What is the best "new" skid steer?

wroughtn_harv · Mar 4, 2003

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

I went with high flow because I didn't want to be caught with a too small auger motor when and or if I ever moved up to a larger machine. That and the logic that having a thirty gpm auger motor would live longer at lower gpm than a ten to fifteen gpm motor would at max all the time.

I was told some time ago all equipment would eventually go to the joystick, left hand machine direction, right hand equipment manipulation. The reasoning I was told is the new operators are going to be coming from a pool of very adept joystick operators. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BTW my machine was sold to me as new (99 model) old inventory in 2001. I got the warranty and it only had seven hours on it. The savings for me was about ten grand, twenty nine thousand list as equipped versus nineteen thousand, what I paid.

Hoeman00 · Mar 4, 2003

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

You are looking for a digger. A skid steer that is built for digging is designed to have the bucket lay against the body of the unit. <font color="red"> It goes clunk when it is dropped all the way down.</font> For example, Bobcat and Case fit in this category, NH and Deere don't.

ric, my Deere will scare the wife in the house if I let it SLAM down, It did til I got used to feathering at stops.
The Deere has 2 large angle blocks that the boom sets in when it is down, the boom should be down for digging and carrying materials.
I can't get mine to move when it locked in by the stops.
BTW I dug the basement out from under old house and lowered floor 3+ feet in one long day.
Tooth buckets are the best for lots of digging.
W/ SSL u can't have enough attachments,right Harv?
Ranger,
As for digging pond get a BIG hoe and save lots of wear and tear.

ScottAR · Mar 4, 2003

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

It appears his info and mine was/is outdated. Good info to know, Thanks.

Hi flow would be useful if one wanted either a heavy brush mower (like ASV offers for the big ones) or a flail chopper that are available.

WHarv, I suspect that reasoning of controls is spot on. Look at any game system; left hand "drives", right hand kicks,pitches,shoots, whatever.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 6, 2003

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

Here's a picture of a bobcat skidsteer with the industrial grapple attachment. Also has tracks on it.

Blake
WA

gatractorman · Mar 7, 2003

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

Egadd, they've got those tracks too tight, awfully hard on axle bearings and chains, good looking unit tho.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 10, 2003

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

I highly recomend a Gehl CTL. You should stear(skid) clear of Bobcat, your really buying a name instead of a tractor

40Kchicks · Apr 23, 2003

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

Ranger,

A couple of years ago I had to make the same choice only I didn't need a machine as big. I tried the new holland and the John deere because I like the reach these skid steers had for loading into a spreader. Then I tried a CAT. I really wanted that vertical lift but driving the CAT was so much better. Quiet, smooth, and so much easier to drive. The operator station and engine compartment are layed out really well. When I run the skid steer I may be on it most of the day with hardly a break but the CAT electrical controls make this effortless. Now the bigger CAT machines have that vertical lift. I sure would check them out or even better the ASV's. Tracks are a must if your digging in, or doing much else in the winter time. The skid steer really takes on a tank like mentality when there on. Good Luck

foz · Apr 24, 2003

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

Bobcat...I have an 873 with vertical lift path (now the S250), it digs well and lifts 2500 pounds to max height (10 feet), we use it for landscape work, snow removal, excavating...main thing is to buy from a reputable dealer with a good service department

As far as towing, a 1-ton would be fine, the S250 weighs +/- 8600#, the S300 would weigh about 9200#, a good trailer will weight 2500#...total = 12,000#...we pull ours with GMC 2500HD...no problems at all /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ranger · Apr 30, 2003

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

Thanks to everyone who has responded to my question rg. skid steers. After looking at new Bobcat S300's and Caterpillar's largest machine ( I believe that is a 29something- I do not remember the last number) and finding that that the price with the equipment I want was well over 50K I decided to not be in a hurry. I have decided that I will probably buy a used skid steer and some new equipment. Perhaps I will buy a new air conditioned skid steer in the future should my needs still warrant it. Currently, I am considering a "skat-track" brand machine. Does anyone know anything about
"skat-tracks"? Volvo construction has recently purchased the company and plans on selling them as Volvo skid steers.

40kchicks - I agree about the Cat controls, they are very nice. Someone in the general area of my place (central Texas) purchased a Cat ss and have had some problems with it. I do not know what kind of probs, the info was somewhat hearsay.

Your chicken business is of interest to me. I have casually considered looking into that business. Perhaps for my retirement years.

Foz, do you use a goose-neck trailer or a hitch to the frame kind of hook up? Whenever I get a skid steer I will be pulling it with a 98 GMC 2500 404 Suburban with a 454. I have ordered a 12k lb. hitch and appropriate equalizing hitch equipment. I plan to purchase a trailer which will probably be a 12 or 14K capacity 20 or 22' equipment trailer.
I do not plan on pulling 14K with my burb but I am considering getting a trailer I can use with a heavier truck in the future. What are your thoughts?

40Kchicks · Apr 30, 2003

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

Ranger,
I'm getting ready do the 500hr service on the CAT. No problems of any kind. I just tore out an old driveway for a friend with my tooth bucket. It worked the 216 hard and really impressed the heck out by my friend. He had a JD 790 with a FEL that couldn't even touch the compacted 2in minus rock. I love this 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.