Same old GreenHorn Question!

DrewL · Jan 24, 2006

Skid steer's have come a long ways with attachment availability. They now make available for a skid steer what was available for CUT for years HOWEVER, price some of those attachments. Compare the pricing for a brush mower for a 30HP tractor $600-$1,500 depending on make/model. Price a brush mower for, let's say, a 763 Bobcat. It is in the $4,000 range. Because they are hydraulicly driven these implements are pricey, good but pricey. With that said, look at the name of these machines..............skid steer

Skid steers are a very capable machine. When a skid steer is mismatched to the task just like a CUT can be mismatched to the task, it can be similar to using a roller when you need a paint gun

755inNY · Jan 24, 2006

<font color="blue"> Whether a long time is 10, 15, or 20 years, the resale value after that time isn't going to amount to much in relation to the original purchase price anyway.
</font>

I'm not sure I agree with that. The resale value of my 16 year old JD 755 was 70 to 75% of what I paid for it new.

Jeff

Passionfortrees · Jan 24, 2006

It has definately been considered choosing a skid steer, but in myline of work I am in peoples yards all the time and can see the damage to everysingle persons yard from a SKID steer! So they are out of the question, need to be ground friendly. I demo ed a toro dingo, and vermeer compact skid steer , real nice but too much skidding even when being careful just not the right machine for the Job. And Resale value now it might not be the primary importance in my tractor choice but I would be foolish not to consider all angles when spending 15000. or more right! So I am looking at used JD-990 or Used NewHollandTC-35 for the same money and lesser machine New Montana 2740 I thing should be enough machine and have room to upgrade to backhoe , York rake, Pole auger, etc. again thanks for all the replys. they all count.

DrewL · Jan 24, 2006

Dingo's serve a purpose as well . Again, match a Dingo to bigger job and it is mismatched. Rent and use different machines and you'll know what you need to make your business grow

PapaPerk · Jan 24, 2006

Hey Passion....

So in all honesty I think you need a Kubota. Specfically the Grand L30 series. Any of them will work for your application. There is guy on here that has a tree business too. He has a grapple on his loader. Also for your work I would get a hydro. Even the 3130 would work well for you. Especially with the LA723 loader. Just make sure the tractor is ballasted properly. Too me there is no other option in small tractor manufactures. Kubota is king when it comes to 50 hp or less tractors. The quality of a $50,000 machine is built into there $14,000 machines. In fact alot of parts are the same. Especially in the controls department. The only other option in my opinion is John Deere. But I feel they are built cheaply compared to Kubota. Too bad. I hope Deere can develop some new models to boost quality levels. Anyway...try the Kubota...check it out...I think you will like it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RedRocker · Jan 25, 2006

ASV makes a tracked skid steer with turf tracks, they have video using it on golf courses with no damage. It would be worth checking out before you buy. ASV

JerryG · Jan 25, 2006

If you are in business and depend on your equipment to make your living, I would say to look at the dealers in your area first. Made sure which ones have the best service, which one is backed by over night parts support, which one has a service manager that will work with you if or when you have a break down. Depending on your equipment for a living is a lot different than having it for a hobby.

Passionfortrees · Jan 25, 2006

Thanks for all the reply's, I have some great advice now especially about dealers support, service , parts etc. Warranty and with this in mind I feel more comfortable buying any of them, As far as tractor loaders go. On the other side of machines Skid steer with tracks on gulf course, I would have to see that to beleive it.And then what kind of money for such a superior machine? Anyone have a good reason for me to possibly stay away from the Montana 2740? for what I will be using it for lifting wood into truck and trailer, grading yard moving split firewood, loading mainly? All ears.

RedRocker · Jan 25, 2006

Feel free to click on that ASV link and watch the video. I believe they have one of the turf tread on a golf course.
The ASV30/Polaris runs from 16K to 20K. As a matter of fact there's one for sale in the Classifieds for 15,500.

CT_Tree_Guy · Jan 25, 2006

Hi Rich -

Hey, a couple of people messaged me and suggested I give you my $.02 worth on a machine to help you in your tree work. I sent you a message this morning with a little info and my phone numbers - I'd be happy to give you some help.

I'm really pleased with my setup - I included a link to this thread - 5030 "skidder" pics - the "tree-bota" in action - in my message. It shows my 5030, set up with a Bradco brush grapple on the front, and an Implemax 4836RW grapple/winch on the back. Check it out if you get a chance, and feel free to call me.

I'm pretty much thinking that a CUT is probably your best bet. Most of the tree guys around here use tractors; some use skidsteers (I don't recommend that route, tracks or no), and at least one guy uses an ASV, which does have its advantages (very light "footprint"). I still think a CUT might be your best bet, simply due to the fact that you can carry things in the front and back, and that really speeds things up. With nice wide turf tires, you'll do VERY little damage to all but the softest lawns, and they're very good in the snow (especially with chains), and not bad at all in soggy conditions, or even in the woods.

I would definitely, absolutely, positively get a hydro tranny, and the biggest tractor you can manage financially. You're going to need a lot of loader capacity, as well as 3PH lift. That lead me directly to the 5030. I just think Kubota hydros are impossible to beat, and I don't know of a loader stronger than the 853 that you can get on a hydro CUT. I do like the JD Twenty series, but I believe the 5030 has a little more lifting power front and rear than the 4720, and it's a very simple, rugged machine.

If you end up with a CUT, consider a Bradco brush grapple for the front, and maybe a Beaver Squeezer grapple for the rear. I think you're going to want to be able to pick logs right up off the ground for residential tree work, as opposed to dragging/skidding them. Some guys use forks on the front loader, but that never really made much sense to me; it's just really nice to be able to grab stuff with a grapple.

Good luck, and feel free to ask me any questions you might have,

John