Looking to own

[nwngunner]

Hello, i have been researching for a long while on what would be the best ct loader for me. Currently i run a hobby farm rasing beef cattle. I am 4th generation and i am needing a skid loader for some serious work. Not only do i need something that is going to deal with the mud, my current tractors i am getting tired of getting stuck. I need to be able to use it for moving hay, 6foot rounds, putting in and tearing out fence. I also want to know about putting a backhoe on the front of it. I need to dig up the fondations of my house and reseal them. I was quoted more then it would cost for a new back hoe attachment. Also i would like for moving snow, gravel drives, plus what ever else i can use it for. Couple of things, how is bob cats suspension system vs the rest. I am not brand loyal. Also CAB SIZE is a big deal for me. I am not a small man, and i need something that i can comfortable fit into. I can run an old case 1864 series wheel loader but it is TIGHT! I would perfer something that i can ride in with out ripping my arms aginst the cage when i hit a bump. More then likely its going to have to be used. Whats a good amount of hours to stay under when looking at a used machine. Then again i have almost 10,000 hours on my tractors. I understand matiance is a big big deal. Now i have heard alot of people dont like bob cats track system becuase they are hard to clean. Is that true? I see that they have a side plate can you run a bob cat with out that plate? I want something that i can pull up to the hydrant pull the 3000 psi pressure washer out and wash out the tracks. Also how bad is it to do the service on the tracks your self? I am capable of splitting a tractor and rebuilding a clutch and redoing engine seals ect ect. How bad are they to turn a wrench on. Next question is any special tools that are required to work on them? Also whats every ones thoughts on the buckets. I need something that i can clean barn out with, figure a good tooth bar. Last bucket i had on a tractor the radius on the back crushed. Was working it to hard and to heavy of a tractor. I have a bale sticker which i love that is on my old oliver loader non ssqa. How much work is it to adapt that over? or am i better off just getting a new sticker? Is a bucket the best thing to clean barns with or would a ratchet rake or something else be better. A t190 is as small as i want to go power wise. Bigger is always better in my case except i dont want it to big where i cant get into my hay barn. My barn is on ten foot centers and my tractor is just to big to get in there other then straight in. I figure with the short wheel base of a skid loader it will be alot easier. Anything you guys and or gals out there have to share is greatly welcomed Thank you, nwngunner

 

[Tazza]

You really need to shop around, see what cabs you fit in easily. I find that Bobcat ones have a fair amount of room, but everyone is different.
You said you weren't too worried about brand, but you should be. You need to be sure parts are available and that they are close'ish you don't want to have to drive 5 hours to get to the nearest dealer....
A lof of people are concerned about HP ratings, most current machines have more than enough power to do the job of a machine that size.

 

[nwngunner]

You really need to shop around, see what cabs you fit in easily. I find that Bobcat ones have a fair amount of room, but everyone is different.
You said you weren't too worried about brand, but you should be. You need to be sure parts are available and that they are close'ish you don't want to have to drive 5 hours to get to the nearest dealer....
A lof of people are concerned about HP ratings, most current machines have more than enough power to do the job of a machine that size.

I said i am not brand loyal. I wanted to know what to look out for in the different companies. I have all dealers within about 45miles of me. I have a bobcat and jd dealer in my town. I have heard that JD has major issues with them, is this true or is this the you hear the bad and never the good.

 

[7LBSSMALLIE]

I said i am not brand loyal. I wanted to know what to look out for in the different companies. I have all dealers within about 45miles of me. I have a bobcat and jd dealer in my town. I have heard that JD has major issues with them, is this true or is this the you hear the bad and never the good.

i am somewhat biased here being as ive worked for bobcat for 15 years , but am a case certfied master tech . but i can tell that last week had a jd with 110 hrs on traded in for a t190. his exact words were take this piece of crap and get me in a real machine, i have worked on about every brand out there. can say with ablouste conviction that bobcat is the best on the market. thats from all aspects maint ease of operation etc. you sound like a big dude. i know you are looking at used, but do youself a favor and just go sit in the new m series, the cab foward design has made leaps and bounds into operator comfort and increased visibilty, there is currently a demo program on , you might be able to take one home and play for the weekend,

 

[7LBSSMALLIE]

i am somewhat biased here being as ive worked for bobcat for 15 years , but am a case certfied master tech . but i can tell that last week had a jd with 110 hrs on traded in for a t190. his exact words were take this piece of crap and get me in a real machine, i have worked on about every brand out there. can say with ablouste conviction that bobcat is the best on the market. thats from all aspects maint ease of operation etc. you sound like a big dude. i know you are looking at used, but do youself a favor and just go sit in the new m series, the cab foward design has made leaps and bounds into operator comfort and increased visibilty, there is currently a demo program on , you might be able to take one home and play for the weekend,

dude follow up her please. did you kick some tires. did you get a demo? what were youre thoughts.

 

[nwngunner]

dude follow up her please. did you kick some tires. did you get a demo? what were youre thoughts.

I am still looking to see what we are going to do, at this point we are waiting to see what has to be done with taxes. I know the family has discussed going with something new. So once we figure out where we stand i might have to go take some seat time in a new kubota 75 series, a JD332 and a Bobcat T300. I am trying to keep everything straight in my mind. I know i need a bigger loader, i need something that will support a backhoe as i have pond and culvert work to do in my pasture crossings. I also have to dig up the basement of my house "i got from my grandparents" and put in a tile system. I like all three i have listed above, i have a bobcat and jd dealer 4 miles from me. I have a kubota 11miles from me. I think those are the three i am going to stick with. All though there is a Gehl and Newholland 20miles from me. I havnt seen much on their product. They carry so little % of the market share. Also i am fighting with new or slightly used. I am able to do alot of the work on them my self. Track changes service ect ect. I am sure i can even change out drive motors and stuff like that. I am fighting between new or used. I dont want something i am going to have to put money into right away. How ever i cant seem to justify spending 30,000 more on a new machine over a machine with 1,000 hours. Where if a motor did go bad for 3 to 5 grand i can do the work fix the machine and be money a head. Its 12 of one and a dozen of another, trying to figure all of this out. I hope that this post comes out with formatting i havnt been able to get any formatting yet.

 

[7LBSSMALLIE]

I am still looking to see what we are going to do, at this point we are waiting to see what has to be done with taxes. I know the family has discussed going with something new. So once we figure out where we stand i might have to go take some seat time in a new kubota 75 series, a JD332 and a Bobcat T300. I am trying to keep everything straight in my mind. I know i need a bigger loader, i need something that will support a backhoe as i have pond and culvert work to do in my pasture crossings. I also have to dig up the basement of my house "i got from my grandparents" and put in a tile system. I like all three i have listed above, i have a bobcat and jd dealer 4 miles from me. I have a kubota 11miles from me. I think those are the three i am going to stick with. All though there is a Gehl and Newholland 20miles from me. I havnt seen much on their product. They carry so little % of the market share. Also i am fighting with new or slightly used. I am able to do alot of the work on them my self. Track changes service ect ect. I am sure i can even change out drive motors and stuff like that. I am fighting between new or used. I dont want something i am going to have to put money into right away. How ever i cant seem to justify spending 30,000 more on a new machine over a machine with 1,000 hours. Where if a motor did go bad for 3 to 5 grand i can do the work fix the machine and be money a head. Its 12 of one and a dozen of another, trying to figure all of this out. I hope that this post comes out with formatting i havnt been able to get any formatting yet.

i havent seen the kubota but have heard good things. you take alook at the tahuchhie. its solid as for the rest steer clear. if going used get maint records, and code list, that will give good idea of history. we have a used warr equip program. dont know if other dealers offer it . new has extended warr program . well worth it i have some cust who trade in prior to warr exp , maint still on you but no unexpected hits to wallet. good budgeting tool. another option is a program out there that offers warr protection, past factory we use on fleet vechiles. been good so far.