New guy here, hello!

[gyro99]

I'm running a Bobcat S650 that I picked up used about a year ago, and I've been slowly building out my attachment lineup as jobs come in, right now I've got a standard bucket, a set of pallet forks, and a Bobcat auger that I mostly use for fence posts and small footing work, and I also got to demo a Caterpillar 262D3 at a dealer open house a while back and wouldn't mind adding one to the mix someday if the right deal comes along. Most of what I do is small residential grading, some brush clearing, and occasional snow removal once winter hits, and lately I've been eyeing a brush cutter or mulcher head, maybe something from Fecon or a Bobcat branded unit, along with a grapple bucket for land clearing and debris cleanup, though I haven't pulled the trigger on either yet. I'd love to hear how people compare brush cutter and mulcher attachments across brands like Fecon, Bobcat, and Loftness, especially durability versus cost, and I'm still trying to fully understand hydraulic flow requirements and how high flow versus standard flow changes what a machine can actually run, plus I could use some real opinions on rock grapple versus root grapple for general clearing work, and since I bought the S650 used without much service history I wouldn't mind picking up maintenance tips specific to that model. On the other side of things I've got decent hands on experience with augers, pallet forks, and general bucket work, along with some time running snow pushers and blowers from past winter jobs, so I'm happy to help out with any of that if it comes up, and I'm planning on sticking around and being active here as I keep learning.

 

[mrbb]

welcome to the site
as for some of your topic's
My 2 cents on maintenance to add life to any machine is grease all joints often, , its impossible IMO to grease too often,, and adding grease often just adds life to countless parts on a machine! saving a lot of costs down the road!

next is change all fluids and filters based off use, NOT just by hours or time passing
meaning if your working a machine very hard or running in hot temps, dusty environment

replace your fluid and filters sooner than suggested by Bobcat in your manual
remember there in business to sell you things, not add yrs to your machine!

CLEAN your machine often, dirt and build up can cause many issues, from wearing out hoses by friction when they move/vibrate, to actual fire damage, when it builds up in belly pan mixed with grease oils

clean your rad oil cooler and air filter often as well
they save your engine from excessive heat and help it run properly!

as for brush hog/mulches , I am no expert on them, But I do know, using them an be dangerous to operators
, which is why most all dedicated machines for them have full cages and HD door glass plus screening
so use with caution and if you BUY one, buy one that is NOT at the max flow rate your machine puts out, as running your machine at MAX IMO< is not going to add life to your hydraulic system!

and I personally think when you run a lot of attachments that run HIGH flow rates, I would suggest changing your hydraulic fluid /filter'/s more often! if I wanted to add life to things

grapples
again buying one that FITS your machine, not too big or small, and what type, honestly
I think it would depend on what you plan to use it for most
whats when buying them, where the hoses are run and where your hook ups are on your machine, and try and buy ones that fit better!

 

[skidsteerforum]

I see you already got some advice, so all that's left for me to do is say welcome and hope to see you around in the threads

 

[gyro99]

thanks for welcoming me. I was looking for a mulcher for my bobcat mainly for clearing debris and stuff