Added a bobcat to the herd

[fatjay]

It's a bobcat M600, i think 1976.

I have a backhoe and another loader, i know never to go under anything that's supported solely by haudralics. I also have no need to raise bucket full height, i'm not loading trucks. Maybe doing some snow stuff.

 

[blacktruck]

Wow, who would have thought a simple tool for moving dirt would have changed into what we see today. This is probably the same thing others thought when comparing the Model T to the cars that came forty years later. I don't recall what year mine was but I suspect just a little later than that. Probably mid eighties or so. It was a small one so it still had a gas engine. Thanks for the reply.

 

[fried1765]

ROPS/FOPS protection? Looks like a death machine without it!

Depends on where you live.
I could likely safely operate a skid steer without a ROPS forever.
Basically flat land, with no meaningful ditches.
I have removed the ROPS from my Kubota L48.

I am from a different era though.
Before seat belts.
Before bicycle helmets.
Before safety shoes, etc.
79 years.......and I am still here, with all my appendages as originally attached!

 

[blacktruck]

Depends on where you live.
I could likely safely operate a skid steer without a ROPS forever.
Basically flat land, with no meaningful ditches.
I have taken the ROPS off my Kubota L48.

I am from a different era though.
No seat belts.
No bicycle helmets.
No safety shoes, etc.
......and I am still here, wearing all my appendages!

I'll bet you even drank from a water hose in the yard and rode in the back of pick up trucks. What a tragic childhood you must have had. I am surprised you survived.

 

[Jchonline]

Everyone can “likely” do a bunch of things and not get injured. However if you ask those that actually were I am pretty sure they tell a different story. To each his own.

There is no harm in telling someone it might be a good idea to add some safety to a task. They can take it or leave it.

 

[lilranch2001]

To some people simple advise is a complete insult!

 

[Big Barn]

There is no harm in telling someone it might be a good idea to add some safety to a task. They can take it or leave it.

Agreed. In SOME cases it would be a disservice not to say something.

 

[4570Man]

Depends on where you live.
I could likely safely operate a skid steer without a ROPS forever.
Basically flat land, with no meaningful ditches.
I have removed the ROPS from my Kubota L48.

I am from a different era though.
Before seat belts.
Before bicycle helmets.
Before safety shoes, etc.
79 years.......and I am still here, with all my appendages as originally attached!

My 310 and M59 both had a FOPS and they’re both staying that way. One because they make hot summer time work way more comfortable. Two because I push quit a few dead trees and the FOPS is a huge safety benefit for doing that. I’m not that worried about rolling one but that possibility does exist.

 

[ddbackhoe]

It's a bobcat M600, i think 1976.

I have a backhoe and another loader, i know never to go under anything that's supported solely by haudralics. I also have no need to raise bucket full height, i'm not loading trucks. Maybe doing some snow stuff.

I would definitely add a ROPs/fops to the M600 to keep your parts out of the lift arms/pivot points. Some heavy wall 2-3 tube and a piece of plate dont cost as much as losing a finger or other body part.
Might find a scrap one too.
http://www.skidsteerforum.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=54&frmView=ShowPost&PostID=17015

 

[Jim Nelson]

To get back on subject, the 1st skid steer I ever ran was a Bobcat,grading the inside floor areas of fairly small buildings at a sewer plant.I HATED that thing and avoided them for years then a buddy bought a new Cat and running it was as intuitive and natural feeling as any machine I've ever been on. I don't know if they ever changed their controls, and at this point don't care but that old bassackwards system was terrible.