skidloader JD or other

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