Need help: Buy skid steer or not

[jamtuc]

Thanks for all the replies. Eddie I already have a B1700 with an FEL and was looking at a skid steer for cleaning out the barn, moving some hay, and a little more digging power.
As for the price he is asking me 2500 and will let me make payments to him.

The things that concerned me was:
We dont know what year it is or how many hours it has on it.
I do not know if installing Aux hydraulics is a big task.
Availability of parts.
I know it does have a hydraulic cylinder leaking.
Needs paint.
Needs Tires.

I know I would rather have a newer bigger machine. I appreciate all the comments and views. Any information you have on this machine is appreciated.

 

[EddieWalker]

Babcat is a pretty big name and what I always end up renting when I need a skid steer. I've only run diesel's, and never knew about a gas model.

I think the first thing you need to do is go to the dealer and ask about parts for it. The price and payment schedule is really nice. Maybe nice enough to overcome the engine.

Leaking hydraulic cylinders mean you need to replace the seals. The first time you do it, you struggle, but then it's pretty simple after that.

Adding additional hydraulics is like anything else, you just need to find the right parts and spend the time doing it. Your application is probably unique because of the engine, but again, that would be something I'd ask the dealer about. Might be that it's been done before on that model machine.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[jenkinsph]

I think it would be wise to consider what Eddie mentions, and in essence add up the total costs for the machine and improvements needed. Then compare this total cost with other newer better machines. I would wan't to know more about condition of the drives, chains and other wear parts too. It is very easy to pump money and parts in an old machine but it is hard to get that money out in added value. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. One other problem I see is you have already mentioned you wanted something else (better) to start with. I don't mind having older equipment or restoring something as long as the finished result is something I really wan't to keep.

 

[vettemanwight]

If you can get it for $2500 and it starts , runs works and drives well and tires are good I dont think you can get hurt. I would say if this is the condition of it with a coat of paint you could get $3500 to $4000 for it .

 

[OrangeGuy]

I have an early '60s Bobcat 444. Parts have never been a problem. The 610 is 10 to 20 years newer and is/was a great machine for its era. All 610s had auxiliary hydraulics as standard equipment. Look to the right rear (top) of the engine. There are two hydraulic lines coming out of the machine. Most are capped. All you have to do is add boom lines if you want auxiliary hydraulics to the front. The middle pedal operates the auxiliary. GPM was about 10. $2500 is a good price if all works well. 610 should have the Bobtach (quick attach) bucket system. Make sure it has a ROPS cab.

OrangeGuy

 

[RobertN]

Eddie,

What skidsteer did you use?

I have used a small Bobcat with the 36" bucket; it would out load and out dig my Kubota with a 48" bucket hands down. Probably 2:1. When I used the 56hp larger machine, well, there was no comparison.

Skidsteers and CTL's don't have a PTO; everything is hydraulic. You can get mowers for them, and a myriad other attachments. Kind of like the articulated tractor MossRoad has.

Your right, they can be tough on lawns. They tend to be heavier than CUT's. I would not use one to mow a lawn with, except maybe that ASV RC30. On delicate stuff, you have to make multi-point turns...

There is one other thing I like about the skidsteer/Compact Track Loader platform; I can rent attachments from multiple places in the local area. Can't do that with a CUT. At least not around the greater Sacramento area.

If you are wanting a tractor for using around your land, I'd get a compact farm tractor over a skid steer. While the skid steers have their place, they really suck to spend the day in, they don't have a PTO to mow with and they have such small buckets that there's no real advantage to them. Then there is the damage that they do to the lawns!!!!

Eddie

 

[GE222]

If the machine is in descent shape and runs good, the price sound like a pretty fair deal. Sure bigger and newer machines are nicer, but they also cost a lot more. If you don't have a specific purpose for this machine, it sounds like a good fit.

If the Wisconsin engine runs good, the only drawback I see is the fuel consumption.