Need to buy a Skid Steer...Anybody know about them? - The Hull Truth

8943post · 05-23-2005, 02:24 PM

Looking to buy a used diesel Skid Steer. Like CAT because of quality. Need one to maintain our own property. Won't be used commercially. Thinking about a 4 in 1 bucket and root grappler attachment.

Anybody know about these machines?

fish factory · 05-23-2005, 02:40 PM

I would highly reccomend the 843/853 Bobcats. The 2 I have run have been near flawless up to about 3000 hours, after which they get a little "loose". IMO, avoid "turbo" models (of any brand) and seek out the Izusu diesels, great motors.

I looked at CAT and was not impressed.

8943post · 05-23-2005, 02:47 PM

I noticed that most were Kubota powered. Who uses the Iszuzu engine? My experience with CAT's in our boat and our trucks has been remarkable. Not the same with their skid steers?

I'll take a look at Bobcat. Seems there is a Dealer in our area.

autobaun70 · 05-23-2005, 03:05 PM

Take a look at the new holland lineup from a few years ago, most run Kubota diesels, and in most area's it is easy to find a mechanic that is good with kubota diesels. bobcat has some really good platforms out, but a lot of the used ones on the market have engines made by Detroit, and at least in my area, nobody wants to work on them.

fish factory · 05-23-2005, 03:28 PM

Quote:

8943post - 5/23/2005 2:47 PM

I noticed that most were Kubota powered. Who uses the Iszuzu engine? My experience with CAT's in our boat and our trucks has been remarkable. Not the same with their skid steers?

I'll take a look at Bobcat. Seems there is a Dealer in our area.

You mentioned used. Bobcat 843/853's are/were Izusu powered. The newer Bobcats are Kubota (by the way, a close second choice). The bigger Bobcats use MAN, or Deutz Turbo-diesels.

Cat makes nothing bad...just a few details I didn't like. The "back door" or motor cover is (2-piece) sheet metal compare to Bobcat's 1/4" steel plate. I like my equipment like I like my boats, HEAVY

. The rear lights are exposed. When I looked in the CAT re-cycle bin, I found a complete lift arm assembly that had pulled apart at weld.

At the time I shopped, CAT was priced somewhat higher than Bobcat. CAT does not make their own backhoe (uses aftermarket "Woods" brand). Bobcat makes their own (I have one, very good accessory, as is all Bobcat equip).

I rely on my skidsteer for my living (such as it is!

), and have never found a reason to pay extra for CAT. On the other hand, it's hard to beat "BIG YELLOW" for image.

Boataholic · 05-23-2005, 06:29 PM

Any of the popular brands will do the job....Bobcat, CAT, New Holland, Case. I've always owned bobcats for last 20 years so i'm partial to them, but its basically a chevy/ford type thing when it all boils down to it. The attachments are really what makes the machine. I have smooth and tooth buckets, grapple bucket, 4 in 1 bucket, forks, auger and demo hammer.

bode · 05-23-2005, 10:45 PM

i know a rental co. owner and he likes bobcat (HATES john deere), escav contractor freind likes new holland. mine is a TINY mustang but it does all i need and it BEATS THE HELL out of the alternative. any skid steer will out last you if your just using it for personal use. i wouldn't worry as much about the brand as much as the condition of the machine. repairs get expensive real fast. bode

RaritanBayF225 · 05-23-2005, 10:52 PM

8943post,
I've operated a Bobcat S250 on several occasions...very strong machine for the size and very smooth. The machine was very quick and agile...take a look at them. Also, Bobcat's dealer network is great and they offer DOZENS of attachments. If you think the S250 is too big for your needs the S175 is a nice machine also. Can't go wrong with the new Cat B Series either... hate to stir the pot but stay away from Deere.

Check out www.machinerytrader.com as of now there are 2911 skid steers for sale!

Just1more · 05-24-2005, 07:24 AM

I've operated every skid steer under the sun and the CAT's simply rule. One feature I like in particular, that the Bobcat doesn't have, is the ability to "float" the bucket. Meaning, by pushing the control full forward, the bucket rests on the ground. It's excellent for grading. The Case units have the float feature also, but Case isn't very reliable. Good luck!

katkt · 05-24-2005, 08:45 AM

The two guys I know who use their skid loaders( they are their bread and butter)alot, both use Bobcats(T-300,T-725?). They are on them all day everyday. When they replace them they stay with Bobcat. This may be just one of those comfort things(familiar with the equipment and dealers)
If your using it at home, its doubtful you'll ever get into one of those situations where you think you should have bought the better one. I'd look at New Holland also, they've been making them a long time and they are probably more reasonably priced.(providing they have all the attachments your looking for)

8943post · 05-24-2005, 10:29 AM

Now those are some interesting responses. Kinda like the Ford/Chevy and Toyota debate.

Thanks for the input!

DougSea · 05-24-2005, 01:34 PM

The one thing I'd add to this discussion is size. We have one at a club I belong to that we use for moving docks, moorings, ,and the like. Ours is a 1300 (lift capacity) and I wish it was a 2000.

I'd also add that we're very careful about how operates the machine. They're easy to operate but can do a lot of damage real fast...

8943post · 05-24-2005, 04:02 PM

Just came back from the New Holland dealer. the 160 and 180 look like nice rigs. Both are new machines. The good thing is that he's just down the road for parts or service.

RaritanBayF225 · 05-25-2005, 09:17 AM

8943Post.
What exactly will you be using the loader for?

8943post · 05-25-2005, 10:29 AM

I need to cleanup and/or clear about 30 acres of land that we own. I also want to build a go cart track for my son and his friends to use.

Considering a 4 in 1 bucket and a brush grappler to go with it.

thanks

RaritanBayF225 · 05-25-2005, 12:59 PM

8943Post,
30 acres is alot of land to clean with a single skid steer...you could cleanup alot quicker and cheaper by renting a bigger machine...anything from a Cat 906 to a 928 would be great. But maybe it would be better to buy a loader just to have it when you need it....check out these Deere 110's..I've seen them and they would be perfect for your needs...
http://www.deere.com/en_US/groundscare/tlb/index.html
Take care.

8943post · 05-25-2005, 01:17 PM

Fortunately we don't have to clear all 30 acres.

I thought about a loader but like the size and versatility of a skid steer. Any thoughts on the New Holland S160 skid steer?

strikerthree · 05-25-2005, 01:43 PM

The company I work for has about 30 skid steers we use them for pulling telephone poles in easement areas, what ever you do don't buy daewoo brand they are garbage, the best ones we have are scat, bobcat, mustang, new Holland and a few case's , like someone said previous avoid the turbo's allot of maintenance for nothing the bob cat we have is turbo and there really isn't much of a difference Isuzu and kubota both make great little diesels, just avoid daewoo

dogboy · 05-25-2005, 06:42 PM

i can't speak to model numbers of specific brands, but i have been working in the nursery industry for 29 years and can offer a few observations:

kubota rules as a power plant...we have 2 machines, a Thomas (as in the bus company, and a skat trak (same machine, different name)....straight six kubota diesels, original engines, high hours, 25 plus years of service....i haven't driven either machine in quite a while, but the engine is the only trhing i was impressed with....quite, smooth running, and powerful for te size

i agree with avoiding a turbo for this sort of machine....no substitute for cubic inches with this kind of machine.

we had a mechanic, since retired, who could quite literally fix anything ever made (and we made him prove it a nearly every day).....he really hated bobcats because they are hard to work on....i have seen some rather drastic calisthenics trying to replace hydraulic motor brackets and such in the engine compartment.....they do seem to present more problems when it comes to repairs....stuff is just not easy to work on

we have a cat skid steer with tracks instead of wheels, an earlier model....very impressive performance, but the tracks have delaminated twice, and the running gear is not reliable and very expensive to fix....on a per hour basis, it has to be the most expensive skid steer in the fleet

we had a fair number of contract diggers on the nursery the past 2 years, and they all ran new holland (except for one case)....the case was faster, but more problems arose.....they all had retrofitted metal tracks, and were able to keep working when our wheeled skid steers could not.....you need to watch your tire pressure and track tension

depending on where you live, spare parts should be a concern....

bottom line, if you are getting an exceptional deal on a decent machine and are confident nobody is going to beat on it, go for it, but whatever you end up with, sooner or later you will be faced with major repair bills

grease it frequently, most routine work can be accomplished a little over half throttle, know its limitations, and good luck

dogboy · 05-25-2005, 06:53 PM

another factor is whether or not you are experienced operating a skid steer.....they can scare the heck out of you at first, but most people can become "one with the machine" after a while.....it would be extremely helpful to observe, then take lessons from, a good operator.....also, buy as much machine as you can afford....you will eventually ask it to do more than it is capable of, and if you cheap out on the front end you will likely regret it later on....

last year i became part owner of a 1989 753 bobcat.....i don't need it all that much, it has less than 200 hours, and when someone suggested that i rent it out on occasion for some extra income, i could only think of one person i would be comfortable doing that with, and that individual stands out as the most competent operator i have known after 3 decades......i guess what i am trying to say is that you shouldn't loan it out.