The best Mini?

[JCONN]

I am really looking to buy a used mini this season. I was wondering if any of you have used a variety of these units and the pros and cons? I am sure this will be a similar debate like whats better Chevy or Ford but can't hurt to ask. We have a toro and bobcat dealer near me anything else is at least 3 hours away if this makes a difference. I am going towards units that go in 36" gates. I intend to use it for moving logs and brush also for landscaping like mulch and possible an auger for planting. Any advice would be greatly appreciated for I have no experience with these I always used my buddies Kubota tractor for these small areas but he just sold it. FYI I have access to a full size cat skid steer for really big jobs so this would be for smaller and tight access jobs.

 

[ihatevines]

I have used Bobcats, Boxers, Ditch Witch, and Vermeers. The Vermeers are easily the best I have used. The controls are so user friendly. Also the pin height and reach due to the curved loader boom make it easier to load up into the back of a chip truck.

Just want to say agian the 2 joystick control is really what separates the machines. Within minutes any operator can become very smooth. Also it inables the operator to hold on much easier.

Either machine will help you big time. You will begin to wonder how you got along without it all these years. Also the only thing I have agianst the bobcats is they dont use the same mini skid attachment plate. Which means you will either be limited by the attachments you can get or you will have to pay more to have the Mt plate put on them.

Just my opinion

 

[Mikecutstrees]

Like you said I'd stick with something with nearby service. Then I'd shop craigslist etc for the best buy I could find. Lots of good machines for sale now at very reasonable prices. Lift height is also important depending on what you are loading into. My TX425 can lift onto my tailgate but not over it which isn't a huge deal for us. Good luck and look around hard!.... Mike

 

[Slvrmple72]

Go diesel if you can! Seconds on the Vermeer! The tracked units can be tough on turf so plan your turns over plywood/plastic sheets. Their is a new 38 hp stump grinding attachment out their for minis now too.

My favorite mini is still the "skirt" variety!

 

[randyg]

Three hours is quite a ways to haul for service if that becomes necessary more than a time or two. I have a Vermeer s600tx, and I can tell you this much about track vs. tires. To sit and spin, they will both dig a hole. To turn gently in a wide arc, they are both ALMOST as forgiving as something that articulates or with steer tires like that tractor. The track units BOAST about lower ground pressure BUT when you pick up large load (near capacity) you go right up on your nose with most of the TOTAL weight of load and unit combined, and the pressure (psi of ground pressure) is no different than being on 2 front tires if you get my drift? Grapple bucket is great attachment, allowing some dirt work along with the ability to HOLD ON to a log or logs or brush while on the move. Good luck!

 

[Juicemang]

Toro dingo tx525 narrow track. Well worth the extra dollars to go from 425 to 525 for the diesel. Make sure to get yourself the ride platform and a branch manager grapple. I wish I wasn't part time so I could use mine everyday!! Only downside is the cost... I dropped around 16k for mine used and another 4k for attachments it had 150 hours.

 

[Grace Tree]

Toro dingo tx525 narrow track. Well worth the extra dollars to go from 425 to 525 for the diesel. Make sure to get yourself the ride platform and a branch manager grapple. I wish I wasn't part time so I could use mine everyday!! Only downside is the cost... I dropped around 16k for mine used and another 4k for attachments it had 150 hours.

Branch Manager +1

 

[Mikecutstrees]

Juice,Why do you like the Diesel better? Diesels are more expensive to buy, more expensive to fix and the 525 barely lifts more than a 425. Also the gas motor is easier to deal with in the winter. My TX425 was 5K with a new motor, forks and a bucket. Just wondering.... Mike

 

[JCONN]

Is the diesel worth the extra money, my knowledge on them is limited compared to gas motors. I would have to assume that these units are fairly similar to zero turn lawn mowers which I have alot of experience fixing, minus the attachment portion. What is the amount of hours were these machines start to break down or how old and how many hours should I be looking at on a unit?

 

[The Lawn Shark]

I'm in the same position have skid loader want a used mini for back yard access...ect
Keep the replys coming

 

[cedar]

I have a boxer 427 with tracks. Very user friendly controls with a 900 lb lift capacity.

I have not had any trouble keeping yard damage to a minimum. I have a 14x7 dump trailer with ramps to load the mini. I use the branch manager grapple to load the wood. This setup works well, but when there is a lot of wood I need to make an extra trip to pick up the boxer. Today I loaded a 3' diameter oak in 3 to 4 foot sections. Much better than the log dolly I used in the past.

 

[ihatevines]

+1 branch manger one more time. Works great and love having the built in rope break. Makes a great mid line tie point.

Also to Cedar. Have the same setup as you except I have a Vermeer. Used to have to make two trips then I got ramps where I could drive the mini in the bed of my 1 ton and make it in one trip. Yes the ramps paid for themselves quickly.

 

[Juicemang]

Mike. When I have the option I have just always leaned towards diesel over gas. More power, less fuel consumption and longer engine life. I rented the 425 about 10 times before I bought my 525, it was a good machine. Time will tell if the diesel was worth it or not. I used it this winter without a problem, its kept in the shop when not in use though..

 

[Mikecutstrees]

Mike. When I have the option I have just always leaned towards diesel over gas. More power, less fuel consumption and longer engine life. I rented the 425 about 10 times before I bought my 525, it was a good machine. Time will tell if the diesel was worth it or not. I used it this winter without a problem, its kept in the shop when not in use though..

Ok, Got it.... they are both nice machines. Especially for big wood... Mike

 

[sgreanbeans]

I'm looking into these machines as-well, could u guys show us some pics with the grapple, And what are the max loads and max height? Had a skid loader before I was called back to service, sold everything!, now I'm back home, rebuilding and think that this machine might be a little more economical and more versatile.

 

[RAG66]

I'm really looking at some used machines too is the Vermeer that much better? My use is mainly backyard wood hauls which happens about 6-8 times per year. Another use could be small stumps with the grinder attachment.

 

[ihatevines]

Vermeer S600tx with Kohler gas. Using top notch grapple in video. I can take some helmet cam video of me running a 600 if anyone wants. Just got another 600tx might be wanting to move the one in the video.

One other thing I would def get a tracked unit. In florida all the small tires do is spin in the sugar sand.


Sorry there isn't more 600tx footage in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFbYJHHjdTg

 

[PurdueJoe]

I picked up a used Bobcat MT52 about a year and half ago and can say it's one of the best purchases I ever made. It's older with separate controls for each function but I can run just as well as the dingo 525 my old boss had with the joysticks. I too would go diesel. Everything in my fleet is diesel except my stump grinder and I wish it was. Off road diesel is usually cheaper if you can buy in bulk and stock up. One thing to keep in mind about a Bobcat style mini compared to any other, is that you can run a full size skid steer attachment on them(if the weight is right). I've built a log splitter and plan on building a winch that fit both my MT50 and my New Holland LS170. Down side is most ALL mini attachments you want to rent or buy are the "mini styel plate" . All that being said I've ran the dingo 420, 525 plus the bigger vermeer (42" wide) and out of those would only look at dingo or bobcat if buying new.

 

[treeclimber101]

I bought this mini three yrs ago its a Ramrod 900 t with a 25 horse Kohler , I like the machine except for the tires they wear fast and are constantly going flat..

 

[Dutch295]

I would encourage you to look at the Ditch Witch Zahn. Along the same line, when I went shopping I wanted a Gehl Al-20dx some kind of bad but my budget and that little bit of extra width were deal breakers ... mostly the budget. The Zahn may prove to be a little too unstable in hilly country ... I've never worked one. I love my Boxer but the biggest headache.... the lug tracks will tear some ch!t up... plywood is a must and a little bit of a headache.
I've rented toros... good machines, liked the performance.. only headache was it was difficult to be in the neutral position which was required to start it. I'd like to emphasize that the starting issue may have been an isolated case on that particular machine.
I think the Vermeers have a safety feature where you must be standing on the platform for it to operate... I see this as a negative as there are plenty of times when you feel it's best / want to step off while operating.
But just like a lot of folks on here have said about chippers.... "any chipper is better than no chipper" , I think the same can be said for minis.
I've attached about as good a place as any to see these things work... scroll down just a little and you will see some videos for the grapple... besides, who doesn't enjoy the theme to Benny Hill

http://branchmanagerattachments.com/

Finally, for anyone that is interested in a toro stump grinder .... I'm a motivated seller.... be forewarned though... notice my signature.