Thank you. That's very helpful. I guess I'll start by looking at the medium frames. I don't anticipate lifting a lot of weight, but I need to make sure it will run the attachments I want. I assume the grubber is going to be the most power hungry attachment I will use, but maybe I'm wrong?
Not sure what kind of grubber I'm going to get, but here are a couple examples. Maybe someone could comment on what I would need to run an attachment like this? Keep in mind, the mesquite don't grow very large around here.
http://www.treeterminator.com/attachments/53-tree-grubbert.html
http://www.starhilljawz.com/specs.html
I knew 10k would be a stretch, but I'm hoping. Also, about what year did Bobcats start to fill up with electronics? There is a 2003 S185 here locally for 14k. I might go take a look at it, but I want something simple to work on and reliable. From what I've been reading, Bobcats are too electronically controlled now. Thanks, Jake
The F series 1998 and older Bobcat had less electronics provided they did not have the "BOSS" engine protection system, Boss equiped machines had a bar graph guage package. Where the non boss had 3 round 2" guages. Most of these machines will be under 10 K now but they are getting older and finding one with resonable hours will be getting harder.
The G series loader (those with Triangle shaped head lights) started in 1999 and all these machines have the engine protection system (formerly know as Boss in the older C and F series) as standard equipment) I picked up a 2003 S150 open cab with 1700 hrs for under 10k last fall at auction but that is still a fairly good buy imo.
The worst offenders in the G series and up machines is those with hand controls to run the loader instead of foot pedals, know as SJC controls (selectable joystick controls) and the other version where you can switch from hand to foot pedals by flipping a switch. My advise is to stay away from those machines as the hand controls is expensive for parts and a dealer only repair.
For the most part the g series loader have been pretty reliable with only sensor failers in the 3000 hour range, those are not too expensive and can be changed by most home mechanics.
Even my older 95 853 non boss had a box of electronic voodoo to control the porportional electric 3rd or aux hydraulic valve. It went goofy and i feared the worst, but in the end the problem was a broken wire coming from the steering lever where the wire harness always bend. In the end I did not need a new $800 box. Fortunately in this case I had a freind who lent me his controler and it had the same problem as mine. So I then knew to go digging into the wires harder.
Thats one thing I like about my NH loader is that, worst case I could rewire it without the electronics because it has a manual 3rd valve.
But the electric system that Bobcat uses is sure easier to run and the flow can be locked on in either dirrection, which is nice on the tiller where I can run it either in forward or reverse.
As for running the grubbers discuss the machine size needed with the attachment maker. I have never used one so I'm no help there.
As use the search feature to find old threads on this topic.
Ken