I take delivery of an Avant 528 tomorrow

[MESSMAKER]

Our local Bobcat dealer sells them. I look at them every time I go in.

 

[Dadnatron]

Our local Bobcat dealer sells them. I look at them every time I go in.

What dealer?

 

[ishiboo]

What dealer?

Bobcat Enterprises, it appears. Ohio & Kentucky Bobcat Dealer | Sales, Rentals, Parts & Service

 

[Dadnatron]

Hmmm. we have one in Lexington, but they don't have Avants... at least the one and only time I was there I didn't see any.

Which location has them on the floor?

 

[MESSMAKER]

Hmmm. we have one in Lexington, but they don't have Avants... at least the one and only time I was there I didn't see any.

Which location has them on the floor?

I have not been in the Lexington store for a fer months but they used to have an Avant loader on the left as soon as you go in. They had info on them as well because I picked up one of the spec sheets. I guess this could have changed but I would double check.

 

[Jchonline]

I drove a 635 a couple of weeks ago. It is a nice machine. They were selling it for over $57k with a FEL bucket only. The most concerning characteristic for me was how it would reverse if you were already in a turn (as the front and back wheels rotate independently). However, it worked great when I actually drove it. If I didn’t live on property that required decent ground clearance I would consider it. It is like a SS but it wont tip backwards going up hills.

 

[Dadnatron]

I have not been in the Lexington store for a fer months but they used to have an Avant loader on the left as soon as you go in. They had info on them as well because I picked up one of the spec sheets. I guess this could have changed but I would double check.

I called them and they said they do carry them and have 2 of the smaller ones on the floor.

I might stop by and take a look. They are pretty interesting, but they are pretty steep as well. While I'd like a multiuse vehicle... it might be cheaper and ultimately better to have 2 or even 3 more purpose built units for the same price.

Unless I have a Derby winner... then all bets are off!

 

[MossRoad]

I wouldn't be concerned about ground clearance so much. My little PowerTrac PT425 is a small articulated loader with maybe 8" of ground clearance and I've never managed to get it stuck, with the exception of one time dropping both front tires over a 12" log on a downhill slope and sliding far enough forward to get the rears off the ground, too. I looked like a turtle balancing on a log with all my legs off the ground. 17 years in some very, very rough terrain and only stuck once is pretty good in my book! :thumbsup:

 

[yooperdave]

Is it possible to provide dual rear wheels to add stability on hills? I know the wheels can already be extended away from the frame as well. Duals in both the front and back will most likely not work.

Yooper Dave

 

[blitzen]

After a bunch of thought put into converting my BX into something useful for my business I've decided to just spend the money and buy an Avant mini (micro?) wheel loader. I'm in the tent rental business and I need something to drive stakes, pull stakes push center poles and carry materials to and from the jobsite from the truck. The most important factor is that the machine can NOT damage the lawns of the customers. I brought my BX with front and rear forks on a few jobs. It did ok but the limited lifting capacity and small front tires didn't leave the lawns unscathed. I had toyed with the idea of a hydraulic stake puller and breaking hammer to drive stakes. The problem was it would be a from scratch build with questionable results.
Then a new machine became available and someone has built the attachments specific to tenting. Tentox.com is that company. After prolonged negotiations I bought the Avant 528, driver, puller, forks, a snow bucket, etc etc. The big bonus to this machine will be that, though it weighs about 3000# it will lift a ton of pellets. More than double the lift capacity of the BX, and it lifts several feet higher. If I find any problems with it I'll post them here. THese things are pretty new and there are not many out in the real world.View attachment 417640

I think you're going to love this! I was out scrounging some wood at my neighbors house after a wind storm and the tree service had one of these Avants. It was very maneuverable and could lift large stems that he cut and piled up.