Looking for Skid loader recommendationski

[jrsavoie]

We are looking at replacing our 1998 Toro 325D with a diesel skid loader with heated cab. Preferably wheeled.

We have another front deck Toro for mowing. The main reason for replacing the Toro with a skid loader is parking space. Something has to go or go outside. I have too much outside as it is.

Part of the reason for looking for a mower deck for the skid loader would be, because the neighbor has one. The other part is I am not very twisty anymore. I have a heck of a time seeing behind me. I need to get mirrors or camera on everything.

No electronic controls and pre-emissions - I don't know what year those started, but several friends have had issues with the electronic controls and emissions on various pieces of equipment.

It would need to be able to accept a mower deck and snowblower as well as the bucket.

I know it varies with maintenance, but what is a lot of hours on a diesel skid loader?

Any brands to stay away from?

What brands and sizes / models would be good?

I know very little about skid loaders.
Thanks

 

[Pen & Wrench]

You will get a ton of opinions. I grew up using a Bobcat M600 back in the 60s and 70s on a farm. I ended up buying a 2011 Bobcat S650 when it was 2 years old. It is Interim Tier 4, and no Def, it has the old hand controls and foot controls, same as the one I grew up on other than this one is hydrostatic and the 600 was not. I needed one for cutting pasture cedar trees with a tree shear. Bobcat says they are the original and I guess maybe they are, and I really like mine, but I know there are others that are also very good. When I looked for mine, what I could find was machines that had been used on construction, and had some hard use. Then I found this one that had about 600 hours, and was used to feed some buffalo that a local person has, and it didn't have what I'd call hard use, and it was just about like a new machine. If you can find one that has not had too hard a life, it will probably give you a lot of trouble free service, whatever brand you may find it in. Mine is too wide to use for sidewalks, and there are times I could use a smaller machine, but when I am cutting cedar trees, I really appreciate a wider wheel stance, and plenty of lifting capacity for what I do.

 

[jrsavoie]

You will get a ton of opinions. I grew up using a Bobcat M600 back in the 60s and 70s on a farm. I ended up buying a 2011 Bobcat S650 when it was 2 years old. It is Interim Tier 4, and no Def, it has the old hand controls and foot controls, same as the one I grew up on other than this one is hydrostatic and the 600 was not. I needed one for cutting pasture cedar trees with a tree shear. Bobcat says they are the original and I guess maybe they are, and I really like mine, but I know there are others that are also very good. When I looked for mine, what I could find was machines that had been used on construction, and had some hard use. Then I found this one that had about 600 hours, and was used to feed some buffalo that a local person has, and it didn't have what I'd call hard use, and it was just about like a new machine. If you can find one that has not had too hard a life, it will probably give you a lot of trouble free service, whatever brand you may find it in. Mine is too wide to use for sidewalks, and there are times I could use a smaller machine, but when I am cutting cedar trees, I really appreciate a wider wheel stance, and plenty of lifting capacity for what I do.

That sounds like a size that would work for me.

No small part of my problem. In searching has been the lack of any clue as to what sizes the numbers represent for the various manufacturers.

 

[Firebrick43]

Generally before 2010 will not have emissions of any kind. I say generally as the tier four rules had credits built in so it could be a year or to later depending on the size.

To run a mower and snowblower, you need to ensure it has the auxiliary pump on it. Most skid steers will not run those or a hammer, broom, or other high flow attachments without the auxiliary hi flow pump. That is an expensive option.

Also, A toro 325d is a mower. Is that your main use? Skid steers tear things up pretty good when turning. Also wheeled machines are not the best for mowing off terrain, clearing brush in hills or ravines and such. Tracked machines are much better. Wheeled machines shine on hard pack flat level terrain. The ground pressure is pretty high as well leading to getting stuck in the shady wet holes so common in brush clearing.

Also, ensure you have a forestry cage on it or its availible for the model before you buy it. If you are lifting the mower up and setting it down on small trees(the only good thing a mower on a skid steer does) a forestry cage is mandatory lest you have a chuck of something rearranging your face, or a piece of wood comes up between the mower and spears you in the chest.

 

[jrsavoie]

We have another Toro. With 72" deck. To do the bulk of the mowing with.

A skid loader would be nice to have around for dirt work. With a heated cab, snowblower and mower deck it would completely replace the Toro.

If I thought rear hitch was do-able, it could replace a garden tractor as well. As much as I bounce around on a skid loader, I can't see avrear hitch working at all.

We only have room for so many pieces of equipment. Have to judge what is best to have around.

If I got a Land Tamer with front and rear 3 point, I could get rid of a tractor.

 

[Firebrick43]

We have another Toro. With 72" deck. To do the bulk of the mowing with.

A skid loader would be nice to have around for dirt work. With a heated cab, snowblower and mower deck it would completely replace the Toro.

If I thought rear hitch was do-able, it could replace a garden tractor as well. As much as I bounce around on a skid loader, I can't see avrear hitch working at all.

We only have room for so many pieces of equipment. Have to judge what is best to have around.

If I got a Land Tamer with front and rear 3 point, I could get rid of a tractor.

So just general mowing then? Not land clearing all the time? A skid steer makes a really lousy general mower.

 

[jrsavoie]

This would be mostly a bush hog. Our bush hog got burnt with the neighbors shed.

Once we replace the garden tractor we will have 3 finish mowers, so the Toro is expendable for mower duties.

 

[Firebrick43]

I would really get another bush hog for the tractor. The pitching alone and rough ride of a skid steer make them terrible for this kind of work, as does the amount they tear up in turns.

We had a 743 bobcat that we tried to use a bale grapple on to pickup bales in the field. That lasted one day before switching it back to a tractor for the same reason.

You won't like the fuel usage either. Converting mechanical energy to hydraulic and back is not the most efficient.

I am not against bush hog on skid steers, there is nothing better to clear an abandon pasture(with small trees) or clear the underbrush out of an open woods than a MTL with a hog on the front. But past that, you maintain it with a tractor/ bush hog.

 

[zkdiesel]

So just general mowing then? Not land clearing all the time? A skid steer makes a really lousy general mower.

Second this. A skidloader as a mower is poor use of skidsteer, fuel and everything else. Brush hog on tractor rear is a far better option with less breakage, better efficiency and far less $$$ spent per acre all around

 

[jack stand]

I only read the first few replies,
But.. I really don't think that replacing a lawn mower with a SS makes any sense.
Bush hogging is the closest thing to mowing that you want to do with a SS and that is not great for other than in some tall woody brush that's too big to flatten and mow with a tractor.

 

[DieselNut88]

I have you looked at a Ventrac? We have one at work and they are very nice machines.

 

[jrsavoie]

I have you looked at a Ventrac? We have one at work and they are very nice machines.

Do they have a 3 point and pto?

 

[LXCam]

I have a skat track 1500hd with a 60hp kubota diesel in it. Everything is mechanical and in the 20yrs I’ve owned it never had a single issue with it except it needing an alternator replacement. Super basic machine that I’m sure adding heat to the cab wouldn’t be an issue.

 

[finn]

I’ve had a couple of skid steers: a relatively small 51 hp Deere 240 Series II for about ten years, and a Case 310 CTL for the past three or four years. Also have a 40hp Kioti HST cab tractor with a front snowblower.

I often advocate a CTL over a compact Tractor, but not in your case. The rear and side visibility in a skid steer is much worse than a small cab tractor, although the latest model CTL would probably have a rear camera. Also, it sounds like you have some mobility issues, which would be an issue entering and exiting a CTL or skid.

Also, if you do go with a skid, forget about foot controls and get something with a joystick and ISO controls.

for your use, a compact tractor with a front mower would be better, assuming you aren’t doing a lot of dirt work, where the CTL excels, or fork work, where the skid or CTL offers better forward visibility.

For mowing, consider a flail. Seems that most opt for the rotary mower, but I am seriously looking at a flail.

I wouldn’t look at older skids unless I wanted a project. My JD 240 didn’t require much maintenance, but hoses, tires, and tracks all have a finite life.

Don’t listen to the internet bs about emissions equipment on late model equipment. It’s mostly coming from the group that has a bone to pick.

 

[zkdiesel]

I’ve had a couple of skid steers: a relatively small 51 hp Deere 240 Series II for about ten years, and a Case 310 CTL for the past three or four years. Also have a 40hp Kioti HST cab tractor with a front snowblower.

I often advocate a CTL over a compact Tractor, but not in your case. The rear and side visibility in a skid steer is much worse than a small cab tractor, although the latest model CTL would probably have a rear camera. Also, it sounds like you have some mobility issues, which would be an issue entering and exiting a CTL or skid.

Also, if you do go with a skid, forget about foot controls and get something with a joystick and ISO controls.

for your use, a compact tractor with a front mower would be better, assuming you aren’t doing a lot of dirt work, where the CTL excels, or fork work, where the skid or CTL offers better forward visibility.

For mowing, consider a flail. Seems that most opt for the rotary mower, but I am seriously looking at a flail.

I wouldn’t look at older skids unless I wanted a project. My JD 240 didn’t require much maintenance, but hoses, tires, and tracks all have a finite life.

Don’t listen to the internet bs about emissions equipment on late model equipment. It’s mostly coming from the group that has a bone to pick.

He says he has a 15k budget for a cab machine with heat. Sooooooo. Most anything newer than 2010 is out of question emissionozed or not

I work on them daily. They newer machines with emissions and more creature comforts have more down time and cost more per year to operate and keep working correctly then they did 10 years ago under the same conditions and operators. I’d guess operating costs have doubled but machines also door more, function better, have more comforts, and better visibility. Having those options hurts your wallet, machine just has to make enough $$ to jusitify it

 

[jrsavoie]

I’ve had a couple of skid steers: a relatively small 51 hp Deere 240 Series II for about ten years, and a Case 310 CTL for the past three or four years. Also have a 40hp Kioti HST cab tractor with a front snowblower.

I often advocate a CTL over a compact Tractor, but not in your case. The rear and side visibility in a skid steer is much worse than a small cab tractor, although the latest model CTL would probably have a rear camera. Also, it sounds like you have some mobility issues, which would be an issue entering and exiting a CTL or skid.

Also, if you do go with a skid, forget about foot controls and get something with a joystick and ISO controls.

for your use, a compact tractor with a front mower would be better, assuming you aren’t doing a lot of dirt work, where the CTL excels, or fork work, where the skid or CTL offers better forward visibility.

For mowing, consider a flail. Seems that most opt for the rotary mower, but I am seriously looking at a flail.

I wouldn’t look at older skids unless I wanted a project. My JD 240 didn’t require much maintenance, but hoses, tires, and tracks all have a finite life.

Don’t listen to the internet bs about emissions equipment on late model equipment. It’s mostly coming from the group that has a bone to pick.

My emissions qnd electronic control info doesn't come from the internet. I haven't looked for or read much about it.

My neighbors Bobcat randomly just dropping, was a major factor in my decision.

Just about everybody I know has had emissions issues with something.

A friends JCB backhoe has had plenty of both. Very expensive repairs

I am replacing the Toro with a skid loader because we have a lot of dirt and **** to move. If the mower was the concern, we would just keep the Toro - or if we had more shed space.

 

[jrsavoie]

I’ve had a couple of skid steers: a relatively small 51 hp Deere 240 Series II for about ten years, and a Case 310 CTL for the past three or four years. Also have a 40hp Kioti HST cab tractor with a front snowblower.

I often advocate a CTL over a compact Tractor, but not in your case. The rear and side visibility in a skid steer is much worse than a small cab tractor, although the latest model CTL would probably have a rear camera. Also, it sounds like you have some mobility issues, which would be an issue entering and exiting a CTL or skid.

Also, if you do go with a skid, forget about foot controls and get something with a joystick and ISO controls.

for your use, a compact tractor with a front mower would be better, assuming you aren’t doing a lot of dirt work, where the CTL excels, or fork work, where the skid or CTL offers better forward visibility.

For mowing, consider a flail. Seems that most opt for the rotary mower, but I am seriously looking at a flail.

I wouldn’t look at older skids unless I wanted a project. My JD 240 didn’t require much maintenance, but hoses, tires, and tracks all have a finite life.

Don’t listen to the internet bs about emissions equipment on late model equipment. It’s mostly coming from the group that has a bone to pick.

How does a flail do on small trees? If I could hire what little mowing I need done, I wouldn't even think about having a bush hog of any type.

All I have is a little over 1/4 mile of ditch and about 15 acres of crp

 

[finn]

Flail mowers are advertised as capable of handling 1 1/2 to 3” diameter material, depending on brand and type of trees.

I don’t have either a flail or rotary cutter, but the rotary I have borrowed gave a less than desirable finish and was difficult to maneuver between the trees on my property, which pointed me towards a flail for my specific use.

If dirt work is your primary objective, a CTL is a good choice. Not going to get much for $15k, though. They hold their value well.

 

[jrsavoie]

I'm not scared of an oldie but goodie. Right now the 1998 Toro 325D is my newest piece of equipment. Except the 8 ft rototiller

The trees are mostly Mulberry with a few walnut thrown in.

They redid the road on the east side of the property and we can't mow the ditch with the Toros. What would work good is a little batwing.

I want the most machine I can get for the money. That might well be an older machine. I saw a few 1990s on Marketplace this morning that did not look terrible.

We are fixed income and it won't be a money maker. So I can learn to live with whatever I end up with.

From what I looked at, it seems. 20K might be a better budget.

 

[zkdiesel]

20k will get you into something in the 2000’s that decent sized, and not all worn out with some modern features

Older skidloaders they like to discontinue parts. So that can be a burden ona ******* or off brand machine. Big companies do it also but there is more aftermarket or used options

Hydraulic control valve for a 2003 case go bad in the autolevel function. It’s not available anywhere. Dealer says your fucked and no service parts available
I in last year have sourced two new old stock from my in the know suppliers....

Or your left with getting a valve without auto level and replumbing. Which in a skidsteer is a bigger deal than you would imagine

 

[Firebrick43]

How does a flail do on small trees? If I could hire what little mowing I need done, I wouldn't even think about having a bush hog of any type.

All I have is a little over 1/4 mile of ditch and about 15 acres of crp

Flail mowers do well on small trees, like 1-3 inch in diameter. There may be flail that can handle larger, but the ones my dad owned where not. "SOME" heavy duty bush hogs can due 6-7" if its built heavy enough. Flails in my experience take more HP to mow but do pulverize it more. Flails tend to take more maintenance due to multiple knives and more bearings/chains.

Flails imho work better if mowing once per year. A bush hog/batwing is better if mowed at least 2-3 times a year.

Also if you desire a batwing you may be able to find an 75-80 hp tractor to run one for the same cost as a 50 hp tractor to run an 8' mower. They are too small for big farmers and too big "in peoples minds" for hobbyist.

 

[p_mori7]

Do you have any idea how heavy a SSL is ?

It's going to tear everything up if you try and use it like a regular mower.

 

[finn]

Do you have any idea how heavy a SSL is ?

It's going to tear everything up if you try and use it like a regular mower.

Not something you use on a lawn, but good for ditches and fields.

Think he said he had a ztr for the actual lawn.

 

[jrsavoie]

Flail mowers do well on small trees, like 1-3 inch in diameter. There may be flail that can handle larger, but the ones my dad owned where not. "SOME" heavy duty bush hogs can due 6-7" if its built heavy enough. Flails in my experience take more HP to mow but do pulverize it more. Flails tend to take more maintenance due to multiple knives and more bearings/chains.

Flails imho work better if mowing once per year. A bush hog/batwing is better if mowed at least 2-3 times a year.

Also if you desire a batwing you may be able to find an 75-80 hp tractor to run one for the same cost as a 50 hp tractor to run an 8' mower. They are too small for big farmers and too big "in peoples minds" for hobbyist.

I have a 1963 JD 4010 diesel wide front with the 4020 recall repair. For the amount of mowing I need done it would be better to hire somebody, but that does not seem possible. Nobody around here seems interested enough to even shoot me a price.

 

[jrsavoie]

20k will get you into something in the 2000’s that decent sized, and not all worn out with some modern features

Older skidloaders they like to discontinue parts. So that can be a burden ona ******* or off brand machine. Big companies do it also but there is more aftermarket or used options

Hydraulic control valve for a 2003 case go bad in the autolevel function. It’s not available anywhere. Dealer says your fucked and no service parts available
I in last year have sourced two new old stock from my in the know suppliers....

Or your left with getting a valve without auto level and replumbing. Which in a skidsteer is a bigger deal than you would imagine

Discontinued parts are something that concerns me about an older machine.

Are there brands on older machines that are more desirable than others?

Makes that I should stay away from?

II have seen references to some brands - maybe Bobcat having a timing belt. Machines advertised as having had the timing belt serviced.

I also wish to stay away from a timing belt. Are there many diesel machines with timing belts? I would not have guessed any skid loader would have a timing belt.

Timing belts should be serviced every 6 or 7 years in addition to the mileage or hours schedule. A lot of people do not know or don't care and run them until they break. I'm not that lucky. If it needs to be changed at 100,000 miles, I'd better be getting it changed or I'll be looking at carnage

 

[930dreamer]

Takeuchi seems well liked from the YouTube video's I've seen. I think a new set of tracks and idlers are $4K so buyer beware.

 

[jrsavoie]

Takeuchi seems well liked from the YouTube video's I've seen. I think a new set of tracks and idlers are $4K so buyer beware.

I should have included tires or tracks in the original post. I lean more towards tires.

Are tires less expensive in the long run?

My neighbor had tracks for several years and went back to tires.

 

[bigdav160]

Tires are running on hard surfaces only. Forget using them anywhere the ground might be soft

 

[zkdiesel]

You can’t afford a track machine in your budget
Tires and used when not a marsh will be fine

Any case 1845c has good support

Deere is surprisingly piss poor support for older machines with discontinued parts. Had to have custom steel lines made for a 2015 this fall because discontinued

Common bobcats have good support. Popular models, not old old ball ones. Anything with Kubota power usually has stuff available

New holland support is dieing off for anything pre 2010 but I can find it all still for older

Hell with Gehl/tak/mustang for older support. No skat trac.

Bobcat with duetz diesel have timin belts and routinely crash the valves

 

[zkdiesel]

Takeuchi seems well liked from the YouTube video's I've seen. I think a new set of tracks and idlers are $4K so buyer beware.

Well tracks start at 3k a pair for larger machines and idlers start at $250 each up to $500 each. And then most
Machines have 5-6 per side so might want to update your $$ number. And that goes as far as all track machines

Pay to play, if you have tracks you better have deep pockets

 

[jrsavoie]

You can’t afford a track machine in your budget
Tires and used when not a marsh will be fine

Any case 1845c has good support

Deere is surprisingly piss poor support for older machines with discontinued parts. Had to have custom steel lines made for a 2015 this fall because discontinued

Common bobcats have good support. Popular models, not old old ball ones. Anything with Kubota power usually has stuff available

New holland support is dieing off for anything pre 2010 but I can find it all still for older

Hell with Gehl/tak/mustang for older support. No skat trac.

Bobcat with duetz diesel have timin belts and routinely crash the valves

2015 isn't all that old to be having discontinued parts.

Is there something called a Mustang? Howvare those?

 

[p_mori7]

Is there something called a Mustang? Howvare those?

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[jrsavoie]

MANITOU Homepage

Check out our machines and accessories: forklift trucks, telehandlers, aerial work platforms, pallet loaders... Quickly access specs, services and download our catalog

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Are they worth considering?

I have a lot of health issues. Nothing I buy will get a lot of use. For the same reason, I am not capable of doing my own work much right now or in the foreseeable future.

Also, how something might sell at an estate auction, is also a concern.

But then nobody is guaranteed tomorrow.

 

[p_mori7]

If you are considering a machine for regular use on finished grade, any SSL is not the machine for you.

They are way too heavy, and because they turn by 'skidding' the tires, they will tear everything up.

I think a C.U.T. is probably more what you need.

 

[jrsavoie]

If you are considering a machine for regular use on finished grade, any SSL is not the machine for you.

They are way too heavy, and because they turn by 'skidding' the tires, they will tear everything up.

I think a C.U.T. is probably more what you need.

And what is a C.U.T. ?

I have spent a fair amount of time running different pieces of equipment over the years.

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[finn]

The new market participants have pretty much abandoned wheel machines in the past few years. My son interviewed for a Chief Engineer position at Kubota a couple of years ago. They told him the wheeled machine market was dead, being overwhelmed by demand for tracked machines.

One would think that has driven down the price for wheeled machines. In reality, there aren’t many good wheeled machines available in my area. I suspect the local market went tracked years ago.

Even tracked machines weren’t abundant in the market when I was looking, although I am starting to see them now. I ended up going new, partly because of lack of used supply

 

[finn]

And what is a C.U.T.

I have spent a fair amount of time running different pieces of equipment over the years.

Compact utility tractor, like the Kioti CK or DK, or the Deere 3000 or 4000 series.

Bigger than the BX series Kubota, which is a subcompact.

 

[575cat]

Any one with a skid should be mechanically inclined to work on it them self,s or stay away .

 

[jrsavoie]

I have seen a few reasonably priced low hour - under 2500 - which seems low to me for a 1990s machine.

All depends on what something was used for. And how it was maintained.

 

[jrsavoie]

Compact utility tractor, like the Kioti CK or DK, or the Deere 3000 or 4000 series.

Bigger than the BX series Kubota, which is a subcompact.

I have a 1975 Ford backhoe/loader, a 1963 JD 4010 wide front diesel and a front deck Toro.

I am also looking for a diesel garden tractor with 3 point and rear pto to replace the 1980 JD400 we just sold.

And a JLG for some roof work.

I am more into buying and selling as opposed to renting some equipment - with my health issues, renting can be an expensive adventure.