buying new skid steer, JD 317 or IR S185

[plowrup]

The new Deere Model Numbers are a result of trying to make the units more understandable for comparison-

317-the 3 is the Series-the 17 is the Lift Capacity (1750#)

320 (2000#)

325 (2500#)

and so on-

regarding the Deere design, it is the newest design out there-the unit has over 300 improvements over the 200 Series-I would highly recommend having all of the Models you are interested in at your work site and compare them closely-

 

[jgh]

20060203

My keyless panel had to be serviced soon after I got the machine (the 2 key went out, could not start), so it followed the old (electronics) notion failiing quickly and then going on for a long time. I hope.

But I really like all the diagnostics & info that the digital panel gives me.

Mine is an A300 all wheel steer. It's a good machine but I certainly concur on the visibility concerns, etc.

I believe the Versahandler is over $100K, different league, expensive attachments and it is big and bulky by comparison.

Jim

 

[Tigerotor77W]

plowrup: the 300-series sports over 100 improvements over the 200-series, not 300.

Source: http://www.deere.com/en_US/cfd/construction/deere_const/newsroom/300_skidsteer_080304.html
"With a unified design and more than 100 improvements, John Deere's new 300 Series Skid Steers are more productive and more reliable than ever before - at a lower daily operating cost than their predecessors."

Colin: your question about vertical lift can be answered here: http://www.bobcat.com/vertical_lift.html in the video. Essentially, vertical lift which differs between manufacturers lifts the load in a near-vertical fashion, rather than swing the load along your arm. If you put your arm by your side and raise it about your head, using only your shoulder pivot, that's radial. Trying to lift a five-gallon paint bucket is hard when the bucket is out at "arm's reach" in front of you! Vertical lift addresses this point.

As far as visibility goes, I won't argue that Deere/NH visibility out the rear and rear corners is unmatched (except by Gehl's 7010 series). However, I want to be able to see the tires at all times to know where they're rolling and whether they're spinning. You can never see the tires on any Deere or NH machine with the boom arms down.