, think they are priced good, its on the wheels but would like to try one on tracks. Just have to keep, there are deals out there

I have seen quite a few mustangs in the work place, don’t see many for sale. I do like they have compatible lifting and they are a little lighter on the wallet

 

[Trashy]

There are a lot great points here guys, thank you. You have me talked out of tracks. Now it will be price point, year and hours.
I have operated Cat, J Deere, B cat, old Case and Techsushi. Liked them all to a certain degree. And yes, looking auctions has some good options

 

[niner]

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.

 

[174mcx]

I have and have had lots of skid steers, I will only run case until I have a run of bad luck, operate them all and see for yourself which one is the best for you, I like the case simplistic safety system, there strength and serviceability. My father bought a 2005 440 tired case and loves it. he bought a few years ago for 25k so they might be in your price range now.

 

[deaner]

Great thread. I’m curious why bobcats are always on the bottom of people’s list (if they even make it on the list)? I had an 06 s150 and absolutely loved it. Pretty low hour machine though. Have been thinking about getting another skid steer and wondering if there is any reason to steer clear of the bobcats. Not brand loyal at all. Just wondering

 

[sirkdev]

Bobcat was owned by Ingersoll rand until 2007 then Doosan purchased them from Korea.. I haven’t had a 07 or newer so I don’t know how that affected things.

 

[DeNytroguy]

Great thread. I’m curious why bobcats are always on the bottom of people’s list (if they even make it on the list)? I had an 06 s150 and absolutely loved it. Pretty low hour machine though. Have been thinking about getting another skid steer and wondering if there is any reason to steer clear of the bobcats. Not brand loyal at all. Just wondering

One big reason is they place the engines in sideways- can make servicing and repair extremely difficult.

 

[Cdnfireman]

Great thread. I’m curious why bobcats are always on the bottom of people’s list (if they even make it on the list)? I had an 06 s150 and absolutely loved it. Pretty low hour machine though. Have been thinking about getting another skid steer and wondering if there is any reason to steer clear of the bobcats. Not brand loyal at all. Just wondering

Bobcat for a few years kind didn’t make a huge effort to update their technology and cat, Deere, etc passed them by with better more responsive controls and better, more comfortable cabs. Bobcat has since improved things but IMHO are still a bit behind. The biggest problem with bobcat over the years is lack of standardization of parts. Some years are kubota engines, then deutz, then yanmar, then back to kubota.... makes parts availability iffy and bobcat has obsoleted some stuff. The sideways engine mounting and belt drive to the pumps is ancient technology and makes some models a real pain to work on. Most guys I know that started with bobcat, then tried cat, Deere or case never went back to bobcat when they upgraded their machines.

 

[Cdnfireman]

I have seen quite a few mustangs in the work place, don’t see many for sale. I do like they have compatible lifting and they are a little lighter on the wallet

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.