Skid steer purchase?

[radman]

I am looking for a used skid steer. Something near the size of a Bobcat 873. Need minimum of 2000 lb lift. Any suggestions?Mostly bobcat in my area. Few New hollands, cases, cat, JD. Any known problems with bobcat 873 or 864?

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Which controls are you used to? hand, feet, or T bar?

I've heard the NH is the king of lift. But the Bobcat is the best for moving dirt.

I have a JCB and love it to pieces. There's this thing about being able to get in and out while working that is so kewl.

 

[Gatorboy]

Radman,

I've got a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.pbase.com/image/4727246>Bobcat 873</A> and just love it.

You can usually find skid steers on eBay -- here are a few online now:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1871415386>1998 Bobcat 873</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1781573417>2000 Bobcat 863</A>


They are however, usually not that close to where you live.

I see you are in Maryland -- what town do you live in?

 

[ScottAR]

Might try <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.Ironplanet.com/>Ironplanet</A> .
A little safer than Ebay IMO. They are inspected and usually have oil samples taken. They also help with shipping.

 

[Steven]

Nortern Tool sells used Bobcat skids also<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/LLCategoryDisplayView?storeId=6970&langId=-1&catalogId=4006970&PHOTOS=on&TEST=Y&productId=709268&categoryId=0>http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/LLCategoryDisplayView?storeId=6970&langId=-1&catalogId=4006970&PHOTOS=on&TEST=Y&productId=709268&categoryId=0</A>

 

[radman]

I probably don't have a big preference for type of controls. Older bobcats from several years ago are all I have driven - foot control. The newer hand controls (joystick) seem nice but not necessary for me. Precision and control are important to me and lift. I want to be able to move in smooth motions if needed. I have heard some the the older 853 bobcats which had servos with in turn controlled the wheels were jerky. I plan to remove an old dirt/cement silo with it, load seed, prep a pole barn building site, build a water garden pond etc.

 

[radman]

I actually live in Nebraska. Do you have any regrets or problems with you Bobcat 873?

 

[radman]

I have looked at Iron Planet. It always worries me to buy something like this without personally seeing the machine. I have seen 1500 hour skidsteers look horrible and others look nearly new with the same hours. Some people are very hard on their equipment. Iron planet does give a nice overall review of their machines.

 

[jtn]

Try <A target="_blank" HREF=http://usediron.point2.com/Xhtml/Index.html>http://usediron.point2.com/Xhtml/Index.html</A>

You can call and make arrangements to inspect it yourself.

JT

 

[gatractorman]

I used to work for a Bobcat dealer, the problem we saw most with 873's was boom arms that start cracking and broken lift cylinder rods coming from people raising bucket as far as it would go and trying to push trees over with it, it would make the vertical lift arm mechanism try to cam over the wrong way and snap the cylinder rods, the 864 is a hoss of a machine with the tracks it'll push almost as good as a small dozer, but its $4000 every time you blow a drive motor and they were frequent, I got proficent changing 873 boom arms and 864 drive motors, my dream machine is an 863 with the regular lever steering, most 863's were servo controlled steering they work easy but its hard to keep them centered and not creep.