Marvin Troyer
New User
I am shopping for a new Skid steer loader. Would like some input from people with experience with new model loaders. Looking for something around 70 HP and a lift capacity of around 2,000 LB
- Thread starter Marvin Troyer
- Start date
newhollandnut
Member
If you're talking brand new kubota! About all of them a good. Main thing I would want is joystick controls but that is just a personal preference. If you will be running around the farm far distances I would look for a 2 speed
Destroked 450
Well-known Member
- Location
- Harned, Ky
Are you looking for a rubber tire or track machine?
In rubber tire machines I've ran Bobcat, Case, Cat, Deere, Gehl and NH, of those I liked the Gehl best, Deere was the worst, but they where all older machines, 2010 and older.
Rubber track machines I've used ASV, Bobcat, Case, Deere, NH, Takeuchi. ASV is hands down the best track loader on the market, I was impressed enough with ASV to purchase a lightly used 06 RC85 in 08, still have it and use it on a regular basis, only regrets is I didn't get a RC100 with two speed tracks and hyd quick attach.
If your work involves operating in demolition sites, scrap yards, or on large fill rock get a rubber tire machine and put steel tracks on it.
Well you did not tell us IF you currently own one or have even run one. They have many different features. The other poster talking about joystick controls. He likes them I hate them. I like foot controlled hydraulics many like stick controlled hydraulics. So you really need to drive some and then chose your brand. The main brands are all pretty good anymore. Bobcat, John Deere, Gehl, New Holland, Cat, Kubota and etc.
Destroked 450
Well-known Member
- Location
- Harned, Ky
Market share means nothing about the quality of the machine.
If everyone bought according to market share there would only be
Bobcat skid steers - they have the market share but there's better ones out there IMO
Cat dozers - I like Cat dozers
Ford pickups - I'm a Ford fan but also own Chevy, Dodge and Toyota pickup's
Freightliner trucks - no way I'd buy a Freightliner or a Peterbuilt
JD tractors - good tractors, never owned one, never will, I'll keep my Ford's
HP computers - I prefer Mac computers and Epson printers.
Watch some of the video's comparing ASV track loaders to other brands, no comparison.
I've looked at video's of other brands comparing their track loaders to different makes, none of them included a ASV in their comparison.
Last year while cleaning out the poultry barns a tilt cylinder started leaking on my ASV, while it was off being rebuilt I used a Bobcat T200 to clean one building with my bucket, took me 2 hrs longer to do the job and I felt like I had be beaten half to death.
newhollandnut
Member
Another comment on this what will you be doing it you are loading trucks or doing anything above eye level seriously consider vertical lift. It makes a difference when you are trying to load or something and not having the other vehicle touching your windshield. Destroked mentioned asv. I've only ran one...pretty nice machine. Cat track loaders have asv undercarriage so ride quality will be about the same. If money is no object move on to dealer support and location to you. I would still go kubota hands down. There are many excavating and pipeline companies right around me and in the last 5 years there has only been two different machines purchased by all. About 90% kubota 10% cat. All the deere case new holland bobcat etc are used purchases and just what was the right price range. My only major opinion is not a case and not a Deere.
ptfarmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- San Antonio, Tx
I have a old Bobcat 743B with the Kubota V1702 engine (around 40hp or so) does most jobs for me pretty good. At times I wish it had two speeds instead of one, the hand, and foot controls keep you busy. I got a chance to run a Cat 299D on rubber tracks with a grapple, took a little while to get used to using the joy sticks (kept trying to use the foot controls it doesn't have like I'm used to). The 2 speed was nice as was the backup camera, enclosed with a/c, and has over twice the power of the old 743B. Wish I could afford to buy a Cat 299D like the one I tried out. The only thing I don't like about any of the new ones is the emission control junk they have to put on them. The Cat skid steer with all steel tracks adds another $14k to the price of it.
Marvin Troyer
New User
I will be using this machine to clean out 2= 44"x 600" poultry barns and some other general farm work. Self leveling bucket is a must for unloading chicks. Smooth travel with loads is a must. I was told by a friend that the new Bobcats with Yanmar motors are very noisy. I was leaning towards a Gehl, but they have a Yanmar motor as well. I think I will check out the Kubota. THOUGHTS ????
newhollandnut
Member
Another comment on this what will you be doing it you are loading trucks or doing anything above eye level seriously consider vertical lift. It makes a difference when you are trying to load or something and not having the other vehicle touching your windshield. Destroked mentioned asv. I've only ran one...pretty nice machine. Cat track loaders have asv undercarriage so ride quality will be about the same. If money is no object move on to dealer support and location to you. I would still go kubota hands down. There are many excavating and pipeline companies right around me and in the last 5 years there has only been two different machines purchased by all. About 90% kubota 10% cat. All the deere case new holland bobcat etc are used purchases and just what was the right price range. My only major opinion is not a case and not a Deere.
ASV was bought by Terex in 2010-11 time frame.
I use a 2007 RC100 ASV (2500 hrs), most used implement on the Ranch. Fecon Mulching head, Pro Skid mower deck, grapple bucket, regular bucket, Danseur posthole auger, fork lift forks and bale spear. Changed tracks at 1500 hours, present set will go past the original set, but I am in a sandy loam area. ASV got a bad reputation due to its use on the mulching heads, only machine at the time that had 40gpm hydraulics. Mulching heads they will kill any 100hp skid with constant use. Would look at a new Terex, but they are real proud of them.
I use a 2007 RC100 ASV (2500 hrs), most used implement on the Ranch. Fecon Mulching head, Pro Skid mower deck, grapple bucket, regular bucket, Danseur posthole auger, fork lift forks and bale spear. Changed tracks at 1500 hours, present set will go past the original set, but I am in a sandy loam area. ASV got a bad reputation due to its use on the mulching heads, only machine at the time that had 40gpm hydraulics. Mulching heads they will kill any 100hp skid with constant use. Would look at a new Terex, but they are real proud of them.
Destroked 450
Well-known Member
- Location
- Harned, Ky
Your looking for a machine to do the same basic work I do with mine, I have 3= 43x500 poultry barns, I use a skid loader for clean out and to operate a composter.
One issue you'll find is OSHA has required more operator head room on newer machines, this is a deal killer in our business.
Although I don't recommend using a skid steer for unloading birds they are much better for most other operations in poultry barns than a tractor.
The biggest issue is overhead clearance, with water lines, feeders and in my case heaters hanging on winch lines from the ceilings you don't have a lot of overhead room for tall machines.
My buildings have 8 ft side walls that only gives me a little over 7 ft of clearance under the feed lines, add 3-6 inches of bedding and machine height becomes a real issue. My machine is 80" tall and when operating on top of the bedding things get real close, at times I wish mine was shorter and I wouldn't consider any machine over 82" tall, the shorter the better. Width also becomes important if you plan to operate a composter, wide machines will have the tires or tracks riding up on the compose pile your making throwing the machine off level and possibly elevating the cab into overhead equipment.
Some growers south of me have shorter buildings requiring them to cut the roof off of their machines in order to operate inside the buildings, there forth they must look at machines that don't have overhead controls, switches, gauges, ect.
Your on target looking for min hp and lift capacity, mine has 85 hp and there's times I wish it had more, I had a large material bucket built for handling litter, 84"w x 42"d x 40"h, the bucket full of litter weighs nearly a ton but we can completely empty a building out in 5 hours with one machine.
Another important part is the type of lift, only look at machines with radial lift, on machines with vertical lift when you raise the bucket that's in front of you the lift arms behind you could raise up into any equipment your under.
For other farm uses if you get a rubber tire machine also get a set of steel tracks, you'll need them.
Hope this helps in your decision making.
John
Marvin Troyer
New User
John ...What for composter are you using and what are you doing with it ?
Destroked 450
Well-known Member
- Location
- Harned, Ky
We raise broilers and I use the composter between flocks to windrow the bedding and litter for composting which allows us to reuse the bedding.
I have a Roanoke brand but they are no longer in business, the factory burnt and they didn't rebuild, If I ever replace this one I'll probably get a LVI litter processor.
If your raising pullets or have breeder houses and clean out between flocks you don't need a composter.
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