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Post by bill9068 on Mar 31, 2018 15:55:09 GMT -5
I'm looking for a used tracked skidsteer for my property. Will be using it to maintain my gravel road and move rock (boulders) and dirt. Lookin to spend about 16k max. Have a buddy who has a Cat 247, seems like a nice machine and really like the hand controls. Any one have a skidsteer can tell me what to look for in a used one?
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Post by hugedogleg on Mar 31, 2018 17:42:32 GMT -5
I'm looking for a used tracked skidsteer for my property. Will be using it to maintain my gravel road and move rock (boulders) and dirt. Lookin to spend about 16k max. Have a buddy who has a Cat 247, seems like a nice machine and really like the hand controls. Any one have a skidsteer can tell me what to look for in a used one? Hi flow hydraulics open up a lot of options for skid steers. Biggest machine you can afford. Definitely tracked. There is an attachment for everything. Once you own one you will wonder how you ever made it without one. They are that handy. |
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Post by bill9068 on Mar 31, 2018 17:47:49 GMT -5
Agreed, but don't want to spend a fortune, looking for 50-60 hp.
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Post by hugedogleg on Mar 31, 2018 17:54:03 GMT -5
Agreed, but don't want to spend a fortune, looking for 50-60 hp. Mine is a New Holland LS 175. It's 60 hp. I wish it was 90. Mine is wheeled. 60 hp with tracks will be a much more capable machine. |
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Post by bill9068 on Mar 31, 2018 18:06:34 GMT -5
Yea, I'll go as big as I can find but it has to be tracked. A friend of mine owns a excavation company and he's looking out for one. I don't really know much about them but I'm reading everything I can find to be educated when I look at one.
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Post by bullseye69 on Mar 31, 2018 18:10:31 GMT -5
One thing about skid steers.
You need tracks for sand and tires for snow.
I worked at a landscaping place and we were at the beach down by Lake Michigan to load up some sand.
Well the skid steer with wheels kept getting stuck while the tracked one had to push him out.
Now the tracked one didn't work well at all for snow removal. Went down a slop and couldn't get back up.
I would get one that you can put the tracks over the tires. That way you have both.
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Post by bill9068 on Mar 31, 2018 18:17:11 GMT -5
I have a snow blade for my polaris ranger crew. Where I'm at we don't get much snow. Maybe 15 inches a season. I've seen the tracks that fit over the tires but didn't think they would hold up well, maybe they would.
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Post by hugedogleg on Mar 31, 2018 19:00:19 GMT -5
We don't get snow here. For dirt work or pushing brush. Tracks are the way to go. Don't know about over the tire tracks
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Post by steiny on Mar 31, 2018 19:25:44 GMT -5
A lot more things to go wrong with a tracked machine vs a wheeled machine (a lot more moving parts) and it will be very expensive when something does go wrong. I think a $16K tracked machine of any of the major manufacturers is going to pretty worn out. You will be able to get something newer with less hours and more reliable going to wheels. I'd go with CAT, Case or Bobcat.
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Post by nfalls116 on Mar 31, 2018 20:19:11 GMT -5
A lot more things to go wrong with a tracked machine vs a wheeled machine (a lot more moving parts) and it will be very expensive when something does go wrong. I think a $16K tracked machine of any of the major manufacturers is going to pretty worn out. You will be able to get something newer with less hours and more reliable going to wheels. I'd go with CAT, Case or Bobcat. Also a lot more cleaning at days end for tracked machines. |
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Post by greyhair on Mar 31, 2018 20:30:51 GMT -5
CAT, Case or Bobcat - agreed! I ran highway work and heavy construction for many years, and my pick would be a Bobcat. But Case and CAT are good machines too.
If you come across a Gehl, don't even think about it.
Things to consider - how easy are things to get to, like hose connections, solenoid, switches etc
Same with various attachments - some can be a PIA to hook up, some are simpler
Just my two cents
Good luck!
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Post by nfalls116 on Mar 31, 2018 20:32:06 GMT -5
I’ve heard rave reviews from people who have used tracked Kubota
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Post by bill9068 on Mar 31, 2018 21:19:14 GMT -5
I've been looking for about 3-4 months. Came across a gehl a few months ago and it was wore out. But it was only 5k. Looking for a cat, case, bobcat or kubota. Found a low hour tracked Kubota up in Michigan about a month ago but it sold for 15k within 4 hours of posting. Anyone live around Nashville Indiana? Found a cat tracked at a used dealer there.
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Post by hugedogleg on Mar 31, 2018 21:24:42 GMT -5
I’ve heard rave reviews from people who have used tracked Kubota Neighbor has a Kubota and they are good machines |
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Post by tomthreetoes on Mar 31, 2018 21:32:19 GMT -5
I've ran both wheeled and tracked and I much prefer the tracked. I agree that wheels are cheaper to maintain but when it comes to ease of operation tacks are best, easier riding, easier to grade with, and better in mud. Hand controls are much better than foot. I'm partial to all things Cat, except their wheel loaders, but Bobcat makes a pretty good machine too.
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Post by nfalls116 on Mar 31, 2018 21:40:08 GMT -5
I definitely would go with hand controls.
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Post by bill9068 on Mar 31, 2018 21:48:06 GMT -5
I've only ran a tracked cat my buddy owns.
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Post by nfalls116 on Mar 31, 2018 22:09:01 GMT -5
I've only ran a tracked cat my buddy owns. Why do you feel you need tracks? |
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Post by hugedogleg on Apr 1, 2018 5:36:50 GMT -5
I've only ran a tracked cat my buddy owns. Why do you feel you need tracks? If you are doing dirt work it makes a world of difference. |
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Post by beermaker on Apr 1, 2018 5:45:54 GMT -5
I'm around skid loaders on a daily basis and have operated nearly every brand. Given the choice, without any doubt, Kubota is the way to go. One reason I say that it there is a large dealership centrally located within 15 miles of all of my projects. If you use a piece of equipment, you WILL eventually need a part or service. Proximity of product support is always something to consider.
As someone previously said, stay away from Gehl.
I think the overall best way to go is a rubber track machine. They are better in the mud, will climb over sticks, ruts, etc., and apply less psi force on the ground. However, don't buy one that has ragged tracks. A new set is about $4k and you will most likely pay to have them installed.
If you don't anticipate being in too many situations that will result in being hung up, then don't spend the money for a track machine. I've never used them, but there are over-the-tire rubber tracks available now. I have used the steel ones and they are a major pia. Heavy, cumbersome, hard to install, and will tear the crap out of everything you drive on. I will say that my uncle (who has enough $ to buy whatever he wants, but is a cheap a#@) skimped and bought a used Bobcat w/tires for his farm. The quality of the machine is fine, but he gets it hung up often and regrets not buying a track machine.
This is probably the most important thing to consider when buying used: Who from and how was the machine used. In my opinion, a true excavation company is probably the best source. Chances are that everyone who has operated the machine is an actual equipment operator and has done so properly. Don't buy from a concrete contractor, landscaper, foundation contractor, etc. Their equipment is used by everyone on the crew and often abused. Trust me, I see it every day. When you do find one that your are interested in, take a look around and see what the seller's other equipment looks like and what kind over overall impression they give.
I hope this helps.
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