I am about to buy a used skid steer, what brands should I avoid?

Industrial Toys · Feb 8, 2019

A dealer has more connection to the manufacturer than we do. Those slick #$#$ reps are always bullying the dealers to sell more stuff. Tell them, to throw out the computers and we will.

Firstly, you could get rid of any other non-emmisions computers in a machine. That's a given. Then make the polution control stuff, simple descreet (repairable) logic. And let that emmisions stuff be part of the engine package, handled by the engine manufacturer and nothing to do with the equipment manufacturer.

It's like so many other things. A washing machine doesn't need a computer. But the sucker consumer has bought into that. AND will pay the price, and I am not talking about the purchase price.

xephonics · Feb 8, 2019

Thanks for all the responses.

The 4 I was kind of interested in so far have been:
Case TR270
Bobcat T300
Cat 259B3
Terex T70 (was unsure on this after the negative posts I’ve see )

Do you guys think any of these should be avoided or favored over the others?

TSO · Feb 8, 2019

I have an ASV/Terex PT70. Amazing machine. You won't find a better to operate in soft and off-road conditions. Let me know if you have specific questions?

ASV still builds machines sold under the Terex name to my knowledge, but ASV also sells under their own brand (ASV LLC). ASV also contracts with CAT and supplies their undercarriage to CAT for the 2X7 model machines. In turn, ASV uses CAT pilot controls.

xephonics · Feb 8, 2019

TSO said:
I have an ASV/Terex PT70. Amazing machine. You won't find a better to operate in soft and off-road conditions. Let me know if you have specific questions?

ASV still builds machines sold under the Terex name to my knowledge, but ASV also sells under their own brand (ASV LLC). ASV also contracts with CAT and supplies their undercarriage to CAT for the 2X7 model machines. In turn, ASV uses CAT pilot controls.

Awesome, I’ll definitely take you up on that. I plan to go look at the T70 this weekend. I’ve never even sat in a skid steer before, so a bit lost on what to be looking for regarding damage/wear. I’ve read some webpages about what to look for and watched a few YouTube vids, but still not massively confident I can avoid buying a lemon &#55357;&#56897;

TSO · Feb 8, 2019

The issue with the Terex undercarriage is that it is more expensive to replace the components. However, if you are using it mainly off-road and in soft conditions, the undercarriage will last twice as long as traditional CTL undercarriages. I use mine for commercial Landscaping and grading work. I've used many machines from different brands with the traditional undercarriage and nothing will hold a slope or grade like the ASV units. They are much more balanced, higher ground clearance, and a much softer ride as well because of the torsion axle suspension for the undercarriage.

I demo'd a Kubota CTL & Takeuchi CTL on jobs along with my ASV at the same time and for dirt work, my ASV works circles around them. I've used Bobcat and Takeuchi mulching units, and found the Bobcat was prone to overheating (but that could have just been a specific unit).

The Kubota and Takeuchi cabs are much nicer than the ASV cabs, and I would say the Kubota have the nicest cab I've been in.

If you are mainly using the machine for gravel work, you just have to keep in mind that the track and bogie system will wear down faster then if you are using it for dirt work. So with that's said, if gravel or hard surface work will be your main areas, I would recommend a traditional CTL unit over the ASV.

TSO · Feb 8, 2019

Recent job...

ruffdog · Feb 8, 2019

A person that is looking at a 3000hr skid should have good dealer support nearby. There will be more maintenance performed so buy one that looks easier to work on. Some companies may be better supplying parts for non-current models and dealer support. The person should demand the history of the machine so they won't buy a money pit.

xephonics · Feb 8, 2019

I agree, though the Terex in question has 1300hrs. I was more looking at 300hrs as a max.

Ideally I want 2k or less.

TSO · Feb 8, 2019

ruffdog said:
A person that is looking at a 3000hr skid should have good dealer support nearby. There will be more maintenance performed so by one that looks easier to work on. Some companies may be better supplying parts for non-current models and dealer support. The person should demand the history of the machine so they won't buy a money pit.

This is a very good point. I do basically all the maintenance on my machine. In fact I just pulled the motor because I spun a bearing and bent two rods, had to get the engine completely rebuilt. Not the machine's fault, operator error (got it stuck at way too steep of a downward angle). If you can't do the repairs on your own, be ready to spend some money. A single final drive is going to be several thousand dollars. The hydraulic pumps run at very high pressures and are also very expensive.

Nothing about maintaining these machines are inexpensive. It's not like a compact or even farm tractor. Every part seems to be double or triple the price of Ag machine parts/maintenance.