Mini skid steer questions

[bassman]

I am looking at building a mini skid and was wondering if any of you have or have seen one work?
I see kits that can be built for around 3 grand and premade units for 20 grand.

I am thinking it would be a fun project and I would end up with a machine that I could use around the farm for moving snow ect.

to be more clear I am taling about the ones you stand behind.

thanks

shayne

 

[arbor pro]

I'm leary of what kind of machine you will end up with for $3k. The 19.3hp kubota diesel in my bobcat mt50 is a $2k engine on its own. The rubber tracks alone, not including any mechanical parts cost several hundred dollars.

I wouldn't expect much from a kit loader. If you spend $3k on a kit, expect a machine that performs like a $3k loader. If you spend $20k on a factory-built loader, expect a machine that performs like a $20k loader.

Sorry to take the air out of your bubble but, it you had said that you found a loader kit for $10k, I might have said, "that sounds reasonable". But, for $3k, it sounds like it's going to be incomplete and end up costing more than $3k in teh long run or end up being a piece of junk. JMO...

 

[B-Edwards]

Dont try it , I have found if you need it (buy it). I know a fellow who built a back hoe a stump grinder and a small band mill. He enjoyed it I am sure but he never made his money back on any of them. I see lots of mini skids on auction sites at good prices nowdays.

 

[Climbing Cutter]

You have got to check out http://www.machinebuilders.net/ .Those guys will help and guide you with your projects.

 

[bassman]

http://www.mini-skid-steer.com/

I know there is a market for $20000 dollar units that you just need when you are in the world of building houses ect but I am just looking for a unit that will push some snow and I can mount stuff to .

I have a $2000 dollar case tractor that can pick up a round bale just as well as my neibors $125000 john deere but he is in his tractor 60 hours a week and I am in mine 4 hours a year.

these factory units have alot of engineering and that also comes at a price !!

a 13 hp noname honda knockoff is ok but nothing like a kubota diesel but for a few hours of work the cheap one will do.

I also understand when you are paying 8 guys and the power company and gas company are waiting for you to dig a trench with your 3k homeade unit that has yet another leak and a mystery drivetrain problem you are losing alot of cash and that is another reason for a factory unit.

look at the site and see what you think may be a real bad design.

 

[arbor pro]

Quoting specifications from the aforementioned link:

8 HP ENGINE ELECTRIC START or 6.5 HP DIESEL
APPROX. EMPTY WEIGHT 775 LBS
(with gas engine)

BUCKET AND BLADE 38" WIDE

MAX. LIFTING HEIGHT 4.8 FT

BUCKET CAPACITY 3 CUBIC FEET

MAX. SAFE LIFTING CAPACITY 400 LBS

DRIVE SPEED 3.6 Km/Hr

That tells you just about anything and everything you need to know! 8hp will do absolutely nothing for you! And an empty weight of 775 with a lifting capacity of 400lb! Yah - right. My mini has a 19.3 hp diesel, weights 2500# and is rated at a lifting capacity of 500#. This kit is a joke. It won't have near enough power to even move let alone lift anything.

 

[B-Edwards]

I wouldn't say it is a bad design at all. I don't know your situation ,you may have plenty of time and really enjoy doing stuff like that. I like being in the shop and accomplishing stuff myself. But (I) wouldn't do one of these I know it would turn into a nightmare for me. I bought mine on ebay for 3,500 with a blown engine I got a replacement for 1,700 ( Kubota) it had 8 hours on it. It is a dingo 322? I cant remember the model but it is a great little machine and already has the extra hydraulics for running attachments . I have forks snow blade and bucket for it and it has its place but cant do everything. I would think hard before I built one but I am sure you will do whats right for you.

 

[arbor pro]

I don't mean to sound so condescending of the kit idea - I just can't see how a machine that weighs only 775 pounds is going to be able to lift that kind of weight without 5 guys or a whole bunch of tractor weights hanging from the back of it - It would tip too easily with 400# sticking out front and such little counterweight. Further, my experience with mini loaders tells me that the engine is simply too small to do anything much at all.

I guess it might move from point a to point b and might push snow so long as it's dry snow but, why spend $3k on a snowmover when you can buy a snowblower attachment for a lawntractor or just get a big walk-behind? I honestly don't think this thing will be able to move 400# even if the specs say it's rated for it. Again, JMO but, if you want to risk your $3k to build it, go right ahead. Build it and prove me wrong but, please take video of actual use of the machine when you get it done - I would very much like to see it in action doing work...

 

[bassman]

well....

I did some number crunching and I can build a good one for around 7 grand that would be as good as a factory unit but thats not including my time.

I can get a new one for 22 grand and thats a little high for what you get but I have to ask what is mine worth if I want to sell it?????
no where near a factory unit!!
I have decided to not buy or build as I saw a 22 thousand dollar unit in action and they are a toy and for a few grand more a good full size skid steer unit would be the answer.

thanks for the replies

shayne

 

[Slvrmple72]

I am looking at a used Toro Dingo with narrow tracks and the Kubota diesel. I would get the Beaver Squeezer attachment for it and be able to do the work of 2 groundsman!

 

[arbor pro]

...I have decided to not buy or build as I saw a 22 thousand dollar unit in action and they are a toy...

...and for a few grand more a good full size skid steer unit would be the answer.

SOME Mini loaders are certainly not a toy. They can be a wonderful tool that is worth its weight in gold in the right applications. I say SOME because I have seen a few models that did not impress me at all - underpowered and underbuilt.

If you ever saw my bobcat mt50 with grapple in action doing tree work, I can guarantee you, you would be impressed by what one of these can do in a location where a full-sized loader can't get to due to either size or weight...

It's the same reasoning behind owning a towable or self-propelled aerial lift versus owning only a truck-mounted boom - there are specific applications for each type of lift just as there are specific and unique applications for different types of loaders. It would make sense that if weight and size are not an issue for you, to go with a larger loader - they are more plentiful and you can easily find a good used one for not much more than the price of a good used mini loader.

 

[arborworks1]

Minis are definetly not toys. I went from using an A300 bobcat everyday to a boxer with a bmg grapple. Yes the boxer has only 1/3 the capacity but I can get it anywhere I can walk. I load up in the back of anytruck I have and off to the next job.

Feeds the chipper like a champ, If you need to move something or cut logs, You hop off and then right back on.
If you run a tree service this will be your best employee. YOu can always rent a larger loader if needed. You will not find these little machines with the proper attacments to do tree work. The bmg grapple will make or break these little workhorses.

 

[GeeVee]

Pedro has more lift. Sit -in, is safer. Will haul it through mud over the tracks. Can move snow very well.

I'd have the biggest Stand-on if it was half the price of an RC-30, maybe.

Check my album.

[URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/album/560825001bbKpPX] [/URL]

 

[reachtreeservi]

I am looking at a used Toro Dingo with narrow tracks and the Kubota diesel. I would get the Beaver Squeezer attachment for it and be able to do the work of 2 groundsman!

I looked at the dingo and the Beaver Squeezer.
I think if you could afford it, it would be the best purchase a small ( 1-3 man) tree service could make.

I'm not where I can afford one yet, I'll get a newer chipper first. And I have a full size New Holland loader.
But I'm looking forward to the day when I can !

 

[arborworks1]

Take pedro through a 36 inch gate and bring out a load. What, Oh thats right pedro doesn't fit there.

If you are paying more than four people to work without a mini, then you can afford to get one. Imagine never having to drag another piece of brush. And forget about hand feeding the chipper. A mini and a 15 or 18 inch chipper and your set. 3 employees a mini and a large capacity chipper, and you will produce more than your competitor that is employing 6 to 7 people.

 

[B-Edwards]

I started to recommend Boxer yesterday.

 

[treesurgeon]

is boxer going to be at the tcia expo.

 

[reachtreeservi]

I am looking at a used Toro Dingo with narrow tracks and the Kubota diesel. I would get the Beaver Squeezer attachment for it and be able to do the work of 2 groundsman!

I just found out my BIL is a lawyer who works cases for Toro.
He says he can get me anything they sell at cost.

Guess I'll be buying a Dingo also !