Skid Steer Questions

[Case485Guy]

Looking at buying a skid steer. OTher than renting/using them I have no brand knowledge etc. This will be used for clearing brush in a sandy loam type soil. Post hole digger work, ranch type work; Lotsa brush clearing
That said,, tracks or tires? Whats a good average per year for hours? No Brand war please, but brand suggestions?
I know I want a cab and most HP I can get for 25-30k, used

 

[dirt ditch]

My :2cents: go with tracks. I live in the sand and bought a 7753 bobcat a while back. Tires spin, can't get traction, can't fill the bucket when shaving road or back dragging. For 25-30K you should be able to get a really nice tracked skid steer.

 

[ALittleDirtWontHurt]

Tracks are great, so long as most of your work is off concrete or asphalt, as they will wear very quickly. They will perform well in a sandy loam soil. The added traction and flotation is always a plus, but do consider that they also carry a higher operating and maintenance cost when you price tracks, idlers and rollers. If you're going to do a lot of brush clearing, high flow hydraulics would be good as well.

 

[Wnc3]

Tracks are great.
We have had a Cat in service for a year in hard dusty conditions with only one minor issue. I like the Deere, but the rear is vulnerable to damage from backing up into stuff.

 

[Case485Guy]

On the tracks...will brush getting in there cause the tracks to jump off? Maybe a dumb question. machine will not see any pavement or concrete once I get it to the ranch

 

[ALittleDirtWontHurt]

On the tracks...will brush getting in there cause the tracks to jump off? Maybe a dumb question. machine will not see any pavement or concrete once I get it to the ranch

Knock on wood, I've never had any of ours come off due to brush getting caught up, but occasionally a track will come off for one reason or another. It's usually due to lack of track tension or turning on a hill. You do, however, need to keep tracks clean regularly. That'll greatly increase the track and undercarriage life. There are also the over-the-tire steel tracks that will provide added flotation and stability to the machine. If you do a lot of brush cutting or mulching, the rubber tires can be vulnerable tears and punctures, but there are still a good handful of guys out there that run tires for that application too.

 

[Xfaxman]

Looking at buying a skid steer. OTher than renting/using them I have no brand knowledge etc. This will be used for clearing brush in a sandy loam type soil. Post hole digger work, ranch type work; Lotsa brush clearing
That said,, tracks or tires? Whats a good average per year for hours? No Brand war please, but brand suggestions?
I know I want a cab and most HP I can get for 25-30k, used

Check on a compact telehandler with a SSQA plate. I have a Bobcat V417, it is the most amazing machine I have ever owned.

More info here:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/bobcat-construction-equipment/160568-compact-telehandler.html


http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/toolcat/183057-toolcat-vs-v417.html

 

[Cat_Driver]

I have a CAT with tracks and it is flawless. I use in in deep desert soft beach type sand. With a 4x4 kubota I was always getting buried. I rented a 2 wd drive before the 4x4 and it went exactly 10 ft into the sand and was buried. I called the rental place and said come get it. The tracks float over everything, and spin on a dime. Mine works in 120 plus temps AC cab etc. Lifting power some tractors can only dream of. Change attachments with the push of a button .

 

[cdodson21]

i would say just plain tires and if you needed the extra traction go with metal OTT. In my experience CAT is the way to go. built like a tank, but parts are expensive.

 

[cdodson21]

I have a 236 cat. 63hp around 7000lb machine on a farm in TN. Use it for the same things you mentioned and love it. can push over softwood trees like pine and cedar up to about 1ft diameter, but that's pushing down a hill. still will push decent sized trees on level ground.