Help with brand choice

I am purchasing a new compact track loader in the 60 to 80 hp area. Have looked at tons of brands...not sure which one to go with...they are all similarity priced. What do you guys prefer or can you give me any brands to stay away from. I have looked at bobcat t590, t630, cat 259d, new Hollands, terex pt60 , jcb, kubota, Deere, case. Pretty much tried them all. Fuel lines on the bobcat froze so didnt get a good try at it. Let me know what you think.

I don't have very much experience in this area. What sold me on Bobcat is I would like to maintain my machine and everything that is user maintenance is readily assessable. There are guys on here that have owned way more of these machines than I have but that was my main reason why I went with Bobcat. Plus my brother owned a T300 and loved it. Oh, my dealer is really good. I'm in middle Tennessee. Tier 4 T650 Joysticks and A71 option package

1964Raptor said:

I don't have very much experience in this area. What sold me on Bobcat is I would like to maintain my machine and everything that is user maintenance is readily assessable. There are guys on here that have owned way more of these machines than I have but that was my main reason why I went with Bobcat. Plus my brother owned a T300 and loved it. Oh, my dealer is really good. I'm in middle Tennessee. Tier 4 T650 Joysticks and A71 option package

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nice customer feed back. keep postin bro, bad or good without feedback. we don't know. I like that you like youre dealer. that's what we strive to do / open lines communcationthrow it out there good or bad. cant fix what aint broke

A few things about Bobcat: 1) If you have a problem with your Bobcat machine or need assistant with technical topic, Bobcat corporate will not help you or respond to you. 2) Dealer competence varies. The dealer may be knowledge or may not be. Such as not knowing even correct fuel filter for your model (face palm). The dealer may be reasonable about repair times or slow. Slow as in weeks, in even getting around to look at your machine which is sitting in their shop. Recommend asking around about which Bobcat dealer to purchase from. 3) Bobcat uses a proprietary electrical system, CANBUS (digital). Thus, you can not hook a non-Bobcat attachment that has analog electrical connector to Bobcat machine - without Bobcat's proprietary CANBUS (digital) to Analog interface adapter module and cabling system. Bobcat is paranoidily secretive about their CANBUS, even as to what hand-stick control switches activate which analog pins on their adapter and current load that can be driven by interface analog pins. 4) Keeping proper track tension on Bobcat rack loader is trickier (or more finicky) than at least one other brand I have experienced. 5) You can not Lock the Lift Arms up by yourself. This doesn't sound like a big deal, until you have something get stuck in an attachment to where lowering arms will due damage or get you injured. On a Bobcat loader, you will need another person to put Safety block in place on outside before you can safely exit. 6) Bobcat has a very good cooling system, allowing it to run in hot weather, at near maximum output, even when some debris has fallen over engine intake panel. But you will need to keep an eye on that panel, being it lays almost flat. 7) Bobcat provides more power to auxiliary hydraulics to power attachments than at least another brand I owned. Pushing hydraulic power to auxiliary, almost to a problem level. A power sucking attachment can bog down the machine's movements, should the attachment be pushed to near stalling or stalled point. 8) Bobcat's powered quick attach system's hydraulic cylinder's connectors are vulnerable to debris such as tree branches. You may want to build a protective shield for at least one of connectors or by a spare cylinder for quick swap or have a hydraulic cylinder repair shop weld on a tougher connection point. If nothing else, make up some plugs that fit the quick attach cylinder's connectors, that way you can stop oil from coming out and drive machine back in for repairs. 9) One thing about Bobcat, the dealers work on a limited type of equipment. If you buy a _______ brand that is known for also making tractors, combines, backhoes, etc; you may find the dealer's people have less specific knowledge of skid steers and compact track loaders, and also spend more time working on tractors, combines, and backhoes etc, than your skid steer or compact track loader.