[RHayden]

Anyone running one of this series of machine? I am particularly interested in actual field performance regarding the lift capacity on this series. I know what the specs and the dealer say but I would like some verifiable input before I have one brought out to demo. Thanks in advance for any input.

[zullo-design]

I've got a CTL70 (not the same machine) I cant vouch for their skid steers but I can tell you their track loaders are solid, strong and overall beasts.

[Stonehenge]

I tested the 5635's before I bought our 6635 - what do you want to know?

Will it lift a pallet of brick? Only if you have all weight kits installed and you aren't on ground that slopes toward the truck, and you aren't trying to lift 3,000 pounds or more. And then when you get it off the truck, do not go very fast.

You could also use the method I've used for bigger loads, guys hanging their asses as far off the back of the skidsteer as they can as counterweight (in addition to the weight kits). That can buy you another 400-600 pounds, depending on your staff.

But for reference, when measuring my lifting needs against the 6635 and 5635, I bought the 6635 (and had the weight kits installed, too).

[jshilan]

When I was deciding which skid steer to buy, I was looking at a Bobcat 763 and 863.

I wanted a machine that could lift a full pallet of pavers or wallstone comfortably out of my truck and not tip. The dealer was close enough so I just brought my truck and pavers to the dealership and tried the different machines out there. It was the best thing I ever did. They had machines with weights and foam filled tires so I could really see what they could do first hand.

If you have the opportunity to try this, you should. The last thing you want to do is save a few dollars and have a machine that almost does what you want it to do.

I went with the 863 because it did everything I needed it to do and it still had some power left.

[Stonehenge]

Heh - That's what I did, too.