At what age of skid steer do parts become hard to find?

[Cacinok]

I plan to buy a skid steer to use in my side business (handyman and brush cutting (a lot of ditches)). If things continue the way they have been, my side business will surpass my day job. I have a budget of roughly $20k. In my area, in this price range ($12k-$20k), I'm looking at skid steers from 10-20 years old with hours from 900 to 2500. Eventually, if I do make my side business my day job, I'll buy a fairly new skid steer.

My question: At what point do parts become too hard to find, take too long to get or are too expensive for older skid steers? Since I'm using it in a business I need a somewhat fast parts delivery. I know I should buy as new as possible, but there are a couple of older machines with either low hours or new motors. Neither of which matters if you can't find other parts in a timely manner.

 

[RickB]

The answer is more brand dependent than age dependent.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

Most literature I’ve seen shows a design life of 10 years. I guess it also depends upon the brand and how many were sold.

 

[Cacinok]

The answer is more brand dependent than age dependent.

Are any brands particularly better at keeping parts available for older machines? I'm looking at an '03 Case 40xt, a JD 250 (not sure on the year, maybe 2000), a '00 Daewoo 1760xl, and an '05 Bobcat S185.

 

[RickB]

Deere and Bobcat would probably top most part availability lists. I can't speak to Daewoo at all. CNH is very fond of the letters NLA.

 

[Cacinok]

Deere and Bobcat would probably top most part availability lists. I can't speak to Daewoo at all. CNH is very fond of the letters NLA.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[laurencen]

have a deere from 1996, they still have parts available and Bobcat from the 1980s and have had no issue getting parts I needed, only have a Cat dozer from the 1950s and CAT has come thro each time I needed something

 

[Cacinok]

have a deere from 1996, they still have parts available and Bobcat from the 1980s and have had no issue getting parts I needed, only have a Cat dozer from the 1950s and CAT has come thro each time I needed something

Great to know. Exactly what I was hoping to hear. Thanks.

 

[700R]

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm looking to buy a machine, hoping to stay $25k or less. I'm sticking with the big name brands...Bobcat, JD, CAT, NH, and to some extent, Gehl.

 

[Cacinok]

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm looking to buy a machine, hoping to stay $25k or less. I'm sticking with the big name brands...Bobcat, JD, CAT, NH, and to some extent, Gehl.

In your neck of the woods, you shouldn't have a problem finding one. I'm watching equipment trader and machinery trader at least weekly and there appear to be more machines available back east than there are around here.

Since making this thread, I've been able to talk to a couple of CAT mechanics (friends of a friend). While they work mainly on CATs, they both said that they haven't had any problem finding parts for other (big name) machines they work on. Both had a lot of good to say about Case, Gehl, older Bob Cats and older CATs. Older being prior to 2011 or 2012, or whenever the heightened emissions standards went into effect. Neither was fond of the newer CATs, post "C" models b/c of emissions.

Personally, I'm trying to decide how important tracks or a cab would be. I'd have to put another $5k-$10k into my budget to get one or the other, but not both for $25k-$30k. Just wondering if my comfort is more important than people's yards. lol