[River Hill]

Does anyone have any first had experience with the Bobcat A300? If so what are you thoughts. I know Bobcat is suppose to be releasing other A models in 2004. I am in the process of trying different machines. I am waiting for CAT to release there new B sereis next year as I need a machine with 2 speed travel and High Flow.

[Will Pacala]

Ah!!!! Machines my speciality. I have used the A220 and A300. Both are pretty good all around.


Pros-- That steering is way cool- good available attachments-good lift height and strength-available turf tires are great!

Cons- It's pretty large- It's heavy- That's pretty much it!

using the attachments and regular bucket is tricky with all-wheel steering. It takes some time to get used to. Takes a decent amount of gas though. Overall check out all of your options even compact wheel loaders and see for yourself. It's up to you because it's your machine. I would definatly check it out.

One more thing. I've heard that using the all wheel in snow can be both good and bad!

[diginahole]

I haven't tried an A series but I have had a few opportunities to muck around with an S300. Compared to what I am used to (553) this thing is a monster. Awsome lifting capacity, quick travel and good visibility.

The supply yard where I get most of my materals just bought the S300 and I personally think the A300 would have been a better fit for this application. But then again I have no idea how much extra the dual mode steering costs.

[Will Pacala]

Not too sure about the price. I used this one at a friends and also rented it once. I think that it would be expensive though. Call a rep up or something to find out. They should be able to help if your even that interested in one. I would (like I said) check one out. They are really nice machines!!

[River Hill]

Will they are no longer making the A220. That machine was only out for a while and from what I understand had very little demad as it was a All Wheel Steer radius lift machine and the A300 is a vetical lift machine that could be purchased for about $2000.00 more. Some rough numbers I was quoted for the A300 was in the ball park of High $30,000's depending on options.

From your experience, was this machine as turf friendly as Bobcat claims? I am waiting for the snow to melt to try this thing on the turf. I have yet to talk with someone who owns this machine, so I can only go by their advertising hype. From what I have been told this machine does not tear up turf in AWS mode, it will leave light indentations, but will come up over time.

I am a little concerned about you comment about using attachments being tricky to use with the AWS. Do you think that is because you are use to a traditional Skid Steer and maybe you just needed more time or has this been comments from other owners/operators?

I can't wait for CAT to come out with their B series so I can play with them both. I think the CAT is probably a better machine, but the AWS would really be great if it lives up to what it says it does.

[Stonehenge]

I have very, very limited experience with the AWS machines from Bobcat. But I will say that my first concern when I saw them was that large material (stumps, stones) would get stuck in the linkage between the wheel and the body, and do some damage.

The other is the learning curve for operating the thing. I was in a landscape show 2 years ago, and was chatting with the Bobcat rep as he was loading an AWS machine to take back to their shop. I watched him fart around for almost 5 minutes trying to get that thing on, as he was really struggling with the steering. He ended up spilling the thing off the trailer halfway up, bending up parts on one of the ramps.

[Will Pacala]

The reason I said that attachments may be tricky is the learning curve and the fact that if you are using let's say at rencher you have to watch where the front of it is at all time so you don't hit anything. With the AWS the attachments become harder to turn around and move. But if your not doing much work in the more built up areas then this may be a good machine for you. Stone, I think that the guy you saw probably didn't know how to operate the thing.

I do agree that it doesn't leave too much of an impression on turf. This is a great machine for irrigation installers because it won't damage turf.

[River Hill]

As far as loading it on a trailer, I bet he was trying to do it in AWS mode. When I first talked to the Bobcat dealer about this machine he said to make sure you flip the switch to traditional skid mode when loading it on a trailer or it is a real pain.

[Will Pacala]

I can definatly see why after using one. It definatly takes time to get to "know the machine" before really using it. I would take it foe a spin at the dealers or at your place so that you can see if you like it. I don't know of many more companies that have an AWS on their product line. Gehl says they do but it's just an articulated wheel loader.

Does anyone know of another company that has an AWS available??? I have always liked the John Deere skid steers though. nice body style and lift looks pretty good. The low profile can be both good and bad sometimes.

[River Hill]

Has anyone had any feedback or experience with the A300 yet? I have read about them, and tried one, but I wonder about reliability.

[johnkeegan]

I've had an A300 for 3 years and have nothing but praise. The learning curve is VERY short. For myself and main equipment operator I'd say it took only a couple of hours. One of my other foreman (who is equipment-shy) was intimidated at first but now he always goes for that machine first. Let's put it this way, the learning curve is much shorter than years ago when I went from a Kubota TLB to a Bobcat. Also, I bought a new S250 at the same time but now the A300 has four times the hours on it because it's much more versatile. I'll list others points below:
-I normally have turf tires on the A300, so I can run across someone's lawn with a 3,000 lb. pallet (or plant a tree with a 36"auger etc.) and leave hardly an imprint. Great for working in established residential work, not so important for new construction areas.
-I switch to heavy lug tires in the winter for snow removal. And the traction seems better than a skid steer. And remember you can always switch to skidsteer-mode with the flick of a switch.
-Less wear and tear on tires (and customers' blacktop) due to no spinning on pavement ( a favorite pasttime of many operators).
-The 2 speed drive is great on a large job to get from A to B. With my S250 I always feel like I want to get out and push it. I've noticed too that operators tend to run the S250 at much higher RPM's and I know it's because they're are used to the faster A300.
- I also use the newer quick attach backhoe with the A300. With that combination it works almost like an excavator. While in the seat for the backhoe, I can reach back and reposition the machine with the hand control without hopping in and out of the machine. This setup saved me from needing to purchase a mini excavator.
- A note to Stone. I originally had the same concern as you about rocks and debris getting caught up in the likage, but in 3 years it's never been a problem.
- For my situation (mostly residential design/install with 50%hardscape/50% greenscape) I've found the A300 indispensible on jobs where I need lift capacity and/or minimal property damage. I use the S250 with rubber- over-steel tracks for loading yard operations and down and dirty mud work. The combination work great for me. But if I were forced to keep only one machine it would definately be the A300.

[River Hill]

John do you ever really run the A300 in skid mode or just AWS? If you don't mind me asking what was the ball park price on that machine? I am going to look at a few machines again this week. I was not able to find a demo A300 this summer, but I have been in a couple of CATS. I will be trying out the 268B real soon. I will be putting a stumpgrinder on whatever machine I get, so It must be high flow and 2 speed for snow work.

[johnkeegan]

River, I probably use the A300 in AWS probably 95% of the time. But it's nice to know the skid steer is there if needed. From memory I would have to say it cost upper $30K with heated cab and turf tires.

[rgj]

Originally posted by johnkeegan
River, I probably use the A300 in AWS probably 95% of the time. But it's nice to know the skid steer is there if needed. From memory I would have to say it cost upper $30K with heated cab and turf tires.

Price on A300 is upper 40's.

[johnkeegan]

I probably should I have stated then (1 year ago) that I purchased it in 2002 and at the time I also bought an S250, the quick-tach backhoe and a 7 ton trailer, so the actual price of the A300 itself was probably distorted some. Besides, I also haggled him down alot. The final price of everything in the deal was lowered $5000 from the original and he added 0% financing.