Help buying first skidsteer

[lindbergbrumby]

Hey all, I'm looking to buy my first skidsteer. I'm wanting a small gas powered unit to fit in tight spots and clean manure and spread gravel with. So I have a couple questions.
Is a case 1816 a good reliable unit? I see a lot of them repowered, known to have bad engines?
If I look at the older small bobcats, what units are clutch drive and what are hydrostatic? I drove an old bobcat that was clutch drive and I wasn't the biggest fan.
What about mustangs? Are they good? How is getting parts if you need them?

Are there any units you'd suggest I look at? Any advice would be great!

 

[foton]

I would suggest finding the best service dealer close to you,then looking for a machine in the size you are looking for.

 

[mrbb]

I also would suggest trying to stick to brands of machines that you have good dealers near you, as unless your able to do all repairs yourself, your going to be relying a lot on dealer support for parts or repairs, and that will add up fast too by the way

as for what brands to look for, being good or bad
honestly there are NO BAD brands or models
they all had good and bad features and designs, that they still today keep altering s they either find better or demands ask for something
when you mention the case 1816, well this came in several versions, and well, its a OLD machine , , so odds are the main reasons many have been replacing engines is AGE and needed to be re freshen, over being a bad designed engine! engines wear out and on machines that are old, well,?? its more like normal wear and tear!

next when you mention Mustang, same goes for them as being GOOD ! yes there fine, but like all things, each has its own flaws, pending use or how easy to service or not

As for parts, well, honestly any machine over 20 yrs old, is past the point of most OEM's making new parts, the less popular the make/model, the less likely it is the aftermarket will stock up and or keep making parts
SO< ALL makes start to get harder to find some parts for them
Mustang I believe has gone out of business a few times too over the yr(other brands do share models that use same parts though, so, typically there not any harder to find parts for, BUT that is not a 100% deal, as again, the less models sold of any machine tend to dictate how long support for the model is! and or if aftermarket company;s will make parts for them as well!

as for models to look for, odds are the way you need to think here is, what is the best condition make model in YOUR area that you have dealer support for, since your apparently looking for older models
even if "X" model was liked better than other models, odds of you finding one in good condition, well cared for near you might be low
or not possible
leaving you other models you may not look at, with you having a "X" model target!
when looking at older machinery IMO< the best thing you can do is look at each machine, and base things on how it looks, condition, and knowing what to look for!
and if possible, learning as much as you can on how it was used, abused, treated or cared for or not!

how a owner uses a machine , and how often they do PM"S, grease, and over all maintain it, matters way more than what model it is!
and the older a machine is the harder it is you find out history on them, due to they may have passed ownership dozens of times
so knowing what to look for matters and if you do NOT know what to look for, take someone that does is best advice I can give you!

 

[[email protected]]

I can say this for the many Skid steers out there. The newer they are the less you will be able to fix youself. The digital this and that seem to be problematic for many brands. So that said, If you are looking at the old ones Look at Case units. They seem to be working out for many. But there are others that are similar that may work for you as well. What to look for when shopping is how it lifts, tilts, and turns. Look for excessive wear at the Cylinder pins and see if it shows grease. Ask these people what they used it for? Why are you selling? and get paperwork records. Try to look for low hours if possible. Don't give them the impression your bitting at the bit to get it. Ask if you can try it out. Listen for squeals when turning. If the pumps are working the unit should almost turn on a dime. I own a 1818 Case and had it for years. It has an Onan Engine and it still is going strong. Oil changes are a must. I use mine as you said you will be using yours for. Know that the narrower they are the easier they will tip sideways. That is how I got mine they did not like it due to that but I do. So if your familar with Case look at some that way. Check the oil to see if it's clean on the dipsticks. Tires also worn or newer. Make sure you do the basics. Test drive it. If not you may be sorry. Good Luck!

 

[[email protected]]

Also the guys before me had great ideas and take that all in. Don't be sorry later. Where you located?

 

[Chessie]

Older Bobcats are still around, and parts can be found. The 743 with the Kubota engine is a good unit... those old diesels want to run... but again... there are no guarantees... they are old, and even the best made engines and machines can (and do) fail. If you can't diagnose and repair things on your own, then expect to pay for service.

As you know, a skid steer is a great tool to have... it can save loads of time, my back loves my machine!

 

[[email protected]]

Mine also. Just take the time to research this. Onan Engines are good and air cooled. Just keep up on the maintenance.

 

[lindbergbrumby]

Also the guys before me had great ideas and take that all in. Don't be sorry later. Where you located?

Thanks everyone for the replies! I am in ne Missouri

 

[thwerench]

I've had a 440B bobcat for many years bought it used and it's still going strong. Small. Gas powered. Simple design. All hydrostatic Fits into the back barn where the big bob can't and moves around great in the confined areas
A little tipsy so gotta be aware but a real handy unit

 

[Dave1234]

I bought a Bobcat 742B about 3 years ago. Gas engine, rated 36 hp, but if I do the calcs right the aux Hyd power is about 15 hp. Its taken me this long (with minimal use) to get to know the machine, fix its many minor problems, and consider it reliable for snow blowing, its main task (i.e. not likely needing repairs in winter). In looking at other attachments, finding ones for the low flow the older machines had may be problematic. Mine is 11 gpm @ 2400psi. I wish I had more effective HP, and more GPMs, but I will live with what I have. Other than that, I hate diesel--the exhaust stinks, it will give you cancer, you can't get diesel out of your skin, everything you own will eventually stink like diesel, drips and leaks on the ground or your clothes are forever, and they rattle themselves loose. But everyone else likes them, and they have lots of advantages, so if you want a gas machine, you are almost out of time to find one worth buying. Parts for mine are looking increasingly problematic, but so far I have had nothing that can't be fixed. As a generality, I do wonder if someone unwilling or unable to do his own repairs should consider an old machine, or old anything else for that matter. It takes more skill and thought and reflection to deal with the problems of age, and dealers mostly only see new machines so tend to lack those skills.

I wish I had done a survey of the market for all brands of gas machines first, as you are doing. It will be time well spent.

One other thought--stay away from machines used for moving manure--everything will be rusted and frozen in place. They're hard enough to work on under the best of conditions.

 

[lindbergbrumby]

I bought a Bobcat 742B about 3 years ago. Gas engine, rated 36 hp, but if I do the calcs right the aux Hyd power is about 15 hp. Its taken me this long (with minimal use) to get to know the machine, fix its many minor problems, and consider it reliable for snow blowing, its main task (i.e. not likely needing repairs in winter). In looking at other attachments, finding ones for the low flow the older machines had may be problematic. Mine is 11 gpm @ 2400psi. I wish I had more effective HP, and more GPMs, but I will live with what I have. Other than that, I hate diesel--the exhaust stinks, it will give you cancer, you can't get diesel out of your skin, everything you own will eventually stink like diesel, drips and leaks on the ground or your clothes are forever, and they rattle themselves loose. But everyone else likes them, and they have lots of advantages, so if you want a gas machine, you are almost out of time to find one worth buying. Parts for mine are looking increasingly problematic, but so far I have had nothing that can't be fixed. As a generality, I do wonder if someone unwilling or unable to do his own repairs should consider an old machine, or old anything else for that matter. It takes more skill and thought and reflection to deal with the problems of age, and dealers mostly only see new machines so tend to lack those skills.

I wish I had done a survey of the market for all brands of gas machines first, as you are doing. It will be time well spent.

One other thought--stay away from machines used for moving manure--everything will be rusted and frozen in place. They're hard enough to work on under the best of conditions.

Thanks for the advice. I am more than willing to do my own repairs, I am a mechanic so I'm not too worried. I am more concerned with the parts availability.

 

[Emma]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I am in ne Missouri

I have an Owatonna Mustang 1700 available but we are in South Dakota so a bit of a drive.

 

[lindbergbrumby]

I have an Owatonna Mustang 1700 available but we are in South Dakota so a bit of a drive.

Yeah wish I lived closer. I would be curious to know your opinion of that machine though. Would you recommend one? How is getting parts for it?

 

[Emma]

It's a stout machine with pretty basic functionality. No bells or whistles. It was repowered so doesn't have the original Ford V4 motor. It's from the 1970's so kind of a relic but that's all that is needed in our situation.