prospective buyer.... New Holland vs. Bobcat

[skidmaster]

After years of renting I am in the market for a skid steer purchase. I am a landscaper w/ a stake body dump, F 450. Can someone tell me from experience New Holland vs. Bobcat. I am interested in buying a NH L170 or a Bobcat S160 or 175. The S 160 has less hp than the 175 but greater lift capacity. Does this mean more strain on the motor and why did they configure this way? My main concerns are reliability, durability and reach. Stake sides are high and I need some input. Thank you

 

[skidsteer.ca]

The s160 is ratted to lift 1600 lbs, and has a 56 hp turbo kubota (mainly because its availaable with AC and that requires extra power, although in demanding application the extra 10 hp may help productivity too.)
the s175 is rated to lift 1750 lbs and has the same Kubota as the 160 but with no turbo and is 46 hp.
the s185 is the same machine as the s175 but has the turbo and is rated to lift 1850 lbs.
Both NH and Bobcat make a quality machine, if reach is a concern, then stick with the verticle lift boom design of the New Holland or s175/ s185 Bobcats. That will give you a @ foot more forward reach.
I have a NH 160 (same as a 170 but no turbo) and a 773g (which is the same as a s175)
42 and 46 hp and both meet my needs just fine. although some will tell you that more hp is alway better and for certain tasks they are right, but seldom do I find myself wishing for more power.
Ken

 

[Fishfiles]

Skidsteer gave a great explaination of the different configurations of the Bobcat S series , as far as which brand is better I have to say the Bobcat over the New Holland no ifs and or buts about it , the New Holland is 10 years behind Bobcat ,part of me doesn't like the new bell and whistle they are puttng on the machines now days , just more stuff to break , but the new stuff seems to be getting better all the time and doesn't really break down alot as compared to the massive amount of hours and abuse I see machines put thru since Katrina hit here almost 2 years ago , I work on all types of equipment but not alot of New Holland here in New Orleans , they are pretty rare , wonder why , there were 3 dealerships within a 60 mile radius at one time and now there is only one , but when I do have to work on them I have found out it is not easy , cheap or a fast fix , as part availabillty has always plagued the New Holland around here , when you break down here it always seems to involve next day air plus back orders to get running again , where the Bobcat down time around here is short , I'd have to say that probally 80% of the clean up around here was done by Bobcat products , Bobcat rules in New Aw Lyn's

 

[skidmaster]

Skidsteer gave a great explaination of the different configurations of the Bobcat S series , as far as which brand is better I have to say the Bobcat over the New Holland no ifs and or buts about it , the New Holland is 10 years behind Bobcat ,part of me doesn't like the new bell and whistle they are puttng on the machines now days , just more stuff to break , but the new stuff seems to be getting better all the time and doesn't really break down alot as compared to the massive amount of hours and abuse I see machines put thru since Katrina hit here almost 2 years ago , I work on all types of equipment but not alot of New Holland here in New Orleans , they are pretty rare , wonder why , there were 3 dealerships within a 60 mile radius at one time and now there is only one , but when I do have to work on them I have found out it is not easy , cheap or a fast fix , as part availabillty has always plagued the New Holland around here , when you break down here it always seems to involve next day air plus back orders to get running again , where the Bobcat down time around here is short , I'd have to say that probally 80% of the clean up around here was done by Bobcat products , Bobcat rules in New Aw Lyn's

Thank you for taking the time to educate me. I have logged many hours on all different makes through my local rental yard, J.Deere, Bobcat, Thomas and once a Mustang. I know with the Thomas I had difficulty getting towards the middle of my 8x12 box, the JD had plenty of reach, I just didn't care for it overall. When I used the Bobcat it was on my own property and I never put anything in my truck.Wasn't thinking to test it. Long story short, they all are impressive in their own right, but man, when you mentioned Katrina that sold me. I often see footage of the cleanup efforts and it never really dawned on me till I read your thread. The demands on all of the people and equipment must be mind boggling. I see tons of people up here with Bobcats, but most people who do driveway work use N.H. I suppose for the reach. I am ready to purchase so it looks like I am headed to my local Bobcat dealer. God bless New Orleans!

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Thank you for taking the time to educate me. I have logged many hours on all different makes through my local rental yard, J.Deere, Bobcat, Thomas and once a Mustang. I know with the Thomas I had difficulty getting towards the middle of my 8x12 box, the JD had plenty of reach, I just didn't care for it overall. When I used the Bobcat it was on my own property and I never put anything in my truck.Wasn't thinking to test it. Long story short, they all are impressive in their own right, but man, when you mentioned Katrina that sold me. I often see footage of the cleanup efforts and it never really dawned on me till I read your thread. The demands on all of the people and equipment must be mind boggling. I see tons of people up here with Bobcats, but most people who do driveway work use N.H. I suppose for the reach. I am ready to purchase so it looks like I am headed to my local Bobcat dealer. God bless New Orleans!

B4 you purchase you really owe it to yourself to demo the machines you are interested in, look over the good and bad of each model and purchase the one that you feel is right for you.
Yes bobcat is the most popular, but others are eating away at their market share in whats become a vary competitve market.
Most dealers will let you have one for a few hours on your jobsite.
Ken

 

[skidmaster]

B4 you purchase you really owe it to yourself to demo the machines you are interested in, look over the good and bad of each model and purchase the one that you feel is right for you.
Yes bobcat is the most popular, but others are eating away at their market share in whats become a vary competitve market.
Most dealers will let you have one for a few hours on your jobsite.
Ken

Thanks for the advice Ken. I am like a kid in a candy store now because I know I am going to be purchasing soon. I will keep an open mind and test different brands to make my decision. Will keep you posted. Thank you!

 

[Tazza]

Thanks for the advice Ken. I am like a kid in a candy store now because I know I am going to be purchasing soon. I will keep an open mind and test different brands to make my decision. Will keep you posted. Thank you!

If you load a lot of trucks you may want to consider a vertical lift machine.
You still have more looking to do and then you need to squeeze the best possible price out of them.
Good luck with it all, do let us know what you decide to get.

 

[charger]

If you load a lot of trucks you may want to consider a vertical lift machine.
You still have more looking to do and then you need to squeeze the best possible price out of them.
Good luck with it all, do let us know what you decide to get.

if you are going to try a new holland, try the l175,we just got one in a few weeks ago and the machine is amasing,2 speed sure gets the job done faster!