I am considering buying a skid-steer and wanted to talk to some guys about sizes and makes. I would be using the machine for miscellaneous chores around the house, spreading gravel, moving dirt, carrying brush (with an attachment of course), and maybe some minor grading work for laying a pad for a shed or something of that nature. I have been reading some specs online of different machines. I am in no way able to buy a new machine. I looking for a good used, cared for machine. No real attachment to make or model. I would prefer a joystick drive over the two-stick (although, I have operated both and two-stick is just fine). Just let me know what you guys think around the areas of make, HP, and a machine that I will be able to get parts for if/when problems arise. Thanks!
I think the best value on the market are the mid to late 90s Gehl machines....Tee handle controls.....are natural and easy to use......machines are trough and simple not full of electronics........i wouldnt buy any skidloader under 60hp......you can for example get a gehl 5625..or 5635..type machine low hours in good shape etc for ~10k .....the cost tends to be in the attachments.....its easy to spend 10k for a machine and need to spend 20k for attachments
I'd talk to some of the equipment contractors in your area and see what they think of the dealer support of the different brands where you are. It may not be as critical for casual use of the machine, but it is of no use to you broke down. The dealer who would have parts or service to get you back in the seat is the one I'd choose. As far as size, I get as big as you can afford. I have a Cat 248, 74hp and 2000 pound lift capacity. I don't think I'd want smaller, I was using it for business but now use it to maintain my property of 14 acres and lifting chores for vehicle repairs. I prefer the joysticks over manual levers.
Finding a 'good used, cared for machine" may be a challenge, so many on the used market seem to be pretty beat up. It seems that very few ss are "gently used." I have a JD325 for use on the farm and I've been happy with it. I run steel OTT tracks 99% of the time. I agree that dealer support can be a big issue, if you need it.
I recently bought a case 445. if I were to buy another I would buy a tracked one because of stability and flotation reasons. In my opinion any used piece of equipment is going to need a little work here and there good luck
Have you found much that machine is not capable of doing? Lifting, pushing, pivoting with a loaded bucket, etc. The joysticks are definitely more ergonomic and better for light and easy movement with the bucket and forks.
I have looked at some of the older Gehl machines that you have spoken of. I feel that I would prefer the simpler design more favorable (as far as engine operation). So, you feel anything under the 60HP mark would be too weak for activities that I listed?
As far as tracks and regular wheeled machines, I have ran both in the past. I have not noticed a whole lot of difference between them. With rubber tracks it kinds of feels that pivoting the machine is a little tougher on certain terrain. But, with wheeled machine you get somewhat of "hop-skip" at times and feel it may be easier to get stuck. Just let me know what you guys run and had the best luck with.
I had a 763 bobcat for years very reliable machine wasn't big on power but it's got the job done (46 hp). Did what you are looking to do with yours. Upgraded to a 226b2 cat has 10 more horsepower and it has plenty of power. Does great for what we do with it. It's 60"s wide and fits great into yards. If I were to get anything else it would be a 236, 246 size machine just to have a higher capacity and 70 hp. But I'm still happy with ours, it is very capable.
The machine impresses me every time I use it and I've had it since new in 2000. It will push material almost as well as a dozer, I've pushed piles I've expected to make it just sit and spin. Even though it's rated at 2000 pounds, I routinely loaded 3500lb pallets of brick to a height of 4 feet on level ground. I've loaded junk cars onto my equipment trailer for scrap, my trailer is a deck over wheels. The machine pivots fine with a load, in fact it only hops when its empty on asphalt. The 248 is high flow, the 246 is the same machine in standard flow. You might want to stay away from Cat machines powered by the Perkins engine, there's a number of cases where the oil pump has failed, my machine included which usually results in catastrophic failure. At some point they switched to a Mitsubishi engine which has a better service history.
back in the day we used the gehl 40hp class machines for a while and while they might do the job they seemed to strain to get it done.....at approx 60hp you start getting a heavier and generally more durable machine in most lines of skidsteer equipment.....i have run just about every type of controls in the older skidsteers and Gehl's T handle controls are as good or better than the modern joysticks without the electronics....that era of machine was simple and tough and easy to work on (we had almost zero issues with them) without all the bells and whistles of todays machines.....they are a fantastic value if you can get one that hasnt been abused and if you treat them decent they shouldnt depreciate much at all.. but if you have a unlimited budget there are better more capable machines out there.......
Tough to find a clean well cared for machine but take your time on it, they are out there. Keep watching machinery trader and other like places...one will come along....need to be patient..