Buying Advice Buy a Bobcat 753 ?

[rgood]

Guys - I'm looking at a Bobcat 753 - 1998 - 1400 and it's reasonably priced.

I have used a bobcat before but never owned one.

This is a 40 HP machine - I'm looking for something to be able to unload a pallet full of wood pellets out of my pickup and put into garage 2,000 pounds.
I think this machine can do that as long as I keep the weight low and don't drive across a field with it - Am I correct?

Also want to use it to dig post-holes - Mow between riparian buffer tree rows.

In a perfect scenario, I'd like to have a 50 HP machine, but everything I find in that range has 4,500 hours and cost $5,000 more.
What are your thoughts? Thanks

 

[George2615]

The 753 is a little small. Not sure it will lift a 2K pallet out of your truck.

Bobcat 753 skid steer loader

 

[SimS]

I'm going to agree with George. The 753 is not going to be happy trying to lift and move 2K. Maybe you could split the load to multiple pallets? Hopefully you're not unloading 2k of pellets very often so breaking down the load won't be a big PITA.

SimS

 

[franklinute]

The 753 is rated to handle 1500lbs. Which is half the tipping load. You could get by operating on level, firm ground with some counterweight.
Or find a little larger machine.

 

[Beltzington]

I have been researching skid steers for several months. Auger attachments require more hydrolic flow than many skidsteers provide so be sure to spec the attachment requirements. I stumbled on a guy from texas skid steer on you tube and if you can get past his texas drawl he answers many skid steer questions for new buyers. Good Luck!

 

[crashz]

The small frame on a 753 is the downfall. It will pick up 2000 lbs, (with forks), but you'll need so much counter weight that it will be tippy with nothing on the forks. Even worse with no bucket/forks on. Mine is light in the front with no bucket on and I have no counter weights at all. Uneven ground has it pitching all over and I'm constantly trying not to lay it on its back.

After owning my machine for a little while, I have to wonder how they calculated the tipping load. Seems like a lot less weight is needed to tip it forward, either that or I'm WAY over working the little thing.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

Split the load in half. its not going to like the 2,000 lbs if it picks it at all. I have a 7753, rent auger attachment, couple of times, no issues, should be same aux pump. if its priced good and you take care of it, you shouldn't loose money on it. Then if you want bigger machine use it as a trade. I am happy with mine, does everything i want and then some. I pick up and move car bodies. Chevy impala less engine and transmission. Have to have the kids hang off the back, but it does it.

 

[rgood]

Thanks for the feedback guys - I am going to look at it tomorrow - will keep you posted.

 

[rgood]

I bought it - So far seems like a nice machine!

 

[HarryN]

No pictures???

 

[rgood]

Got the cat for 8500 and the trailer for 400

 

[truckdiagnostics]

That is a decent price. I bought mine for right around that price with 3400 hrs. Close to 5000 now. Keep telling my wife you are going to use it to bury me.

 

[HarryN]

Thanks for the pic. Good price for the hours.
Have you tried lifting the 2,000 pounds yet?

 

[rgood]

No, I haven't tried lifting much of anything yet - It's spring and I don't need to buy any pellets for the stove right now. I also don't have pallet forks yet. Can 3 pt. forks be converted for a bobcat or am I better off to just buy the forks?

 

[George2615]

I'd say buy the QA forks. You can find many deals on new QA forks for $500-600. Maybe even for less used on CL. I see them occasionally for sale.
Probably wouldn't mess with trying to convert 3 pt. forks.

 

[1965tontruck]

Yes, you can buy an adaptor plate to convert 3 point to quick attach. However, that will also put the load further out front. You machine will be much more unstable. I agree with the above rrply; buy the pallet forks designed for a skid loader.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

Buy a good set of forks designed for the skid loader. There is a lot you can do with them!

 

[gwiley]

I bought these Fork Frames Skid Steer for $498 and really like them on my 773. Didn't realize how often I could use forks until I had them - worth every penny.

I also bought their root grapple and use that all the time.