skidsteers

[SPDRMNKY]

Life's been busy, so I've been away, but thought I'd run something by you all...

I'm looking to buy a skidsteer loader in the coming months. I want it to do some digging, snow removal, land clearing, logging, and whatever else. Not doing any mowing at this point. Hope to use it someday in a "self-employed" venture, as a swiss army knife.

At first I thought about a compact tractor, but with the tight space I have, the better power-to-size of a SS, and the multitude of attachments available a SS is the way to go for me.

I've compared on websites, and it seems to come down to brand preference or some niche capability...neither of which really matter to me. The one thing I did notice, and that really matters to me is visibility from the operator's station. It seems that John Deere has the best 360 degree visibility. They also don't seem underpowered, and a test drive of three JD's proved satisfying.

I'm looking to probably buy new, and keep it for the next 20-some-or-more years.

Thoughts? Experiences? Generalized heckling?

Cheers!:D

[4point0]

Sorry I don't know anything about skidsteer loaders, but I did happen to notice your strong bad quote in your sig. It made me chuckle.

[Nightshift]

bobcat has a few.... they call one a toolcat thats kind of a tiny pickup with i think 4 steer and all the 'bobtach' stuff. you didnt say how deep you wanted to dig. the attachments are rentable. there are many bobcat rental places out east there, I used to deliver all up and down the east coast.

[mainer]

i take care of 2 tool cat 5600s at the hanger i work at.we use them for plowing snow and sanding the road and for moving blackhawk helicopters out of the hanger.i swear by them.you cant beat the power of them for their size either.you don't even have to get out of the cab to change attachments (except the snowblower.you need to get out to hook up the hyd. hoses).the only down side is the price.they can be quite expensive on the civillian market.but with 40 different attachments for them...makes life a little bit easier.

[fatoldfool]

John Deere or Bobcat. It will be easier to locate attachments, dealers for parts and repairs. I am partial to Bobcat only because I have more experience with them, but there are probably three JD dealers to one Bobcat dealer. Parts prices run about the same with both.

[EMS 34 20]

I use skidsteers at work(demolition and excavation)we had a bobcat for years and now have 4 Cat units. the Cats are great but the Deers do have much better visability another good one is Komatsu I worked for a dealer and they are a strong dependable loader,and visability is about the same as the deer

[fishnjeeps]

Just remember:

Nothing Runs Like A Deere!

Beyond that, I don't know much about them. But check this video out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skuIHKrYomU

[DrLewall]

you buy me one too? preddy phaleeze? :usa:

[RedNeckTJ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgX_o981HkA&feature=related

This one's cool too, even though it has nothing to do with skidsteers. But it was under related videos

[Ckb69]

Just remember:

Nothing Runs Like A Deere!

Beyond that, I don't know much about them. But check this video out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skuIHKrYomU

Or smells like a John ... :lmao:

I have used a few SS's over the years , and they are the shiznit !
As for brand , couldn't say 1 is better , but the operater visibilllity is a big deal when working in tight quarters .

[SPDRMNKY]

We had a Toolcat in Iraq a while back, and it is a digging, moving, lifting, hauling SOB! I'd love one, but like has been said they're spendy, and a bit big for my space right now. Maybe someday...just have to buy a winning lottery ticket...anybody know where they sell those?

and Doc, I probably can't buy you one without that winning ticket...sorry brother.

Cheers!:D