Used skid loader

[TractorGolf]

Does anyone have any suggestions what to look for when purchasing a used piece of equipment? I am looking for a skid loader to clear my 3 acres and think the skid loader would suit my purposes better than a compact tractor.

Any suggestions as to what to look for would be appreciated.
Thanks
TG

 

[kubmech]

TG, I,m a litle partial to the Case skid steers. They have alot of different models for just about anybody's needs, as far as shopping for a used one. Anything with a quick coupler loader with aux hydraulic hook ups is a plus, you can mount practically anything to the front of these things. When you find something in your price range find a local dealer and check the price with them, if the numbers are close enough for you, spend the money to have one of their mechanics check out the machine, trust me it will be money well spent and most dealers wont have any problem helping you out with your purchase questions and pre-purchase inspection.

 

[art]

I would wonder why you feel that way. I do sell three brands of skid steers, Case,Gehl, and New Holland. I feel that the right compact will do it with no trouble.

 

[rdln]

and when you are done and house is built you can maintain the place with the compact!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Art, I can't speak for TractorGolf, but here's some reasons I have for considering a skid steer over a compact tractor:

1. Size. By the time a get a 5 ft rotary cutter on counterbalanced with a loader on a compact, I've got a 20+ ft rig which I can't turn around in the woods.

2. Skid steer implements are up front where you can see what you're doing.

3. Implements are much easier to attach and detach.

Now we all know the down side of skid steers. Poor ride, tipsy, easier to get stuck in wet areas, definitely no sharp turns on the lawn, expensive hydraulic implements, and they are certainly not lawn mowers.

Actually, I'm replying to this message because I'm looking for help in making a decision between a skid steer and a compact. Hence my recent post about skid steers with tracks. (No replies yet.) Any experience with tracked skid steers, Art? How well do they work and are there problems with the drive train or tire wear?

Also, what do you think about the Bobcat tracked T-190? (OK, it's expensive, but maybe there's a smaller version in the works.) And what about the tracked ASVI RC-30 that seems to have gone completely unnoticed on this board. Here's an extremely compact design with many easily used attachments, including a new 4' rotary cutter. And it would be great in wet areas. I guess the trade-off is ease of use for the RC-30 vs. cheap PTO implements for tractors. Some would say that a 30 hp tractor has much higher work capacity (i.e., loader capacity) than the RC-30, but ease of use, size, and agility should also be factored in.

Anyway, sorry to run on, but I'm trying to make a big, one-time decision here. At least I'd like to narrow it down to the TYPE of machine! I have field mowing, trail maintenance, landscaping, rock and snow removal, and other stuff to do. And I ain't young. Comments welcome!

 

[art]

Let's get started here, only on 97 and up machines are they all the same with the quick coupler and some were not until 98 builds. Skid loaders go through tires in roughly 500 hours some less some more. Tracks of coarse would prolong there life span. The size skid steer you would be looking for should be in the 1300lb range with a break out of 2600 for a minumum anything less would not give you the ability to have to many implements. Price would be a consideration here as many of the attachments would cost far more as they have to be hydraulic drive. The skid steer naturally by it's name skids when turning and more often than not does leave big ruts. The tracks we do sell for in sandy areas to keep them up. Not a cheap thing to buy either but they seem to work good at keeping them up on top. Weights on the front of a compact would also work to keep the front of a compact on the ground if needed and work fine. Skid loader ground speed is limited to 7 mph no matter what you do unless you go up in size to one with the 2 speed gearbox and then you are good to 12mph. Skid loaders are tougher to get in and out of than a compact tractor.