Compact wheel loader vs Skid steer

[radman1]

I currently have a 2006 Bobcat S300 with a/c, 2 speed, hydraulic bobtach and few other options. Very good condition, runs great, 3000 lb lift, 80 hp, 8500 lbs. I am considering buying a used compact wheel loader (CWL) instead of the SS. Have been looking at Case, CAT and NH. No JCB dealers in area. Looking at machines with 80 hp, 7000 lbs lift and weighing 12,000-13,000 lbs. I have enough trailer to haul that much weight and still stay under 26K total.

The CWLs lift more, have better all around visibility, and allow me to get in/out with lift in the air. Most have standard front aux hydraulics with flow rates similar to skid steer, and most now have skid steer attachment plate which is a must for me. CWLs don't seem very common compared to larger wheel loaders or skid steers and the overall market seems small. What are the problems with them? Most dealers say they will dig as well as skid steer.

I want a used machine in very good condition with low hours. Hard to find them. I found a used Case 321E with about 500 hours with optional limited slip rear axle, additional couterweight, bucket and forks. Dealer says it is in excellent condition and the price is very good. I would have to have it trucked and buy without seeing the machine. How difficult is it to arrange for trucking? Any recommendations for trucking?

Any opinions for or against would be appreciated.

http://www.maquinarias.com.pe/case/...os/cargadores/CCE4160805 E Series Compact.pdf

http://www.maquinarias.com.pe/case/...ulated Wheel Loader Spec Sheet (Tier III).pdf

http://xml.catmms.com/servlet/ImageServlet?imageId=C545354

http://www.markusson.com/PDF_files/construction_compactwheelloaders.pdf

 

[Duffster]

I currently have a 2006 Bobcat S300 with a/c, 2 speed, hydraulic bobtach and few other options. Very good condition, runs great, 3000 lb lift, 80 hp, 8500 lbs. I am considering buying a used compact wheel loader (CWL) instead of the SS. Have been looking at Case, CAT and NH. No JCB dealers in area. Looking at machines with 80 hp, 7000 lbs lift and weighing 12,000-13,000 lbs. I have enough trailer to haul that much weight and still stay under 26K total.

The CWLs lift more, have better all around visibility, and allow me to get in/out with lift in the air. Most have standard front aux hydraulics with flow rates similar to skid steer, and most now have skid steer attachment plate which is a must for me. CWLs don't seem very common compared to larger wheel loaders or skid steers and the overall market seems small. What are the problems with them? Most dealers say they will dig as well as skid steer.

I want a used machine in very good condition with low hours. Hard to find them. I found a used Case 321E with about 500 hours with optional limited slip rear axle, additional couterweight, bucket and forks. Dealer says it is in excellent condition and the price is very good. I would have to have it trucked and buy without seeing the machine. How difficult is it to arrange for trucking? Any recommendations for trucking?

Any opinions for or against would be appreciated.

http://www.maquinarias.com.pe/case/...os/cargadores/CCE4160805 E Series Compact.pdf

http://www.maquinarias.com.pe/case/...ulated Wheel Loader Spec Sheet (Tier III).pdf

http://xml.catmms.com/servlet/ImageServlet?imageId=C545354

http://www.markusson.com/PDF_files/construction_compactwheelloaders.pdf

How are you going to accomplish that?

Sorry, no experience with CWL other than what I have read about guys plowing snow with them.

 

[radman1]

How are you going to accomplish that?

Sorry, no experience with CWL other than what I have read about guys plowing snow with them.

It will be very close. 12-13K machine (including bucket), 5K trailer (20K rated GN) and 8K for truck. May have to take the bucket (1000 lbs) or any heavy attachment on separate trailer. I live in rural area. I will not be hauling it often.

It kind of amazes me what these "compact" machines weigh. Some of the smaller one are around 10K lbs.

 

[Groo]

I imagine they are better "out in the open", but wouldn't be nearly as good in very tight spaces or as good doing lift and dump 180 degrees apart. I'm also guessing they are more expensive up front.

 

[Duffster]

It will be very close. 12-13K machine (including bucket), 5K trailer (20K rated GN) and 8K for truck. May have to take the bucket (1000 lbs) or any heavy attachment on separate trailer. I live in rural area. I will not be hauling it often.

It kind of amazes me what these "compact" machines weigh. Some of the smaller one are around 10K lbs.

Why is staying under 26k note worthy?

 

[rswyan]

Why is staying under 26k note worthy?

Because above is CDL territory ....

 

[radman1]

Why is staying under 26k note worthy?

CDL is the reason. I have farm plates which allow 26K total.

 

[Big Wave D]

I've used a Bobcat made one several occasions. Found it to be a real workhorse.

I know that Kubota also makes one, but not sure if it is sized big enough for what you're wanting.

Here are Kubota specs:

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Construction Equipment | R520S

Bobcat made one. I don't know if they are still sold new in US. Seems that the Model 2410 was largest sold here.

Here is a TractorbyNet link from a previous discussion:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/bobcat-construction-equipment/45021-bobcat-2400-2410-a.html

Hope this helps

 

[gatractorman]

I cant see anything outworking the Bobcat that you have, do you need more lift capacity? You can purchase tracks to go over the tires of the B/C that dramatically improve digging.

 

[Duffster]

CDL is the reason. I have farm plates which allow 26K total.

Just a heads up then, CDL is based off Combined GVWR so that 20k goose with pretty much any pickup is already in CDL territory.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Just a heads up then, CDL is based off Combined GVWR so that 20k goose with pretty much any pickup is already in CDL territory.

Yep
What he said, GVW (truck) + GVW (trailer) = over 26k


Big minus for the compact loader.

I did some comparison on this last year and the L25/L35 Volvo's are quite small. 6' wide, about 7' tall, and would lift ungodly amounts of weight. Much stronger than a SS. The small one weighed like 7000/8000lbs IIRC. Same as a big SS and that would be trailer-able with a 14k trailer. Decided I could get a real nice powerful SS for about 30/35k dollars vs. 60/70k for a CWL.

I still want a compact wheel loader, but the SS works fine for me for a LOT less money.

 

[radman1]

Just a heads up then, CDL is based off Combined GVWR so that 20k goose with pretty much any pickup is already in CDL territory.

In my state with farm plates on the truck and trailer, I am allowed 13 tons total weight. The rating of the trailer does not affect the overall capacity I can pull. My farm truck plate registrations says 13 tons. Yes, I know my 3/4 ton truck is not rated to pull that much.

With farm plates on the trailer, no one else is allowed to use the trailer unless they also have farm plates.

 

[radman1]

Yep
What he said, GVW (truck) + GVW (trailer) = over 26k


Big minus for the compact loader.

I did some comparison on this last year and the L25/L35 Volvo's are quite small. 6' wide, about 7' tall, and would lift ungodly amounts of weight. Much stronger than a SS. The small one weighed like 7000/8000lbs IIRC. Same as a big SS and that would be trailer-able with a 14k trailer. Decided I could get a real nice powerful SS for about 30/35k dollars vs. 60/70k for a CWL.

I still want a compact wheel loader, but the SS works fine for me for a LOT less money.

The CWL I am looking at is just over 45K in price. Most of the used ones in the size I want with very low hours, are in the 60-65K range. A new one runs near 75K. I think the price is why they are not common.

We lift seed pallets near 3000 lbs. The Bobcat S300 lifts them ok. However, we are at near full lift sometimes and make sure the ground is hard and level. That is a low of weight up high. Often doing stuff around the farm, it is one person getting lifting something, then I need to get out of the SS to unload or work on something. I have to crawl out the front with loader in air. I never like doing that. Break a hose and .......... With the door on the SS, I can't get out if the loader is raised more that few inches.
We also have 1200 acres of farmland and pasture. Some of the land has terraces that we rebuild. I use this http://www.landoll.com/Icon/PDF/116782 1632 lit.pdf, to rebuild them and SS. A little bigger machine than SS would move and push the dirt a little easier. http://www.iconindinc.com/images/grader002.jpg

I would really miss the visibility of the lip of the bucket with the CWL. I talked with a landscaper/nursery guy near my house yesterday. He has skid steers and a CAT 906 which is about the size I am considering. I asked him if there was anything he didn't like about the CWL compared to a SS. He paused a moment and then said "No". He said it was better than SS at digging, moving dirt/material ect. SS can turn in real tight situations but on the farm, I tend to have wide open spaces.

Considering a 4-in-1 bucket and use the CWL like mini dozer to push in ditches, washouts ect.

 

[tlbuser]

I currently have a 2006 Bobcat S300 with a/c, 2 speed, hydraulic bobtach and few other options. Very good condition, runs great, 3000 lb lift, 80 hp, 8500 lbs. I am considering buying a used compact wheel loader (CWL) instead of the SS. Have been looking at Case, CAT and NH. No JCB dealers in area. Looking at machines with 80 hp, 7000 lbs lift and weighing 12,000-13,000 lbs. I have enough trailer to haul that much weight and still stay under 26K total.

The CWLs lift more, have better all around visibility, and allow me to get in/out with lift in the air. Most have standard front aux hydraulics with flow rates similar to skid steer, and most now have skid steer attachment plate which is a must for me. CWLs don't seem very common compared to larger wheel loaders or skid steers and the overall market seems small. What are the problems with them? Most dealers say they will dig as well as skid steer.

I want a used machine in very good condition with low hours. Hard to find them. I found a used Case 321E with about 500 hours with optional limited slip rear axle, additional couterweight, bucket and forks. Dealer says it is in excellent condition and the price is very good. I would have to have it trucked and buy without seeing the machine. How difficult is it to arrange for trucking? Any recommendations for trucking?

Any opinions for or against would be appreciated.

http://www.maquinarias.com.pe/case/...os/cargadores/CCE4160805 E Series Compact.pdf

http://www.maquinarias.com.pe/case/...ulated Wheel Loader Spec Sheet (Tier III).pdf

http://xml.catmms.com/servlet/ImageServlet?imageId=C545354

http://www.markusson.com/PDF_files/construction_compactwheelloaders.pdf

Have you considered a telehandler? Would probably be an all around more useful farm tool. SS style QA, but I don't think anyone makes a high flow option. 16 + feet of reach is kinda handy for stacking and building maintenance
try uship.com and yesterday's tractors. Stay away from freightquote (they do boxes and pallets)

 

[radman1]

Have you considered a telehandler? Would probably be an all around more useful farm tool. SS style QA, but I don't think anyone makes a high flow option. 16 + feet of reach is kinda handy for stacking and building maintenance
try uship.com and yesterday's tractors. Stay away from freightquote (they do boxes and pallets)

I started looking at telehandlers first. Looked at machines with 4-5K lift, single telescoping boom and in the 12K-13K overall weight. I liked the idea of 17-23' of lift. Very handy for higher work. Easier to get in an out than SS or CWL. I drove a few around. Biggest downsides were, poor visibility on the right due to the boom next to the cab, I could not see the tip of the fork on the right hand side due to the boom, and lastly the design of the long boom connected at the back of the machine concerned me for digging. Don't want to bend or tweak the boom. I had considered mounting a remote camera to the end of the telhandler boom to see the fork tips.

I already have a homemade 4'x4' work platform that stands 12' high to put on forks of SS. That will give me about 23' lift with a CWL.

The prices for a newer but used telelhander were not much different than the CWLs.

Thanks for the suggested shipping sites.

 

[Duffster]

In my state with farm plates on the truck and trailer, I am allowed 13 tons total weight. The rating of the trailer does not affect the overall capacity I can pull. My farm truck plate registrations says 13 tons. Yes, I know my 3/4 ton truck is not rated to pull that much.

With farm plates on the trailer, no one else is allowed to use the trailer unless they also have farm plates.

Where are you from? I was thinking you where from WI but maybe I had you confused with someone else.

 

[radman1]

Where are you from? I was thinking you where from WI but maybe I had you confused with someone else.

Nebraska

 

[scoutcub]

Have you checked out Ritchie bros auctions? They have many auctions all year long all around the country, and sell some very nice equipment, including CWL's.

Just a thought, might be able to save a few $$$.

 

[radman1]

Have you checked out Ritchie bros auctions? They have many auctions all year long all around the country, and sell some very nice equipment, including CWL's.

Just a thought, might be able to save a few $$$.

I had not considered that. I will check it out. Thanks.

 

[Ken45101]

Also check out Ironplanet.com

Shipping should not be difficult, although probably not cheap.

Ken