S160 and S220

[Ice Cold]

I'm new.... gotta love these forums. all thats missing is a cup of cheap coffee. I feel like i'm back home in the coffee shop with all the boys. difference is you guys are mostly believable. Great conversations!!!
I've been lurking. Bobcat needed. I'm looking for a basic machine that will run high flow snowblower and a log/firewood grapple moving logs around. Also do other chores related to landscaping, digging post holes, snow pushing, etc.
Wondering your thoughts on the S160 and the S220. does not seem too popular but the S160 looks like a middle of the road simple radius lift S185. Why are these radius models not as popular? Are they hard to work on, substandard design? Just don't see as many of them for sale.
I'm not sold on the vert lift, looks like more moving parts. I desire the simplest most useful machine that is maintenance friendly. I'm not averse to the s185-s205. willing to consider the s220 again i'm looking for a capable used machine. Of course I want a big one but do I really need one that big.
Also looking at specs on the bobcat website, the S220 has a lot bigger pump for aux. It may be a bit too much??? thoughts ???? I've read about flow reducers. can they be employed to tame the bigger pumps. what about running the low flow attachments with high flow machines?
I appreciate your thoughts and thanks for reading
I need the right tool and am looking for some straight forward advice from you guys. Fire at will.....
one more thing how do I start a new paragraph to make an easier to read post????

 

[Tazza]

I can;t give you much advise on what one is better, it depends on how much access you have and how much you want to lift.
I like my *7* series sized machines, they can lift about a tonne, rated at about half that,m but you can push the limits a bit. They have a width of about 1.5 metres which is pretty good for getting into most tight places. you can get smaller buckets and tryes to get a few inches smaller.
The vertical lift indeed does have more wear points, they are really good for loading trucks.
I would personally steer towards one with a Kubota engine, the larger ones sometimes have Deutz engines, parts are pretty expensive for them vs Kubota. My S250 runs a 3.3L turbo Kubota, has loads of power.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

I can;t give you much advise on what one is better, it depends on how much access you have and how much you want to lift.
I like my *7* series sized machines, they can lift about a tonne, rated at about half that,m but you can push the limits a bit. They have a width of about 1.5 metres which is pretty good for getting into most tight places. you can get smaller buckets and tryes to get a few inches smaller.
The vertical lift indeed does have more wear points, they are really good for loading trucks.
I would personally steer towards one with a Kubota engine, the larger ones sometimes have Deutz engines, parts are pretty expensive for them vs Kubota. My S250 runs a 3.3L turbo Kubota, has loads of power.

Go to profile and insert check in " free html editor" and para will work.
I believe the 160 is less common because it has not been out too long. It is a 185 without the vertical lift boom. I believe the 220 is less common because it is the size of a 250/300 class machine so many go for the extra lift capacity, I have never heard any arguments how one is better then the other. Both have kubota diesel. You can still run std flow attachments on either because you turn the hi flow off when you do not need it.
I'd say it pretty much comes down how big and heavy of a machine you want to trailer, what will fit in your job site, how much you need to lift and how much hp you want to transfer to your attachment. The bigger machine will do most anything faster, povided it fits in your job site. For me I prefer medium frame 150 to 185 class machine just because a lighter truck can haul them and many of my attachments are in this class too.
I have a 150 (a 160 without the turbo on the engine, 10 hp less) and a 185, both are great machines and most days I would be hard pressed to see what one does better then the other.The 185 has a foot more reach at full lift and on some occasions you can notice the extra engine power. Most days it is not a factor to me.
But if you want hi flow then you have to get a 160 or 185 with the turbo to have the extra power to run the additional pump.
In the large frame 220 250 300 machines I believe they all pump the same oil in both std or hi flow as the other models in the large frame class.
Same as the 160 185 are 16.9 std and 25 gpm on hi. both flow the same. The large frame machine will have more gpm over the medium frame though. Thinking 22 gpm versus 17 on std flow.
Hope that help
Ken

 

[Ice Cold]

Go to profile and insert check in " free html editor" and para will work.
I believe the 160 is less common because it has not been out too long. It is a 185 without the vertical lift boom. I believe the 220 is less common because it is the size of a 250/300 class machine so many go for the extra lift capacity, I have never heard any arguments how one is better then the other. Both have kubota diesel. You can still run std flow attachments on either because you turn the hi flow off when you do not need it.
I'd say it pretty much comes down how big and heavy of a machine you want to trailer, what will fit in your job site, how much you need to lift and how much hp you want to transfer to your attachment. The bigger machine will do most anything faster, povided it fits in your job site. For me I prefer medium frame 150 to 185 class machine just because a lighter truck can haul them and many of my attachments are in this class too.
I have a 150 (a 160 without the turbo on the engine, 10 hp less) and a 185, both are great machines and most days I would be hard pressed to see what one does better then the other.The 185 has a foot more reach at full lift and on some occasions you can notice the extra engine power. Most days it is not a factor to me.
But if you want hi flow then you have to get a 160 or 185 with the turbo to have the extra power to run the additional pump.
In the large frame 220 250 300 machines I believe they all pump the same oil in both std or hi flow as the other models in the large frame class.
Same as the 160 185 are 16.9 std and 25 gpm on hi. both flow the same. The large frame machine will have more gpm over the medium frame though. Thinking 22 gpm versus 17 on std flow.
Hope that help
Ken

First, I checked box for HTML editor, and the compose box was not live. It would not allow any typing. >>>>>>>>>>>> Second thanks to TAZZA and skidsteer.ca!!!!! you guys must be able to type a thousands words a minute. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also looking at 773's and 863's etc and they only have high flow ~28gpm. Can it be reduced for low flow attachments? Is it necessary to reduce? damage possibilities for those attachments? What are the down sides to only having high flow? It seems it may be a simpler system from a maintenance standpoint. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Is there a thread on how to give a machine the once over when looking to purchase? what are the hot points that us new guys can look for? Or what are the signs of abuse on a used machine. I like to take it easy on my machines, treat 'em like the ladies and you can keep them around longer. thoughts please gentlemen. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm leaning toward the bigger machine just because never know when I may need a bit more power. I plan on lifting logs for my firewood business and purchasing a snowblower attachment. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>thanks again, you guys put a lot of time into this. I wish I could buy you a cup or can for all of us ingnorants. >>>>>>>> Feel free to move this post to a new topic if need be.

 

[Ice Cold]

First, I checked box for HTML editor, and the compose box was not live. It would not allow any typing. >>>>>>>>>>>> Second thanks to TAZZA and skidsteer.ca!!!!! you guys must be able to type a thousands words a minute. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also looking at 773's and 863's etc and they only have high flow ~28gpm. Can it be reduced for low flow attachments? Is it necessary to reduce? damage possibilities for those attachments? What are the down sides to only having high flow? It seems it may be a simpler system from a maintenance standpoint. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Is there a thread on how to give a machine the once over when looking to purchase? what are the hot points that us new guys can look for? Or what are the signs of abuse on a used machine. I like to take it easy on my machines, treat 'em like the ladies and you can keep them around longer. thoughts please gentlemen. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm leaning toward the bigger machine just because never know when I may need a bit more power. I plan on lifting logs for my firewood business and purchasing a snowblower attachment. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>thanks again, you guys put a lot of time into this. I wish I could buy you a cup or can for all of us ingnorants. >>>>>>>> Feel free to move this post to a new topic if need be.

One more thing..... When did they start putting the urea injection systems into these bobcat units. I want to stay away from them............thanks

 

[Fishfiles]

One more thing..... When did they start putting the urea injection systems into these bobcat units. I want to stay away from them............thanks

Here is some info off Bobcats site -----------Bobcat machines under 25.5 hp have been Final Tier 4 compliant since 2008. Bobcat machines equal to or greater than 25.5 hp, but less than 75.1 hp have been Interim Tier 4 (iT4) compliant since 2008. For Bobcat machines that are not subject to iT4 or Tier 4 compliancy until future dates, Bobcat is committed to incorporating iT4 and Tier 4 technologies that provide the most benefits to our customers and are the most applicable to the products that we manufacture.
Like other manufacturers, we are thinking hard about 2012, when Bobcat machines that fall into the 75.1 to 174.3 hp class become Interim Tier 4 compliant.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

First, I checked box for HTML editor, and the compose box was not live. It would not allow any typing. >>>>>>>>>>>> Second thanks to TAZZA and skidsteer.ca!!!!! you guys must be able to type a thousands words a minute. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also looking at 773's and 863's etc and they only have high flow ~28gpm. Can it be reduced for low flow attachments? Is it necessary to reduce? damage possibilities for those attachments? What are the down sides to only having high flow? It seems it may be a simpler system from a maintenance standpoint. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Is there a thread on how to give a machine the once over when looking to purchase? what are the hot points that us new guys can look for? Or what are the signs of abuse on a used machine. I like to take it easy on my machines, treat 'em like the ladies and you can keep them around longer. thoughts please gentlemen. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm leaning toward the bigger machine just because never know when I may need a bit more power. I plan on lifting logs for my firewood business and purchasing a snowblower attachment. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>thanks again, you guys put a lot of time into this. I wish I could buy you a cup or can for all of us ingnorants. >>>>>>>> Feel free to move this post to a new topic if need be.

First, I checked box for HTML editor, and the compose box was not live. It would not allow any typing.
Just put a check in it and save, then come back to the forums usual window and para should work.
Also looking at 773's and 863's etc and they only have high flow ~28gpm.
Can it be reduced for low flow attachments?
Yes
Is it necessary to reduce? damage possibilities for those attachments?
Yes
What are the down sides to only having high flow?
None, it is selectable, anly downsideis more plumbing and hoses, extra pumpthat could fail.
Is there a thread on how to give a machine the once over when looking to purchase?
There are several, we need to combine all the good points and load a copy to the faq section, but that has not happened yet.
Try searching "buying skidsteer" and "first skidsteer" etc
What are the hot points that us new guys can look for?
Lack or grease, squeaking and loose pins, especially on the quick attach behind the bucket.
Engine blowby, uneven compression when cranking. Oil underneath the machine or around the engine
Or what are the signs of abuse on a used machine. I like to take it easy on my machines, treat 'em like the ladies and you can keep them around longer. thoughts please gentlemen.
Bent and banged up wheels, cab back door, severly scraped. Used for jack hammering, or other high wear apllications. Milky hyd oil (water contamination) also check the chaincase oil (plug in front center of frame behind the quick attach. Bring a 1/2 drive breaker bar with you.) and engine oil
I'm leaning toward the bigger machine just because never know when I may need a bit more power. I plan on lifting logs for my firewood business and purchasing a snowblower attachment.
Thats great, the only reason to go smaller is if the machine does not fit where you want to work or you want to haul it aroundand your truck is too small
How heavy of logs? How many hours of snow blowing. How much snow do you get per snowfall?
Also, since your up north in firewood county, rust could also be a problem if the unit was trailered on salty roads. Worked in manure or ferilizers are evil too. Bring a 3/4" wrench and lift the cab to look for rusty hyd lines etc, often the rust trails all over the paint on the outside speak of this horror.
Keep reading and asking questions, use the search feature.
Skidsteer
edit Drat first the text was too tiny, now its huge, oh well....

 

[nirias]

You dont mention where you are and what kind of snow you need to blow. Even a standard flow machine would likely be able to move a foot or two of dry powder, but deep and wet snow are a different story. I have a high flow S220 and, for heavy Sierra snow, the machine is only adequate. If there was a "super flow" option on the hydralics to give me another 10+ gpm on the hydraulics I would want that option. With the 37gpm limit I find I have to take it very slow when moving 2-3 ft of wet snow in order to keep the blower's fan from bogging. If you let the fan slow down you have a plugged chute. In such conditions, the lower capacity S160 would probably be very frustrating.

 

[Ice Cold]

You dont mention where you are and what kind of snow you need to blow. Even a standard flow machine would likely be able to move a foot or two of dry powder, but deep and wet snow are a different story. I have a high flow S220 and, for heavy Sierra snow, the machine is only adequate. If there was a "super flow" option on the hydralics to give me another 10+ gpm on the hydraulics I would want that option. With the 37gpm limit I find I have to take it very slow when moving 2-3 ft of wet snow in order to keep the blower's fan from bogging. If you let the fan slow down you have a plugged chute. In such conditions, the lower capacity S160 would probably be very frustrating.

thanks... we just got 18 inches of the wet stuff. I think i'll go with high flow for sure. alaska can have looooong winters and snow season. We are still riding snowmobiles or as they say around here snowmachines. thanks all for the input.