[Mark Oomkes]

Voodoo, funny you mentioned in the other thread about how you thought the 322 was clumsy. I started with a 'ride on' Dingo and I prefer that over the tx. The center of gravity is different on the tracked machines compared to the wheeled machines. I can get more accomplished on our wheeled than I did on the tx we rented.

I also believe that with me hanging on the back of the Dingo I am lifting way over the 525# rating. I carried some 9-10' Serb Spruce with ours, the bottom half of the ball was dirpping wet. It was slow going, but it did the job.

BTW, the tx worked fantastic for removing cut sod, it was like a bulldozer. This is what I did with the one we rented.

We also have a 'u bucket' for digging holes for trees, but it is the best thing I have seen or used for removing shrubs, etc on renovations. This would be assuming you can't get a full size skid steer with a grapple bucket in to the shrubs for removal.

Doug, our 20 HP Kohler doesn't work too well in the cold either. We did have many other issues with this engine as well, though. It worked great in the snow for us (when it ran), but it is just too sloooow.

[Dale Wiley]

I have used all the machines mentioned.

The Toro Dingo series both wheeled and tracked, and Ramrod, Ditch Witch, Finn, Vermeer all have there application. My personal opinion is that the new units and packages are overpriced for what you get. The Toro unit is Toros shining star in the landscape contractor division. The profit margins on that equipment are significantly higher than

When buying a piece of equipment, a good rule of thumb is if you spend more in rental fees that your lease payment over your working season, then you should be buying the machine. You also need to factor in the cost of the time to pickup and return the rented piece. I have no rental company less than 30 minutes drive one way.

This is increasing our rental equipment cost GREATLY over owned equipment. That drive time could be eliminated and put into production instead. The normal loading and mobilization times are accounted for in our support time add on to each job based upon production hours and our historical efficency rate, that we track on a daily basis.

My personal opinion and after putting together an evaluation spreadsheet that listed the equipment, is that a person by careful buying of good used equipment can put together the required equipment for that particular companies needs based upon its service offering and matrix.

We have significant need for a 35 hp min tractor with a backhoe. TLB won't work, because we need to change over to a tiller and field mower, and are going to purchase an Aeravator next season. The tractor will need turf tires for our athletic field work. The backhoe is an absolute requirement for next year.

We need a trencher, we will buy used and save rental costs. I know exactly where we need to buy instead of rent.

You should expect 1800 hours of service from an air cooled engine and up to 2500 from a liquid cooled gas, 3500 or more form liquid cooled diesel. 400 hours is barely broke in.

[AZTLANLC]

I also tough they were overpriced at some point, but after comparing how much labor they save it balances out.
It replaces at least a worker and just thinking on workers comp. I can make the payment with just that saving, I know I still have to maintaint it and all but like I said it well replaces a worker.

I have over 200 hrs. on it just for this season it has being used more than my bobcat this year,, I'd recommend adding a bigger bucket for it and put the teeth on it, it makes a difference in this rocky soil that we have, most of the times for mulching I can go on the grass with it and make no damage and other when I can't I just use it for loading up the wheel barrows, this machine is just awsome.

Plus also the fact that I have landed two other jobs just for owning this machine, cause lot's of people stop by when they see it.

I paid around 15k with taxes and the additional bucket.

[jwholden]

AZTLANLC,

I stopped by the Bobcat dealer and checked out the MT52 yesterday. It has the cahones to do some serious digging. I went after the rain but it did leave some ruts in the lawn.... I love the kubota diesel, but noticed more vibration than the gas powered Dingo.

One concern I had with the MT 52 was the steering. It was very natural to me and I had no problem getting the machine to move and raise and lower the bucket. However, I couldn't get my left hand to feel comfortable on the speed/direction control. I felt like I was jamming my wrist every time I tried to move the machine forward. The machine was brand new and pretty tight, that could have been my problem.

How do you hold your left hand on the machine? Am I simply 'weak wristed'?

[AZTLANLC]

When I use it all I do is pretty much squeeze the bar after a good day of use it feels smooth, but I think you're right they should work on better comfort for the next.

I don't really use it a lot, my worker is the one that doest, and he also complained the first couple days about that, but it has being some time that he hasn't mentioned again.

[Jake]

I had purchased a "Dingo" before Toro bought the company. A stand on version of the Toro wheeled model currently available. I would buy a mine skid like that before I would ever buy a Larger skid (also had 3 New Holland 785's at the same time) because it limits some of the expensive stuff we call LABOR. You can garde faster and longer than any hand laborer can not to mention all of the options for attachments. That's coming from a recovering "equipment-aholic". Just like you buy a shovel before you buy a backhoe, the mini should come before the full size skid (depending on your buisness focus).

[jwholden]

I rented the Toro tx425 again today and got a chance to try it at a different house. Based on my two rentals of the machine I have made some observations:

1) Never trailer a machine that heavy in a light duty trailer as I posted in the thread before. The angle iron under my deck is bending into a nice U. The tx425 is a decent size machine. I put it on my 16' skid steer trailer today and was suprized at how much space it takes up.


2) Getting over curbs can be touchy with the Dingo. I hit the curb at a 45 degree angle but the machine still wants to grind some of the top of the curb off.

3) Why did they put the muffler in front of the machine on the tx425. I tried unloading some mulch from my truck and dropped some on the muffler. I got nervous when I started seeing hot embers and went for the hose.

4) Visability of the bucket and pallet forks is not the greatest. I assume I will eventually get a feel for my bucket/fork position.

5) I'm not crazy about the gas engine in the tx425. It sounds like it wants to fall apart at any second. I have the same engine in my lawnmower (Kohler command 25) and have had no major problems with it. Perhaps it sounds wierd because it is a rental unit. I would love to see the tx425 with a kubota diesel in it. However, I'm not sure many people are ready to pay another 3K for that option.

I used pallet forks to remove/transplant some shrubs and spread 10 yards of topsoil/compost while prepping beds. The machine isn't as fast as my skid steer (obviosly) but much more precise than the skid steer in tight quarters. It was nice to be able to dump the equivalent of 1 1/2 wheelbarrows of topsoil exactly where I wanted it. I'm still perfecting back blading with it. No jumping in and out of the cab of my skidsteer to grab a shovel either.

I like the machine and see its value for many tasks. It definitely does double a man's productivity (atleast) along with leaving him fresher at the end of the day!

Below is a shot of me trying to find the end of the pallet forks.

[Lawn Lad]

One thing that I would consider changing on my stand on Toro dingo are the tires. We opted for the turf tires to reduce damage to lawns. I would likely put ag tires on next when we replace them since the lawn tires are useless once it gets wet out. I suppose a tracked machine would be nice for this but I don't like the idea of walking behind the machine. Walking behind the machine I think is slower than riding when performing certain tasks. Also, if the machine tips from over loading when you ride you can hold onto the machine and slowly lower the bucket, no real danger to the operator. With the stand behind if you overload as mentioned earlier you have a potential see-saw rocking back on you.

[Lawn Lad]

Here is a shot in action from back in '98 with the machine. A great material mover.

[VoodooChile]

Operators Needed

[Dale Wiley]

I know I posted earlier in this thread about my opinions on these skid steers and how I thought I could do the same for less with seperate pieces rather than the modular / componet mini skid steer.

I have had a Toro TX 425 on a 2 week rental right now, and I want to recant my former position.

This job to date has had trenching, loader work, trac hoe work. The TX has handled the loader work, but we have had to rent out everything else. This is inefficent because of all the running I have to do to get the various pieces of equipment.

We ran a matrix on rental costs of the machines we have rented, the use and applications rented for, and then added in the 1.25 hours each way to pickup and return them, using our current job as a reference base, and then compared back to our other plan for individual units. The TX wins out big time.

Now a couple of items mentioned....

The rated capacity on the lift unit is probably 30% or more under actual capacity. Toro and most other manufactuers under rate the equipment so users do no try and exceed the posed rating. My crew forman stuck the loader under the back right corner of our F 350 flatbed, that probably had 1000# of debris on it, and lifted it 6 inches off the ground with no strain.

The extra noise you are hearing with the Kohler engine is the hydraulic pumps, that are not being operated at capacity. They are operating a a max or defined RPM, but are not moving the full amount of pressure that they are capable of. These systems will have pressure restriction valves in them to control pressure. They can be changed, I do not reccomend it, because the operating pressures seem to be adequeate for the attatchments needs, it would void any warranty and could have lawsuit potential if injury resulted.

As far as riding on them, there is an after market and now a Toro platform attatchement for the TX.

Personally, my 47 year old body summarily rejects the walking required, as well as the hand controls for the machine movement. However, my crew forman and such, find it no problem, and they are the ones that will use it.

I used it to mix some soils in the nursery yesterday, and some other things and I feel it today.

Voodoos idea with the dump trailer is great. I have been looking to add a 10,000 GVW trailer next season, and think it will be a 10,000 GVW dump trailer.

I am going to buy a Toro TX 425 with the 2 buckets, 30 inch auger, tiller, trencher, leveler. I would prefer to buy used or maybe a lease / rental return. I will probably do this before the end of this year, so if anybody sees anything, please e mail me.

[VoodooChile]

I'll say!

[jwholden]

I had to replace a 6-7' Fall dug Cryptomeria today. The ball was 30" and I couldn't even see three of us manhandling it out of the hole without someone being on workmans comp. Brought the Dingo to the jobsite and voila it was out of the hole and on the truck. The ball was a little dry and was probably within 50 lbs of maxing out the Dingo, but it was a hell of a lot better than a ball cart and ramps.

[jwholden]

The diameter of the ball which did have a wire basket around it.

I bought a pair of Nursery Jaws for the Dingo with 42" forks. A ball this heavy will need the regular pallet forks to keep the weight close to the machine, but I'm looking forward to the nursery jaws for loading material on the truck without having to place each piece by hand along with placing trees and shrubs right in the hole and right in the right spot.

[floyrturbo]

Voodoo,
I read thru your info on the 425tx, am considering the purchase of a 525tx, but have read several items making reference to thrown tracks on the Dingos. Have you had any further problems? Also I am trying to understand lift/carry/tip capacities. The saleman has many stories of added capacity if your standing on the ride-on platform. We have not demo'd the unit yet---probably wait until feb/mar.