TC vs SS vs CTL

[Redfox]

I just bought 32 acres of mountain land in western NC. I have a JD 4110 tractor, but I think it is poorly suited for what i need on the property. At first I thought a Polaris or BC 2300 would be what I need to help maintain the property, but then I found out about the TC. To me it seems as if a TC is a very good solution.

This weekend I went to look at UTVs and the TC. The Bobcat dealer / rental place didn't have TC on site. He said there were two at another site that I could see. While we were chatting he said I should consider a CTL because it was better suited for the tasks that I would need such as tree / stump removal, trail maintenance, tree skidding, and it would be more stable on the slopes and in wet soil. He also said that used T250s and T300s were easy to come by, and he could likely find one in good shape, with moderate hours for around $20K. He also said that although the maintenance cost of CTLs begins to rise after 2000 hours that it would be highly unlikely that I would clock any significant hours, and the cost would be OK.

Is he telling me the truth is is he just selling me BS trying to make a sale?
Any comments on a TC versus a CTL or even a wheeled skid steer?

 

[Barnbuilder]

I have a A300 with steel tracks. IT will do about anything you want. I think the nce thing about a TC would be the ability to have two people in the cab and also the dump bed to haul things. But it wouldn't be as efficient as a SS or CTL.

 

[Spudgunner]

This winter during snow removal season I used both my Toolcat and a "loaner" A300 when my Toolcat was off being repaired. The power and weight of the A300 were GREAT, but when it comes to comfort, the skid couldn't even start to compete. I did a couple 20-hour days this year and there was NO WAY I could have done that with the SS. YMMV...especially depending on your age.

 

[radman1]

I believe your salesman is telling you the truth. A used T250 or T300 will be cheaper, have better traction, take more abuse and have more lift than the TC. However, it won't have the dump bed, can't carry 2 people, much rougher riding, can't go as fast and will tear up turf more.

It will be tough finding a T250 or T300 for 20K unless it has a fair number of hours (greater than 2000 hours) and then the tracks/rollers will be likely need replacing if it hasn't been done. A mid sized CTL such as a T190 may be found for 20K and not as big as the large frame CTL. Many say the tracks/rollers on a Bobcat will last longer and cheaper to replace than many other brands. A used TC D series can probably be found for 30K but they are not near as common as a CTL or SS.

It really depends on your needs. Since you considered a Polaris or BC2300, the TC may be a better fit. A CTL or SS is more limited in its versitility. If you are considering 3pt attachments, the TC 5610 is fantastic IMHO.

 

[radman1]

I have a A300 with steel tracks. IT will do about anything you want. I think the nce thing about a TC would be the ability to have two people in the cab and also the dump bed to haul things. But it wouldn't be as efficient as a SS or CTL.

Why the steel tracks on the A300? Defeats the purpose of wheel steering. Do you remove them as needed?

 

[Redfox]

I believe your salesman is telling you the truth. A used T250 or T300 will be cheaper, have better traction, take more abuse and have more lift than the TC. However, it won't have the dump bed, can't carry 2 people, much rougher riding, can't go as fast and will tear up turf more.

It seems that I would end up needing a small UTV to tool around the property if I bought a CTL.

It will be tough finding a T250 or T300 for 20K unless it has a fair number of hours (greater than 2000 hours) and then the tracks/rollers will be likely need replacing if it hasn't been done. A mid sized CTL such as a T190 may be found for 20K and not as big as the large frame CTL. Many say the tracks/rollers on a Bobcat will last longer and cheaper to replace than many other brands. A used TC D series can probably be found for 30K but they are not near as common as a CTL or SS.

I think the market is sift for used CTL right now. He has 2 T250s with open cabs and ~1700 hours that he's asking ~21K. He said a new cab would be $2500. He's never had a used series D.

It really depends on your needs. Since you considered a Polaris or BC2300, the TC may be a better fit. A CTL or SS is more limited in its versitility. If you are considering 3pt attachments, the TC 5610 is fantastic IMHO.

I'm trying to sort that out my self. Some of the property is fairly steep. It's in Southern NC and only 1400' elev, has a paved drive, and rarely snows. So I don't think snow removal is a concern.The vast majority of the property is unmaintained forest. I inherited a guy that was doing the maintenance while the property was vacated. He thinks I should clean it up. Walking along the drive he pointed to a number of invasive trees that should be removed. Additionally there acres of brier / underbrush that should be removed, numerous fallen trees , overgrown trails. etc. What I think I need is something that will handle a reasonable sized flail mower, a tree sheer, definitely a reasonably sized grapple. It needs to be stable on slopes and not get stuck where water collects.

 

[radman1]

I think the market is sift for used CTL right now. He has 2 T250s with open cabs and ~1700 hours that he's asking ~21K. He said a new cab would be $2500. He's never had a used series D.
QUOTE]
The reason he can sell them for 21K, is they are getting close to number of hours that may require new tracks/roller. May cost you 8-10K more to replace them. If one roller is bad, you need to replace all of them or the next one will fail. Also how old are these T250's? What condition? What options? For that price, I would guess several years old. A S250 in good shape with 1700 hours will cost about 20K. A CTL with marginal or poor undercarriage will have poor resale unless someone takes a risk.

For most of the tasks you listed, the TC should be able to do it. Digging out brush or trees maybe too much for the TC, but then again, it is too much for most SS or CTLs. If you have lots of bigger trees or brush, just hire a dozer or if smaller trees, a mulcher. They can do it well and really not too expensive. Use the TC for clean up and maintenance.

 

[Redfox]

The reason he can sell them for 21K, is they are getting close to number of hours that may require new tracks/roller. May cost you 8-10K more to replace them. If one roller is bad, you need to replace all of them or the next one will fail. Also how old are these T250's? What condition? What options? For that price, I would guess several years old. A S250 in good shape with 1700 hours will cost about 20K. A CTL with marginal or poor undercarriage will have poor resale unless someone takes a risk.

Thank you. That helps a lot.

For most of the tasks you listed, the TC should be able to do it. Digging out brush or trees maybe too much for the TC, but then again, it is too much for most SS or CTLs. If you have lots of bigger trees or brush, just hire a dozer or if smaller trees, a mulcher. They can do it well and really not too expensive. Use the TC for clean up and maintenance.

Sounds like good advice. I think a TC may be in my future. Hopefully I can find a used, low hour TC in good shape.