Help me build a dream machine!

[LuckyLobo]

I am looking for advice. If I was to order the perfect skid steer for snow removal, 7,500' in the Northern Rockies, lot's of cold weather and snow! Main objective is to plow out and blow out long driveways and parking lots. This is a harsh environment in the winter and the demand for snow removal in these two small communities is in high demand. Plus, there would be some summer dirt work in the off season. What would you put together as the ideal skid steer and what attachments? This past month, we had well over 100" of snow and it snowed all but two days. Some days it may be 6" of fluff. The next day, 4" of heavy, wet snow. The locals that do this for a living couldn't keep up. We need a new option in town and I may be it. Our winters last for 6 months, so this machine will get a good workout. Thanks in advance for you expertise and advice.

 

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s185 is the perfect size machine imo. pretty much the same size as a 753 but with vertical lift path which is better for stacking snow and loading trucks. not too big. not too small.

 

[reaperman]

At 7500 feet, I bet you see some snow! I'd buy the biggest bobcat your pocketbook could afford. One with high flow hydraulics would be a must to run the blower you would definitely need. Tire chains on all 4 wheels would be a must, along with 2 speed. I've plowed snow with both a snow bucket and a plow, they both have their advantages. A plow is sure nice for long driveways, that's where a 2 speed shines. You need the extra speed to get the weight of the machine working for you to wing the snow over. But with average snowfall totals like you normally see, you may never be able to get driveways wide enough to make room for the next snowfall with a plow. Plows are more limited than a bucket for stacking. Blowers are great but the slowest option to remove snow. The upside is once a driveway is blown open, the snow is gone wont have to be "stacked" up later. As far as machine recommendations, I wouldnt go any smaller than a S250.

 

[7LBSSMALLIE]

At 7500 feet, I bet you see some snow! I'd buy the biggest bobcat your pocketbook could afford. One with high flow hydraulics would be a must to run the blower you would definitely need. Tire chains on all 4 wheels would be a must, along with 2 speed. I've plowed snow with both a snow bucket and a plow, they both have their advantages. A plow is sure nice for long driveways, that's where a 2 speed shines. You need the extra speed to get the weight of the machine working for you to wing the snow over. But with average snowfall totals like you normally see, you may never be able to get driveways wide enough to make room for the next snowfall with a plow. Plows are more limited than a bucket for stacking. Blowers are great but the slowest option to remove snow. The upside is once a driveway is blown open, the snow is gone wont have to be "stacked" up later. As far as machine recommendations, I wouldnt go any smaller than a S250.

nice feed back from a guy who been there done it. as a tech we don't always see the acuatal operation . the usining the weight of unit to get that added umph brilliant. my ultiment would the s870 steel tracks probally logerining not grouser. (would love to read a debate on which is better) no hand controls . simple be good. rockin sound sys and a 12volt coffee pot.

 

[jch]

Well i dont know if it would do what you need but to me bobcat has already built my dream machine,,,, the TOOL CAT,, I only have 10 min in one blowing snow in a already packed parking lot. and im in love,,,that thing can trough heavy snow like 50 feet,very impressed and comfy too. I push snow for a truckstop-a small school -2 churches and some res. a tool cat will be the next thing i get, parking lots i use truck with v plow, and 853 around pumps and up close and when needed we stack the snow with my lulls 8 ft snow bucket . I dont think i could get by with one machine. They do have some pretty cool snow pushers out there that would make a skid steer do way more than with just a bucket.