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Discussion Forum

What kind of skid steer loader to get.

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Big Jim

05-06-2003 14:34:55




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I am thinking about getting a used skidsteer loader for cleaning out livestock barn, moving snow, loading round bales, etc.. I don't want to get one too small, as it probably wouldn't handle a 1000 pound round bale. Also I've heard that its a good idea to stay away from skidsteers with air cooled engines. I'm thinking a 5' bucket size would be about right. My price range would be about $4-6,000. Any advice about good brands or ones to stay away from?

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Jim

10-31-2003 12:18:31




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
I say go for a bobcat 743 or something in that area. Stay away from air cooled engines espicelly Wisconin ones we had a M-700 it was a good machine but, when it got and when we shut it down and start it when it was cool it would flood out. We've had two 743's there will be ones with bad motors in them, buy them. Go out and get a motor with direct injecton. so for $2000 for a skidloader $1500 for an engine and about two weeks of work you can have a great machine for less than a good one.

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Mike B

05-07-2003 10:12:45




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
Hi Big Jim looks like your getting some pretty decent feedback I agree with JMS from Minn the GEHL loader rank number one with respect to performance and features for the dollar you may be able to pick up a Model 3410 or 4610 that will still give you some decent life for that kind of money.The T-Bar hands only controls are a must for anyone who cares about productivity. The other possibilities include the Mustang model 940 and some of the homely liitle Cases ie 1838 or 1840. The Bobcat and New Holland's are to expensive and will be completely worn out in this price range. As for the Cat's there far from perfect they have to farm out their fabricated components to Mexico to remain price competetive with Bobcat,
New Holland and Gehl Mustang. John Deere's are completey uncompetitve machine i.e. no performance high maintaince, with nice paint jobs.

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Robert Yakoski

10-31-2003 07:45:04




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 Re: Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Mike B, 05-07-2003 10:12:45  
i purchased a omc mustang model 441 s/n 1194
does anybody have a service manuel or owners book
they can copy for im willing to pay for it. thanks Robert.



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Hugh MacKay

05-07-2003 04:25:46




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
Big Jim: I bought my first skid steer in 1972 and a new one at that. By 1975 I had a second new one. Two years later my IH 2000 loader off 560 Farmall was packed away in shed for good. I found myself putting a 1,000 hours per year on each of these loaders. It is just unbelieveable what you will do with these machines. I will not get into brand names as I am out of touch now. Go for a new one is my advice. Also buy the one that has the best service and source of parts in your area. What most people don't realize is all of them can be equiped with hand controls for loader. It is an option on Cat, Bobcat, John Deere and New Holland. It is standard on Case, again I may be out of touch on that. It was that way 10 years ago.

Buy your skid loader with an auxillery hydraulic valve. I had a drawbar that mounted on my quick attach. You can put a 13' grain drill or corn planter through a 12' door with a skid steer. Great for backing wagons loads of hay through a door. You can pack 20% more equipment in your drive shed for off season storage than you can with a tractor. You can even back a semimounted plow through an 8' door.

Great little machine for picking up extra money on the side. That one probably not as good as it once was, as they are more plentiful now. I found when I first bought mine there were always people wanting something moved in tight spots. I once put 72 truck loads of fill in a cemetary, head stones present in 6 hours. They wanted to level for larger ride on mowers. I just leveled it between rows of head stones, leaving a ridge on either side of loader. They went in later raised each stone and shoveled ridges under stones.

My only advice is GO NEW.

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tim[in]

05-07-2003 01:41:28




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
normally i wouldnt get involved in these brand name things, but having used 3 different brands i will say i preferred the bobcat over the 2002 cat hands down. mine was a 440 B . i would prbably get a bigger one now that i dont have the narrow doors to contend with. but then again i might just get a better tractor loader and not have all that money tied up in one machine that might not get used enough to justify.the john deere would have been ok if not for the T control that could never stay at neutral but always wanted to creep while you were opening and closing gates and taking the tractor and spreader out of the lot.i found the hand contralos on the cat to be awkward after being used to the older style foot pedals. either way you decide good luck and be safe!

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Brent

05-07-2003 04:21:43




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 Re: Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to tim[in], 05-07-2003 01:41:28  
Funny you mention that creep thing. I have used my neighbors Deere's, he has two and they both creep no matter what. I really liked a smaller Case I used to have because of the T-hand controls, keeps feet steady for bracing. But I have also always liked the Bobcats for ruggedness and the feet controls are easy to get used to once you run them awhile. If I had to buy a new (used) machine now I would buy a New Holland or a Case as they seem to be the best priced around Central Iowa.

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JMS/MN

05-06-2003 23:06:00




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
I would stay away from air cooled engines. Had a '70s Case 1530, with Wisconsin motor, with more downtime than uptime- typical of Wisconsin engines. In '98, bought a Gehl 4625SX with bucket, and fork with grapple- has hand controls instead of foot/hand, for $12,500. (used, with 1700 hrs). Very dependable machine. 3100 hrs now, no major repairs. Don't like foot controls, like feet flat on the platform to maintain stability. Granted, it's what you get used to, but on rough ground you can brace yourself against the floorboards. Cat is way too new for your budget. 4625 is rated for 1350 lb lift, digs out rocks I've had to tow away with a 4450 JD. Granted, Melroe invented the 'Bobcat', but I've rented new ones with 200 hours that had more slop in the lift arm linkages than my Gehl does with 3100 hrs. Actually, Bobcat was 'invented' by Keller Bros Blacksmith Shop near Fergus Falls, Mn. because a turkey farmer by the name of Eddie Velo wanted a small machine to hoist into the second floor of his turkey barns, to clean them out. First machines had a planetary drive (two drive wheels) with a crazy wheel behind. Later went to four wheel, bought out by Melroe, bought out by Clark, Ingersoll Rand? They are good machines, but not the only ones that work. Try some out, but stick with water cooled, hydrostatic machines.

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bob

05-06-2003 21:44:12




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
What you want is an ASV Posi-track. Much better for farming than a wheeled loader, they are on 18" rubber tracks for better traction in the cow lot & they have pto-3 pt. hitch. One coming up for auction in MN in a week. Type in ASV Posi-track & click search to go to website.



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bob

05-06-2003 21:35:03




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
What you want is an ASV Posi-track. Much better for farming than a wheeled loader, they are on 18" rubber tracks for better traction in the cow lot & they have pto-3 pt. hitch. One coming up for auction in MN in a week. Type in ASV Posi-track & click search to go to website.



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John A.

05-06-2003 19:50:35




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
Big Jim, There is only 1 word in skidsteer loaders. "BOBCAT" I have run them with buckets, forks, tree spades, hydrolic shredders. They did it first, and still do it best! Yes, they are foot controled, but that leaves the thunb controles for the other equipment. I know it is different at first but after you get used to it, all else pales in comparison. At my nearest Bobcat dealer here in central TX 1999 models comming off of the rental line can be bought for $11000 to $15000 with only 200 hrs on them. Matter of fact a buddy got one about 10 months ago.
Good luck with your decision,
John A.

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FRANK

05-06-2003 19:20:18




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
JIM SAVE YOUR MONEY TO GET A GOOD ONE YOU WILL NEED 15,000 TO 18,000. I RAN THEM ALL AND LIKE THE CAT IT IS THE BEST TO RAN AND THE CONTROLS ARE SO SMOOTH. CASE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST JOHN DEERE IS NO.2 NEW HOLLAND IS
NO.3 AND SO ON. A NEW CAT IS 26,500 TO START WITH AND ADD SOME EXTRAS AND YOU AT 30,000. GOOD LUCK



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FRANK

05-06-2003 19:19:15




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
JIM SAVE YOUR MONEY TO GET A GOOD ONE YOU WILL NEED 15,000 TO 18,000. I RAN THEM ALL AND LIKE THE CAT IT IS THE BEST TO RAN AND THE CONTROLS ARE SO SMOOTH. CASE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST JOHN DEERE IS NO.2 NEW HOLLAND IS
NO.3 AND SO ON. A NEW CAT IS 26,500 TO START WITH AND ADD SOME EXTRAS AND YOU AT 30,000. GOOD LUCK



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FRANK

05-06-2003 19:18:24




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
JIM SAVE YOUR MONEY TO GET A GOOD ONE YOU WILL NEED 15,000 TO 18,000. I RAN THEM ALL AND LIKE THE CAT IT IS THE BEST TO RAN AND THE CONTROLS ARE SO SMOOTH. CASE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST JOHN DEERE IS NO.2 NEW HOLLAND IS
NO.3 AND SO ON. A NEW CAT IS 26,500 TO START WITH AND ADD SOME EXTRAS AND YOU AT 30,000. GOOD LUCK



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oleblu

05-06-2003 17:46:45




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
Jim, I've run a few skid steers and my favorite is Case. I find that the controls on the Case are MUCH handier by being hand operated than the ones that also rely on your feet. Personaly, I like to use my feet to brace myself and find the foot pedals DOWNRIGHT UNHANDY! Maybe it's a size thing, I stand over 6'7". oleblu



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oleblu

05-06-2003 17:46:42




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
Jim, I've run a few skid steers and my favorite is Case. I find that the controls on the Case are MUCH handier by being hand operated than the ones that also rely on your feet. Personaly, I like to use my feet to brace myself and find the foot pedals DOWNRIGHT UNHANDY! Maybe it's a size thing, I stand over 6'7". oleblu



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oleblu

05-06-2003 17:46:03




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
Jim, I've run a few skid steers and my favorite is Case. I find that the controls on the Case are MUCH handier by being hand operated than the ones that also rely on your feet. Personaly, I like to use my feet to brace myself and find the foot pedals DOWNRIGHT UNHANDY! Maybe it's a size thing, I stand over 6'7". oleblu



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RickB.

05-06-2003 14:44:23




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 Re: What kind of skid steer loader to get. in reply to Big Jim, 05-06-2003 14:34:55  
Keep saving till you have twice as much to spend. Nothing worse than a whipped skid steer, not even a used up manure spreader. A spreader is easier to work on.



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