skidloader JD or other

zipp669 · Jan 10, 2005

I am looking at a new skid steer.
I currently have a 90xt Case which is just a brute. I love it. Got in August.

The other is a 2060 mustang t bar. Got in Oct 2000. It was OK till I got the Case. Now it sits unless needed or just when 2 are running.

Want a new 90xt but the case dealer here in Iowa cannot get a new one and do not want used or an 85xt.
I also hate to lay all the eggs in one basket.
Need diversity in machines for different tasks. also weight as the Case weighs 9000lbs.
Hav e been looking seriously at a 250 Bobcat which the one I wanted did not have 2 speed & that is required.
The dealer also sells JD as is a JD tractor dealer .
Since they have JD skids he asks if I would try a JD skid.
I did try a 260 out last july and thought it was terrible. Could not see the bucket edges.
Could not get in & out at all. Was terrible.
So I am going to try a 325 or 328.
My salesman asked me how much it would take to get me into a JD instead of a Bobcat(which I do not mind). I advised a few thousand less for the same machine/
those who have them, let me know please.
I dont need to here try gehl, NH, Mustang or others. LOL
I am done with mustang.
I just want to know how they improved the 300 JDs over the 200's.
I like to give all machines a chance.
My salesman is not pushy.
I have bought a 4100 jd, a 5205jd, a 4500jd & a 4720jd from him plus numerous 3pt attatchments so he knows his limits with me. I also buy straw from him & followed him to another JD dealer after he left the one in the town I live in.
I have also considered leasing a JD skid if I got one so I did not have to worry about resale if I hated it. Just make it easier to get out from under in the end.
I do not have to run it. I just can tell my guys to run it & stay out of the case. that way I wont go over lease hours. I really do not have to like it myself but would not want to buy if bad.

Please, any input you other users & knowledgable guys can give me would be great.

BobcatBoy · Jan 10, 2005

zipp669:
As a Bobcat dealer I would be a bit jaded if I offered you my opinion, but I can tell you what I would sell against if one of my customers were looking at the JD 325-
1.) Machine weight
2.) Cooling system (specifically, cooling path)
3.) Loader arm deflection
4.) Fuel efficiency (I am guessing the 4 cyl is more efficient)
5.) American vs. foreign made.

You might also check the prices on common maintenance items and replacement parts for both.

Since your dealer sells both machines, ask him for a side-by-side demo before making your decision.

The Bobcat 250 is available w/ 2-speed as a factory installed option, so if you go that way have the dealer factory order you one. Delivery on factory ordered machines should be no more than 3-4 weeks.

BCB

zipp669 · Jan 10, 2005

Thanks for your reply.
JD is a 5 cylinder engine.
I am going to look at them side by side. Only thing is there Bobcat is not a 2 speed.
he stated he would order one but wants me to try a JD.
That is why I am debating this now.
jim

Tigerotor77W · Jan 11, 2005

Replied to you in a PM, Bobcatboy.

RobertN · Jan 13, 2005

I would offer this to you from my limited expierience. Look at the tracked units. I have used various skidsteers(Bobcat S185, S150, 463), and also the ASV-RC30 and CAT-247 tracked units.

I do not understand why people buy skidsteers anymore... The tracked units are so nice! There may be some times on hard surfaces where the skidsteer works better, but it is probably marginal. The track-loader works great on hills, off angles ect that a skidsteer would not work on.

I have a skidsteer, Bobcat S185, sitting in the shed right now(It is a buddies, but I have full use of it for home and business). I can not use it after all the rain we have had.

I would not hessitate though, to jump right in a tracked unit. I have used them in wet conditions that would have left a skidsteer easily stuck. The S185 is similar size/weight/HP to the Cat-247. The CAT-247 worked well, left marginal dimples in saturated turf, and worked in the mud.

This is not a dig against the Bobcat or a pro for the CAT; both companies offer fine skid steers and tracked units. Other companies offer similar units. I have used skidsteers, and they worked fine in dry conditions.

I would look twice at the tracked unit before getting a skidsteer.

Dutch445 · Jan 13, 2005

Definately get on both machines and see what differences you notice. We've always been sold on the stability, visibility and serviceability of the Deere's. I haven't heard the argument about "deflection" before.
If you can get them together, that's a great way to see how they feel... the 2 speed isn't really needed just to demo.
Other than the visibility, what else didn't you like about the 260 Deere?

Tigerotor77W · Jan 13, 2005

People buy skid steers still because in certain conditions, they are simply more cost-effective. Granted if you work in muddy conditions or if you get high annual preciptation tracks are better, but suppose you work in Arizona's desert. There's no need to buy a tracked unit for use in mud because there simply isn't enough to warrant it. If you do hillside work, that's another story. But asphalt contractors, especially, will hate tracks because they'll burn through a pair in 500 hours but spend 4x the money to replace them (compared to wheels).

Tigerotor77W · Jan 13, 2005

( Definately get on both machines and see what differences you notice. We've always been sold on the stability, visibility and serviceability of the Deere's. I haven't heard the argument about "deflection" before.
If you can get them together, that's a great way to see how they feel... the 2 speed isn't really needed just to demo.
Other than the visibility, what else didn't you like about the 260 Deere?)

Every company will argue for its own servicability. NH even argues that its is better than Deere's. /shrugs Who knows.

Deflection -- you'll never hear about it from Deere and NH, or even Bobcat very much, but it's there to a significant amount, especially with the NH machines. The Deere and NH boom arms are located essentially in two places on each side of the machine (three counting the rear piece mounted to the top of the cab). Therefore, the loader arms are prone to torquing about that point. The lift cylinder mount is so close to the lift arm mount that it can be considered one section (especially on the Deere); that's a LOT of potential twisting. There's a reason there are wear strips on the sides of the NH cab.

Kub0ta · Jan 13, 2005

The Bobcat 4cyl isnt very fuel effcient at all. The 3cyl New Holland is. I love the New Holland LS 170 because of the longer wheelbase, therefor less chance of flipping.

jlazaro317 · Jan 13, 2005

I'll argue a little bit. I own 2 Bobcats, a T190 and an 843. I would only recommend tracks if your work is primarily offroad. 9 times out of 10 I'll grab the T190 if I'm working offroad (It's more stable, smoother ride, and simply outperforms in the dirt). But on pavement, I'll grab the 843 9 times out of 10 for the same reasons listed above.
Both machines have their place and application. Also if you are always offroad steel tracks are an option. I just went rubber because I always cross or travel on pavement.
My 2 cents.

wroughtn_harv · Jan 15, 2005

If the thought of flipping scares you don't ever come to watch me on my JCB 165 HF.

The short tight wheelbase guarantees a bouncey ride but fantastic turns. When I'm moving material from one point to another I'll lift the boom about five feet off the ground and to the dump. That throws the machine back on her back wheels. While it's on the back two wheels I'll do my one eighty and be heading back the other direction by the time the front wheels come back to tierra firma. It's easier on the tires, and great for the heart.

I love my JCB. Mostly because of the door. I work by myself and there are lots of times when I have to exit the tractor to work and then get back in. Like when I'm drilling post holes. I use a one foot auger and my holes are a minimum of three to three and a half feet deep.

I'll drill it down. Climb out of the tractor and using a concrete hoe I'll pull the tailings away so they won't fall back in when I extract. I'll get back in and then extract the auger, spin it clean, and move to the next hole.

I also use the tractor as a helper when welding up things. And I'm not going to crawl undereath something to get out of the tractor. So the door is very important to me.

I have Case or hand controls. I like them a lot better than foot controls. Especially near the end of a long day. I don't care much for the joy sticks though.

I don't know what they've done. But I do believe the Cats get more power to the ground than any other machine I've used. It doesn't seem possible, same sized tires and bucket, but the Cat just seems to push farther harder before it spins to a stop.

The closest thing to having the fun I have with my JCB is with a Bobcat 953. It's just taller. But just as much fun to manuever around.

RobertN · Jan 16, 2005

All my work, except a few hours, has been in dirt and/or wet conditions. I would agree with your assessment /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Most folks I know that run equipment work off-road.

Tigerotor77W · Jan 17, 2005

Was the original poster able to make a decision? Or does he need more input?

zipp669 · Jan 21, 2005

I am still debating.
Have made a decision that I will not be buying a JD.
Also no Gehl or New Holland.
Probably a Bobcat S220 now as would rather have the old style instead of new. such as the old has less grease points and moving parts.

hAVE TILL EO jAN to say go on the Bobcat or price goes up 3 to 5 %, about $1500.

thanks for all your input and keep giving it.
May try a cat or attemp another go with Case.

I am getting a great buy price and a great trade in price on my 2060 Mustang

Thanks
Jim

jlazaro317 · Jan 21, 2005

You won't go wrong with the Bobcat. I own Case, Cat, Bobcat, and Kubota equipment and for skidsteers I prefer the Bobcats. Case for Backhoes and dozers, Cat for Dozers, and Kubota for tractors.
Good Luck.

coopers · Jan 22, 2005

I'm HATE skidsteers with a passion, I think they suck. BUT, of the two brands our rental company carries, Gehl is the worst. Bobcat is very nice (if that's possible for me to even say). You can't see worth a crap outside a gehl, it's a pain to load onto a trailer, and the things are super super touchy in the steering controls. Not cool machines, but that's a skidsteer.

Blake
WA

wroughtn_harv · Jan 22, 2005

To each his own.

But for doing work my skid steer is like extensions of my hands. The JCB has the least obstructed view and I really appreciate that.

I'll operating a New Holland backhoe this afternoon and tomorrow clearing tree stumps. But only because it'd take ten times as long to do it with my skid steer. It's not about heart you understand, just braun.

DK35vince · Jan 22, 2005

( I'm HATE skidsteers with a passion, I think they suck. )

I'm the opposite. I run mostly Case 1845c skidsteers at work nearly every day (9 months out of the year for a paving co.) and I'm amazed at the amount of work I can do with such a small machine and the amount of abuse they can withstand.
I do hate foot controls, hand controls are far, far better for final grade work.. (my opinion)

40Kchicks · Jan 24, 2005

Harv,

 my skid steer is like extensions of my hands

I describe my skid steer controls the same. I really have to think about what movements do what because it’s so automatic.

I always say how much I love my CAT skid steer. My brother just bought 5 acres about 5 miles from my farm. It was really over grown. He took my CAT with the tracks and bucket worked on the property for a day. I'm telling you it doesn't look like the same place. I'm amazed what these machines will do.

Eric