Looking for Used Skid Steer for snow removal / pushing- Need Advice

[RickM]

Hi all! I'm currently looking for a used Skid Steer to compliment a pick-up / plow setup we have to deal with the snow here in NJ. No other use for the machine other than our own parking lot...which is a decent size. So, I see a wide range of machinery out there and I'm trying to apply my auto and general machinery knowledge to make a sound decision. My decision process includes the following: - While low hours are nice, a regularly/properly maintained unit is just as important...if not more so. - Prefer to purchase a machine which was not used for commercial purposes. In other words, I don't want and end-of-life, welded up, smoky beater. - Well supported brand with a good parts distribution network. - Enclosure with heat as this is for snow removal and will likely be kept outdoors year round. - While I appreciate the virtues of a diesel engine, I'm thinking a gas engine may lend itself better to cold weather starts with less attention. - Capable of handling the snow load. - Will likely get chains. (From a vendor recommended on another thread) At this point I found a very nice Bobcat 742B (It might be a bit too pricey though). However, it puts out at 36hp. Will this be enough to handle a 8' or 10' snow pusher? I'm looking to use a pusher almost exclusively on the machine....and I may need to push snow on top of the last "pushed" load in the interest of minimizing the amount of area needed to keep the snow. Will the 742B serve my purpose well? Please feel free to make comments and recommendations! Thanks Rick

 

[Tazza]

36 hp will be more than enough. Thats enough power to spin the tyres in the dirt.
Most machines are diesel, i don't know if they actually make a petrol skid steer anymore. If you get a block heater you just plug it in the night before you want to use it. It will fire right up. Even a good newer machine will start right up, even if its cold. The heater just helps make the starting easier on the engine.
I'm sure others will pop their noses in, Ken has bitterly cold winters, his machines start and run just fine. I wouldn't rule out a diesel just yet, they use less fuel and the engines last longer.

 

[RickM]

36 hp will be more than enough. Thats enough power to spin the tyres in the dirt.
Most machines are diesel, i don't know if they actually make a petrol skid steer anymore. If you get a block heater you just plug it in the night before you want to use it. It will fire right up. Even a good newer machine will start right up, even if its cold. The heater just helps make the starting easier on the engine.
I'm sure others will pop their noses in, Ken has bitterly cold winters, his machines start and run just fine. I wouldn't rule out a diesel just yet, they use less fuel and the engines last longer.

Thanks for the input. Yup, a block heater is what I was thinking if a diesel unit comes up at the right price. The 742B I'm looking at is gas powered. I inquired on heat and/or A/C and it has neither. I see add-on heaters sold on Ebay for under $300....are they any good? It appears this unit has the aftermarket vinyl windows as an enclosure. Update: I was contacted by an individual advising me of a local auction with a 2008 Bobcat S300. I may attend.

 

[siduramaxde]

Thanks for the input. Yup, a block heater is what I was thinking if a diesel unit comes up at the right price. The 742B I'm looking at is gas powered. I inquired on heat and/or A/C and it has neither. I see add-on heaters sold on Ebay for under $300....are they any good? It appears this unit has the aftermarket vinyl windows as an enclosure. Update: I was contacted by an individual advising me of a local auction with a 2008 Bobcat S300. I may attend.

I have to disagree with Tazza on this one. Usually he right on with his recommendations but 36hp is nowhere close to enough hp for a snow pusher. Also, a 742b is not a big enough machine for a 8' snow pusher. I have a T200 with 74hp and wish I had more power and weight for a 10' snow pusher.

 

[wings5j]

Hi Rick,
I operate a 742B up north of Spokane. In the winter I put chains on the rear wheels and push snow with a Bobcat factory 7 foot snow blade. I have handled up to two feet of fresh snow with it but I don't think it would handle an 8 foot pusher blade.
You can make some pretty high piles by running the loader arms up as you get to the pile, but you are somewhat limited by how close the loader quick tach is to the front wheels (you can't drive the skid steer up hill very steep).
To make it easier to start, I put in the factory block heater and that works well. I actually like the open cab for the visibility and fresh air (I did cover the roof opening with clear plexi-glass.), I just put on my insulated coveralls and have at it ;-).
Hope that helps a little.
John

 

[frogfarmer]

Hi Rick,
I operate a 742B up north of Spokane. In the winter I put chains on the rear wheels and push snow with a Bobcat factory 7 foot snow blade. I have handled up to two feet of fresh snow with it but I don't think it would handle an 8 foot pusher blade.
You can make some pretty high piles by running the loader arms up as you get to the pile, but you are somewhat limited by how close the loader quick tach is to the front wheels (you can't drive the skid steer up hill very steep).
To make it easier to start, I put in the factory block heater and that works well. I actually like the open cab for the visibility and fresh air (I did cover the roof opening with clear plexi-glass.), I just put on my insulated coveralls and have at it ;-).
Hope that helps a little.
John

I use a 7ft plow with horse power in the mid 50s. With the type of snow we get I wouldn't want any bigger. I have run a 10ft pusher on a 4x4 backhoe that weighed 8tons and didnt want any larger. In my opinion 36hp isnt going to be enough for much over 6ft. My diesels start to 10deg farenheit without any trouble and much colder than I can take with the block heaters plugged in. For what you describe I would want a much larger machine than the 742.