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antfarmer2
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- Oct 28, 2013
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- 2,801
600lbs rated lift 1252 tipping load
SkidRoe
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- Dec 10, 2009
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- 1,885
They will move 1000 lb, lift may be an overstatement. Adding counterweights to the engine door helps lifting capacity on these machines.
Pro's: They are pretty mighty for their size, and they are great in tight areas. Many people overlook them because of their size, and the price ussually reflects it. They weight less than 3000 lbs, so you do not need much of a trailer to move them around. Hydraulics and drive systems are practically bullet proof as long as they are maintained regularily. Parts availability from Bobcat is excellent - in fact the S70 is a very similar machine.
Con's: They were Bobcat's entry level machine, so many were sold devoid of key options, like aux. hydraulic connections and bobtach's. The bobtach that these machines were sold with is now obsolete as far as finding new attachments that will readily connect. The original Kohler engine is a little underpowered, and will wear out long before the rest of the machine does. They are more prone to bouncing around when operating on high traction ground surfaces (dry concrete, asphalt) than larger machines.
Most of the con's have fixes if you are willing to do a bit of work / fabricating. The bobtach attachment features are pretty easy to build, so you can mke attachements fit. Aux hydraulics can be added for about $1000 if you do the work yourself. If the machine has no bobtach, Skidsteer Solutions sells the latest style of mini-bobtach, and you can adapt it to your machine, making the latest Bobcat attachment compatible. The engine can be replaced with a more reliable and powerful unit from places like the Small Engine Warehouse, or you can adapt one yourself. And with practice and patience, you can develop techniques to operate these machines smoothly.
For the kind of work that I do with mine, mainly residential tasks with tight gates and small back yards, I would not be without it. Every time I think I want a larger machine, I end up digging post holes behind somebody's back shed where a larger machine could not go, and I fall in love with my machine all over again!!
Hope this helps - SR
Pro's: They are pretty mighty for their size, and they are great in tight areas. Many people overlook them because of their size, and the price ussually reflects it. They weight less than 3000 lbs, so you do not need much of a trailer to move them around. Hydraulics and drive systems are practically bullet proof as long as they are maintained regularily. Parts availability from Bobcat is excellent - in fact the S70 is a very similar machine.
Con's: They were Bobcat's entry level machine, so many were sold devoid of key options, like aux. hydraulic connections and bobtach's. The bobtach that these machines were sold with is now obsolete as far as finding new attachments that will readily connect. The original Kohler engine is a little underpowered, and will wear out long before the rest of the machine does. They are more prone to bouncing around when operating on high traction ground surfaces (dry concrete, asphalt) than larger machines.
Most of the con's have fixes if you are willing to do a bit of work / fabricating. The bobtach attachment features are pretty easy to build, so you can mke attachements fit. Aux hydraulics can be added for about $1000 if you do the work yourself. If the machine has no bobtach, Skidsteer Solutions sells the latest style of mini-bobtach, and you can adapt it to your machine, making the latest Bobcat attachment compatible. The engine can be replaced with a more reliable and powerful unit from places like the Small Engine Warehouse, or you can adapt one yourself. And with practice and patience, you can develop techniques to operate these machines smoothly.
For the kind of work that I do with mine, mainly residential tasks with tight gates and small back yards, I would not be without it. Every time I think I want a larger machine, I end up digging post holes behind somebody's back shed where a larger machine could not go, and I fall in love with my machine all over again!!
Hope this helps - SR
