Compact Track Loader, whos the best?

[Dunno]

One other thing to consider are OTT, over-the-tire-tracks. They are $5k new, but I got a lucky deal and paid $1k for basically new tracks from a horse farm. They are wider than regular CTL tracks, and mine weigh 900lbs, which adds to lift capacity on the machine. So maybe a good older skidsteer with the (used) tracks added will be a better buy. Best of luck.

 

[old and tired]

 

[NYlumberman]

Anyone have experience with the JCB side entry CTL.
JCB must be confident in the single lift arm system as they carry a lifetime warranty on bending/breaking the arm.

After owning a New Holland skid steer, with foot controls, front swing door, and a hip replacement, I traded for a used JCB 215T with under a 1000 hours. The side entrance was the big selling point, since I use my forks often, and it was very difficult and in my case painful to get out to place the risers. I am very happy with the machine, but note it takes awhile to master the “fly by wire” controls. Especially if you were used to directly actuated or piloted consoled valves.

 

[wooftank]

Pick a dealer that`s fairly close

 

[paulsharvey]

Our OP has already selected a Cat-249, which I assume is servicing him well. You can argue is cat is worth the price or not, but its hard to argue cat's parts support/supply chain

 

[Paystar]

I like running Kubota and Cat.
And I like the design of the JCB.
As far as entry, Kubota and JCB all the way.

 

[garry1p]

I prefer the Bobcat. I have never owned one but rented several and the Bobcat was the one I preferred.

 

[kenhar]

Ask 10 owners and get 10 different answers. Cat is considered the Cadilac by most.

 

[olenjohn]

Shop the dealership for a new machine. If the dealer staff takes care of the customer, patronize them. If they treat you like , move on no matter what brand they sell.

 

[paulsharvey]

I disagree somewhat about the Dealer, but more so the parts network. You can have an amazing Volvo dealer, but if the parts are in Sweden, they won't be here tomorrow afternoon. Not skid steers, but larger Volvo stuff, guys I know had issues, everything was 5 days out; vs Cat which, the part is pretty much always within 24 hours. For a homeowner, hobby guy, thats fine; but if down time costs a contract, or liquidated damages, that dang roller or whatever needs to be available fast.

 

[D&D]

I disagree somewhat about the Dealer, but more so the parts network. You can have an amazing Volvo dealer, but if the parts are in Sweden, they won't be here tomorrow afternoon. Not skid steers, but larger Volvo stuff, guys I know had issues, everything was 5 days out; vs Cat which, the part is pretty much always within 24 hours. For a homeowner, hobby guy, thats fine; but if down time costs a contract, or liquidated damages, that dang roller or whatever needs to be available fast.

Not to throw names under the bus, that can happen with all brands, especially in these times of "lean logistics".

 

[Eaglesfate]

Kubota

 

[Equatorial Malaise]

I disagree somewhat about the Dealer, but more so the parts network. You can have an amazing Volvo dealer, but if the parts are in Sweden, they won't be here tomorrow afternoon. Not skid steers, but larger Volvo stuff, guys I know had issues, everything was 5 days out; vs Cat which, the part is pretty much always within 24 hours. For a homeowner, hobby guy, thats fine; but if down time costs a contract, or liquidated damages, that dang roller or whatever needs to be available fast.

I work in heavy civil construction/engineering and what you say about CAT is definitely true. They still seem to be top dog on most sites with Takeuchi increasing in popularity.

What's crazy is this year SANY started showing up on site. It was leased equipment brought in by subs but Chinese heavy equipment was a first for me. Operators generally had good things to say about them (20ish ton excavator and telehandlers).

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Takeuchi.

 

[paulsharvey]

I work in heavy civil construction/engineering and what you say about CAT is definitely true. They still seem to be top dog on most sites with Takeuchi increasing in popularity.

What's crazy is this year SANY started showing up on site. It was leased equipment brought in by subs but Chinese heavy equipment was a first for me. Operators generally had good things to say about them (20ish ton excavator and telehandlers).

Sany... I just dont know yet. If you are use it hard for 4-5 years and sell at auction/trade, its probably a good deal. I dont know about hitting 14,000 hours, and by the I mean, everything that needs replaced/rebuilt/repaired to hit the 8/10/12/20,000 hour kinda marks.

They do seem popular. They arent a huge savings though, but noticeable. Probably 20% less than the majors. Kobelco is maybe similar. If a week (or two) down just sucks, but doesn't kill you, sure.

Even then, if you're set up for it, maybe a rental or demo while waiting on parts is worth it?

Volvo/JCB both make great stuff, but that one part is always on the other side of the ocean. Cat, maybe its in Atlanta, or Nashville, or Memphis, but it can be here tomorrow or the next day.

Case and Deere are, maybe close. Komatsu is there with deere now; and I would kinda look at them as a #2 in heavy stuff, maybe neck and neck with deere.

 

[paulsharvey]

If you asked a decade ago, Deere was the best in several classes. Not to be that old fart, but the JD-544H may still be the best front end loader ever made for general utility, picking up windrows, light loading. Small dozers, JD-450H was a great machine. Kinda seems like post "H" class, they spend 10 years trying to get back up to speed, while Cat plugged along, leading the way. Now, it's less clear, who's really leading in each class.

 

[4570Man]

Ask 10 owners and get 10 different answers. Cat is considered the Cadilac by most.

For big equipment sure but I’ve hated every cat skid steer I’ve ran. I’m convinced people only buy them because they already have fleets of cat and just tell the dealer to bring one without even shopping.

 

[paulsharvey]

For big equipment sure but I’ve hated every cat skid steer I’ve ran. I’m convinced people only buy them because they already have fleets of cat and just tell the dealer to bring one without even shopping.

Ive spend many hours on a 257B, and it was fine. Worked well, for what it was.

 

[4570Man]

Ive spend many hours on a 257B, and it was fine. Worked well, for what it was.

I have 2 Cat dozers and I’ve had a Cat excavator before and a Cat loader but this machine flat out sucked and so did the 259 cat I ran. I wouldn’t trade my SVL90 that cost considerably less straight up for that machine.

 

[Engineer42]

Takeuchi