I have a 2005 Bobcat mt50 with tracks and a 19.2hp diesel. It has a 36" bucket to which I added a 'thumb' grapple. This is a walk-behind model though you can add a sulky to ride on. I prefer to walk behind though the ride-on option would add some extra counterweight to increase the lifting capacity.
I use mine mostly in conjunction with a vermeer 252 stump grinder (36" wide self-propelled). I carry both machines side by side on a 14' trailer behind a 1-ton dump truck. After I grind a stump, I can quickly clean up the grindings with the mini loader.
Of course, the same application also works well for tree work. I've picked up 20' tall evergreens in one piece and loaded them onto the truck. I think it's a great machine. However, I do not especially like the controls of the older mt50 model. The new Bobcat minis as well as many of the other brands have joystick controls which, to me, would be the way to go. (The mt50 has 3 levers to operate for lowering, tilting and attachment - too clumsy).
If you think you have a need for such a machine, you'll probably find it to be a great worksaver. One more thing - I also own a small 371 bobcat wheel loader. With the small wheels, I had one heck of a time getting over curbs or small logs. The tracked machine has no problems in either area. I can walk right over large stacks of brush if I need to get to a log that's lying on the pile.
