Skid Steers advice needed

[leswad]

Anyone have knowledge in this area?

I am considering a tract machine to mulch fence rows and trees.

I think I need a 80-90hp machine, enclosed cab and High Flow Auxiliary Hydraulics to run the accessories. Another factor is I am 6'5", so roominess is a factor.

Since I would be buying used (1500 hours), maintenance will be a factor.

I am all ears

 

[rustythread]

You might also check out the forestry forum--lot of professionals over there

 

[6518John]

Leswad--I actually spent 8 hours on one today! I have a New Holland C238 Super Boom--

C238.

It is basically a mini-dozer. Mine is wide-tracked/low ground pressure type machine and it's capabilities on wet ground are amazing. I was running a 84 inch grapple rake today doing some pasture clean-up in prep for discing and seeding. I also have a Wolf high-flow commercial cutter, hay forks, pallet forks, auger, and a grapple with dual thumbs for grabbing debris.

I would not consider anything but a tracked machine if I was you. And I strongly recommend high-flow--the range and capabilities of the implements are simply amazing. I don't believe you can buy a high-flow machine without an enclosed cab because of the safety reasons--the pressure of the high-flow from a hydraulic line rupture can cut you in two. Moreover the implements are so powerful you want an enclosed cage protecting you. For example my brush cutter requires a 100 yard safety radius it will fling debris that far.

I would not consider anything other than a Gehl, Cat or New Holland. All three are amazing and have equivilant machines in the HP range you are seeking. I bought the New Holland because I use their tractors, am personal friends with the dealer, and the model I bought had more HP and GPM in high-flow than the comparable Cat or Gehl and was slightly lighter.

The most important thing to consider is having a local dealer you trust with excellent service and help. I absolutely love my skid steer and you will too. Huge help in managing ranch and farmland, even in row-cropping.

 

[phantomcycle]

I've had many skid steers and prefer the older ones manly because they are easier to work on
I don't like tracked skids because of problems with track systems I prefer wheels with tracks over tires I get great tire life this way
I've had bobcat A300s and Cat 262 series both are pricey on parts and labor I now have gehl
The skid steer you buy be sure there's a stocking dealer near by and get one with both low and high pressure aux hydraulics I beliver a mulcher needs high flow most other attachments use low flow

Pappy

Sent from my SM-S975L using Tapatalk

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...I have a Bob Cat that is so old the company won't admit to ever having made it...I'm down to making parts for it now...they are one of the most useful machines anyone could ever own...

 

[g-dad]

I wanted a skid steer just because I thought they were neat.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZEGK5XjFRY[/ame]

 

[Wee Hooker]

I rented a BobCat from HomeDepot once to do some landscaping. It started to rain shortly thereafter. Man did it get muddy. Still, as I recall it was about as much fun as a man can have with his shorts on

 

[dusty3030]

Compact track loader for mulching is a whole different animal. It is hard on them and the maintenance costs are high. I hire out the mulching and try to maintain what they cleared with spraying and bush hog.

 

[dusty3030]

I'll also add that a skid steer or track loader is handy around the ranch or farm in general. If you have other chores they are faster and easier to use than a loader on a tractor. A grapple is the bees knees for dragging stuff to the burn pile etc. You can get a skid steer attach land plane that is easiest and quickest thing you have ever used for leveling out fresh soil and for maintaining gravel roads. Mucking out horse stalls or barns is quick and easy with a skid steer or track machine as well.

 

[Farmer17]

I own a construction company and rent skid steers all the time and I had thought many times about buying one but didn't and after many years, I think I made the right decision. Cars can be expensive to repair but when it comes to construction equipment you can multiply that by about 10X. Unlike cars there are not many repair facilities to pick from, and they can get a backlog and parts can sometimes take a LONG time to get so I would advise to think carefully before you buy.

 

[leswad]

Compact track loader for mulching is a whole different animal. It is hard on them and the maintenance costs are high. I hire out the mulching and try to maintain what they cleared with spraying and bush hog.

This is a concern and might consider a hydraulic cutter instead of a mulching attachment. This would require cutting then moving the debris to a burn pile. I might sound like an environmentalist hippie, but my goal is to have as little an impact on the topsoil as possible. I know the good mulching attachments are very pricey but am clueless on the upkeep.

Farmer17 post concerns me quite a bit, but I have other rancher buddies that have them and think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. I have quite a bit of work to be done as my place burnt 6 years ago.

 

[soFlaNative]

I had just enough seat time in a BobCat to almost figure out how to grade a surface.
I had more than enough time to learn I could unload a bucket of mulch onto my own head.
Good Luck with your search.

 

[drunkenpoacher]

I have a New Holland and I am happy with it. Local service is a very important consideration. Who provides good service for a good price near you location and what do they sell and or have the most knowledge of?

 

[phantomcycle]

I have had bobcat A300 and love them it's 4 wheel steerable you can turn on grass or fresh pavement without tearing it up
I've alway put teeth on any bucket it's the only way to dig and alway have a grapple bucket
Another handy attachment is a hydraulically driven 3 Point attachment pto that way you can use tractor attachments even bushogs and post hole diggers which are much cheaper then skid steer attachments
Another attachment is a drag harrow that can level and prep dirt for seeding...I've also used it to clean up pine needles and leafs I normal buy 2 to them and connect both for a 8 ft wide drag
Pappy

Sent from my SM-S975L using Tapatalk

 

[arjay]

I had just enough seat time in a BobCat to almost figure out how to grade a surface.
I had more than enough time to learn I could unload a bucket of mulch onto my own head.
Good Luck with your search.

If you run it up a steep hill with the bucket in the air,it will do a wheelie [emoji38][emoji14]

 

[ParadiseRoad]

I had just enough seat time in a BobCat to almost figure out how to grade a surface.
I had more than enough time to learn I could unload a bucket of mulch onto my own head.
Good Luck with your search.

I had more than enough time to learn I could unload a bucket of mulch onto my own head.

...you can do that with manure too...guess how I know...

 

[leswad]

I have had bobcat A300 and love them it's 4 wheel steerable you can turn on grass or fresh pavement without tearing it up
I've alway put teeth on any bucket it's the only way to dig and alway have a grapple bucket
Another handy attachment is a hydraulically driven 3 Point attachment pto that way you can use tractor attachments even bushogs and post hole diggers which are much cheaper then skid steer attachments
Another attachment is a drag harrow that can level and prep dirt for seeding...I've also used it to clean up pine needles and leafs I normal buy 2 to them and connect both for a 8 ft wide drag
Pappy

Sent from my SM-S975L using Tapatalk

Seems to be the AR-15 of the equipment world.... this is not going to be cheap.

 

[paplinker]

I use both track and tire skid steers doing tree work.

I have found the track steer near impossible to get stuck or slide in the mud. The tire one bottoms out quite frequently in mud.

Now the tire one works worlds better for mulch work and going over surface roots. The tracks can get pretty gummed up with mulch, and turning on roots can pop or even damage a track.