Compact Track Loader, whos the best?

[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.