Possibly Purchasing a 453F... will it be enough?

[Orgnoi1]

Let me preface this with that I dont really have the cash to get a full sized skid steer... I have been eyeing a local sale of a Bobcat 453 for around $6500... it looks to be in fairly decent shape but I am torn because of the "specs"... This would be for use around the yard and house with its main job on stone moving for our CONSTANTLY washed out stone driveway ... Will the 15hp really be enough for moving stone and is there anything specifically I should look for in the purchase? Thanks in advance!

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Compared to a wheel barrel and a shovel.... it will be a awesome unit.
However compared to a 1300 to 1800 lb rated lift loader...Your limited in terms of attachment you can rent because everything has to be mini for them, and most rental places don't carry the mini attachments. Though the wide range of attachments for the “stand on” skids and walk behind are sized right, but I believe the other manufacturers like dingo, etc have a standard quick attach they share that is different then Bobcat mini. (Bobcat is the odd ball here) Bobcat does have quite a range of attachments if your looking to buy. Because of the narrow width and short wheelbase they don't play on slopes as well as large machines.
Also as they have become newer the hydraulic hp output to run attachments has improved greatly. This allowed the to run attachments like augers and mowers more efficiently. So you may want to check the pump flow (gpm) and pressure against machines that size today. Also if it is equipped with front couplers in case you want a auger or a grapple.
These machine were primarily built for near level areas in vary tight quarters or for customers that wanted something vary easy to move around. They are not near as versatile as the larger machines that fit the wide range of standard attachments from all manufacturers. If you have a wider space to work in many good used 700 series loaders are in the 8000 price range currently and you will be much more flexible.
But if your willing to accept the limitations and just looking for something to shove dirt around, that is easy on the wallet and won't take much space in the garage, it will serve you well.
Ken

 

[Orgnoi1]

Compared to a wheel barrel and a shovel.... it will be a awesome unit.
However compared to a 1300 to 1800 lb rated lift loader...Your limited in terms of attachment you can rent because everything has to be mini for them, and most rental places don't carry the mini attachments. Though the wide range of attachments for the “stand on” skids and walk behind are sized right, but I believe the other manufacturers like dingo, etc have a standard quick attach they share that is different then Bobcat mini. (Bobcat is the odd ball here) Bobcat does have quite a range of attachments if your looking to buy. Because of the narrow width and short wheelbase they don't play on slopes as well as large machines.
Also as they have become newer the hydraulic hp output to run attachments has improved greatly. This allowed the to run attachments like augers and mowers more efficiently. So you may want to check the pump flow (gpm) and pressure against machines that size today. Also if it is equipped with front couplers in case you want a auger or a grapple.
These machine were primarily built for near level areas in vary tight quarters or for customers that wanted something vary easy to move around. They are not near as versatile as the larger machines that fit the wide range of standard attachments from all manufacturers. If you have a wider space to work in many good used 700 series loaders are in the 8000 price range currently and you will be much more flexible.
But if your willing to accept the limitations and just looking for something to shove dirt around, that is easy on the wallet and won't take much space in the garage, it will serve you well.
Ken

Thanks Ken for the review/response... the size actually works out well for me as I would be keeping this inside of a garage with 6'4" to the door... so it should squeek right in... the work it would be doing would mainly be moving crusher run from the very bottom of a level side to side but sloped driveway back up... I really wouldnt want more than one other attachment which would be a fork kit... Any yard work would be accessed by a level overgrown driveway (grass) so I wouldnt have to worry about side side tilting unless I really just forget and go 4x4in with it...LOL I did find out that this is a 2004 and the GPM is 6.8...

 

[OldMachinist]

Thanks Ken for the review/response... the size actually works out well for me as I would be keeping this inside of a garage with 6'4" to the door... so it should squeek right in... the work it would be doing would mainly be moving crusher run from the very bottom of a level side to side but sloped driveway back up... I really wouldnt want more than one other attachment which would be a fork kit... Any yard work would be accessed by a level overgrown driveway (grass) so I wouldnt have to worry about side side tilting unless I really just forget and go 4x4in with it...LOL I did find out that this is a 2004 and the GPM is 6.8...

Bobcat started making the 463 in 2001 and it replaced the 453. Now it could have sat in dealer stock for a couple of years before being purchased new. If you look at the Kubota engine serial number you can tell what tear the engine was manufactured.

 

[soutthpaw]

Bobcat started making the 463 in 2001 and it replaced the 453. Now it could have sat in dealer stock for a couple of years before being purchased new. If you look at the Kubota engine serial number you can tell what tear the engine was manufactured.

it is very common for people to get the model year wrong when selling machines, so using the chart above is a good idea...
a couple downsides to the 4 series. there is almost no front end bucket weight so its almost impossible to get any bite into hard packed dirt.. a toothed bucket is almost a must. Also its hard to get any down force when backdragging the bucket to level an area out. they are really a speciality (small space access) machine.... decent 5,6, or 7 series machines that are available in your budget of $6500... you have to be willing to do some searching to find the good deal though...
for what u want it to do you may find a good smaller tractor loader with a gannon box for that price...

 

[Iowa Dave]

I have owned 2 440's, a 450, a 453, and currently a 463. Put over 5000 hrs of seat time in the small guys. Only the 463 will have the hyd cap to handle attachments. The gas machines are to be avoided in my opinion. Other posters did a good job of explaining their limitations--not many available attachments, tip easily, too light to dig well (although teeth really help). Forks are nearly worthless as the 700 lb capacity is figured near the bucket pins, not out at the ends of the forks. 3-400 lbs will be tippy with forks--as I said, nearly worthless. About all a set of forks can do with the little guys is to dig out small bushes. For carrying and smoothing rock or dirt, I made a 52 inch bucket, since that big of one is not factory available. The 36 inch bucket is just way too small. I also have a 44 inch toothed bucket for digging (but I usually just use a bigger machine to dig). That being said, the little guys are awesome compared to a shovel and can get in almost anywhere. But I have always had bigger units along with the "Bobbys". If I was to only have one machine for your intended use, I'd go with a 1300 lb-type machine. Then you can do almost anything. The little guys are really limited in what they will do. A 1300 lb machine will do almost anything a S-300 will do (other than a heavy lift), just slower. I also agree with the poster that said that for $8000 you can find a decent 1300 lb machine. That would really be the way to go. I think $6500 may be a little steep for a 453 in today's depressed market. Of course you ALWAYS come out better in the end paying a little premium up-front for a really good machine that should be trouble-free vs. a "cheapie" that will nickle and dime you to death.

 

[Orgnoi1]

I have owned 2 440's, a 450, a 453, and currently a 463. Put over 5000 hrs of seat time in the small guys. Only the 463 will have the hyd cap to handle attachments. The gas machines are to be avoided in my opinion. Other posters did a good job of explaining their limitations--not many available attachments, tip easily, too light to dig well (although teeth really help). Forks are nearly worthless as the 700 lb capacity is figured near the bucket pins, not out at the ends of the forks. 3-400 lbs will be tippy with forks--as I said, nearly worthless. About all a set of forks can do with the little guys is to dig out small bushes. For carrying and smoothing rock or dirt, I made a 52 inch bucket, since that big of one is not factory available. The 36 inch bucket is just way too small. I also have a 44 inch toothed bucket for digging (but I usually just use a bigger machine to dig). That being said, the little guys are awesome compared to a shovel and can get in almost anywhere. But I have always had bigger units along with the "Bobbys". If I was to only have one machine for your intended use, I'd go with a 1300 lb-type machine. Then you can do almost anything. The little guys are really limited in what they will do. A 1300 lb machine will do almost anything a S-300 will do (other than a heavy lift), just slower. I also agree with the poster that said that for $8000 you can find a decent 1300 lb machine. That would really be the way to go. I think $6500 may be a little steep for a 453 in today's depressed market. Of course you ALWAYS come out better in the end paying a little premium up-front for a really good machine that should be trouble-free vs. a "cheapie" that will nickle and dime you to death.

I am going to run back over there today and TRY and look for the serial on the engine... but in the meantime... can you look up the age of a skid from the serial number?? Heres the serial in case someone can... 561911517

 

[OldMachinist]

I am going to run back over there today and TRY and look for the serial on the engine... but in the meantime... can you look up the age of a skid from the serial number?? Heres the serial in case someone can... 561911517

That serial number doesn't sound right for a 453. When your there double check that.

 

[OldMachinist]

That serial number doesn't sound right for a 453. When your there double check that.

What I meant to say was that that serial number doesn't sound right for a 453F. I thought the 561 serial number 453's had the D750 Kubota engine and were built in the 1990's.

 

[Orgnoi1]

What I meant to say was that that serial number doesn't sound right for a 453F. I thought the 561 serial number 453's had the D750 Kubota engine and were built in the 1990's.

Sorry was one number off... 561811517 its the serial inside the drivers seating area... and definately says 453 on it as well... its a stamped plaque...

 

[Orgnoi1]

Sorry was one number off... 561811517 its the serial inside the drivers seating area... and definately says 453 on it as well... its a stamped plaque...

this is actually a D750 as well... I am starting to think this thing may be WAY older than they are being told... it may be why they arent selling it as fast as they may like...

 

[Iowa Dave]

this is actually a D750 as well... I am starting to think this thing may be WAY older than they are being told... it may be why they arent selling it as fast as they may like...

My first 463 was a 2001---I am absolutely certain, and a 453 is older yet. The first 463 I had was the smaller Kubota--others will know but I think maybe 16hp, and it was fine. My current 463 is something like 22 hp and not really that much of a difference. Any diesel is so much better than the gassers that there is no comparison. The 6 gpm pump in the 453's is a limiting factor--the 463's have 10 gpm, which is a lot better. The wider tires, while keeping you at 44 inches instead of 36, is the way to go so you don't tip over. I actually have both sets as sometimes we need to get down to 36" wide.

 

[Orgnoi1]

My first 463 was a 2001---I am absolutely certain, and a 453 is older yet. The first 463 I had was the smaller Kubota--others will know but I think maybe 16hp, and it was fine. My current 463 is something like 22 hp and not really that much of a difference. Any diesel is so much better than the gassers that there is no comparison. The 6 gpm pump in the 453's is a limiting factor--the 463's have 10 gpm, which is a lot better. The wider tires, while keeping you at 44 inches instead of 36, is the way to go so you don't tip over. I actually have both sets as sometimes we need to get down to 36" wide.

Here are a couple images... from what I have seen on some pics this seems to have the larger tires and wheels... I apologise about the pics... I used my phone to get them (I AM a professional photographer...LOL)... http://www.northeastfoto.com/gallery/files/4/3/bobcat01.jpg http://www.northeastfoto.com/gallery/files/4/3/bobcat02.jpg http://www.northeastfoto.com/gallery/files/4/3/bobcat03.jpg http://www.northeastfoto.com/gallery/files/4/3/bobcat04.jpg http://www.northeastfoto.com/gallery/files/4/3/bobcat05.jpg

 

[Orgnoi1]

Here are a couple images... from what I have seen on some pics this seems to have the larger tires and wheels... I apologise about the pics... I used my phone to get them (I AM a professional photographer...LOL)... http://www.northeastfoto.com/gallery/files/4/3/bobcat01.jpg http://www.northeastfoto.com/gallery/files/4/3/bobcat02.jpg http://www.northeastfoto.com/gallery/files/4/3/bobcat03.jpg http://www.northeastfoto.com/gallery/files/4/3/bobcat04.jpg http://www.northeastfoto.com/gallery/files/4/3/bobcat05.jpg

I am guessing you can use HTML or something... as my posts are always lumped together...

 

[OldMachinist]

I am guessing you can use HTML or something... as my posts are always lumped together...

Go to your profile and click the box that says Use HTML Editer and then your posts will have paragraphs breaks. I edited your picture post so the images are in it. If you want the images in the post instead of links, just right click in the web sourced image and copy then in the post right click and paste.

 

[Orgnoi1]

Go to your profile and click the box that says Use HTML Editer and then your posts will have paragraphs breaks. I edited your picture post so the images are in it. If you want the images in the post instead of links, just right click in the web sourced image and copy then in the post right click and paste.

thanks... not a problem on the edit... I hadnt wanted to have them full so it wouldnt waste bandwidth... but I am perfectly fine if you are...
I actually run a board like this for photography... we just dont have the HTML set up as you can have virus code built into HTML easily...
so with the pictures... I know its hard to tell... but how does this thing look?

 

[OldMachinist]

thanks... not a problem on the edit... I hadnt wanted to have them full so it wouldnt waste bandwidth... but I am perfectly fine if you are...
I actually run a board like this for photography... we just dont have the HTML set up as you can have virus code built into HTML easily...
so with the pictures... I know its hard to tell... but how does this thing look?

It's so easy to make a Bobcat look pretty on the outside with a little washing and paint, But there's no way to tell from pictures what its real condition is. The only thing I can see from the pictures is that the ROPS is bent down on the upper front and the gauges may not be the originals.

 

[Orgnoi1]

It's so easy to make a Bobcat look pretty on the outside with a little washing and paint, But there's no way to tell from pictures what its real condition is. The only thing I can see from the pictures is that the ROPS is bent down on the upper front and the gauges may not be the originals.

you are so right... so after a lot of pondering and not getting calls back from the guy I blew it off I found a used (rental) 463F at a local dealer... so thats what I am going to go with... its not "pretty" but it certainly has been upkept... and I know the background on it fully...
so I really want to thank everyone that has helped... especially OM... who I have been in contact here and on emails about this... its tough when its such a large purchase and you have no knowledge... I WILL be sticking around... I like it here...