Compact Track Loader, whos the best?

[mikester]

That is a very helpful bunch of info, thanks a bunch. Now I think I have a new question: What would you prefer to buy as a 5-year-old machine? I fully intend to buy a new one, but I am old and it will get sold as a low-hour machine someday.

Tracks and running gear are relatively expensive wear items. I considered buying used a while ago and found them all "ridden hard and put away wet" for almost new prices. At least with new I expect no headaches during the warranty period.

Renting gives me late model machines (read new current model year often with under 100 hours on the clock) and someone else worries about oil changes and wear and tear. I don't rent beaters it just isn't worth the hassles of "this doesn't work and that doesn't work".

If something breaks down the clock is off and a truck is out fixing it the same day or I get a replacement machine sent to me. I also get 100% write off in the current business year. I need a machine because I want to get a job done, I don't want to waste time being a jack-of-all-trades mechanic and maintenance guy as well.

RE:Bobcat - I've been renting T770's and they are nice machines overall. The issues I've seen were to do with tracks and CANBUS/wiring on controls and sensors. I know Bobcat re-brands Doosan equipment. I've used the Bobcat 10 ton mini-x and it was a nice machine but the Doosan in comparison was the cat's meow in terms of speed, quietness, and power. The new CAT's are really nice too.

Check out the Develon/Doosan CTL 12K lbs 115HP 40GPM high flow

Compact Track Loaders | DEVELON

With superior horsepower, standard premium features and attachment versatility, a DEVELON compact track loader is fully loaded to help you do more.

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[Tractorable]

Yanmar is on the CTL scene now too with 65hp, 75hp, 80hp, and 100hp variants.

 

[TheRealWorld]

This looks interesting, but not likely something I will buy for a couple of reasons. I have no dealer within 500 miles, and while I think they might have great potential, I think I have better options. Thanks for the suggestion, I had no info on them.

 

[paulsharvey]

How much are you budgetting, are you a cash buyer, and are you actively making money with the machine? Reason I ask, $75,000 is a realistic budget for a new machine, although, maybe certain models can be had for mid $60s, and some of them upwards to low $90s. If this is not a money making operation, you're looking at about a 50% depreciation over 5 years, or atleast $35,000 in lost value. If you start adding mulchers or other specialized attachments, we can quickly get up towards $125k really easily. There is Nothing wrong with that, if that's what you need, and it pays for itself (either in contracted work, or in cost savings over hired), but depending on how you schedule, I think you might want to lease or rent a tool for each specific job. IE, you said trenching, rent a JD-35 for a week at $975. Have heavy grading and dirt work, rent a CTL for a month for $4.5k. Take a look if there are cheaper routes on some of those tasks, and how much of any given task is needed. Maybe you end up with a $25k used CTL, and have $25,000 to rent for other tasks? Maybe you spend $37k on a lightly used JD-5085E and forks, and another $9k on a 6 way hydralic rear blade, and rent (or hire) in the other stuff. Maybe 2 used machines are the way to go?

 

[paulsharvey]

My point is, for the price of $75k, you could do a Lot of work, with the most suited equipment for the job, rather than force the CTL into every task you mentioned

 

[paulsharvey]

Very interesting points, I would plan on some long days, but only 10 a year at the most. As far as the door, I guess I will look at that option, but I will likely get what comes with whatever I buy.

So, 10 long days per year; you could do single day rentals, or maybe 3 weekly rentals for around $6k per year. Heck, even if you did a month long rental, and 3 week long rentals; we are at $10,500 per year in rentals fees. Yes, there will probably be hidden fees, but i pulled Sunbelts prices, and they are typically the worst in the rental world... often other sources are much better than Sunbelt.

 

[TheRealWorld]

So, 10 long days per year; you could do single day rentals, or maybe 3 weekly rentals for around $6k per year. Heck, even if you did a month long rental, and 3 week long rentals; we are at $10,500 per year in rentals fees. Yes, there will probably be hidden fees, but i pulled Sunbelts prices, and they are typically the worst in the rental world... often other sources are much better than Sunbelt.

Thanks for some great perspective, I do need it on hand for some odd jobs I do, so I will buy one. Have you or others had any experience with John Deere?

 

[paulsharvey]

Thanks for some great perspective, I do need it on hand for some odd jobs I do, so I will buy one. Have you or others had any experience with John Deere?

The early 2000s Deere were slow to catch up, and were more primitive than CAT and others. The last few years, the JD-333G is as advanced as the others now. A lot still comes down to preferences. The JD has put swinging doors, which some people hate and others prefer. I would atleast look at them.

 

[paulsharvey]

I think first you need to narrow your focus down, and select a size of machine, and features you Need, features you Want, and then take a look at 3 or 4 makes, and figure out which total package is best (including the money side of the package). I would certainly look at Kubota/Deere/Cat/Bobcat models.

 

[paulsharvey]

Cat can have fantastic service, But, at times they have a tendency to push off the one or two machine kinda guys, to service their major customers. The same can be said of Deere at times, with certain dealers, for their big Ag guys or their big commercial clients; but that is not across entire brands,

 

[paulsharvey]

Basically, you need to determine weight, power, and accessory requirements, and kinda out together a min spec of machine you want. All of the big ones offer something that will work.

 

[paulsharvey]

Another option, would be a fairly low hours used machine, and putting away maybe $10-15k for possible repairs. Just make sure you inspect any used machine. Something like this Case, has a Lot of cost savings over a brand new deere. $22k vs $75k. Even if it needs tracks or something, you have plenty of savings to use for that. Now, be realistic on your abilities; CTLs are a pain to wrench on

 

[TheRealWorld]

Cat can have fantastic service, But, at times they have a tendency to push off the one or two machine kinda guys, to service their major customers. The same can be said of Deere at times, with certain dealers, for their big Ag guys or their big commercial clients; but that is not across entire brands,

I have a John Deere dealer close to me, and I had not considered one. I know I am looking at the smaller size, about 70 horse power as that is plenty for me and it might offer no DEF. I also would like your personal Bobcat opinion as overall the people here tend to shy away, and I think they know better than me.

 

[TheRealWorld]

Another option, would be a fairly low hours used machine, and putting away maybe $10-15k for possible repairs. Just make sure you inspect any used machine. Something like this Case, has a Lot of cost savings over a brand new deere. $22k vs $75k. Even if it needs tracks or something, you have plenty of savings to use for that. Now, be realistic on your abilities; CTLs are a pain to wrench onView attachment 2197153

Twenty years ago that would have been exactly what I would do, and the machine you showed me seems like a steal. I can fix most things, but I am at the point in my life I don't like to anymore.

 

[paulsharvey]

On John Deere, the 74 hp model is the JD-325G. It's about 10,500# operating weight and seems like a well put together machine.

 

[TheRealWorld]

I looked this over and think it has potential, and no DEF, but it does have the particulate filter and that might be as bad or worse. I will look into it and thanks for the suggestion. I see it is made in Iowa, which is a plus in my opinion. Do you all know that if you want a 4-wheel drive Tractor you can't get one made in America unless it is over 100 HP.

 

[4570Man]

I looked this over and think it has potential, and no DEF, but it does have the particulate filter and that might be as bad or worse. I will look into it and thanks for the suggestion. I see it is made in Iowa, which is a plus in my opinion. Do you all know that if you want a 4-wheel drive Tractor you can't get one made in America unless it is over 100 HP.

Any track loader is going to have a DPF unless you buy an old one. The machines over 75hp still have the DPF in addition to requiring DEF fluid. In my opinion the DEF fluid is considerably more unreliable than just the DPF especially on machines that sit more than they work.

 

[paulsharvey]

New Holland is one i think we left of the list. They aren't really one of the more common ones, but if you have a dealer close, I wouldn't rule them out. They do appear to average a bit lighter for the same HP; which can be good or bad,

 

[TheRealWorld]

Any track loader is going to have a DPF unless you buy an old one. The machines over 75hp still have the DPF in addition to requiring DEF fluid. In my opinion the DEF fluid is considerably more unreliable than just the DPF especially on machines that sit more than they work.

Thanks for that info, I had no idea on the DPF system. My issue with that is that I hate to run engines wide open as I usually don't need that much power and I like to save fuel and wear and tear. The info on that filter is that they like to run warm in order to keep them clean.

 

[TheRealWorld]

New Holland is one i think we left of the list. They aren't really one of the more common ones, but if you have a dealer close, I wouldn't rule them out. They do appear to average a bit lighter for the same HP; which can be good or bad,View attachment 2207193

I will look into that, I do have a dealer close and the price looks good.