who is the skid steer expert?

[Cyle]

If you don't use it much and don't need a big machine, the case 420 is a really affordable machine. About 6000 hours on a 75XT and it hasn't needed much and it is used for concrete all summer which is not easy on them. I personally would go for a smaller newer machine to get lower hours. As far as how many hours to stay away from it really depends what the machine was doing, usually when your looking at it you can tell. But anything with 5000 hours or over I probably wouldn't buy. But then again it depends if your able to do your own work. They can be expensive if you take it in for any work.

I am personally all for Case, you cannot beat the Cummins motor, if they don't see 10,000+ hours without any work it's very rare.

 

[BIGFOOT]

Wonder if I could get some advice on this topic as well. I am looking for something to use around my place for pushing snow and a little bucket work in the summer. I would also be using a set of pallet forks. If I use it for snow it would likely be a blade and not a bucket.

Right now I have a little JD tractor that I have a blade attachment for the bucket. It is a little light on lifting power so I would like to upgrade there and a bobcat might a good fit. I have been using my neighbor's this winter and the maneuverability is amazing compared to the tractor.

Yes there is a mower available for a skid steer.

My only issue is that I use a brush cutter quite a bit in the summer to keep the trails under control at our place. Is there anything that's you can use on a skid steer for this? I don't need a mulcher as it is mostly grass.

As it will mostly personal - I would likely buy a used one. What kind of hours are too much on a machine?

I would likely use it 50 - 75 hrs a year?



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I am here:

Yes there is a mower available for a skid steer

 

[Scrambled]

Id look around for the older 753 bobcat,as far as hours for the amount your going to use it I wouldnt be to concerned as long as it look maintained,Ive seen some with over 10000 hrs that are still going strong for land owners,if your workin it all the time then no,but 80 hrs a year it would last you forever,there very dependable,the pins get alittle loose but for home work who cares,very good on fuel and cheap to buy,
ive ran them all for a living and the 753 was the most effiecent and there a perfect size for around the property.Thats my opinion anyways.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

I have a couple and my first word is beware of tracks. They are handy to have but can cost big bucks when having to do undercarrage. If its just doing yard work tires are all you need.

I have a couple up for grabs if your interested PM me.

 

[rmk 800 144]

I'm considering buying a skid steer to do some work around my place. I have 3\4 of an acre of sand to play with and lots of rock to move. I can wrack up a pretty high rental cost, so I thought it might be better to buy one to finish the job and then either put it to work or sell it to re-coup the cash.

I am looking at compact track loaders since they work so well in the sand, but after this job I would have an easier time putting a wheeled one to work on snow removal etc. I have also heard that it tougher to sell the track loaders.

Seems to be only five brands, Cat, Bobcat, ASV, Deere, and then variations of Takeuchi (mustang, etc.)

Durability is the most important followed by availability of parts and their costs. Any first hand knowledge from guys who have run them would help.

Cheers.

Buy a cat!!!


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[barefooter]

What about tracks vs wheels? All my work will be on a gravel driveway or on grass/mud. Do tracks work better in the snow?

I am asking because I use the tractor to clear a skating rink on the lake. It is a little bit of a rodeo getting it in and out of there (usually chained up), and I thought that tracks might be better.

Greg

 

[mach123]

I used wheels in the past and that is where it stayed, in the past, went to a track and would never go back. I do snow on contract with city of St Albert and never had problems. Must need to know how to use the right bottons for the job at hand. I run a T300 witch was the largest then, but for your use and landscaping/snow/ size the Bobcat T190 would be a good way to go. I have never had any issues with mine. A couple seals since new, the only down side is they only move at 7km or 7 miles but not fast and no two speed, but I can clear a large lot my buddy does in 7.5 to 8 I do in 5.5 hrs. With heavy snow he powers out starts to slowdown and with my track it goes from one end to the other with no stopping. But they are alot heavier also. Good luck and if you want to try a track machine let me know and you can try mine out.

 

[bryan_117]

ive ran almost all makes, i prefere case with all the options, the foot throttle control is awesome especially for doing fine finishing work. also a big fan of the bobcats with both control setups. either way in the end its usually personal preferance. most brands make a solid machine.

 

[machinehead]

We have an older Bobcat 853 ( melroe mid 90's ) with the isuzu diesel, and it is great . Ran it most of Sunday pushing snow around the shop. You will get used to either foot or hand controls, so not a big deal. We gambled and bought this one at Ritchie auction and we lucked out. No problem with parts if required. Other than the main belt tensioner bearing going, which burned the belt ( $75- cheaper than a ski-doo) just filters and oil required. One other thing was some coolant was getting into the oil, the dreaded white crap inside the oil filler. Thought it might be a leaking sleeve, which the Isuzu has. My buddy had some of those old magic coolant pills, which are made of a fibrous material? Anyhow coolant leaked stopped. They stopped using this coolant pills as they were found to plug up the heater core, which equals no heat in winter. As stated , this Bobcat has no heater core so it was a non issue.
The fork attachment is handy for sure. As this has no cab heat, so we put in a 12v fan heater which works not too bad, just a little fogging up on the cold days. The knees got a little cold, so it was a stiff walk after you have been in there a while.
Maybe hand controls would be good.........................

 

[rzrgade]

Have had two New Holland `s ,love the scissor boom................................Great machines!

 

[TRAV]

I have a JD320 and also a set of over the tire tracks, I think its the best of both. If I use tracks it the winter I don't have to shovel them out or anything and only takes 10minutes to remove and maybe 20 minutes to install. Then I can use tires if I want also. Did a bunch of work at a buddys place with really sandy ground, can't go anywhere with just tires and end up making more of a mess than anything. With tracks it works awesome, tracks also work as a counterweight. And no expensive undercarrage. I got my tracks used but they were never installed for $1000, well wroth it.

 

[rmk 800 144]

A cat is real nice to drive one hand steering is the best...
Tracks are the number 1 must smother ride lighter foot print for the muddy days

One other must is the quick attach makes makes switching easy

Another thing is cats pumps can run brooms stock bobcat you have to go with a HI flow pump or the broom stops when you turn it

I say just look more at the cat line up


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[Cyle]

Tracks are NOT always the answer, try them if you do 100% work on asphalt and see if you can keep a set of tracks on it. Both are suited for different uses, tires are much cheaper. Never used tracks for snow removal myself but i've heard a lot more bad then good about them, the complaints are zero traction. Which makes sense, as your weight is so much more spread out. The only people running tracks i've seen is people clearing for the city. Any private lots are all tires. There is obviously a reason for that.

 

[Scrambled]

Tire tracks are the way to go for the weekend warrior,I guess I was looking at the original post as a guy who was only using it around 80 hrs a year,why go out and spend lots of money,an older bobcat with tire tracks,cab and heater would be more then attiquate,if your working it lots then yes the newer and lots of things to make life easer the better,Im old school and love the foot controls,can run hand but not as finessfull if you ask me,once again just my opinion,

 

[Cyle]

Tire tracks are the way to go for the weekend warrior,I guess I was looking at the original post as a guy who was only using it around 80 hrs a year,why go out and spend lots of money,an older bobcat with tire tracks,cab and heater would be more then attiquate,if your working it lots then yes the newer and lots of things to make life easer the better,Im old school and love the foot controls,can run hand but not as finessfull if you ask me,once again just my opinion,

I've never ran foot controls but I can't get how they are better. I know I am 100x more coordinated with my hands and a lot more sensitive to small movements, plus how do you run them in big clumsy winter boots? I've only seen one really crappy operator run one up close and man was it ever terrible and choppy, but easily could of been the operator.

 

[mach123]

Tracks are NOT always the answer, try them if you do 100% work on asphalt and see if you can keep a set of tracks on it. Both are suited for different uses, tires are much cheaper. Never used tracks for snow removal myself but i've heard a lot more bad then good about them, the complaints are zero traction. Which makes sense, as your weight is so much more spread out. The only people running tracks i've seen is people clearing for the city. Any private lots are all tires. There is obviously a reason for that.

Ya because you can get them way cheaper, and a dime a dozen. Try and get tire machines close to water or lake properties for get it. Yes they do have the good and bad, but for finishing grades you can't beat a track, why.

 

[Cyle]

Ya because you can get them way cheaper, and a dime a dozen. Try and get tire machines close to water or lake properties for get it. Yes they do have the good and bad, but for finishing grades you can't beat a track, why.

Yep for landscaping it's the only way to go for sure, I do a bit and tires are doable but annoying. But like said, all depends on use. If tires will work and you don't use the machine much your a lot better off because the cost is so much lower.

 

[Carrots]

Tracks are NOT always the answer, try them if you do 100% work on asphalt and see if you can keep a set of tracks on it. Both are suited for different uses, tires are much cheaper. Never used tracks for snow removal myself but i've heard a lot more bad then good about them, the complaints are zero traction. Which makes sense, as your weight is so much more spread out. The only people running tracks i've seen is people clearing for the city. Any private lots are all tires. There is obviously a reason for that.

When we were shopping for a new skid steer we were stuck between tracks or no tracks. We were mainly getting it for snow removal and we were told the same thing about tracks having no traction for clearing snow. But we decided to get a tracked case, we ordered tracks that are meant for snow and ice and man that thing works awesome for snow removal. Compared to our 07 wheeled case it's night and day difference for traction. The wheeled one is brutal on snow and ice.




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[Polarblu]

320T bobcat is the best i have seen. Yes its track unit, yes it wont push as much snow, you need to understand what it can pull off and operate it to maximize the capabilities. Any delicate dirt work needs a track, laser guided grader blades? only for tracked units. want to shave off sod, smooth off top soil? Tracks. Just laying 3/4 crush on a 5% slope you need tracks. Tires are great for bulking out material in tight places, but it takes a really good operator to make them work where an inch is a big deal.

 

[Scrambled]

320T bobcat is the best i have seen. Yes its track unit, yes it wont push as much snow, you need to understand what it can pull off and operate it to maximize the capabilities. Any delicate dirt work needs a track, laser guided grader blades? only for tracked units. want to shave off sod, smooth off top soil? Tracks. Just laying 3/4 crush on a 5% slope you need tracks. Tires are great for bulking out material in tight places, but it takes a really good operator to make them work where an inch is a big deal.

Well Ive done all the above with tires for 20 years without and trouble,ive worked with the lasers,done countless miles of road and sidewalk prep,Ive done ice rinks so close it took 3 wheelbarrows to screet it to purfect,tracks are nice but if I had to have just one it would be tired.