[Stonehenge]

We already have one skid steer, and it's almost the largest one Gehl makes.

We're getting to the point where not having a second skid steer is holding us back.

The thing I'm wondering is, for a second skid steer, should I purchase another one, same size and capacities? The one we have can lift everything I need it to lift, but it can rut up a yard pretty good.

Or do I buy a smaller one - less destruction on established landscapes, but less muscle to do the bull work.

[diginahole]

Dont be afraid to go with a smaller unit. If (when) I run 2 skid steers they will be different for sure. I will always run a 4' wide model. I bought my second 553 bobcat this spring and still would not hesitate to replace it with the same machine, it's just right for my operation. If I were to add another it would be in the 3000# lift range. I would not be able to use it as often but it would come in handy for larger projects and mombo jamba stones. I think I will be adding a small mini ex before the larger skid steer.

[diginahole]

BTW... small skid steers can rut up a damp yard just as quick as a large one.

[dan deutekom]

If I were to have 2 skidsteers I would go one big one and one little one. This gives you more versatility. But I think I would consider a mini-x before a second skidsteer because if you team up these two machines up you can move mountains in ways you never thought possible

[jwholden]

I have been getting the itch to get a second machine as well. However, I am getting tired of taking the backhoe on and off the Bobcat to put the bucket or pallet forks on (yes it only takes 5 minutes, I know). I am also tired of destroying every lawn I go near with the bobcat.

Many guys around here have one Skidsteer and one Tractor-Loader-Backhoe in theire stable. A common choice is a Kubota L35 as a second, or first, machine A lot of my planting jobs would be better suited to a TLB, but I like the ruggedness of the Bobcat for grading, new lawns, and new contruction. One limitation on my Bobcat is its 1600 lb lift capacity, not a full pallet of pavers. We have to hand pull the top few rows of a pallet or else the pallet will rip up the ground as we push it.

Digin, how do you get around this with your smaller Bobcat?

My second machine, when the time comes, will most likely be a TLB. I like this machine from Bobcat http://www.bobcat.com/products/item....ml?itemId=1751 and it ran nice when I demoed it in the Spring at a Bobcat open house. However, comparing a TLB to a skid-steer is like comparing apples to oranges, different feel and diffferent characteristics. I need to demo some other machines to make a fair comparison.

Final note, Bobcat makes a skid steer with four wheel steering. It can four wheel steer or lock up and run like a normal skid steer. You may want to check that out.

[Stonehenge]

I've been leary of the 4 wheel steer design - saw one in operation, looked like all kinds of opportunity to get things stuck between the wheel and the body. Also, light lift capacities.

I've been seeing tracked skid steers more and more lately, and am thinking that might be the way to keep things from getting rutted up. Quite a price tag, however.

[BJR]

Look at the smaller ASV RC30.

Or even an excavator. The combination of a skid steer and an excavator is hard to beat.

[jwholden]

Does your next machine have to fit on a 5 ton trailer?

[Stonehenge]

The ideal would be to get under the CDL limbo bar of 10,000#.

[Rex Mann]

I had a skid loader and a mini-x. They both had their advantages.

The mini-x was used for digging trenches for retaining walls, excavating for patios and walkways and final grading. If I had to have one or the other.......I take the mini-x.

With the blade you can excavate the sod off and even the soil. With the bucket you could dig down to 10 1/2 feet. With the rubber tracks no turf damage and they are light weight compared to most average size skid loaders.

We would use the mini-x to load the wheelbarrows with soil, stone or whatever. It really sped up the process.

If you currently have a skid loader and are intent on making a huge capitol investment, then look into a mini-x.

A couple of buying tips:

Dual controls
Diesel
Rubber tracks
Plumbed boom
Quick coupler ( if you have multiple attachments or buckets)
Aux. hydraulics


Peace,

Rex

[Paul]

Well putting up the 10,000 lb rule stops what I would buy next, a Cat 4 wheel art. loader one of the new smaller size units (910 series) these balance lifting with performance, plus will load a semi trailer(dump) My next choice would be a Bobcat A series part skid steer part art. loader but only because I would be limited by weight.

[Robert C]

We were at one time heavily against skid steers. We were old school and had only rubber tire backhoes. After doing a lot of research we realised we needed a machine to take up the slack especially with moving bulk material and pallets. We went with a Gehl 6635 and are very happy with it. Of course it does destroy a yard. Next machine will probably be a mini or medium excavator with rubber tracks. Again to complement the skid steer and two ford rubber tired machines.

[PSUscaper]

The new John Deer 110 might be a very good option.........very versatile.....and can take all those skid steer attachments.

When it comes to TLB's, most small ones will not touch a mini-x when it comes to diggin.

If you put the L35 kubota backhoe head to head with my tiny, bobcat 320 mini-x, you will find yourself never touching that kubota.

Even the small mini-x's double or triple the performance of any smaller tractor/backhoe combination............

I'm with the rest, and would say that if you are thinking of another skidsteer, why not invest in the mini-x first. I've found even my small mini-x gets just as much use as the skidsteer does.

Perhaps, look into a good used combo........maybe a used 6k lb mini-x and a used smaller skidsteer. Can probably get a very decent, well running used combination for the price of a new larger, skid or TLB.

As for less damage.........I don't think it matters. I've got both the tracked skidsteer and the toro dingo.........both still do adequate damage. I don't think your going to avoid this with anything other than a rubber tire tractor.

[Paul]

I think there is more a difference with type of damage than with the phrase damage. A track skid steer will do surface damage, more along the lines of tearing up sod and minimal damage under it. While a tractor or rubber tire machine will do more harm under the turf, compaction and the like.

We really need to define the uses we are look for when we talk about a new machine. Most here have bought a machine that fits what they started doing and meets the needs they had at the time.

In general most of us have bought a 1400-1800 lb lift machines because it did most of what we wanted it to do, excavate for walks and patios, carry lighter paver bundles that where delivered to the site, and grading. As we move to larger jobs we wanted a machine that would carry the pavers or wall blocks to the back yard or load higher trucks, damage was not so much a problem as the labor savings we would see by not having to split pallets or hand load the bucket.
Ideally we would have one machine to excavate, another to lift and carry plus maybe a third to dig footings for walls or tree pits.

Of course not many of us have the $$$ to spend on skid steers, mini-Xcavators, RT fork lifts, or combo machines. Kind of like using a swiss army knife not the best for each job but it does get the job done.

[Bill Schwab]

When we moved, there were a number of things in need of change. The Cat 246 will dig a hole deep enough to bury most skid steers in the time it takes to get them off a trailer, however, if we can't get it back to the work, it is usuless...So, we bought an RC-30. That only works 50% of the time. Next spring, a bobcat 463 mini micro machine with a 36" kit is in order. For those of you who are looking at a Toro Dingo or other stand on unit, this machine (463) will go into more places 99% of the time than the Dingo as it is only 36" wide where the Dingo is 44. It has a 3 cylinder diesel, and you can heat the cab for sidewlk work in the winter, and the best part...You will be able to load your 1 ton dump, where a Dingo will not lift high enough without ramping up. Price wise, this machine is very close and sometimes less expensive than a Dingo, Finn, or other type.

I wish Gehl had a dealership near us, we had one and love that machine, even though my love for the Cat is deeper. The two hand operation is the best way to go as well......