bobcat, skid steer dependability

[John Winne]

I'm looking to buy a skid steer starting out. I wanna know what's the most reliable and dependable brand of skid steer . What do you guys recommend? Also what are the pros and cons to each brand. I'm mainly gonna be doing concrete breakout under brushing mulching moving dirt. I want a skid steer equivalent to a 299 cat.

 

[foton]

I'm looking to buy a skid steer starting out. I wanna know what's the most reliable and dependable brand of skid steer . What do you guys recommend? Also what are the pros and cons to each brand. I'm mainly gonna be doing concrete breakout under brushing mulching moving dirt. I want a skid steer equivalent to a 299 cat.

that is a big machine do you have the equipment to haul it around? if you need that size i think I would stick with cat. because of their large dealer network.

 

[mrbb]

I'm looking to buy a skid steer starting out. I wanna know what's the most reliable and dependable brand of skid steer . What do you guys recommend? Also what are the pros and cons to each brand. I'm mainly gonna be doing concrete breakout under brushing mulching moving dirt. I want a skid steer equivalent to a 299 cat.

IMO there is NO most dependable brand make or model
there are good and bad ones from ever maker,
if buying new, (even used) the better plan might be to find out what brands have the best dealers nearest you, as not all dealers are of the same quality in there work and how they handle you and your warranty repairs, some drag there feet, some over charge, , reputations vary a lot from dealer to dealer
so knowing what dealers are like in your area, might be a better way to look at buying machine
well, then, it comes down simply as to how well a machine was cared for, over the name /model on it

when folks beat the crap out of things, don;'t do proper PM"s and or in general care about taking care of things, they tend to not last as long most times

same goes for the work they were using it for

IF buying used, certain tasks are just way harder on equipment than other things
so when buying used the more skilled you are at spotting wear and tear and abuse and neglect the better the odds are of you getting a decent cared for machine
as again there is NO BEST make model of a machine , what one MAY have an advantage of over another, they tend to not have some other advantage of in a different area, be it lift, flow rates, weights, HP and so on?

But a machine in the size you need, , all the brands make good and bad one's
QC catches maybe 1% of things IF that,
so they all get bad one's out the door
add in so many parts are NOT made in house or by brand, and you can start to see, everything made today is a gamble on quality any more!
MY 2 cents

 

[TonyCT322]

I'm looking to buy a skid steer starting out. I wanna know what's the most reliable and dependable brand of skid steer . What do you guys recommend? Also what are the pros and cons to each brand. I'm mainly gonna be doing concrete breakout under brushing mulching moving dirt. I want a skid steer equivalent to a 299 cat.

The others summed it up best, Dealer network and support; maintenance and care given to the machine will determine what is best for you at this time. Other factors will include tracks or tires, width of the machine and access to areas of work, ability to haul the machine and if a CDL is required, emissions installed.

Have you thought about renting when you have a job needing one. Let someone else maintain it and gives you a chance to try different models and features to see what will work best for you. I did that for projects around the farm while I took my time looking for a good quality used machine. After four different machines, my initial "ideal machine" changed dramatically. After owning it for four years it still checks 80% of the boxes for me. They are amazing pieces of equipment and the multitude of accessories make them my most used tool. It is rare that I get on a tractor now.

Last thought, for mowing and concrete breaker you want an enclosed cab with safety door. Lots of debris will be thrown at high velocity at your head. A breaker is brutal on the pins, bushings and the rest of the machine. I rent one for that kind of work. I want mine to last.

Good luck with the search.