Anyone seen a Boxer 700 series firsthand?

[KentT]

Since Gehl is no longer importing the Avants as a Gehl Avantage, this seems to be the only small "commercial-grade" articulated loader left on the US market. I've never seen one myself, but they certainly look a lot like the older Avants.

BOXER 700 Series Articulating Loaders

Now, Avant has revised/updated its whole product line, introducing a smaller 400-series and a larger 600- and 700-series. That small 400 series is a neat LITTLE machine. These things could make a PT owner green with envy when you look at the specs and all the attachments.

Avant Home

But, both the Boxer and the Avant are very, very expensive in comparison to the Power Trac...

Just curious if anyone had seen the Boxer and what their impressions are....

 

[MossRoad]

Geez... impressive little beasts! :licking:

Kubota makes wheel loaders, but they are hardly small.

 

[KentT]

Geez... impressive little beasts! :licking:

Kubota makes wheel loaders, but they are hardly small.

Yes, Gehl is still selling "compact" articulating loaders also -- but they're about the size of the Kubotas...

Here's their smallest one, the 140 -- which weighs almost 4,000 lbs:

http://www.gehl.com/const/specspg_al.html

Compare that to the 14HP (diesel) 400-series Avant. Even with the optional telescoping lift arm (which gives almost 10' of height at the QA plate", this only weighs a little over 2200 lbs:

That 400 Avant mpresses me, for example this kind of option would be invaluable for those who live in cold climates. The larger ones are even nicer -- some offer a choice of 3 cabs, for example.

I'd like to stumble across a good deal on a low-hours Gehl Avantage someday, even if they are now the "old design" just to get that small Kubota 20HP diesel with 10.6 GPM PTO and telescoping boom.

 

[Gravy]

Those Gehls all have really short wheelbases. I can't see using them on my slopes. I'd be taking a tumbling ride down to the bottom. Not that I could afford one...

 

[3238dpw]

I have always :drool: over them. The one thing I don't like is the rigid design, even though on this page they say it is somehow an advantage. Avant Features

I also have always loved this attachment because I am afraid of heights and thought this would make it a little easier.Avant Attachments

 

[Gravy]

The rigid design may well be an advantage...on a parking lot.

A lot of construction zones are mostly flat. The rigid design might well be more stable when lifting a heavy load on a flat surface. For the rest of us, it's safer to have all four wheels planted on the uneven ground.

Don't get me wrong - those look like REALLY nice machines, and they look to be much more industrial grade than PTs. I just don't think they are the best answer for most of us PT owners. We bought our unconventional PTs because we have unconventional needs, and we have human scale budgets.

But whadda I know?

 

[KentT]

We bought our unconventional PTs because we have unconventional needs, and we have human scale budgets.

I certainly understand about budgets. Heck, I bought a used PT with ONLY 5 attachments... but then almost immediately went shopping in Tazewell for a new minihoe, LM and grapple bucket... not counting a couple more used attachments since... :laughing:

But, compare this to the price of a new PT 425 trailer package:

IRON Search - 2003 Gehl AL20DX Articulating Loader For Sale By Hines Equipment in Pennsylvania

$21,000 for:

2003 Gehl AL20DX Articulating Loader

• 25 HOURS
  20.00 HP/ENG
• Rental Return
• All-Wheel Drive
• Kubota Dsl
• Hydro Drive.
• Package unit: Trailer-7000GVW
• Post Hole Digger 6inauger
• Stump Grinder
• Trencher 6x36
• Pallet Forks
• Bucket.
• GEHL FINANCING AVAILABLE

Not that I've got $21K for another tractor, but IMO this would be very tempting if I were in the market for a new 425 or 1430 and attachments...

 

[KentT]

By the way, if you want to check out some neat attachments and get some ideas for your own PT, check out Avant's YouTube channel. Some neat stuff -- but CAUTION you could waste some significant time with 100+ videos there...

YouTube - avanttecno's Channel

 

[RegL]

Since Gehl is no longer importing the Avants as a Gehl Avantage, this seems to be the only small "commercial-grade" articulated loader left on the US market. I've never seen one myself, but they certainly look a lot like the older Avants.

BOXER 700 Series Articulating Loaders

Now, Avant has revised/updated its whole product line, introducing a smaller 400-series and a larger 600- and 700-series. That small 400 series is a neat LITTLE machine. These things could make a PT owner green with envy when you look at the specs and all the attachments.

Avant Home

But, both the Boxer and the Avant are very, very expensive in comparison to the Power Trac...

Just curious if anyone had seen the Boxer and what their impressions are....

Personally, I consider my power- tracs to be commercial grade. Mainly because I use them commercially and I charge good money to do so. They may not be as pretty as those foreigners, but they will get the work done just as well.

 

[BobRip]

I liked the stump buster2. I wonder if I could put a bit like that on a PT post hole digger head?