New member needs help deciding on which model to buy

[JJay03]

Me and my dad own around 6 acres all together and have a lot of dirt to move and grade. I also want to clear some of the woods and make my yard a bit larger. We are both leaning towards a skid steer over a tractor. Not sure which model I want though. I am willing to pay close to 30k for a nice used one if needed. I need help on comparing the models and what makes one more desirable then another other then the size and HP. Thanks

 

[SkidRoe]

If you are looking for a Bobcat, there are a few options.
If you want to get a machine that you can work on yourself, and not have to worry about computers or electronics, and you don't mind if it is a little older, a 743 is legendary.
In your price range, you could also step up to something as new as an S185.
Models between these two that have a good track record would be a 753, 763, or a 773.
If you want to go track machine, you could also look at a T190.
The 773, S185, and the T190 are vertical lift machines, while the others are radial lift.
All of these machines are in the 36-75 HP range, wit the majority being in the area of 46 hp. These are reasonable size machines with good capability and good attachment availability. All have Kubota engines, which have great track records.
As with anything used, condition and maintenance records are key. I would sooner have a higher hour machine that has been taken care of than a lower hour machine that has been neglected.
Dealer support is key. Do you have a good Bobcat dealer in your area?
Hope this helps - SR

 

[JJay03]

If you are looking for a Bobcat, there are a few options.
If you want to get a machine that you can work on yourself, and not have to worry about computers or electronics, and you don't mind if it is a little older, a 743 is legendary.
In your price range, you could also step up to something as new as an S185.
Models between these two that have a good track record would be a 753, 763, or a 773.
If you want to go track machine, you could also look at a T190.
The 773, S185, and the T190 are vertical lift machines, while the others are radial lift.
All of these machines are in the 36-75 HP range, wit the majority being in the area of 46 hp. These are reasonable size machines with good capability and good attachment availability. All have Kubota engines, which have great track records.
As with anything used, condition and maintenance records are key. I would sooner have a higher hour machine that has been taken care of than a lower hour machine that has been neglected.
Dealer support is key. Do you have a good Bobcat dealer in your area?
Hope this helps - SR

Hi and thanks for the quick reply! I live near Cincinnati and we have a few dealers around. What about the S650 or T650? That another one I was looking at. Trying to decide if I want tracks or wheels.

 

[Phil314]

Hi and thanks for the quick reply! I live near Cincinnati and we have a few dealers around. What about the S650 or T650? That another one I was looking at. Trying to decide if I want tracks or wheels.

The 2 big things here to consider are - do you want wheels or tracks.
Wheel machine are a bit cheaper and easier to work on. But you can't beat tracks for soft/swampy or on grass.
Are you going to do your own maintenance. Older machines are simpler/easy/cheaper. Newer machines are more complex, but also have some nice features. Dealer support becomes a bigger issue with new machines.
I've got 2 wheeled machines. An 1845c (simple & bulletproof) and an S650 (modern/features). They are very similar in some ways and night and day in others. They only way to know is go look at/test several different models for yourself.

 

[JJay03]

The 2 big things here to consider are - do you want wheels or tracks.
Wheel machine are a bit cheaper and easier to work on. But you can't beat tracks for soft/swampy or on grass.
Are you going to do your own maintenance. Older machines are simpler/easy/cheaper. Newer machines are more complex, but also have some nice features. Dealer support becomes a bigger issue with new machines.
I've got 2 wheeled machines. An 1845c (simple & bulletproof) and an S650 (modern/features). They are very similar in some ways and night and day in others. They only way to know is go look at/test several different models for yourself.

I heard the tracks are better when grading because the wheels compact the dirt too much. I also read the tracks are more stable and have better traction in the soft stuff. Just doing my initial research now though and still looking into the cat and deere models. We are planning on doing our own maintenance.

 

[bobcat743b]

I heard the tracks are better when grading because the wheels compact the dirt too much. I also read the tracks are more stable and have better traction in the soft stuff. Just doing my initial research now though and still looking into the cat and deere models. We are planning on doing our own maintenance.

don't think you will like the ride of one with tracks. 6 acres isn't whole lot. as stated the 1845c is a very good model. trick is finding a good one that's bee well cared for regardless of the make. they are starting to make after market parts for the cases. bobcats not so much. if you go through case, especially bobcat you better grab your wallet. you might try renting one for a few hours. that might help you to decide. haste makes waste so take your time as when you pay for it its yours. good luck

 

[SkidRoe]

don't think you will like the ride of one with tracks. 6 acres isn't whole lot. as stated the 1845c is a very good model. trick is finding a good one that's bee well cared for regardless of the make. they are starting to make after market parts for the cases. bobcats not so much. if you go through case, especially bobcat you better grab your wallet. you might try renting one for a few hours. that might help you to decide. haste makes waste so take your time as when you pay for it its yours. good luck

I second renting one for a weekend to see how you like it. I have done that with attachments before deciding to buy one or not.
Cheers - SR

 

[foton]

I second renting one for a weekend to see how you like it. I have done that with attachments before deciding to buy one or not.
Cheers - SR

if you are looking at working on it yourself I would stay away from tier 4 engines so stuff made before 2012 for sure. 2008 maybe better.

 

[JJay03]

don't think you will like the ride of one with tracks. 6 acres isn't whole lot. as stated the 1845c is a very good model. trick is finding a good one that's bee well cared for regardless of the make. they are starting to make after market parts for the cases. bobcats not so much. if you go through case, especially bobcat you better grab your wallet. you might try renting one for a few hours. that might help you to decide. haste makes waste so take your time as when you pay for it its yours. good luck

How expensive is it to maintain these machines? My co-worker keeps trying to talk me into a tractor saying I can do all I need with a Kubota bx25 and its easier and less expensive to maintain. I like how powerful and quick the skid steer is and I could always sell it when I get everything done in a year or 2.

 

[Phil314]

How expensive is it to maintain these machines? My co-worker keeps trying to talk me into a tractor saying I can do all I need with a Kubota bx25 and its easier and less expensive to maintain. I like how powerful and quick the skid steer is and I could always sell it when I get everything done in a year or 2.

Really depends on which machine you get. My 1845c is simple, so there is less to break and it's very cheap to fix. It's almost entirely mechanical with a simple starting/charging system. When it breaks it's obvious what broke.
My S650 is the equivalent of a modern car. Computers - "canbus", lots of electronics, sensors, controls, safety interlocks. It's complex. When it breaks, it's going to be expensive for the parts, expensive for the diagnostic if I can't figure out what's wrong and it goes to the dealer.
It depends on how good you are with a meter and electronics.

 

[JJay03]

Really depends on which machine you get. My 1845c is simple, so there is less to break and it's very cheap to fix. It's almost entirely mechanical with a simple starting/charging system. When it breaks it's obvious what broke.
My S650 is the equivalent of a modern car. Computers - "canbus", lots of electronics, sensors, controls, safety interlocks. It's complex. When it breaks, it's going to be expensive for the parts, expensive for the diagnostic if I can't figure out what's wrong and it goes to the dealer.
It depends on how good you are with a meter and electronics.

Me and my dad are pretty good with mechanics. He restores old cars for a living and I have done my share of rebuilds but with gas engines and not diesel. With the 1845c Case how much is it for just routine maintenance like filters,lube, and tires? What other brand models compare to the 1845c?

 

[JJay03]

Me and my dad are pretty good with mechanics. He restores old cars for a living and I have done my share of rebuilds but with gas engines and not diesel. With the 1845c Case how much is it for just routine maintenance like filters,lube, and tires? What other brand models compare to the 1845c?

I found an 863 Bobcat not too far away that looks to be in decent condition. Has the Deutz engine.

 

[Phil314]

Me and my dad are pretty good with mechanics. He restores old cars for a living and I have done my share of rebuilds but with gas engines and not diesel. With the 1845c Case how much is it for just routine maintenance like filters,lube, and tires? What other brand models compare to the 1845c?

1845c are older machines, simple and bulletproof. Routine maintenance is cheap too. Almost everything on the machine uses 10-w30 oil - hydraulics, engine and chain cases. Newer machine require more specialized fluids (more expensive).
But routine maintenance cheap compared to break downs, so a reliable machine is probably more important than maintenance costs.
743, 753 are probably similar to the 1845c, very reliable old school machines. You really can't go wrong with one of those. They are cheap (to buy and fix) and do the work. Newer machine start to shine when you spend a lot of time in them, hrs a day. But for homeowner/hobby farm, older is a great choice too.

 

[Phil314]

1845c are older machines, simple and bulletproof. Routine maintenance is cheap too. Almost everything on the machine uses 10-w30 oil - hydraulics, engine and chain cases. Newer machine require more specialized fluids (more expensive).
But routine maintenance cheap compared to break downs, so a reliable machine is probably more important than maintenance costs.
743, 753 are probably similar to the 1845c, very reliable old school machines. You really can't go wrong with one of those. They are cheap (to buy and fix) and do the work. Newer machine start to shine when you spend a lot of time in them, hrs a day. But for homeowner/hobby farm, older is a great choice too.

Also, check out the s185/s250 too. I strongly considered an S250, very common with a good track record, and very powerful.

 

[bobbie-g]

Also, check out the s185/s250 too. I strongly considered an S250, very common with a good track record, and very powerful.

I have had a used 863 for about six years now, 1900 hrs on it now. Love it! It does have the computer control, so when that quits, back to the dealer. Otherwise, I do all the maint myself. 1000 hr service is straightforward. Timing belt on the Deutz needs to be changed ever 5 yrs or 3000 hrs, whichever is first. Pretty simple, will take about 3 or 4 hrs at most, if you rent the install kit (you really have to rent a kit to get the tension correct, $250). If you look at the 863, the immediate things to look for are this: - does it start from cold without ether? - does it drive and turn OK? - Do the bucket/arms run up and down smoothly? - are there any red lights or codes indicated? - Lift the arms up about halfway, tilt the bucket down so it's mostly hanging, then grab the cutting edge of the bucket and rock it back and forth, looking for looseness in the lower bucket pivot points, and looseness in the bucket cylinder pins. There's bound to be some, but any klunking back and forth, or half an inch of slop is a red flag for excessive wear. - Drive forward and push the bucket into a tree, or dirt, etc and see if the wheels spin. If you're on the flat with hard dirt, I think the wheels should spin before the engine lugs way down. You also should be able to lift the bucket so hard (too much load) that the back wheels will come off the ground if you lift slowly. - One other thing: the 863 has a "bucket float" position which makes grading and smoothing oh-so-sweet: lower the arms clear down, and tilt the bucket so it's flat on the ground. Then push the upper end of the left pedal forward until you feel it snap past a detent. Push on it like you mean it. It should snap forward an inch or two and stay there. Now your arms have only gravity holding them down, not hydraulics. Tilt the bucket down several inches then back the machine up; the arms should float up and down as the bucket slides over irregular surfaces. Most folks on this forum say the 863 is a wonderful machine, and I agree. 75hp and more than adequate for what you described as your need. Keep us posted. If you want to call me when you are at the machine, feel free to try my cell and leave a msg (robocall screening) and I'll call you right back. 545-917-1813, but replace the 545 with 505 (more robo harvesting protection, I hope!). ---Bobbie-G

 

[JJay03]

I have had a used 863 for about six years now, 1900 hrs on it now. Love it! It does have the computer control, so when that quits, back to the dealer. Otherwise, I do all the maint myself. 1000 hr service is straightforward. Timing belt on the Deutz needs to be changed ever 5 yrs or 3000 hrs, whichever is first. Pretty simple, will take about 3 or 4 hrs at most, if you rent the install kit (you really have to rent a kit to get the tension correct, $250). If you look at the 863, the immediate things to look for are this: - does it start from cold without ether? - does it drive and turn OK? - Do the bucket/arms run up and down smoothly? - are there any red lights or codes indicated? - Lift the arms up about halfway, tilt the bucket down so it's mostly hanging, then grab the cutting edge of the bucket and rock it back and forth, looking for looseness in the lower bucket pivot points, and looseness in the bucket cylinder pins. There's bound to be some, but any klunking back and forth, or half an inch of slop is a red flag for excessive wear. - Drive forward and push the bucket into a tree, or dirt, etc and see if the wheels spin. If you're on the flat with hard dirt, I think the wheels should spin before the engine lugs way down. You also should be able to lift the bucket so hard (too much load) that the back wheels will come off the ground if you lift slowly. - One other thing: the 863 has a "bucket float" position which makes grading and smoothing oh-so-sweet: lower the arms clear down, and tilt the bucket so it's flat on the ground. Then push the upper end of the left pedal forward until you feel it snap past a detent. Push on it like you mean it. It should snap forward an inch or two and stay there. Now your arms have only gravity holding them down, not hydraulics. Tilt the bucket down several inches then back the machine up; the arms should float up and down as the bucket slides over irregular surfaces. Most folks on this forum say the 863 is a wonderful machine, and I agree. 75hp and more than adequate for what you described as your need. Keep us posted. If you want to call me when you are at the machine, feel free to try my cell and leave a msg (robocall screening) and I'll call you right back. 545-917-1813, but replace the 545 with 505 (more robo harvesting protection, I hope!). ---Bobbie-G

Thanks guys! I may take you up on that call Bobbie.

 

[JJay03]

Thanks guys! I may take you up on that call Bobbie.

Sent you an email Bobbie.

 

[[email protected]]

Sent you an email Bobbie.

IMO if you have up to 30k to play with, i would go put that down on a brand new one and bobcat offers 0% financing on the rest. you'll have a nice new machine that will last you for a long time. if you're on non paved surfaces most of the time which it sounds like you will be, i'd absolutely go with a track machine. tires really are not that great especially on a muddy surface. i spread loam with my s130 a couple weeks ago and i had a hell of a time back dragging up a slight incline, machine just went sideways. just my 2 cents.

 

[reaperman]

For a homeowner, I always recommend a wheel machine over tracks. Tracks are awesome but come with a price if the machine isnt making you any money. When they wear out its a $4K bill, not to mention and undercarriage costs associated. But bobcat does make a good undercarriage. Stay away from a Cat whatever you do. They are stupid expensive to repair, plus hand controls are in any machine, are expensive and almost impossible to fix on your own. When Bobcat switched from Kubota to Doosan engines, a few years ago, the Doosan engines came with fuel problems that are supposedly ironed out. I dont know exactly which year the engine swap was, but I'd stay away from the first model year or two that occured. A S650 could fall into that year, so check to see which year the swap happened. The serial number plate on a 650 would have the manufacturer year stamped on it. If your going to run any attachments, you may want a machine that has decent aux hydraulic output, not necessarily high flow