Help me pick a skid steer

[Poopdeck Pappy]

That's funny!!! Extremely accurate too

I agree, and he didn't even mention the $15,000 - $20,000 budget for jobs that would require a skid steer with a bucket, grapple, backhoe and brush cutter at the very minimum. Last time I checked the prices of skid steer attachments, the grapple, backhoe and brush cutter alone would eat up most of that budget.

 

[f150skidoo]

I agree, and he didn't even mention the $15,000 - $20,000 budget for jobs that would require a skid steer with a bucket, grapple, backhoe and brush cutter at the very minimum. Last time I checked the prices of skid steer attachments, the grapple, backhoe and brush cutter alone would eat up most of that budget.

You are correct about the extra expense of attachments but you could spend a very similar number if you bought a tractor with the same hp as the skid steer. The grapple and back hoe would cost very similar between the two, the skid steers bush hog would be about $1k-1500 more then a CUT's. I don't know about the OP's area but in my area you can rent a lot of attachment for a skid steer.


BTW this thread turned into a sh*t show.

 

[Rustyiron]

The question is what machine do I want? Is there much difference between the brands besides color and preference? What features should I be looking for, and how much power do I really need? Do you think $15-20k is enough to spend to buy one that isn't worn out and unreliable?

I don't know why you are beating the OP? His question was clear to me.:confused3:

 

[truckdiagnostics]

I don't know why you are beating the OP? His question was clear to me.:confused3:

Agree +1

 

[ddbackhoe]

I don't know why you are beating the OP? His question was clear to me.:confused3:

He wants to get purple and they have decided he needs red. Since he is resisting the move to red, he is wrong. Once he decides that they have berated him enough and decides on red, balance will be restored to the world. Until he agrees to red, he will be outcast and even stoned if necessary.

 

[alchemysa]

And I can't think of a better way to tackle the brush than this:
Shred the bush like butter !! Heavy duty Bobcat SkidSteer loader Slasher Brush Cutter 152mm - YouTube

Seriously? I reckon if that thing lasted a day you'd be lucky.

 

[zmoz]

Is anybody besides Rustyiron here to offer actual advice or are you all just trying to have a contest to see who the biggest idiot is?

I agree, and he didn't even mention the $15,000 - $20,000 budget for jobs that would require a skid steer with a bucket, grapple, backhoe and brush cutter at the very minimum. Last time I checked the prices of skid steer attachments, the grapple, backhoe and brush cutter alone would eat up most of that budget.

Already listed the cost I could get each attachment for (brand new, could get a better deal used) and a 700 hour bobcat, well within the $20k budget. Obviously you didn't bother to read my reply before making such an ignorant post.

If it's not clear yet, your not the first person to ever cut and clear land....

If it's not clear yet, I never asked your opinion how I should go about doing that. Don't care what you think or how you do it, I'll do it my way. Your way isn't the only way or the best way and I didn't even ask you how you do it.

Seriously? I reckon if that thing lasted a day you'd be lucky.

Funny how they come with a multi-year warranty and the local professionals are using exactly that for this task...

This thread is done, I don't want or need your advice, I made the mistake of thinking there were intelligent members here, I was incorrect, I fully admit to that mistake and it was 100% my fault. I should have found a better forum, this place has gone really, really down hill in the last 10 years. Pathetic. Obviously the moderators here aren't doing anything to moderate.

I'll repeat again that all the professionals I've called in the area to get a quote to do this work would also be using a skid steer. I'm sure they're all too stupid to pick the correct tool for the job...

Thank you Rustyiron for actually attempting to answer the question that was asked. I'll post pictures in a few weeks to prove what a bunch of idiots this post found. I think most of you are just jealous because you're stuck with a 30hp compact tractor and that's all the wife will ever let you buy...

Let me be clear: I have a big wad of cash to spend, I can buy anything I want. I could spend it on hookers and blow if I choose. I choose a skid steer instead. Doesn't matter why, it's not your money. I have plenty of good reasons for getting a skid steer, but I'm not going to explain any of them because I don't have any reason to defend myself.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Is anybody besides Rustyiron here to offer actual advice or are you all just trying to have a contest to see who the biggest idiot is?

Ok already! You win!

 

[Green Power]

zmoz, you may have already considered this, but one advantage of tracks over tires, would be with using that brush cutter, It is a lot harder to get a flat track than flat tires. That s185 you posted the link to on page one looks like a great deal, but it may be smaller than desired?

 

[alchemysa]

Is anybody besides Rustyiron here to offer actual advice or are you all just trying to have a contest to see who the biggest idiot is?

Well actually, Rustyiron suggested you start with a small excavator, not a skid steer.

 

[EddieWalker]

Never seen a guy so in love with skid steers that no matter how many people suggested something better, he just got offended. It would be fun to hear about how it works out for him, but having been there, done that with skid steers, I already know the road of disappointment he is in for. Hopefully he picks a brand that he can easily sell and get some of his wad of cash back to try again.

 

[Xfaxman]

And I can't think of a better way to tackle the brush than this:
Shred the bush like butter !! Heavy duty Bobcat SkidSteer loader Slasher Brush Cutter 152mm - YouTube

Seriously? I reckon if that thing lasted a day you'd be lucky.

Why would you think that?

Mine (different brand) is over 5 years old!

 

[two_bit_score]

Why did you make such a totally useless reply is the better question? You have offered nothing of value here, please hit your back button.

Just because I asked a question does not mean I have any obligation to take bad internet advice. I already expected at least half of the replies to be off topic or from people who don't know what they are talking about. That's how forum questions always go.

By watching video of the actual equipment in action as well as calling professionals to ask how much they charge and what equipment they use, I have learned much, much more than this forum could provide.

I can't understand how you would ask a question in that way and then slander the people who offer you well meaning answers to your proposed question. You don't seem to be a newbie on TBN. You must just be an argumentative troll.


TBS

 

[Xfaxman]

Never seen a guy so in love with skid steers that no matter how many people suggested something better, he just got offended. It would be fun to hear about how it works out for him, but having been there, done that with skid steers, I already know the road of disappointment he is in for. Hopefully he picks a brand that he can easily sell and get some of his wad of cash back to try again.

Yep, I didn't jump in and show him my better than a skid steer, machine, because I didn't think he would consider it.

 

[alchemysa]

Why would you think that?

Mine (different brand) is over 5 years old!

Just saying, theres no room for mistakes if you are going to try that. The OP mentioned he wanted to clear totally undeveloped land. Trees up to 10 inches diameter had to go. You would wanna be absolutely sure any stumps or junk had been cleared out before hacking into the brush with a mower like they do in the video. And yours is on a Toolcat which I guess would give you better control and visibility than a skid steer.

 

[Snobdds]

I want to see the road that a skid steer builds. Pictures please...when done, of course.

 

[zmoz]

You guys are absolutely right. Skid steers are horrible machines. They can't do anything right. That must be why they are so incredibly popular with professionals....

 

[alchemysa]

You guys are absolutely right. Skid steers are horrible machines. They can't do anything right. That must be why they are so incredibly popular with professionals....

Theres lots of reasons pro's will tackle a job with equipment that us amateurs should sometimes avoid. They are probably using $100,000+ machines for a start, plus another $50,000 at least in attachments... And they REALLY know how to use them FAST, because time is money... And they know what NOT to do with them... And they probably get priority treatment at a repair shop... And they would use a skid steer because often they would do jobs where access is very limited. The reasons a skid steer may be best for the job go on and on but none of them seemed particularly relevant in your situation.

 

[TSO]

There are jobs that I bring my Track Loader to.... And jobs that I bring my Tractor to. And there are other jobs where I bring both. They both have benefits and deficiencies. I still think the OP would be better off with a Tractor, as a whole, it would offer more long term flexibility and cost savings.

Oh, and I'm a professional...

 

[zmoz]

The reasons a skid steer may be best for the job go on and on but none of them seemed particularly relevant in your situation.

I find it odd that you know "my situation" when I haven't explained it and I don't know you. I haven't explained it on purpose, because as I did explain, I don't need to defend my choice of a skid steer. It's not your money. I have plenty of reasons that I'm not going to bother explaining, because, why bother?

The only question I asked was simply, "which one?". I shouldn't have said anything at all about my property.