I'm going Bobcat..

[MoPops]

I don't believe MoPops is buying from a dealer as none are listed in Neelyville, I "think" someone just bought a bunch as I live in the general area and he has been running Craigslist adds on these for some time. Neelyvlle is a really small community of about 400 south of Poplar Bluff, so any options will need to come from somewhere else.

That's the guy. I think he's a RV dealer, that buys and sells them. He told me today he has a 50 and a 45 hp model coming in. $22K for the 50, I'm tempted.

 

[arnoldziffel]

Did you increase your budget?

 

[MoPops]

Nope.. I'm staying under $15K. I was temped for less than a minute. Ha
Just going thru the discontinued thread over in buying advice.
Lots of opinions floating around. Didn't see anything there that scared me away from buying the bobcat.
I did check out a LS yesterday, it was still $20,000. Seems like everything I looked at was at 20..
I think the CT225, was around there when it was introduced. If this CT225 wasn't out there at 14, I would have gone used.

 

[BuilderML]

I looked at the Bobcat CT225 when i was in the market. They had them for 14k in the spring as a special. Everything looked great on the tractor but and its a BIG but for me the paint was coming off and was already rusting sitting on the dealer lot. Don't know if that was limited to just one year of building the units but i couldn't get over that so i kept on shopping. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[arnoldziffel]

That paint matter may have been isolated to some of the early Bobcats CT's. (2008 - 2009?)

The Bobcats I've owned have had very good paint and one of the machines had spent its entire life outdoors.

MoPop, I think you are going to be very pleased with the capability of the CT225. It is a solid machine that will work hard for you.

If I lived close to the dealer you are working with I'd grab another one before they are all gone. (I'm addicted to tractors!)

 

[MoPops]

I'll be looking at them later today, so I'll see the paint. I haven't seen one yet, in person.
I'll be able to store it in the barn, so hopefully it'll stay nice. Running out of room in my small barn though.
The guy that has them said he still does have one with ag tires, so I have the choice between them and the industrial. Not 100% sure which way to go. I was going to try and pull a small disc, but now I'm not. (Found a guy that will plant the alfalfa, and just pay me cash rent on the acres.) I will still need to be using the loader in the woods a lot, mowing, and some road maintenance. If the industrial tires have a pretty deep tread, I may go that way..

 

[arnoldziffel]

Ag tires will give better traction in damp fields and some woodland environments. The industrial tires do not like mud but this can be improved with tire chains. The industrial tires are more forgiving of bumps and bruises -- more puncture resistant. This may be important given the significant debris removal you are going to tackle.

Either style tire will benefit from tire chains if snow removal is part of the plan.

 

[MoPops]

Ag tires will give better traction in damp fields and some woodland environments. The industrial tires do not like mud but this can be improved with tire chains. The industrial tires are more forgiving of bumps and bruises -- more puncture resistant. This may be important given the significant debris removal you are going to tackle.

Either style tire will benefit from tire chains if snow removal is part of the plan.

I may go with the industrial tires. It's actually more of a hobby for me than work. I'm thinking if it's too muddy out there, I just won't go out.. Ha

 

[k0ua]

If doing mostly loader work, with heavy loads, especially if puncture is a likelihood, you want the Industrials. But if you are going to do plowing, especially wet conditions you want AG's for best traction. It is all a trade off. Most people who buy CUTs buy industrials, but most farmers buy AG's. Industrials work great in ice and snow, as long as you have some good chains on them.

 

[MoPops]

If doing mostly loader work, with heavy loads, especially if puncture is a likelihood, you want the Industrials. But if you are going to do plowing, especially wet conditions you want AG's for best traction. It is all a trade off. Most people who buy CUTs buy industrials, but most farmers buy AG's. Industrials work great in ice and snow, as long as you have some good chains on them.

Now I really think I need industrials. This guy I'm buying it from, is going to know I don't know s#$% about tractors. I told him two days ago, I HAD to have ag tires..
Oh well. I'm learning as I go. Six months ago, I didn't own a farm either.. 60 yrs old, and I'm like a little kid.