skid steer advise

[kwikrp]

I am looking to purchase a used skid steer. I have no knowledge of these machinnes. If someone would know what to ask and what to look for when evalutating a machine? Also, is there any type of guide to determine value for these machines, such as blue book for cars?

 

[SolarAndWood]

What is the budget and what do you hope to do with it?

 

[loon]

here is a link for some used machines, will kinda give you an idea of the prices makes and models...

Terry


http://usediron.point2.com/Xhtml/Equipment/P2/Skidsteer/ByManufacturerFromType.html

 

[ISeeDeadBTUs]

Traditional, track, or 4-wheel steer?

HP?

Lift capacity?

Weight?

Foot control or hand?

Aux hydraulics?

C/H/A?

 

[blades]

Try to keep hours under the 2k mark, Then when you are looking at it see what kind of condition all the lift assembly bearings are in. Condition of hydro. lines, Leaks? Condition of tires( they are about 250 a piece) Does it blow smoke when first fired up, then their is a lot of engine wear ( now that is a little harder to tell if it is diesel powerd) How tight are the control linkages ect. Flow rate of the pump, Aux. Hydro hook up? 2 speed? Wheeled or track? I can not cover it all here. Enclosed cab? heat? ( kinda need that in the winter)Best to do some research on the skid steer forums. Most skidders are run flat out abused as h--- and put away wet if you get my drift. Repairs are very pricey parts are not that bad it is the labor that kills you because nothing is very accessible. Attachments are very pricey also. Depending on your use a smaller tractor ( not lawn type) with a 3 point set up and a loader might be better choice

 

[zzr7ky]

+1 on Blades answer. Can you describe the intended use better? Small to medium size tractors are quite versitili and are pretty easy to service.

 

[Reggie Dunlap]

I've had a couple. An older Bobcat 743 and a 2004 Cat 236. The older Bobcats are pretty bullet proof as long as they are maintained. The newer machines with electronic controls are much nicer to run.

If I were looking I'd pay a good diesel mechanic to check out the machine before I bought it. Don't buy one thats been on a farm. The manure and cow piss is very corrosive.

I traded the Cat for a 50 HP Kubota tractor and don't think I'll go back to a skid steer. For my use the tractor is much more versatile and I can run it down the road without loading it on a trailer. But in a tight area skid steers are hard to beat.

 

[Hurricane]

The lift capacity will determine the HP for the most part. Do you intend on carrying pallets of things ? grading, digging. They are not good at digging holes better off using a backhoe, unless you invest in the attachment, then you need enough pump flow to run the attachment. They do tear up the yard when used on grass or gravel. I went with a smaller tractor and never regretted it, I cannot lift pallets of heavy things but can do much more and do not tear up the yard. Most of the attachments available for skid steer will also be available for 3pt hitch on a tractor. There are a few websites on tractors like www.tractorbynet.com that have good info.

 

[kwikrp]

I have a commercial property and the parking lot is tight. I was think of using the bobcat to move snow and to pile it currently I have a snow plow, but with both a plow and a skid steer I feel I could do a better job. I would also use it around the house small odd jobs and maybe even purchase the backhoe attachment and brush hog. The machine I have looked at is a 1998 Bobcat 773 with 2600 hours on the machine engine has been replaced and has 200 hours on it, has enclosed cab with door heat and wiper. Oversized bucket ?? and tires look good maybe 70 - 75 % left on them. Asking price $ 8500, diesel mtr.

 

[Bubbavh]

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[kwikrp]

Oh love it... But it probobly cost more than the bobcat ???

 

[blades]

Sounds like a reasonable price, I paid 8k for a LX485 with 1100 hrs about a year ago, my uses coincide with yours.

 

[jeff_t]

If you've never operated one, joystick controls are a lot easier to master. But that probably means a newer machine and more$.

 

[K2Orion]

$8500 is fair. Find out why the motor was replaced. It could indicate other problems. If you are just using it for snow and odd jobs at home it will probably last forever. But you won't, everybody you know will want to borrow it or have you come do work for them.

 

[bogydave]

Neighbor has one, I use it allot. (Case skid steer)
Learned to not drive it in the yard, tears up the grass quick.
Spins tires easy. Real loose & almost worthless on mud (just spins & hard to steer even when not pushing anything).
Pretty strong machine, does dirt work pretty good. May need chains for snow. I used it this winter & slid all over the place on the ice.
Replaced left side drive chain this winter,
PS: Keep the drive chains adjusted for longer life. (check every year)

I like it but if I were to buy something like it, I'd look for a small tractor. More versatile. IMO.

 

[jeff_t]

Rubber track machines do rock. I don't think they were meant for the dirt with tires. Steel tracks over the tires make a night-day difference, but really tear things up.

 

[djblech]

I had a Case 1995 XT-75. This was a pretty heavy machine with about a 2200lb lift. I bought it used for $14,500 used it for a year and sold it for $14,000. I only had 125 hrs on it in the yr I owned it. I have a Kioti 45hp compact tractor that will do as much or more than the skid steer and the attachments are cheaper. It is slower that the SS but works better for me.
Doug

 

[jklingel]

It sounds like you are looking for a 6-7000 lb machine. I have run a JD 240 for a couple of years (about 6000 lb), then sold it for a 332 (9100 lbs); way too big unless you need it. That little 240 pushed dirt well and removed hard pack pretty nicely, too, but nothing like the 332. I've dug around and then pushed over some pretty big trees w/ it, too (we don't have tap roots up here). If you are ever going to fill a dump truck, then you'll need a larger one with sufficient hinge pin height. Winter = chains. Period. End of story, unless you have little snow, or it never gets icy or hilly at all where you'll be. Your plow truck will be much faster for moving the snow to one side, but you probably know the limits of that. You can either get a huge snow bucket, 8 to 10' wide if you have enough need, or simply add to the height of a construction bucket; it's pretty easy and the difference is wonderful. Tired skid steers are best chained up if the dirt gets wet. I have no use for a tracked machine, as I run around on roads from job to job, and I remove hard pack on hilly driveways a lot. Tracked machines slide sideways on ice/hard pack, like you greased the place up, but are far superior (and spendy) in mud. Try to avoid all the Ford/Chevy hype: most all are pretty good machines, esp newer ones. A JD 320 can be had, new, for about $22K; they are about 7500 lbs. See machinerytrader.com. Bobcats, from what I've looked, tend to run a tad higher for the same size, but deals are there to be had. As mentioned above, it is best to know who has run a machine and what they did to it. I have watched guys removing hard pack w/ rental machines, and it hurts me deeply. Gross abuse. Look for OLD grease at all pivot points; if they are dry and clean, walk away or be ready to replace a bunch of parts. If the engine is all oily and leaky, walk along. ETC, like buying a used truck. Good luck, and I bet you find 100 things to do once you get a machine. john