jgh
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2000
- Messages
- 492
- Location
- Goochland & Fluvanna Counties, VA
- Tractor
- NH TN90F; B3000 Kubota; Bobcats 430 & A300; Liebherr 621C, Exmark laser Z, 2 sawmills
20050103
Got a buying decision to make, soon.
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
My bobcat dealer is running behind on closing our main deal so I have some time to hear from this helpful group if you'll comment.
I've got an older Gator 6x4, so this is not totally new, but things sure have improved since that thing was built in 96.
Kubota sent me a good financing offer so that part of the playing field is level (Bobcat dealer will 4% finance either hpx or 2200 with the other stuff we're buying).
My wife finds the cab-equipped RTV noisy, and we both think it feels more like a tractor than a 4 wheel transport vehicle. In fact it really does remind me of my BX-2200, even down to the mushy HST pedal. But the real transmission feel does come thru if you give it a chance, even with the abrupt stopping characteristic (supposedly changed now?), and the coasting control it gives is good.
Power steering, on the RTV? Come on, now, is it really necessary, and is it just another thing to fail--like the similar cylinder on my BX did recently. If you are regularly carrying loads heavy enough to need it, wouldn't you be better off with a ToolCat or, mirabile dictu, a TRUCK /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif?
But it looks good and seems very solid and functional. The dealer could not be better--several of his mechanics love our restaurant and treat me well when I go in for service on the BX, as does the whole family-owned place.
My Bobcat/Deere dealer is great, too, though farther away. I've found them good to work with for the last year, though nothing major has come up. And I am into them for a Bobcat 430 and A300 (sorry Mark Chalkley, I love it!) along w/ many attachments, so it is a relationship that will continue.
The Bobcat 2200 is really a Club Car XRT-1500 as the guy whose father works for the rental company pointed out, but is fairly new to the market. It's technicals are good--automatic 4wd, with autom locking differentials (both) as well, Kubota diesel or Honda gas, 20 HP, up to 1100# rear cargo capacity (with upgraded spring/shock/sway package) and 1500# payload so equipped. Downside? Looks somewhat like a golf cart, ie, the Club Car heritage--it ain't no Gator, which is arguably the best looking of this group or of all utilities. And it costs roughly the same base-wise as the HPX, though the accessories are cheaper, without the proven resale of the Gator. I was impressed with the casual offer my Bobcat saleman made to take in my 6x4 on trade.
One concern is the 2 exposed lines to the rear brakes, that seem way too vulnerable to short stumps, etc. There is a "caliper rock guard" option, but my salesman cannot say for sure what it does.
But it seems like a good machine, with a great ride feel (better than the Gator or RTV), a foot operated parking brake, and the tech specs, esp relating to the drive train, are compelling.
The HPX just looks good and seems the most solid, along with the RTV. Improvements abound (like a real suspension) over my 6x4. Neither it nor the RTV rides as well as the 2200 Bobcat, but truthfully it does not seem bad. The double cyl bed hoist seems really solid, but it costs twice what the Bobcat lift costs (953 vs 495). And the factory cab option, though frightfully expensive, is stunning--saw it live.
/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Who decided all these things get such tiny tires? Bigger would definitely be bettah, IMHO.
My first car, used though it was, cost me $1750. Now that was 1971, but ****, these little things are EXPensive/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I would love some comments on my analysis/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif, if you folks would be kind enough to hit me up! Sorry for the length /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Thanks as always!
Jim
Moving some fine day to "Mt Burgha" in Fluvanna on the Rivanna
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Got a buying decision to make, soon.
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
My bobcat dealer is running behind on closing our main deal so I have some time to hear from this helpful group if you'll comment.
I've got an older Gator 6x4, so this is not totally new, but things sure have improved since that thing was built in 96.
Kubota sent me a good financing offer so that part of the playing field is level (Bobcat dealer will 4% finance either hpx or 2200 with the other stuff we're buying).
My wife finds the cab-equipped RTV noisy, and we both think it feels more like a tractor than a 4 wheel transport vehicle. In fact it really does remind me of my BX-2200, even down to the mushy HST pedal. But the real transmission feel does come thru if you give it a chance, even with the abrupt stopping characteristic (supposedly changed now?), and the coasting control it gives is good.
Power steering, on the RTV? Come on, now, is it really necessary, and is it just another thing to fail--like the similar cylinder on my BX did recently. If you are regularly carrying loads heavy enough to need it, wouldn't you be better off with a ToolCat or, mirabile dictu, a TRUCK /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif?
But it looks good and seems very solid and functional. The dealer could not be better--several of his mechanics love our restaurant and treat me well when I go in for service on the BX, as does the whole family-owned place.
My Bobcat/Deere dealer is great, too, though farther away. I've found them good to work with for the last year, though nothing major has come up. And I am into them for a Bobcat 430 and A300 (sorry Mark Chalkley, I love it!) along w/ many attachments, so it is a relationship that will continue.
The Bobcat 2200 is really a Club Car XRT-1500 as the guy whose father works for the rental company pointed out, but is fairly new to the market. It's technicals are good--automatic 4wd, with autom locking differentials (both) as well, Kubota diesel or Honda gas, 20 HP, up to 1100# rear cargo capacity (with upgraded spring/shock/sway package) and 1500# payload so equipped. Downside? Looks somewhat like a golf cart, ie, the Club Car heritage--it ain't no Gator, which is arguably the best looking of this group or of all utilities. And it costs roughly the same base-wise as the HPX, though the accessories are cheaper, without the proven resale of the Gator. I was impressed with the casual offer my Bobcat saleman made to take in my 6x4 on trade.
One concern is the 2 exposed lines to the rear brakes, that seem way too vulnerable to short stumps, etc. There is a "caliper rock guard" option, but my salesman cannot say for sure what it does.
But it seems like a good machine, with a great ride feel (better than the Gator or RTV), a foot operated parking brake, and the tech specs, esp relating to the drive train, are compelling.
The HPX just looks good and seems the most solid, along with the RTV. Improvements abound (like a real suspension) over my 6x4. Neither it nor the RTV rides as well as the 2200 Bobcat, but truthfully it does not seem bad. The double cyl bed hoist seems really solid, but it costs twice what the Bobcat lift costs (953 vs 495). And the factory cab option, though frightfully expensive, is stunning--saw it live.
/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Who decided all these things get such tiny tires? Bigger would definitely be bettah, IMHO.
My first car, used though it was, cost me $1750. Now that was 1971, but ****, these little things are EXPensive/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I would love some comments on my analysis/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif, if you folks would be kind enough to hit me up! Sorry for the length /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Thanks as always!
Jim
Moving some fine day to "Mt Burgha" in Fluvanna on the Rivanna
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
