What is the best "new" skid steer?

ScottAR · May 1, 2003

Re: What is the best \"new\" skid steer?

If your a patient sort, you might watch ironplanet and see what you can find. Cat financial auctions all their used equipment on there.

JDWY · Mar 6, 2019

Re: What is the best "new" skid steer?

I pull it around with a 20ft gooseneck trailer hooked to my F350. The extra space on the trailer is nice for the extra attachments that I always need. I took my post hole digger with me today as a matter of fact.

If I may get off topic a bit, 40Kchicks, do you have any tricky method of backing on to your trailer? I've got a high deck 20' gooseneck too, and when backing on I can only look out a side window and see about a 4" long outside edge of the ramp between the rear skid steer tire and back counterweights. Not a real secure feeling.

4570Man · Mar 6, 2019

Re: What is the best "new" skid steer?

JDWY said:
If I may get off topic a bit, 40Kchicks, do you have any tricky method of backing on to your trailer? I've got a high deck 20' gooseneck too, and when backing on I can only look out a side window and see about a 4" long outside edge of the ramp between the rear skid steer tire and back counterweights. Not a real secure feeling.

It’s hard to do so I usually load forward. When you’re backing off you can see the trailer sides for alignment and it’s much easier than backing on. I’ve seen videos of people driving forward to the trailer ramps and then driving forward and backing on. The best reason I can think of for doing that is to leave tracks for alignment. I’ve never tried doing that to know if it helps.

4570Man · Mar 6, 2019

Re: What is the best \"new\" skid steer?

As to the thread topic I really like the Kubota machines. If for nothing else for the cab door. The hinged doors on some machines are awful. I don’t know how many options you have for a roll up door but I know Kubota and Gehl does and I like the Kubota door better. I like the hydraulic tension tracks better on the Gehl vs the grease tension tracks on the Kubota.

Industrial Toys · Mar 6, 2019

Re: What is the best "new" skid steer?

Do yourself a favour. Drive around to as many dealers as you can and drive them. Make notes. Write a report on each one you drive, so you don't forget and get mixed up later. Door styles vary with guys really liking the roll up doors. You won't rip your door off that way and can operate with the door open, yet not in the way. Some machines are extremely loud and others not. I test drove a few SS years ago, and some left me with a splitting headache, others not.

4570Man · Mar 6, 2019

Re: What is the best \"new\" skid steer?

The Kubota 95 is the only tracked machine I’ve ever used. My experience with the rest is limited to the dealers lot. The Kubota cab is pretty quiet.