What's new
By:
Filters

Opinions on this skidsteer?

Bacho said:
Your paying $200 each on idler bearings?
Click to expand...

I don't pay shit. I don't have any.

I guess you did say "bearings" and not "wheels". We just replaced 12 of those suckers on an excavator, and they were $200 each. Complete unit, bolt on.
 
Didn't read everything, but the pics don't show foot controls.

The reason I mentioned the width is for resale, since you plan to sell it.

I've ran 299,289,279 and 259 all back to back. Honestly, they aren't that different. Everyone wants the big dogs because they look great on paper. In reality, if you aren't running a masticator or moving logs all day, there isn't much advantage to the big skid steers. There are a ton of disadvantages, like the size and weight. Even a 14k equipment trailer is going to be un happy with that machine. Especially when you grab an extra attachment.

I'd grab a new taco hoochi for the same price.
 
Dethmachinefab said:
Everyone says the same line. Import rubber tracks are dirt cheap, and so are rollers and sprockets. It's not like a steel undercarriage.

40k would buy an excavator and dump truck or wheel loader and move that hill much faster.
Click to expand...

Agreed but this would work and be a more useful long term machine.
 
2big bronco said:
So first off it's not one of those tractors with the big grippy tires in the back and the little ones up front....
:flipoff2: arti5an




I'm emailing back and forth trying to work out a deal on this machine. I'm trying to get it for 40 all said and done delivered with the bucket and an additional set of 96" pallet forks on a wide frame.

I'm looking at this particular one because it is pre emissions and has relatively low hours. I dont plan on probably ever putting more then an additional 2k on it and hopefully it would last me 20-30 years.

YotaAtieToo has been trying to talk me out of this one for a while do to its size. It's over 7' wide so it wont fit on a regular car trailer and weighs about 13000lbs (crazy to me it weighs close to what that wheel loader in the other thread does).. But the size is one of the selling points to me. I'll never wish I had bought a bigger machine and with a tip over weight at close to 10klbs i can move anything i currently own.

What i keep going back to in my head is the fact that for 40k i could get an entry level tracked catapiller brand new.... but i have no idea how all the new fancy electronic and smog gizmos would be 10,20, or 30 years from now


So how bad of an idea is it? This would be the most expensive thing I've ever purchased


https://www.bestusedbobcat.com/inven...d=3735525&lo=4
Click to expand...

For starters it’s a compact track loader not a skid steer.

secondly, he’s asking at least $10K too much for it.
 
Couple of things to consider here when comparing to an older wheel loader or tractor and it looks like you already are:
  • This bobcat has the highflow hydraulics and connections. So you'll be able to put pretty much any implement on the front and be able to use it. Brush hog for instance. This will allow you to add that to your current offerings for making money with the machine. Probably won't be able to do that with an older wheel loader or the tractor. Most of the utility tractors of comparable size have the low flow hydraulics (sub 15 gal/minute). Not true for all tractors but most. You can get the highflow, but that'll be an additional cost on top of purchase price.
  • Skidsteers are considerably more nimble/agile than a wheel loader or utility tractor. You can move around and operate in smaller/tighter areas faster. This will make you more efficient whether you have tons of experience on either type of machine. Especially over time as you become more accustomed to the machines abilities and your own.
    • This is also the case with the size of the machine for leveling/moving dirt. The skid steer is shorter but just as heavy as a similar wheel loader or tractor. It will actually move more dirt faster. Plus, with the absence of suspension travel it takes the need or wish for auto leveling on the loader out of play....for the most part. Not necessarily the case when compared to a wheel loader but more so when comparing to a tractor with a loader and blade on the back. <- I may have said that backwards.
  • You're going to spend some money. How much is up to you, but if you set a budget you can compare better. For instance, compare this machine to the John Deer 5075E advertisement that you posted in the tractor thread. You are going to spend close to the same money $35K-$40K. Just comparing these two machines, the bobcat is more bang for the buck. You can move material faster, there are more implement options without making changes to the machine, no regen or emissions garbage, and you will have a machine that will be more versatile for your options of making money on your investment.
  • As far as comparing to a wheel loader, you will spend less money. Probably about half as much but you'll be giving up some of the options.
    • Limitations on implements is one. I don't know of a lot of wheel loaders that have the availability of all the same front implements as tractors or skidsteers. I could be wrong, but I don't think it is a quick change operation like the tractor or skidsteer.
    • Sight viewing of the loader and implement operations is another. This goes back to the efficiency factor. It is much easier to see what you are doing in a skidsteer because you are sitting right on top of your tools. In time, you will get good at operating either, but I've personally used all 3 machines on a regular basis and I'd take a the skidsteer all day every day for what you plan on using it for.
    • Stability. The skidsteer with tracks and low center of gravity is a much better machine for slopes. I would not recommend a wheel loader on any type of slope. Tractors are ok, but not the greatest.
  • Resale value...everybody and their brother is asking nearly new prices for used machines whether its a tractor or a skidsteer. Either will hold some value, probably be able to get your money back out of either if you decide to sell. Unless you break it or wear it smooth out, but if we could all predict the future we'd all be millionaires.
  • Keeping it forever. I would definitely go with the skidsteer. You will use this machine for everything!! Its preemissions, so you don't have to worry about that. Same with the wheel loader but not with the tractor, unless you find an older tractor. These are popular machines as you've already noticed. Parts availability will be around for a long time and some are interchangeable between sizes. Not so much with the tractors, especially when they have to order them from oversees. (cue evernoob for comment).
On a personal note, I just picked up a Mahindra 6075 for right around $35k. I had a budget of $35k and stuck to it. For total money spent, I picked up a brand new tractor, true 3rd function hydraulic kit, and clam shell root rake grapple. I'm extremely happy with what I picked up because of the use. I'm going to be doing a lot of brush clearing, bush hogging, soil prepping, hay cutting, etc... for farm use. Probably the only reason I went with the tractor instead of the skid loader. However, if I had the $40k budget and wasn't going to be ultimately farm using the machine, I most definitely would have went with the skidloader option.

That or bought an old dozer/track loader for clearing and prepping, then sold them when I was done. Then bought an older larger tractor.
 
Last edited:
The cousin fuckers group moved out west and voted democrats in office. Richard Pryor is selling it, maybe he could sign it for you.
 
Wouldn't have any issue with the size - at 13k lb you need a GN trailer to move it anyway. Bigger question would be if the size would be an issue getting in anywhere you need to work.

Agree with the insane amount of money to have tied up in it. You can do a heck of a lot of fixing an older machine for that kind of money, and just because it's low hours and relatively new doesn't mean it's not going to have expensive problems down the road. May be pre-emissions, but probably still lots of complex electronics and other crap to break.
 
Spend $5k on a shitty 1970s skid steer. Slap OTTS on it and see how you like it. Worst case you've moved some of the dirt and can resell it at cost.
 
The Beens said:
Couple of things to consider here when comparing to an older wheel loader or tractor and it looks like you already are:
  • This bobcat has the highflow hydraulics and connections. So you'll be able to put pretty much any implement on the front and be able to use it. Brush hog for instance. This will allow you to add that to your current offerings for making money with the machine. Probably won't be able to do that with an older wheel loader or the tractor. Most of the utility tractors of comparable size have the low flow hydraulics (sub 15 gal/minute). Not true for all tractors but most. You can get the highflow, but that'll be an additional cost on top of purchase price.
  • Skidsteers are considerably more nimble/agile than a wheel loader or utility tractor. You can move around and operate in smaller/tighter areas faster. This will make you more efficient whether you have tons of experience on either type of machine. Especially over time as you become more accustomed to the machines abilities and your own.
    • This is also the case with the size of the machine for leveling/moving dirt. The skid steer is shorter but just as heavy as a similar wheel loader or tractor. It will actually move more dirt faster. Plus, with the absence of suspension travel it takes the need or wish for auto leveling on the loader out of play....for the most part. Not necessarily the case when compared to a wheel loader but more so when comparing to a tractor with a loader and blade on the back. <- I may have said that backwards.
  • You're going to spend some money. How much is up to you, but if you set a budget you can compare better. For instance, compare this machine to the John Deer 5075E advertisement that you posted in the tractor thread. You are going to spend close to the same money $35K-$40K. Just comparing these two machines, the bobcat is more bang for the buck. You can move material faster, there are more implement options without making changes to the machine, no regen or emissions garbage, and you will have a machine that will be more versatile for your options of making money on your investment.
  • As far as comparing to a wheel loader, you will spend less money. Probably about half as much but you'll be giving up some of the options.
    • Limitations on implements is one. I don't know of a lot of wheel loaders that have the availability of all the same front implements as tractors or skidsteers. I could be wrong, but I don't think it is a quick change operation like the tractor or skidsteer.
    • Sight viewing of the loader and implement operations is another. This goes back to the efficiency factor. It is much easier to see what you are doing in a skidsteer because you are sitting right on top of your tools. In time, you will get good at operating either, but I've personally used all 3 machines on a regular basis and I'd take a the skidsteer all day every day for what you plan on using it for.
    • Stability. The skidsteer with tracks and low center of gravity is a much better machine for slopes. I would not recommend a wheel loader on any type of slope. Tractors are ok, but not the greatest.
  • Resale value...everybody and their brother is asking nearly new prices for used machines whether its a tractor or a skidsteer. Either will hold some value, probably be able to get your money back out of either if you decide to sell. Unless you break it or wear it smooth out, but if we could all predict the future we'd all be millionaires.
  • Keeping it forever. I would definitely go with the skidsteer. You will use this machine for everything!! Its preemissions, so you don't have to worry about that. Same with the wheel loader but not with the tractor, unless you find an older tractor. These are popular machines as you've already noticed. Parts availability will be around for a long time and some are interchangeable between sizes. Not so much with the tractors, especially when they have to order them from oversees. (cue evernoob for comment).
On a personal note, I just picked up a Mahindra 6075 for right around $35k. I had a budget of $35k and stuck to it. For total money spent, I picked up a brand new tractor, true 3rd function hydraulic kit, and clam shell root rake grapple. I'm extremely happy with what I picked up because of the use. I'm going to be doing a lot of brush clearing, bush hogging, soil prepping, hay cutting, etc... for farm use. Probably the only reason I went with the tractor instead of the skid loader. However, if I had the $40k budget and wasn't going to be ultimately farm using the machine, I most definitely would have went with the skidloader option.

That or bought an old dozer/track loader for clearing and prepping, then sold them when I was done. Then bought an older larger tractor.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the well thought out response. I'm looking at buying a decent sized piece of land behind me and having a masticating head on a tracked machine would be by far the most efficient way to clear it. 15-20 acres of tanzanite and brush 12' high so thick you cant walk through it. A good friend manages a very very large tree service company and we got to talking about what they would charge. He says they bill out $2800/ day for one guy with a mastcator on a 100hp cat track loader, and they get 85% of the work they bid. That made me think I could do a couple side jobs to just pay for my own head.

Another thought is I own everything in my life I need outright, so having a solid piece of equiptment sitting around is insurance that I can always drum up some side work to feed my family if need be.
 
arse_sidewards said:
Keep looking and be ready to jump on one. My area is shit too but I see a couple a year.
Click to expand...

I've been looking 5+ times a day for at least a year with cash and a trailer ready. I look everywhere between my place to a few hundred miles past Projectjunkie who is all the way in Arizona. He also looks all the way to me. I've seen a couple 6-8k hour extremely work $8k machines but even those are extremely rare.
 
arse_sidewards said:
Spend $5k on a shitty 1970s skid steer. Slap OTTS on it and see how you like it. Worst case you've moved some of the dirt and can resell it at cost.
Click to expand...

Not at all s good idea. I would t install tracks on a machine older then the mid 90’s. Anything much older then that you’ll experience drive motor failures drive chain failures and axle / bearing failures.

On top of that you’ll need to run foam filled tires or solid flex brawler type tires or you’ll be racking the tracks to deal with flat tires.
 
2big bronco said:
I've been looking 5+ times a day for at least a year with cash and a trailer ready. I look everywhere between my place to a few hundred miles past Projectjunkie who is all the way in Arizona. He also looks all the way to me. I've seen a couple 6-8k hour extremely work $8k machines but even those are extremely rare.
Click to expand...

I’d recommend staying away from machines 2500 hours or more. Prices for parts on this equipment aren’t cheap and can get costly fast and that’s if you know what you’re doing. Hydro pump fails or drive motor shits itself there’s a big chance metal trash is now in the system. Filters help collect it but flushing out is really needed or $$$ for more hydro parts. Not counting your time.

other thing to keep in mind is you should educate yourself on looking at a used machine and know what to look for. This can save you a bunch in the long run. Just passing along some advice, up to you on the rest
 
2big bronco said:
Thank you for the well thought out response. I'm looking at buying a decent sized piece of land behind me and having a masticating head on a tracked machine would be by far the most efficient way to clear it. 15-20 acres of tanzanite and brush 12' high so thick you cant walk through it. A good friend manages a very very large tree service company and we got to talking about what they would charge. He says they bill out $2800/ day for one guy with a mastcator on a 100hp cat track loader, and they get 85% of the work they bid. That made me think I could do a couple side jobs to just pay for my own head.

Another thought is I own everything in my life I need outright, so having a solid piece of equipment sitting around is insurance that I can always drum up some side work to feed my family if need be.
Click to expand...

Tanzanite...like the gemstone? I think you mean something else...unless you are going to mine the property. :flipoff2:

$2,800/day isn't bad if you assume they can due multiple acres per day. We generally clear with dozers and excavators and depending on how big and thick the timber and brush is, we can generally get 2-5 acres per day. I think you can safely assume the same thing with your buddy. Probably 2-5 acres per day. So, in 10 days, they could clear all 20 acres for $28,000.

If there is no timber, ie..tanzanite means something else in the commie west, you could get the skidsteer and a mastacator/brush cutter head for $45-$50k and clear it your self. Leaving you with an additional cost of $22k over paying your buddy to do it. Now, you won't be billing out $2800 per day with your new found tools but I think you could be safe to assume around $1000 to $1500 per day. That's assuming $100/hr for the machine and $50/hr on the head and 10 hour days...you should add in hauling, %maintenance, etc.. For simplicity, just say $1500/day. You would need to work 15 days with your machine to offset the cost difference.

or....my personal opinion...sell the timber (if any), have the property cleared, decide what kind of machine you need based on the money you have left, what you're gonna do with the ground, use the timber proceeds to offset the property purchase, cost of clearing or add it to your machine purchase budget.
 
2big bronco said:
Thank you for the well thought out response. I'm looking at buying a decent sized piece of land behind me and having a masticating head on a tracked machine would be by far the most efficient way to clear it. 15-20 acres of tanzanite and brush 12' high so thick you cant walk through it. A good friend manages a very very large tree service company and we got to talking about what they would charge. He says they bill out $2800/ day for one guy with a mastcator on a 100hp cat track loader, and they get 85% of the work they bid. That made me think I could do a couple side jobs to just pay for my own head.

Another thought is I own everything in my life I need outright, so having a solid piece of equiptment sitting around is insurance that I can always drum up some side work to feed my family if need be.
Click to expand...

You never mentioned a masticator head, so I guess ignore what I said about a smaller machine.

Some guys love bobcat, my buddy works for a guy who has several masticator set ups, he only runs Bob cat. Not necessarily because they're the best, but he's had the best luck with dealer support from bobcat around here. He is the one who said to avoid the 870 because they don't fit between the fenders on normal tilt trailer. That and only like 2 more hp than the 770.

The 870 has the least hp of any of the big skidsteers. You may not care since you wouldn't know the difference, but something to think about if planning on running it with the masticator head.

Also, realize that the masticator head is ~3k lbs alone. So one you load it, the Machine and whatever other attachments like a brush grapple, you're going to need a 20k lb plus trailer.
 
Last edited:
The Beens said:
Tanzanite...like the gemstone? I think you mean something else...unless you are going to mine the property. :flipoff2:
Click to expand...

Pretty sure 2BB was auto-corrected away from "manzanita" - gnarly brush with ~zero resale value.

Masticator FTMFW if it's manzanita.
 
[486 said:
;n119901]

fuck complicated valves, dinosaur foot controls is the only way to go
Click to expand...

Only monkeys use their feet like hands. BTW, the industry is going away from antiquated foot controls. Bobcat and Deere dropped them in their mid chassis up.
 
+1 for fuck foot controls.

Maybe that machine isnt bad due to size, but most skid steers are made for jungle midgets from Guatemala. At 6'1" my legs will start to cramp up.

$40k is a big chunk of change for homeowner equipment. I'd buy a newer low hour backhoe for the money. Considering you dont have any other equipment to supplement its use.
 
Last edited:
2big bronco said:
Thank you for the well thought out response. I'm looking at buying a decent sized piece of land behind me and having a masticating head on a tracked machine would be by far the most efficient way to clear it. 15-20 acres of tanzanite and brush 12' high so thick you cant walk through it. A good friend manages a very very large tree service company and we got to talking about what they would charge. He says they bill out $2800/ day for one guy with a mastcator on a 100hp cat track loader, and they get 85% of the work they bid. That made me think I could do a couple side jobs to just pay for my own head.

Another thought is I own everything in my life I need outright, so having a solid piece of equiptment sitting around is insurance that I can always drum up some side work to feed my family if need be.
Click to expand...

I've never seen a masticator running that didn't make me want to scream "get a f^#$ing dozer and be done with it already!". I'm sure they have their purpose but it just seems like a really slow, expensive, fuel intensive way to accomplish the same thing a dozer or excavator and a burning pile could do in 1/10 the time.
 
larboc said:
I've never seen a masticator running that didn't make me want to scream "get a f^#$ing dozer and be done with it already!". I'm sure they have their purpose but it just seems like a really slow, expensive, fuel intensive way to accomplish the same thing a dozer or excavator and a burning pile could do in 1/10 the time.
Click to expand...

Completely different environment out West. Masticator is a valid solution for many California brush challenges.

Mastication advantages = not stripping off topsoil (& any root network keeping it stable) when our torrential rains hit (for like 2 weeks of the year) and you're left with a mulch you can spread back around to hold moisture in the soil & hopefully keep it from going dustbowl. Also, burn piles may not be an option at all, or at least not often, depending on fire danger and air quality as assessed by tax-funded fawks with clipboards.
 
Greebs said:
Been Lurking for a while, but thought i would chime in on this thread. I work for United Rentals in SC and we have an annual "Yard Sale" in November. This year it is November 19th. I have no idea what the list will look like in your area, but it might be worth it to give the local store a shout and get some info. I know for a fact, that they will do everything to sell you a machine on that day. Call them up and get a sales reps info and tell them what you are looking for. Have options, realistic on what you are looking to spend on the low side, brand, etc. There is plenty of time before the sale and they usually run trucks between a lot of branches to get what you are looking for into your area.
Click to expand...

So that's at all UR locations on the same date? Do all the sales reps deal with used sales or just certain ones?

I never realized they did direct sales. I thought they just sent everything to auction. I wold have been bugging my reps a long time ago for deals!

I have a UR location right down the road from me and I deal with them all over the southeast/midatlantic for work. I'm in the market for a forklift or, more preferably a mini telehandler. Gonna have to keep my eyes open come November.


Speaking of that, if I were spending that kind of money on a machine, it would be something like this. Some brands come with high flow hyrdros and bobcat style quick connects so you can run most any skidsteer attachment. You can find them used for about the same money that OP is looking at.


bobcat-tl3070.jpg?itok=yGMFl70X.jpg
 
Broncokyle88 said:
I’m pretty sure you can only legally burn shit in California like 3 days a year with wild fires and carb air quality bullshit and all. Where you or I live, fuck yeah, push it into a pile and let it burn:flipoff2:
Click to expand...

Exactly. Also, I'm guessing 2BB is looking to clear out fuel & nuisance brush as a maintenance activity, not clear the land for other use.
 
TRINDU said:
+1 for fuck foot controls.

Maybe that machine isnt bad due to size, but most skid steers are made for jungle midgets from Guatemala. At 6'1" my legs will start to cramp up.
Click to expand...

OP will be fine on room :flipoff2:

larboc said:
I've never seen a masticator running that didn't make me want to scream "get a f^#$ing dozer and be done with it already!". I'm sure they have their purpose but it just seems like a really slow, expensive, fuel intensive way to accomplish the same thing a dozer or excavator and a burning pile could do in 1/10 the time.
Click to expand...

:laughing:

Have you not seen the news? The whole states on fire.

Plus as mentioned, you're fucking up the top soil, causing erosion, ect. The chips also help with weeds growing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Back Refresh