</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have a Landscaping Company in North East Iowa.. I currently own a Kubota 4330 with loader and a Rotadairon Soil Renovator on the PTO, a Kubota RTV Utility Vehicle, and a New Holland LS 160 Skid Loader... I am looking for a machine with similar characteristics of the skid loader but with less turf and soil damage. The skid loader weighs in @ about 6,000 lbs with no load. The skidder has tremendous break out forces unlike my Kubota. Economical to run and never a problem. I am looking to carry small to medium boulders for pond and waterfall construction, hauling gravel for stamped concrete walks and patios and anything else for going across delicate surfaces. I'm trying to make my life easire and that of my employees... I'd rather invest in more equipment and pay my guys more than hire more people. I am an equipment freak and love what PT has to offer but I am unsure of the long term quality that PT is selling. Will it last 10 years??? I am also not sold on the Deutz Diesel. I have never had a problem with any diesel engine. I replaced a dump truck last year with 260,000 miles - still ran great - the New Holland has over 2,000 hrs on it - and it gets the crap beat out of it - does the work of a machine twice its size. Should I opt for the bigger Diesels - 30, 45, 60 - or stick with a 425. )</font>
ATOZ,
In addition to articulated units, also consider the machines with four-wheel steering /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif when stability and minimizing turf damage are key. Look at the Bobcat Toolcat 5600 work machine, the Bobcat A300 loader, and the Gehl 280/480/680 all-wheel-steer loaders.
I demoed Charlie Iliff's PT 1845, and it had lots to offer, but it may not have the lift capabilities and breakout force you seek, although heavier (but maybe too heavy) PT 1460/1445 would. The PT 1850 was also a finalist for me, but I purchased the Bobcat Toolcat 5600 Turbo with 56hp Kubota engine, 4-wheel steering, axle oscillation, 2-seat cab with HVAC, etc. Toolcats aim to have the performance characteristics of traditional SSLs when it comes to lift arm ROC and breakout force (esp. on new C-series). They also also performs tasks of utility vehicles, versatile attachment carriers and PU trucks in a turf-friendly manner, with better slope abilities than traditional SSLs or CUTs (but less than PT slope mowers!).
Take a look at the TBN Toolcat forum for details, including my mostly positive experiences. It sure would make you and your employee's lives easier and more comfortable. Since you expressed a preference to stay smaller if lift and breakout force capabilities permit, the A300 and the Gehl 80-series all-wheel-steer loaders may be larger and heavier than you want. (And note a smaller Toolcat model than the existing 5600 is not yet announced publicly by Bobcat but is expected later in 2006. But never count on products until manuf. actually delivers. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)
You'll find what makes sense for your needs if you continue to consider all possibilities, including PTs and Toolcats! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
BTW, this Toolcat owner still finds plenty of great info in the TBN Power Trac forum for all of us with tight-turning, oscillating, front-mounted attachment carriers! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
