Renting Skidsteer T190, T250, T300 ???

[hunterridgefarm]

I should be moving into the new house in a couple of weeks. I have a large pile of dirt I need to move, see attached photo. The pile is about as deep as it is wide and has a lot of rock in it.

I need a few loads around the house to finish sloping away from the foundation. The rest will be moved to different areas around the house with the longest distance being 250' away. I want to level the area where the dirt pile is now. If you look at the pic most of the leaveling will be done behind the pile with some in the front toward the back of the house. I will leave a small amount of dirt piled up to fill behind a couple of retaining walls.

I have a Kubota 3130 with FEL but moving this much dirt in a short period of time would be a lot easier with a skidsteer.

I can rent the following: Track Machines, Bobcat: 1 day = 8 hours

T190 $225 per day plus tax, $675 for 5 days 40 hrs.

T250 $300 per day plus tax, $900 for 5 days 40 hrs

T300 $325 per day plus tax, $975 for 5 days 40 hrs.

Unless I can get more time off I will only use it for two days, so $450 for T190 vs $600 or $650 for the other two.

Question being is the T300 worth $200 more for two days of work?

No more than I'm doing I don't see that it would be that more productive. Maybe a slightly bigger bucket and more horse...?

Another question is I would like to get the 4n1 bucket but they don't have one at this time, so I was thinking about a grapple bucket since there is some brush I need to move if I get finished with the dirt pile. Most of the grapple buckets I have seen do not have as big a sides as the dirt bucket.

So how would a grapple bucket compare to a dirt bucket...for moving dirt?

The grapple could help hole the dirt and rock but will it be as productive as the dirt bucket?

One option would be use the grapple bucket to move what dirt I could and the brush then use the bota to finish moving the dirt later.

Kind of long post but I have never used a skidsteer. And I would like to get this done in the next 2-3 weeks depending on weather.

Thanks
David

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Anybody????

 

[SCOOBY14B]

I personally think that the 190 would be sufficient. I've never run the 300, but that is very manageable in 2 days with the 190.

Of course I'm a cheapskate, and I would just use my tractor (if I had one).

 

[radman1]

I put in my 3 cents. I have a Bobcat S300 and previously had an 873. The T250 and T300 are basically the same machine with more rear end weight in the T300 for more lift. Your dirt pile looks like loose material and should be relatively easy to scoop and move - your not digging virgin ground which is much more time consuming. Forget the T300 - not needed. If your ground is dry, the track models are probably not needed unless compaction is a significant issue. Standard skidsteer will be cheaper to rent than tracked model.
If most of the moving requires some distance, consider a 2 speed model if available. Can travel about 2X faster if ground is smooth. Only use the 2 speed for traveling, not for digging.
Where I live, I can rent a machine at closing time on Sat (which is noon) and return it late Sunday or at opening time on Monday and only be charged 1 day of rental. Get almost 2 days for price of one. Can also pick up at closing time during weekday and return next day at closing time. If you can do a single long day of work, consider that route. If want to do it in a long day, go with the bigger unit and get a larger bucket such as an 84" (get the larger bucket no matter what you do with the bigger skidsteer). If you can't finish in one day, then just rent it again for another day or use the Kubota 3140 for the rest. I would not rent for a week unless you want to take your time and have multiple projects to do. If you are going to rent for a week or at least 2 days, take the cheaper 190 instead of the 250. The 190 can do it with the loose dirt and if you keep moving/working.
The grapple bucket can move the dirt but I would guess will probably hold about 1/4 less material with the more open sides. The grapple won't have any real effect on holding dirt in the bucket. It would take a really big rock to not stay in a regular bucket. You might consider renting the grapple bucket in addition to a regular bucket. My guess is that the extra bucket may not be too expensive.
Learning curve on a skidsteer is relatively fast if your just moving loose dirt. You will become fairly adept at in a few hours. Skidsteers are durable machines compared to a CUT. Don't baby it .(especially if a rental )

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Thanks guys. I was hoping the 190 would be sufficient. If I rent it will most likely be for 2 days since there are some other projects I could use it on.

However after posting this thread and talking to my dealer about the rental I spoke with the guy who will be grading my drive and putting in ditches for water runoff. He said he should have time to knock the pile of dirt down so depending on how much he can do I may end up using the Kubota to finish it out. If not I'll get the T190.

 

[Johndeere3720]

Three words, Get the T190.
I do prefer Deere though.
Good luck!
So much for three words.

 

[GreenWannabe]

Hopefully, he finished the job more than a year ago. The last post was Feb. 7, 2008.

 

[sd455dan]

Şahsen ben bobcat t190 'ın Düşünce Düşünce, İyi şanslar

Over a decade old thread. That pile of dirt could have been moved with a kid sized shovel by now.

Hopefully, he finished the job more than a year ago. The last post was Feb. 7, 2008.

 

[old and tired]

Şahsen ben bobcat t190 'ın Düşünce Düşünce, İyi şanslar

That there my friend is what we call Spam-Bot.... Reported...

 

[Industrial Toys]

Skid steers are not exactly high volume movers of material. A small wheel loader is in it's element for moving material.