Skid Steer

[jsdogs]

Hey everyone! I was thinking about buying a skid steer for moving logs and brush to the truck on some larger jobs we've been getting. I was wondering if any of you have one and what kind you would reccomend. Do any of you have a stump grinder attachment and if so how does that compare to a regular grinder? I've been getting prices any where from 33,000 to 55,000 depending on the make and model. Does having a skid steer make life easier? Thanks for your input.

 

[l2edneck]

a300 bobcat

life definitly better with a skid steer i would reccomend the bobcat a300 its got all wheel steer and all hand contols so no jumpin off the pedals when yer bouncin.also lifts high enuff to load my partners semi dump.

 

[jsdogs]

How does that all wheel steer do on lawns? They sell it as not doing any damage to grass. It is one of the most expensive ones I've seen.

 

[ASD]

buy a bobcat

how much # do you want to pick up and what other things would u use it for?

we have T300's and love them and are getting a toolcat for working on turf

 

[TackleTree]

i have only used bobcat and like it. It seems that most damage to lawns occured when turning quickly in tight radius. So i do believe the all wheel steer bobcats will do less damage in theory. But it is a big machine so some damage is expected. make sure u have something to pull it. And yes it makes life a lot easier.

 

[l2edneck]

All wheel steer is the best unless its wet and muddy.You can drive on any lawn and not rip it up (provided you dont dry turn)The only prob is yes it is a bigger machine so in softer ground it tends to rut a little more and has less traction.I used 1 for over a year and never had a prob.I would believe that the t300 (track machine) is probably better for rippin out stump balls Due to bein heavier(JMO i have no idea never used a track machine)I would definitly swear by bobcat.As far as the stump grinder attachment from what ive heard they are not that great.My brother runs one and says its too big with too little power.Once again i haver no idea as ive never used 1.(p.s. just so you know the brushcat attachment they sell is useless due to safety reasons)

 

[Lawnmowerboy48]

I primarily do landscaping and we have a Gehl 6640 skid steer and a John Deere 110loader/backhoe. I would take the 110 any day over the skid steer. It is a little bulkier and not as maneuverable but it has just as much lifting capacity as the skid steer and it far easier on turf. I think my boss paid right around 50k for it. I am not sure if you can attach a stump grinder too it or not but we do have hydraulic lines plumbed to the front of it so you could at least get a grapple bucket for it. Great machine, very easy to operate. It's hydrostatic so it has a forward and reverse pedals and four wheel drive. When you are on the backhoe you can drive it with out having to switch the seat back over. Has a directional switch and a small lever to control the the speed. Has anyone else used this machine or looked into getting one before?

Tyler

 

[Scars2prove-it]

I have a New Holland LS180 with a log grapple. I carry it in the back of my hook lift truck, set the can down, drive the loader out, then fill it with logs. New Holland machines aren't the most technically advanced machines but mine works for me and the price with the grapple and a bucket along with a heated cab was only around $28,000 three years ago. We put plywood down to minimize damage if we have to make a turn. Some lawns you can just go straight in, grab a load and back straight out. Sometimes, the loader will sit for a month because using it was not justified and other times it seems like we use it everyday.

Make sure you have the work to support the purchase. Before I bought mine, I rented one from a landscaper for $150 a day. He would do what I am doing now (drop off the machine in a roll off can and come pick up the loaded can and the machine later). When it financially made sense, I bought my own roll off and loader. I don't regret the purchase because it saves time and my employee's backs.

 

[ASD]

(p.s. just so you know the brushcat attachment they sell is useless due to safety reasons)

safety ?? what the prob with it ?here in CA. the DOT that's all they use and they are very safety minded

 

[ASD]

Make sure you have the work to support the purchase. Before I bought mine, I rented one from a landscaper for $150 a day. He would do what I am doing now (drop off the machine in a roll off can and come pick up the loaded can and the machine later). When it financially made sense, I bought my own roll off and loader. I don't regret the purchase because it saves time and my employee's backs.

GOOD POINT
we do the same thing

what dose a piece cost per day to rent let's say $200

what dose it cost per month to buy let's say $850

what dose it cost to store it when not in use $50

what will it cost to do all the PM up keep $150

what will the ins. cost $35

so it will cost $1085 per month to have 24x7 use

so if you could keep this piece working 6 days a month 12 months a year buy it if not keep renting

 

[l2edneck]

safety ?? what the prob with it ?here in CA. the DOT that's all they use and they are very safety minded

I tried to use it and it only works on very flat land as soon as you lift it up it shuts the hydraulics off and dont spin the blades. I was on fairly flat ground and it wouldnt cut crap had to return it a go rent a traditional bushhog

the safety part is to keep it from flinging crap in the cab(which i totally agree with because it is a very dangerous attachment)

 

[Totally Stumped]

My take on skid steers for residential tree work-not worth the trouble most of the time. I have a Bobcat A220 all-wheel-steer loader with a grinder and several other attachments. By the time I find a place to park my 20' gooseneck trailer, pull the chains and binders and back the thing down, three guys could have finished the same job. It won't fit in many backyards and even if you do make it through the gate, its so heavy you are bound to tear something up. My truck and trailer can block 2-3 driveways which tends to piss off the neighbors. Big jobs, storm chasers and land clearing demand a skid steer or larger. Just not the right tool for most residential tree guys.
BTW, the all-wheel-steer is awesome on grass, driveways, pavers, etc. You can always tell when a skid steer has been on a jobsite from all the rubber left on the ground. Customers just love to see newly poured flatwork with tire marks all over it. The AWS solves this problem and lives up to its reputation.
30 gpm at 3000 psi is the minimum oil flow to push a grinder attachment. I'd mount a tow behind unit on the front before I bought another stumpgrinder attachment.

 

[elmnut]

Take a look at the ASV posi-trac, we run an RC-50 with flat turf tracks they work great. The Toro dingo with a branch manager grapple is also great for back yard work.

 

[sawinredneck]

Take a look at the ASV posi-trac, we run an RC-50 with flat turf tracks they work great. The Toro dingo with a branch manager grapple is also great for back yard work.

I was looking into that one as well Elm, biggest downfall I saw with it was it won't fit through a standard gate! I want a machine that will fit a standard gate to pick up some of the smaller jobs and not have to tear down fence and tear up the yard as well. Other than that it seems like an awsome machine!
Andy

 

[elmnut]

Google Top notch tree service, or branch manager grapple to get a look at the walk behind or ride on mini skids. They run Thomas wolfs, but many others are available. We use the Toro dingo due to availability, goes through a 35" gate!