Mini skid

[sawinredneck]

I bought mine used, it looks rough but functions flawlessly. I have had ZERO problems with it other than lines, but I don't have a tremendous amount of time with it. That is why I was reluctant to add much.

 

[Panama]

When I bought our grapple from topnotch, I had been looking hard at the beaver squeezer also. Since both had a good rep, it came down to weight and $$$. Also, the bollard makes it easy to use for applying lean, tipping trunk logs, pulling limbs from over the house with the tag line etc. Ya Gotta love it.

 

[BC WetCoast]

My questions would be, do you really need one? You say your business is a summer side gig, so do you turn over enough revenue to justify the machine versus hiring a part time groundie.

An increase in productivity is only useful if there are other jobs in the pipeline.

 

[arbor pro]

My questions would be, do you really need one? You say your business is a summer side gig, so do you turn over enough revenue to justify the machine versus hiring a part time groundie.

An increase in productivity is only useful if there are other jobs in the pipeline.

When your business is a part-time gig, that's when you need good equipment the most! You need to do as much work in 6 months as others do in 12. The mini skid is an absolute must in my part-time tree care business. I'll give up my aerial lift before I'll go without a mini skid. My 2 cents...

 

[sharkfin12us]

a300

I haven't found to many limits on my boxer. I does what ever I ask it to. I have put two big guys on the back to move big wood. Tracks take you almost anywhere with no damage. I have a A300 that sits at the shop more than it works on jobs. Mini is the way to go in this business. You can always rent a big skidsteer if needed.

I have an a300 i bought it used with 450 hours on it.Now it has 760 hours on it.I bought it in febuary 2007.Most of the hours are from snow plowing.Its never been in the shop.What year is your machine just curious.

 

[squad143]

When your business is a part-time gig, that's when you need good equipment the most! You need to do as much work in 6 months as others do in 12. The mini skid is an absolute must in my part-time tree care business. I'll give up my aerial lift before I'll go without a mini skid. My 2 cents...

X2.

-except the aerial lift. I still have to get one of those.

 

[arborworks1]

My A300 is an 04 with 1300 hours on it. I used it to unload some logs the other day, first time its been cranked in two weeks.

 

[codog]

I drove a about 1 1/2 hours the other day to try out the Boxers. Tried the 500 first with a grapple on it. I loved it. Then tried the 300 and it seemed so much smaller. 7 hp difference in gas models. I'm so close to deciding on purchasing it; my only concern is them being in business for only 6 years, where Bobcat has been around a long time.
The only thing I have against the Bobcat is the stand-on platform design. It's an option. The boxer 500 just seemed to fit me. I'm 6'1.

 

[Duffer]

I have a Vermeer s 600 with the grapple from vermeer, few Small problem with it but when we use it it's worth it's weight in gold here is a few pic's.
Duffer

 

[green leaf]

I have a Vermeer s 600 with the grapple from vermeer, few Small problem with it but when we use it it's worth it's weight in gold here is a few pic's.
Duffer

Duffer nice set up. Do you transport the mini in the grapple trailer and just leave room for it when loaded with wood, or do you transport it in another trailer? I'm thinking of having a dump trailer with a flat loading area in the front for my mini and then having the dump behind. I seem to have the problem of a full trailer and no room for the mini and or making two trips one for wood and one to come back for the mini. Thanks

 

[Duffer]

I have another truck and trailer that you do not see in the pic, but it is a problem at times, Duffer

 

[chipr]

No tracks, but I have this and love it!!

He has two more for a decent price last I knew of.

If you want new, look hard at the Boxer machines! Then lok for the Branch manager grapple, it's a life saver!

Is that a log sheer on the front, or a grapple? I don't understand the importance of it's use. If it's a sheer. it would be much cheaper to just use a chainsaw, since my trees don't usually have room to drop the whole thing in one piece safely. If it's a grapple, what weight, height, and diameter is it good for? I have been looking into using one of the minis for loading fat heavy logs into the back of my brushtruck using the forklift attachment, and a Prentice style grapple does have it's obvious uses.

 

[sawinredneck]

It's an old style Branch Manager Grapple (BMG).
The machine is rated at 500# operating capacity. I have dropped full 16" Oaks and hung them up. I can grab them and drag them where I want pretty easily. I have numerous times picked up 20"x80" rounds and loaded them on the trailer. Sometimes you have to cut them in half, the larger ones, to get the mini to lift and load them on the trailer. But I can get them to the trailer!
The Boxers have a bigger operating capacity, but a much higher price tag as well.
Very versitile machines, but at the end of the day you have to remeber it's called a mini for a reason!

 

[arbor pro]

Of the following models, who has them and what do you like/dislike about controls and power:

Boxer 526dx, 530x or 532dx
Vermeer s600tx
DitchWitch sk650

I am not ruling out others but for now, I would like more user input on these three in particular. I am really leaning towards the Boxer 532dx right now...

Thanks.

scott

 

[treeclimber101]

I have the Ramrod 900t Its looks identical to Sawinrednecks machine , The only problem is the tires suck and we replace them at least twice a year, but for moving material they are worth the money and work as hard if not more than three men..

 

[codog]

I was on the Boxer website last night and the 300, 400, and 500 series are all $5000 off. Arbor pro or anyone else concerned about them being a relatively new company? And now they are discounting everything $5000. My luck, I would buy one and they would go out of business.
I did test the 500 and the 300 and the 300 seemed like a toy after being on the 500.
I don't like the way the Bobcat platforms sticks out from behind the units. And I don't like the idea of walking behind it.

 

[treeclimber101]

I was on the Boxer website last night and the 300, 400, and 500 series are all $5000 off. Arbor pro or anyone else concerned about them being a relatively new company? And now they are discounting everything $5000. My luck, I would buy one and they would go out of business.
I did test the 500 and the 300 and the 300 seemed like a toy after being on the 500.
I don't like the way the Bobcat platforms sticks out from behind the units. And I don't like the idea of walking behind it.

No I agree walking is for lazy people you have to have that platform, you what thats actually a little scary what if you trip going in reverse and pull the lever and run yourself over, you would really look like an idiot.. Check out the ramrod there made in Canada and mines real reliable..

 

[prentice110]

No I agree walking is for lazy people you have to have that platform, you what thats actually a little scary what if you trip going in reverse and pull the lever and run yourself over, you would really look like an idiot.. Check out the ramrod there made in Canada and mines real reliable..

they have a safety so that would only happen in a real bizarre senario. I have a Bobcat MT52, and I prefer the walk behinds. The first one I demoed was the vermeer. I dont like being stuck in that little hollow area. That particular unit is a little sqirrely and when I first got on it I was next to my big dump truck with the gate down. Almost broke my hip cuz i was stuck in that hollow spot.

 

[prentice110]

No I agree walking is for lazy people you have to have that platform, you what thats actually a little scary what if you trip going in reverse and pull the lever and run yourself over, you would really look like an idiot.. Check out the ramrod there made in Canada and mines real reliable..

and whats lazy about walking? you saying walking being lazier than riding? thats the most asinine thing Ive ever heard.

 

[arbor pro]

I was on the Boxer website last night and the 300, 400, and 500 series are all $5000 off. Arbor pro or anyone else concerned about them being a relatively new company? And now they are discounting everything $5000. My luck, I would buy one and they would go out of business.
I did test the 500 and the 300 and the 300 seemed like a toy after being on the 500.
I don't like the way the Bobcat platforms sticks out from behind the units. And I don't like the idea of walking behind it.

codog,

Which 500 series Boxer did you try out? How did the boxer's controls and power compare to comparably-sized vermeer and ditchwitch models)?