Berm project -- skid steer opinions wanted
- Thread starter NateHaler
- Start date
Good points! I was gonna mention Case and New Holland as good options but dealer support had already been brought up.I farm, I’ve ran and used every brand out there… right now we own 2 machines .. I put roughly 1200 hours a year on one/them… I will not say brands are bad or such .. the one thing I will say is they all run differently… meaning I feel some control slightly different.. some you set in a different location compared to bucket/attachment then others… I would highly suggest to find a sales businesses that will let you run one for a bit and run a few to see what you like…
Now that being said my brand of flavor is case… same as new Holland but better haha… I like the way you set in them.. the are very comfortable .. especially the cab version our newest one has a couple thousand hrs on it and no complaints .. and it gets used every day .. rain snow 100*..-20* it runs … our other is 20 years old with 12000 hrs and I never even need to wonder when I hit the key if it will run…
nice thing about the case’s also is ( not knowing where you are located) you can go to case construction or an AG case dealer for parts…
Find a TR270 to run and you will love it..
as far as cabs go… they are nice… way more comfortable and quiet to run.. but they can also be an inconvenience in some jobs… we currently have one of each … they both get used for this reason .. besides if one breaks down ….
also.. for moving heavy loads over uneven/rough ground get ride control.. GAME CHANGER
Another good point that you made is about controls. They can be vastly different between makes. Ultimately, I think this is mostly about whatever you're already used to running more than anything. If the op hasn't run any of them much or at all, it won't make much difference. I own a Bobcat but prefer Case controls. More hand input vs more foot control of the bobcat. Pretty much ford vs chevy unless you're already use to one style.
Equipment prices are really up right now. The company I work for priced a new 130 HP farm tractor in Feb for $98K, today it's almost $125K. Biggest problem we have is getting someone to do repairs. So, service is the first thing I would look at - and at least right now, renting makes sense because repairs aren't your problem. You would think buying new under warranty would be a good option, but we also had two new 175HP tractors give problems with the def system and were told they did not know if the repair parts were even available yet. You have to pay dealer repair prices because they all use diagnostic computer programs to diagnose problems. We also priced a rubber tire Cat 416 with 4in1 and extendahoe $86K with 2000 hours and $96K brand new. Crazy right?
My vote, based on capabilities would be for an open station rubber tire backhoe in the 416 size class, 4in1 with extendahoe. After checking serviceability with customers.
My vote, based on capabilities would be for an open station rubber tire backhoe in the 416 size class, 4in1 with extendahoe. After checking serviceability with customers.
That sounds like good advice to me. Rent is 100% tax deductible in most cases, fwiw.
bobinpa
Gold $$ Contributor
I've owned 5 pieces of Cat equipment and still own 4 of them. After owning Cat and running many others I wouldn't buy anything but Cat. They are hard to beat and around here they offer great support if you need something....
I wouldn't buy anything smaller than a 259 either for your purposes. My tracked machine is a 289 and it is very strong.
I would definitely consider buying used out of a Cat rental fleet. Every time they come back they are serviced by Cat mechanics. I bought my 289 with approx 600 hrs on it at a HUGE savings over new.
Just my .02 Good luck
I wouldn't buy anything smaller than a 259 either for your purposes. My tracked machine is a 289 and it is very strong.
I would definitely consider buying used out of a Cat rental fleet. Every time they come back they are serviced by Cat mechanics. I bought my 289 with approx 600 hrs on it at a HUGE savings over new.
Just my .02 Good luck
When you get your skid steer going, go rent a wheeled loader. Then the skid steer will sit idle, it’s always something else just like this rifle deal!
JCB have side entry doors if you want to check something different out.
Something to keep in mind if your in the hill country is the cedar. If you get a high flow machine and enclosed cab there is mulching attachments that are a huge help. If I remember correctly there is a attachment dealer in marble falls.
Good luck with your decision.
Good luck with your decision.
After having a Fence company since 1979 I would highly recommend a John Deere.As useful as they are ,clearing land of trees is not their strength. Keep in mind the new track machines are heavy, and if you haul one on the road you will need a CDL. The tracks are expensive something to consider in shopping around, along with the ease of replacing hoses.
i admit that the entering cab on side of the jcb is nice.. my only complaint about that style ( i believe the volvo's also have a side enter) is when digging/ chipping with corner of bucket with that arm style it tweaks it hard... i chip feed out of bunks every day so that was a major concern for me... but the telescoping boom part that some of those designs have are nice.... i demoed a jcb .. it was nice smooth quiet... thing i felt most strongly about was for some reason i felt i couldnt see the attachment very well and with the boom down i had no visual on the one side of the machine.....
Caterpillar. Better equipment, better service from coast to coast and better resale on the backside. Working for a heavy highway paving contractor our paving crews beat on skidsteers, cats can handle it the other brands can't.
High flow machine with a cab if a good recommendation. Cab will help keep electronics dry and high flow you never know when you want to run a brush hog, mulching head, mill head etc. And renting attachments is pretty cheap
Looking at Cat (or other manufactures) look at the difference between radial lift and parallel lift machines. Parallel lift is better for lifting heavy loads or loading it to a dump truck or train. Radial reaches out a little bit farther, so better for dumping over low walls. On a cat if it has a black loader linkage with the cross bar above the radiator/engine its a parallel lift
259 Parallel lift
279 Radial lift
289 Parallel lift
High flow machine with a cab if a good recommendation. Cab will help keep electronics dry and high flow you never know when you want to run a brush hog, mulching head, mill head etc. And renting attachments is pretty cheap
Looking at Cat (or other manufactures) look at the difference between radial lift and parallel lift machines. Parallel lift is better for lifting heavy loads or loading it to a dump truck or train. Radial reaches out a little bit farther, so better for dumping over low walls. On a cat if it has a black loader linkage with the cross bar above the radiator/engine its a parallel lift
259 Parallel lift
279 Radial lift
289 Parallel lift
I have a Cat D6C dozer. Bought it 20 years ago for 25k. Just sold it to a guy for delivery this fall for 25k. I would buy a late model machine that will keep its value over the time you have it. Definately get the cab. As much for the noise and dust control as heat and air. You will use it more if it is comfortable to use, and do better work with it.
Thanks for all of the advice gents. We're heading to an implement place in Marble Falls, TX that is just 45 mins from our place. I assume they will have some opinions on what sort of rig might work best for us in this particular neck of the woods.
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Lots of good advice. For the stuff you are saying, it's def out of the realm of loader tractor work. If you're looking at 60k to buy a new one, I'd also suggest the late model or used route. You can buy just about anything used with minimal wear and hrs really clean for 40k. Leaves you 20k for implements and a trailer if needed.
Also look at a hybrid model. Buy the skid, rent the oddball implements when needed for minimal and not be on the 8hr per day timeline. Then if/when you need work outside of a skid you can rent an excavator or pay someone and work in tandem with them. 80/20 rule.
If you care about ripping stuff up or will be off hardback, you pretty much need tracks. More expensive and more expensive to maintain but it is what it is. To start off with a bucket and a HD set of forks you can do the lionshare of work.
As for brand, I'd lean towards something with dealer support close. They are all "good" if you aren't making a living off of them. Kubota diesel engines are top tier in that size range. They run forever. One thing I haven't seen anyone mention is controls - if you haven't run one or will be learning it's not as big of a deal, but hand/foot vs iso is a a deal breaker for some. On newer machines you can switch over patterns. To me hand and foot is more tiring and herkey jerky on rough terrain. But older guys that are used to it tend to like them. If you have ran a zero turn mower it's similar drive pattern
Also look at a hybrid model. Buy the skid, rent the oddball implements when needed for minimal and not be on the 8hr per day timeline. Then if/when you need work outside of a skid you can rent an excavator or pay someone and work in tandem with them. 80/20 rule.
If you care about ripping stuff up or will be off hardback, you pretty much need tracks. More expensive and more expensive to maintain but it is what it is. To start off with a bucket and a HD set of forks you can do the lionshare of work.
As for brand, I'd lean towards something with dealer support close. They are all "good" if you aren't making a living off of them. Kubota diesel engines are top tier in that size range. They run forever. One thing I haven't seen anyone mention is controls - if you haven't run one or will be learning it's not as big of a deal, but hand/foot vs iso is a a deal breaker for some. On newer machines you can switch over patterns. To me hand and foot is more tiring and herkey jerky on rough terrain. But older guys that are used to it tend to like them. If you have ran a zero turn mower it's similar drive pattern
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