Buying Advice Debating buying an Avant 528 loader

[spindlewood]

I have some pretty steep slopes that it will go up and down empty or with a loaded bucket.
Do not normally go sideways on slopes but get the wide track option for sure!
The MT 100 is by far the best investment for my land. Some days planting trees or drilling fence post must climb on and off 50 times no issues. A ride in cab skid loader would be a real work out just getting in and out. On the MT 100 you can move the machine without standing on the platform, very handy at times. Wonder if the MT120 will allow?
I have the added weight kit so it helps the load capacity and install Baja Designs LED amber lights. Have a Hyd angle snow blade and it is great for sidewalks and close to the buildings.
15 minutes on the MT then break out the tractor with the 84" snow blower.
No shovels around my farm.

This is very helpful, thank you.

Bobcat is quoting $51,022 plus tax for the:
MT100 wide track ($41,037)
44" GPX bucket with bolt-on cutting edge ($1,196)
36" pallet forks with mini frame ($902)
9" auger with drive unit ($3,735)
48" Industrial Bucket Grapple ($2,993)
Freight, Destination, Assembly, Mounting Hardware minus Bobcat discounts ($1,160)

Sure does add up... Fortunately, I won't need the snow blower (Hawaii). I moved from Idaho, so I was really glad to leave it behind.

I'm not positive I'll need all the implements. I've never had a grapple, but it sure does seem useful. The rest of the implements seem basic.

 

[KenBike]

I don't recall but I had them bring the standard bucket and a larger light material bucket when it was delivered. Put on the wider light material bucket and dug into a compost pile and moved some sand and the MT 100 had no issues. The small bucket is really small.
My bucket is a Bobcat without a bolt on cutting edge I can measure tonight but it may be a 46 or 48.

I have the non Bobcat brand brush grapple that is really handy, can pick up a 30" x 6" log or use it to clean up the tops of trees when cutting firewood.

I have a 9" bit for my auger, seams to small for fence post, would get a 12" if buying again.

Did you consider the MT120? I did put the extra weight kit on my MT100 and it really helps!

 

[spindlewood]

Did you consider the MT120? I did put the extra weight kit on my MT100 and it really helps!

I didn't initially consider the MT120 as it is close to $6k more - already too expensive and I'm just a homeowner not a tree business. But after a test drive of both, I was disappointed in how jerky the MT100 was. I am sensitive to motion and the result wasn't great. The MT120 was much smoother.

Bobcat was willing to take $500 off and I decided to take the plunge and I placed an order for the MT120.

I appreciate your thoughts on the implements. I'm still debating 9" vs 12" auger - which is the most useful for general use. Besides posts, I'll be planting trees and bushes - probably more of that than posts.

I'm now questioning the default 44" bucket width they included as well. My choices are 44" or 50" and I'm thinking I will regret the 44" as I carry load after load of wood chips up the hill... but we also have a double fence (for deer) - with the fences 48" apart that I might regret not being able to ride between... choices.

I'm curious why you didn't get the cutting edge for the bucket.

 

[4570Man]

I didn't initially consider the MT120 as it is close to $6k more - already too expensive and I'm just a homeowner not a tree business. But after a test drive of both, I was disappointed in how jerky the MT100 was. I am sensitive to motion and the result wasn't great. The MT120 was much smoother.

Bobcat was willing to take $500 off and I decided to take the plunge and I placed an order for the MT120.

I appreciate your thoughts on the implements. I'm still debating 9" vs 12" auger - which is the most useful for general use. Besides posts, I'll be planting trees and bushes - probably more of that than posts.

I'm now questioning the default 44" bucket width they included as well. My choices are 44" or 50" and I'm thinking I will regret the 44" as I carry load after load of wood chips up the hill... but we also have a double fence (for deer) - with the fences 48" apart that I might regret not being able to ride between... choices.

I'm curious why you didn't get the cutting edge for the bucket.

I bought my auger with a 3 piece set. 9”, 15” and 30”. The 15” is the only one I’ve ever used. My larger bucket is a 42” and that’s a good size for the machine. If you were scooping firewood you could go bigger. I have a tooth and smooth bucket. I usually use the smooth edge on the mini because it’s the bigger one. I also have duel buckets for the full size skid and the tooth bucket is my usual go to there. I like the smooth edge for scooping gravel through. Gravel sits on the bucket teeth and spill off making a bigger mess. The second picture is a joke. That bucket doesn’t even latch on the machine.

 

[KenBike]

Good choice on the MT120, you will enjoy the control and added weight carrying capacity.
On buckets never used a tooth bucket and dont miss it. Was digging a drainage ditch in the field over the weekend in hard pan clay with rocks and was able to have the bucket bite in.
If you have an issue with the wider not fitting but need a mulch bucket get both!

Second the comment on augers, the 9" is to small. Go with 12 or 15.
I do use the large thinking it is a 24 but may be a 30 to plant trees, drilled to hole side by side to bury my dog last year. Really could drill holes side by side to make a trench if needed.

 

[spindlewood]

The landscaper I am working with recommended the 9" since we'll be digging lots of holes for plants that are 1 gal or so. His perspective is that if we need larger, we can rent. I expect we can also dig three holes in a triangle or move the MT120 forward and back while drilling to elongate the top of the hole for larger plants. Since the landscaper is supervising a lot of the planting, I decided to take his lead in this. Everyone's advice to go larger certainly has me agonizing over this detail.

For the bucket, I've ordered a cutting edge - no teeth, just a reinforced bolt-on plate.