T650 vs T870

[nch77]

I'm looking into buying a newer Bobcat CTL, the two I'm looking at now are a 2011 T870 and a 2012 T650. The main thing I'll be doing is dirt work, leveling and digging. Might do some mowing but not much planned since I have a few bush hogs and two tractors. Both have joystick controls, ~2000 hours and new tracks. The T650 will be easier to transport but I'm not sure it will have the power to push through dirt piles and roots that the 870 will have. How much difference is there in power between these machines and is there any other reason to prefer one over the other?

 

[nch77]

Went to look at both, the T870 is in great shape but the T650 is a little rough, decent amount of side movement in the lift arms. Also the quick-change is shot and needs to be replaced.

 

[Xfaxman]

We need pictures of the T870 when you get it, please.

 

[nch77]

Picked up the T870, it's a beast.

We need pictures of the T870 when you get it, please.

 

[Xfaxman]

Thanks for the pictures, it looks like a real workhorse!

 

[laurencen]

did this machine have weights bolted to the motor cover at one time

 

[ruffdog]

did this machine have weights bolted to the motor cover at one time

I'm wondering if that is blocked off for cold weather operation?

 

[ruffdog]

Here is a good DIY youtube site for doing repairs on Bobcats:

https://www.youtube.com/user/bradybsw/videos

 

[amhicks21]

You made the right choice. We have a s650 and a wide track t650 at work and I hate both of them. Ive been telling my boss to trade the t650 for an t870 ever since he got it. My daily is a t590 so I dont have to suffer with them too often but I still don't like em.

 

[nch77]

I'm wondering if that is blocked off for cold weather operation?

It has a forestry package on it, cylinders have the guards on them, I assume the plate is to provide additional protection. Been using it the last two days, its a beast.

 

[4570Man]

You made the right choice. We have a s650 and a wide track t650 at work and I hate both of them. Ive been telling my boss to trade the t650 for an t870 ever since he got it. My daily is a t590 so I dont have to suffer with them too often but I still don't like em.

I love my Kubota SVL-75-2 skid steer. I’ve ran the bigger 95 and 97. The 97 cost like 12k more. The 97 has a more complex emissions system which gives a lot more problems. The 97 is above the capacity of 14k trailers. You can probably skirt by needing a CDL with a 75 on a 14k but a 97 on a 20k definitely needs a CDL. And a 97 won’t even outwork a 75 by as much as you’d think. IMO if a 75 skid steer isn’t doing the job it’s time to put a dozer on the job. My biggest size requirement when I was machine shopping was the ability to load and unload 3600 pound plywood bundles without cutting the straps and pulling off a few sheets. The 75 meets that goal and even exceeded my expectations by unloading 4400 pound pallets of shingles and stone.

 

[amhicks21]

I love my Kubota SVL-75-2 skid steer. I’ve ran the bigger 95 and 97. The 97 cost like 12k more. The 97 has a more complex emissions system which gives a lot more problems. The 97 is above the capacity of 14k trailers. You can probably skirt by needing a CDL with a 75 on a 14k but a 97 on a 20k definitely needs a CDL. And a 97 won’t even outwork a 75 by as much as you’d think. IMO if a 75 skid steer isn’t doing the job it’s time to put a dozer on the job. My biggest size requirement when I was machine shopping was the ability to load and unload 3600 pound plywood bundles without cutting the straps and pulling off a few sheets. The 75 meets that goal and even exceeded my expectations by unloading 4400 pound pallets of shingles and stone.

I'd love to try a Kubota CTL but our local dealers are terrible. The only reason we have Kubota tractors still is because I love the L6060. The Bobcat dealer on the other hand has always been great so we stick with em for the skidsteers. I drive a 33k or bigger truck anyway so im not too worried about the weight other than im lazy and really like my 14k tilt decks for the lack of ramps but I want a big skid mainly because I finish grade behind some really half assed excavators and end up having to move half the yard around to make it right. The t590 gets the job done but a big machine would be quicker sometimes. The t650 on the other hand just whines at ya and acts like you're killing it.

 

[nch77]

Picked up a grapple, heaviest one I've ever seen.

 

[Xfaxman]

How wide is it?

Xtreme Duty Root Grapple

www.constructionattachmentsinc.com

 

[nch77]

84" I wanted one that was as wide as the tracks

 

[nch77]

I love my Kubota SVL-75-2 skid steer. I’ve ran the bigger 95 and 97. The 97 cost like 12k more. The 97 has a more complex emissions system which gives a lot more problems. The 97 is above the capacity of 14k trailers. You can probably skirt by needing a CDL with a 75 on a 14k but a 97 on a 20k definitely needs a CDL. And a 97 won’t even outwork a 75 by as much as you’d think. IMO if a 75 skid steer isn’t doing the job it’s time to put a dozer on the job. My biggest size requirement when I was machine shopping was the ability to load and unload 3600 pound plywood bundles without cutting the straps and pulling off a few sheets. The 75 meets that goal and even exceeded my expectations by unloading 4400 pound pallets of shingles and stone.

I really like my T870 for capacity but the biggest issue is I can't move it. I have a F350 with 26k plates but I can't go over a 16k gvwr trailer or I'd need a CDL. And since I wouldn't need to move it much I don't think a CDL is worth it.