I was just wondering what your guys thoughts where on this. I am looking at cat and bobcat 8 metric ton machines. I have run both and both seem good . The cat is a better machine in my opinion. I was allowing cat some extra $ because of this and a few things I liked better on the machine. I know both salesmen very good and thing both would take care of me if have any problems. Have dealt with cat for years in big equipment. Have bought d6n & 279d tcl off of him in past. But for similarly spec machine cat is $20k more. They both have come down considerably off first price don't think they have much more to give and I don't want to loose $20k just to buy a machine I like better. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
How are the dealers on service? Just out of curiosity, where in IL are you at?
The cat dealer has been excellent for service. Have not dealt with bobcat before, but the salesman only lives 5 miles from my shop. Both dealers are hr from shop. I live near Effingham, IL.
I gotcha, I'm up by Peoria, one nice thing about Cat and Altorfer, the main parts hub is in Morton, IL; so they can get pretty much any part in on the same day if its ordered early enough.
Go cat. Can't imagine the bobcat dealer could or will provide the parts or service as efficiently as cat. The actual operating cost of a machine is not its purchase price as you may well know. With a quick look at Machinerytrader.com at 5 year old 8 ton Bobcats and cats all or most of the $20k is still left there in residual value! Less risk in trying to pay for the cat....imho....TIO
I`m sure every dealer is different but my experience with Bobcat has been a poor one...I actually like my Bobcat, after the different issues have been dealt with... unfortunately not by Bobcat....I really think you would be a happier person with the Caterpillar...Tony
I rented a 50 boom cherry picker last August. While picking it up I asked the salesman about his Takeuchi and Bobcat rental fleet. He said he likes the Takeuchis over Bobcat because Bobcat takes up to 3 days to get parts in and Takeuchi overnights parts in. Big difference if the machine is not making money. Also, a Bobcat dealer was just 3 miles away! hugs, Brandi