Hey, Coldwater (and all)
FWIW, I came across one of your loaders through a strange series of events. It was located at a VN importer nearly 7 years ago, and sitting on a pallet. They used you're loaders almost exclusively down here in S.E. Tx, but were willing to part with it for $1500. This was before (or during) their switch to V-Tek (or Bulldog) loaders were used, and to replace your product. Everything was there except the base platform which I fabricated myself and installed it on a YM1601D.
After purchasing slightly over 2 acres, a full third which was swampy south TX property in the flood plane, it was crystal clear that two weekend rentals using a Bobcat skid steer, that I could by a Yanmar and your loader and do it all for the same money. And, a quick phone call to your company to verify it was, indeed your loader (I chatted with a lady who was quite knowledgeable and wish I could remember her name?), I paid them their money...
7 years later, and after building two, very large foundation sites for my home and shop, 12 dump trucks of road base and crushed concrete for the gravel drive way, laid re-bar, poured slabs and emptied an abandoned horse pond my only complaint was it had a 42" bucket as the 48" wasn't available (from the VN importer). I have broken nearly all of the zerk fittings, worn out and burst two hydraulic hoses, and put the loader through pure purgatory and, I'm sure, worked it way past it's design limitations. Other than the above maintenance items, I managed to tear the bucket from loading and removing large 'chunks' of buried concrete chained to the loader. Your product has moaned, groaned and begged for early retirement, yet still works the way it did all those years ago. Never a cracked or broken weld on the arms and cross members, no signs of significant wear, and NO regrets.
If I ever needed another loader I wouldn't hesitate to purchase one from you.
