Skid steers, can someone help decide what kind, hp, used?

[clydesdale]

I would like the machine to able to have a backhoe attachment. I am looking at used machines. This will be used for personal use and light commerical. Can someone get me started in the right direction? Thanks

[FINE69]

My brother-in-law has a fairly large landscaping company, he uses only Bobcat skid loaders and has had VERY good luck with them. He currently runs their rubber track style loaders. I've used them a few times, very nice machines.

[Louisville_Joe]

I like the Case 60XT Uniloaders. The Bobcat's backhoe is better, but I think the Case is an overall more durable machine. The Uniloader uses the Cummins B3.9, while Bobcats come with MAN's and Kubotas. Uniloaders are easier to work on.

[88beast]

go bobcat everyone here swears by them and most use tracks over the wheels because they will run in mud so well youll think youre on hard dirt

bobcat is the only one who has refined the system to the point where its set in stone an older one can be easily upgraded when it breaks down just use a newerpart

most wont give a backhoe though all companies have them but they cost almost double just to have it set up for one

if you need the backhoe then just go with a small tractor

and skidsteers are great for snow plowing

[andre7910]

We have a fairly big size landscaping company and we use bobcat skidloaders and escavaters they are awsome machines to use and if something happans to them usaully easy to fix and bobcat always has great support. We have ran demo machines from different companies like john deere, Cat, and Case they all had thier ups and downs. And if I were to plow snow the only bobcat that i would want to use is the bobcat tool cat 5600. Not no skidloader !

[88beast]

the guy i bought my truck from used a bobcat largest one made skidsteer to snow plow he plowed 18inches no problem with it

[clydesdale]

Another question I have is: How many hours is a lot on a used machine. I see used machines with anywhere from 500-3500 hours. What is the expected life? Granted it will depend on how it is used, but what is average? Thanks

[88beast]

well if your looking in that area its about average it depends who youre buying from some commertial uses will go till 5000 some homeowners have 300 hrs of moving it around the farm to get it out of the way
1500-2500 will be good for weekly use and not much upkeep
anything more you may have a few problems show up anything less youll pay a pretty penny for but sometimes its a good idea to buy one for cheap with a known problem and fix it lots cheaper

but find one low hrs used commertialy because some homeowners with them abuse them

[lawnboy1988]

I have a Cat 246 wheel machine and 272 wheel machine with the Loegering VTS track system. They are both around 80 hp, turbocharged, and the 272 is intercooled. I have had very good luck with these machines. The 246 was bought with only 400hrs on it and the 272 was bought new. I like the Cat because of the smooth controls and good service and parts support in my area. Parts and service availability should also influence your decision. However, you will pay more for the Cat name than you would a Bobcat, Case, etc. The 246 machine is on the yard everyday and is constantly started and shut down. It hasn't missed a lick yet! Good luck with your decision!

[bigblue250]

I am partial to a Case myself, Cummins 4BT motor, and damn near idiot proof. They also have alot less computer stuff than a bobuscatus. If a 743 Bobcat with a Kubota came up, that is another great machine. My buddy has a CAT, and it is nothing but problems(for 48K you think it would be flawless).

[dondiesel444]

New Holland, all I've ever had, all I'd ever buy [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[Bigshow]

We use a Bobcat 873 on our farm and it does all we expected and more. One important thing is the fact that our dealer also rents a wide assortment of attachments, more than the dealers for the other makes so this may of may not be a deciding factor for you to research. We have a snowblower for ours and it does a great job! It plays with our round bales, having no problem with the second row off the top of our semi trailers, always nice and stable on uneven ground and the grapple fork works well for manure. There are some days in the wet crap when I wish we had tracks!!

[dondiesel444]

I had steel tracks that go over the tires (Grousers) on my 785 and my Lx865 and those machines would push like a 350 dozer!! for deep mud and deep snow you can't live w/o them once you've used them, they are incredible. the only bad thing about them is they cost over $2000, they tear up the grass, and if you use them on ice, watch out!!

[Bigshow]

Have you had any experience with the rubber tracks that mount the same way? I heard they are lighter and easier to install and dont act like skates when you get on ice.

[dondiesel444]

I haren't used them, I did know a guy that had them on a Case, he said they were better than nothing but there is no way they had the traction of the steel tracks. they seemed to do a better job of "floating" over the mud...