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Crawlers, Dozers, Loaders & Backhoes Discussion Forum

Skidsteer Brand Recommendation

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KEG

08-17-2003 19:45:58




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I suspected this topic may have been brought up before, but a search of the archives produced no results - so here goes: I am looking for a skidsteer loader to use on my farm. What brand would you recommend: Bobcat, Case, CAT, JD, New Holland, etc. etc. I have heard conflicting stories and can't seem to get good "hands-on experience" recommendations. Just comparing mfr. specs doesn't tell me how well they hold up in the field. Use will be general farm chores, landscaping, grading, clearing, etc. So what would you recommend? KEG

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Kirby

08-23-2003 18:55:23




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 Re: Skidsteer Brand Recommendation in reply to KEG, 08-17-2003 19:45:58  
We have 3 CASE 85XT's which are used in land clearing with tree shears and grappler buckets. They are used 8 hours plus a day unless it's raining. They have been very reliable. One of these has over 3000 hours on it and it's a 2000 model. The others are newer. We started with a CASE 1845 and it was also reliable but for our use the 85 XT is heavier, more horsepower, and it does not need a turbo to make it have power. It has the 4 cylinder Cummins diesel which has been used in all of the CASE backhoes forever. The CASE has the hand controls which we have found to be easier on the operators. The only time you have to use your feet is when you operate the hydraulics to close the shear or attachment. We tested all of the major skid steers on the market for several days before we decided on the CASE. Several of the other land clearers in this area also use CAT and are very pleased with them. CAT now offers the option of single stick steering or CASE hand controls. I'm sure others have good products also but this has been our experience. The other option I would recommend if you can afford is an AC/Heated Cab. About a $3000 option but well worth it if you are going to spend a lot of time in the saddle.

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Jack

08-19-2003 14:49:58




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 Re: Skidsteer Brand Recommendation in reply to KEG, 08-17-2003 19:45:58  
I have a New Holland LS-190. I have had major problems with my hydraulics because of poor service from the dealer. I have also broken two of the big yellow struts on the boom. These big yellow struts have very good holes in the ends where the pins go through but the metal in the strut's tube is less than an eighth of an inch thick. That's just poor design. LS-190's also have a problem with the axle retaining system which consists of a snap ring and some shims. This poorly engineered axle retaining system allows the bearing to eat the shims and then it eats the snap ring and the axle comes out. When the axle comes out it ruins the seals and bearings which cost about 80 bucks to replace. New Holland engineers are still in denial on these design flaws. Other than that, the New Holland LS-190 seems to be a pretty good machine. Next time I'll buy anything but New Holland. I'm thinking Case or Cat.

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JimKS

08-19-2003 10:54:54




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 Re: Skidsteer Brand Recommendation in reply to KEG, 08-17-2003 19:45:58  
Case, Bobcat, and New Holland seem to hold up pretty good. I've recently started working on john deere skidsteers and haven't been too impressed.



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bob

08-18-2003 22:53:50




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 Re: Skidsteer Brand Recommendation in reply to KEG, 08-17-2003 19:45:58  
None of the above. ASV Positrak, rubber track with PTO & 3point hitch. Optional 6-way dozer blade. Wont get hung up like wheeled machines. By far the handiest thing on the farm.



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Greg

08-18-2003 19:05:46




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 Re: Skidsteer Brand Recommendation in reply to KEG, 08-17-2003 19:45:58  
Regardless of brand, find one that the operators platform will tilt open to expose the engine/pump/control area. You will be thankfull one day when repair time comes alomg. I do agree that Gehl is a nice machine. Run as fast and as far as you can from the JCB Robot, good idea, BAD engineering.



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gehl

08-18-2003 17:18:13




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 Re: Skidsteer Brand Recommendation in reply to KEG, 08-17-2003 19:45:58  
gehl makes a very good skidsteer



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gatractorman

08-18-2003 03:59:30




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 Re: Skidsteer Brand Recommendation in reply to KEG, 08-17-2003 19:45:58  
Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge debate, I would like to have a C or F series 863 Bobcat, no its not new but it doesn't have all that electrical garbage that is on the new ones nowdays, Cat and JD both only have a couple years experience building skid-steers for themselves (there are older JD skid-steers out there but actually they are a New Holland loader with JD engine stuffed in) Case and New Holland both build great machines, but personally I dont care for hand controls like on the Case, and I dont like the way a NH makes me feel like I'm sitting on the ground. It all boils down to personal preference, mabye you should rent each machine before making a buying decision. Skid-steers by nature get alot of abuse but I cant say Bobcat is tougher than Case or New Holland is better than Cat, any of them should give good service with proper maintenance.

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marlowe

08-17-2003 20:04:30




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 Re: Skidsteer Brand Recommendation in reply to KEG, 08-17-2003 19:45:58  
case 1845c 7237 hr. and NO down time



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