[Will Pacala]

Check this thing out. I was surfing the websites and found out that Ditch Witch is releasing a new machine. It combines the versatility and size of a mini-skid with a small excavator arm on the bck for those jobs that require extra reach or trenching. Check this out. More info soon!

[Will Pacala]

Here is some of the info on the new machine! The rear arm pivots from a point under the operator's seat, and when combined with the boom's 130 degrees of swing, the excavator can work within a 260-degree sweep. Not bad for a small machine such as this. The 3,980-pound unit's operating capacity is 1,250 pounds. The entire XT850 package-excavator/tool-carrier, trailer, and attachments-weighs less than 10,000 pounds, so it can be towed behind a ¾-ton truck.

It seems to be an excellent machine for those of us who do trenches (drainage, irrigation, etc.) or retaining walls. I'll see what else I can dig up. No pun intended!

[Bill Schwab]

Will:

The $64.00 question...Can it, sitting freely on the ground, load an F-450 dump truck? From the looks of it, nope, and, if not, that still makes me go toward the Bobcat 463 and a 36" kit for the tight spots. For our usage, if a machine cannot perform this function, along with all the other functions, and attachments it would have, it is worthless to us.

[Will Pacala]

Yeah probably not going to be able to lift to that exact height. I went to the Ditch Witch website. It seems that they yhave yet to update it to include this new machine. While I was there though I checked out their version of the Bobcat MT50 (which has now been replaced with the MT52!). The available attachments for the ditch witch version look nice, useful and "easy-to use". When I get more info on the loader above I'll try and find out the things max. lift height.

[Dale Wiley]

That looks like a good machine for what we do.

I rented a Ditch Witch SK 500 last week and liked it, except I don't like walking my fat 46 yo ass behind machines any more.

I really liek the trac versions over the wheeled models. I am am looking for that perfect do everything machine, and that looks like its getting close.

Can you post a link to that site ??

Thanks..

[Will Pacala]

Sure! www.coneq.com These guys had the news first. They constantly change their homepage so they can add new machines! The Ditch Witch website doesn't have it on yet. I'll tell you guys when they update it with the new machines and some news.

[Will Pacala]

Bill.....I just found out that it has a 69 inch lift height. All of the specs are now on the Ditch Witch site.

[Bill Schwab]

Ahh...Good info Will...But, 69" is not even 6'. It is more than a Dingo, but not enough to get the job done. The Bobcat 463 still rules this area.

[Will Pacala]

Yeah but I still like the size and the versitility of this machine. Nice idea for a machine. I wonder what company will try this idea out next. Hey maybe Bobcat!!!!

[Bill Schwab]

Will:

That is why I use the 463. It is more narrow than any of the stand ons, and just a few feet longer, so, it will actually get in places the stand ons won't. And, for the same money, you can get any or all of the attachments the Dingos have through Bobcat. For those who plow, you can install a heater and sit rather than stand, even though the cab is a tad bit small. The stand ons have a place, just not for the work we do.