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[Swan]

Hi, I currently don't own a skid steer but I'm thinking about buying one (used) for my business. My wife says I need to fix or get rid of some stuff first though.

I joined to read about other people's equipment and to ask questions about any buy I might be considering.

 

[mrbb]

welcome to the site
best advice I can suggest is, be very honest about what you want a machine for, or to do, and then look for one's that fit them needs best!
very easy to get caught up in wants over needs, or being focused on brands!

 

[Swan]

welcome to the site
best advice I can suggest is, be very honest about what you want a machine for, or to do, and then look for one's that fit them needs best!
very easy to get caught up in wants over needs, or being focused on brands!

Thank you for the advice. I'm not looking for anything crazy. Just something that can move snow banks in the winter and dirt in the summer.

 

[cdmccul]

I have a Bobcat 632 to do exactly what you're looking to do. I love mine. They are a labor of love, but I'm just tickled with mine.

 

[cdmccul]

My 632 in action with my son at the controls.

I like the older models... Less electronics to go bad and get in the way.

 

[Swan]

My 630 in action with my son at the controls.

I like the older models... Less electronics to go bad and get in the way.View attachment 3023

That looks awesome. Thank you for the input, gives me a good idea on the size machine I'll need.

 

[cdmccul]

That looks awesome. Thank you for the input, gives me a good idea on the size machine I'll need.

The 632 is perfect for me... It isn't as high a capacity as the 7xx machines. But IMO it's significantly better than the 5xx units. The 600 and 610 machines are older than I'd want to use, and I personally prefer the gas motors over the diesel, but that's cause I'm not a diesel mechanic. In the cold cold north, I'd rather not have diesel gel issues. A 632 came available in my area and I jumped on it.

Now, the little kid in me LOVES the 632 machines. It's looks like the machines I watched as a little boy... And turns out! When I was little, my machine WAS the machine of choice. So, I got a "mid life crisis" Bobcat! (Ugh, I'm just realising what I did *hangs head*)

 

[spitzair]

I have the 732 which is the big brother of the 632, same engine but a bit more lift capacity at 1300 lbs vs 1000. I use it for absolutely everything. My dad bought one in 1989 and it's been in the family ever since, and I bought myself another about 7 years ago. Great little simple and very reliable units that even though they're over 40 years old still do the same job a new one does but cost a lot less! I have a few handy attachments for them, the most useful I find is the combination ( aka 4 in 1 ) bucket. With that you can do just about anything! I find the 732 the perfect size machine for most applications plus it's still easy to haul around!

 

[cdmccul]

I will say that I've only maxed out my lift cylinders once where I heard the relief valves give. It was moving snow higher than my machine, and I was trying to roll the pile over to make more room. I've had other times where I couldn't lift, but they were times I was hooked under a lop of concrete, or under a root while pulling a stump. I don't think 300 pounds would have given me the edge.

But that said, I don't push my machine to the limits. I do wish it had high flow hydraulics as an option. It would be nice to have a more standard 8 bolt wheel (mine are an implement 6 bolt... Not impossible to find, but impossible to find with skidder tires already installed.

I do really think that a set of "over the tire" tracks would be nice. I have had my machine bottom out and dig ruts.

Cab enclosure is a double edge sword. Lots of homemade cab doors installed out there in the wild, they work, but personally I'd make sure the door has "lift off" hinges so you can pop the door off quickly... It might be a matter of life and death to get the cab door off if the lift arms aren't fully down.

 

[cdmccul]

Keep in mind... That higher capacity might become critical if you think you might ever need to put forks on the machine. Or jib crane for lifting.

 

[kecamml]

I will say that I've only maxed out my lift cylinders once where I heard the relief valves give. It was moving snow higher than my machine, and I was trying to roll the pile over to make more room. I've had other times where I couldn't lift, but they were times I was hooked under a lop of concrete, or under a root while pulling a stump. I don't think 300 pounds would have given me the edge.

But that said, I don't push my machine to the limits. I do wish it had high flow hydraulics as an option. It would be nice to have a more standard 8 bolt wheel (mine are an implement 6 bolt... Not impossible to find, but impossible to find with skidder tires already installed.

I do really think that a set of "over the tire" tracks would be nice. I have had my machine bottom out and dig ruts.

Cab enclosure is a double edge sword. Lots of homemade cab doors installed out there in the wild, they work, but personally I'd make sure the door has "lift off" hinges so you can pop the door off quickly... It might be a matter of life and death to get the cab door off if the lift arms aren't fully down.

 

[kecamml]

Well you can always climb out the back if that happens

 

[cdmccul]

Well you can always climb out the back if that happens

Climb out the back? I'm confused...

 

[Mustang Guy]

Climb out the back? I'm confused...

Doesn't your back window have a release pull?

 

[cdmccul]

Nope, my back window is a hardware store plexiglass that's held in with fender washers grabbing the edges of the window opening.

Edit: I found a picture on my phone, and if you zoom in you can see some of the bolts and washers.

But, I looked at it tonight when I hung my homebrew door, and if I wanted out bad enough, I could probably kick that clear.

 

[Mustang Guy]

I would make that back window removable from the inside. Maybe hinged top or bottom, and held closed with heavy duty Velcro. but it's your call.

 

[cdmccul]

I would make that back window removable from the inside. Maybe hinged top or bottom, and held closed with heavy duty Velcro. but it's your call.

I think you're onto something... I'll add that to my mod list.

 

[kecamml]

Nope, my back window is a hardware store plexiglass that's held in with fender washers grabbing the edges of the window opening.

View attachment 3043
Edit: I found a picture on my phone, and if you zoom in you can see some of the bolts and washers.

But, I looked at it tonight when I hung my homebrew door, and if I wanted out bad enough, I could probably kick that clear.

Will that is the back exit

 

[DMoneyAllstar]

I'd say some prerequisites for owning a skidsteer would be:
1. Having the space to store it & high enough door openings
2. Having a trailer suitable for hauling it (to jobsite or repair shop)
3. Have a truck rated for towing capacity of said trailer & skidsteer
4. Be safe.
5. Be knowledgeable-enough and have tools for some basics such as greasing zerks, replacing a hose, fixing a leak, adjusting a chain, checking & filling fluids, etc.
6. Have a big enough wallet to pay for repairs & maintenance. When they break, they typically break big and often can't move them from where they broke without another piece of equipment.

I picked up a late 1990's 1845C to clear my 300' driveway, minor landscaping and more than anything else...as a forklift. Love the machine and it's capacity. I put new tires on it and replaced one hose. I pamper it and for what I use it for, it's rarely above 50% throttle.

Prices are STUPID HIGH right now. What I bought 5yr back for $8k is now selling for ~$13k even though it's all 5yr older.

 

[Swan]

I'd say some prerequisites for owning a skidsteer would be:
1. Having the space to store it & high enough door openings
2. Having a trailer suitable for hauling it (to jobsite or repair shop)
3. Have a truck rated for towing capacity of said trailer & skidsteer
4. Be safe.
5. Be knowledgeable-enough and have tools for some basics such as greasing zerks, replacing a hose, fixing a leak, adjusting a chain, checking & filling fluids, etc.
6. Have a big enough wallet to pay for repairs & maintenance. When they break, they typically break big and often can't move them from where they broke without another piece of equipment.

I picked up a late 1990's 1845C to clear my 300' driveway, minor landscaping and more than anything else...as a forklift. Love the machine and it's capacity. I put new tires on it and replaced one hose. I pamper it and for what I use it for, it's rarely above 50% throttle.

Prices are STUPID HIGH right now. What I bought 5yr back for $8k is now selling for ~$13k even though it's all 5yr older.

Well, I'll admit. I don't have a garage yet. All my equipment gets tarped, especially this time of year.

I have a 7k utility trailer and a 12k equipment trailer. Problem being with the equipment trailer is it's home made and the deck is almost waist high.

I have a 3500HD diesel, so I think I'm good there.

I can probably be safe.

I've fixed my fair share of break downs and have acquired quite a few tools running my own business. (Landscaping and carpentry)

I've got an old tractor (IH354) and my account is usually pretty healthy.

Good to know things are high right now. Makes me feel better about taking my time to get a good deal.