[chrissygardensc]

We are looking into a mini track and see that ditch witch has a new mini 4 wheel drive with center pivot turning machine that just came out in Sept 07. Does anyone have any expierence with this new machine and how they preform vs the standard mini skid steers with the tracks? We will be using it for landscape installations.

I am guessing it would be even easier manipulating it on lawns and would do less damage then the track mini steers and the tires are cheaper to replace then tracks. I hear the attachments are universal between the toro and ditch witch.

[Cochran]

I haven't personally seen the new Ditch Witch, but my husband has been looking at the machine. He is thinking about getting the machine because of the center pivot and the easier manueverability of the machine vs. a standard Ditch Witch or similar machine. He will be using it primarily for irrigation installation. He has used a Toro Dingo a few times, and he says he likes the new Ditch Witch better because of the center pivot. Also, I think he mentioned the Ditch Witch is lower priced than most of the mini track machines on the market.

Our local Ditch Witch sales rep told him that the machine would run well on all soil types, including heavy sand, which makes up about half our work.

Hope this information helps...

[johnkeegan]

Sounds familar to a machine we demoed by Multi Trac. It sounded like a great idea but after trying it out we changed our minds. It seemed unstable and was rather awkward to use when excavating etc. But using it for something like irrigation or light work (similar to most Dingo uses) might be fine. We instead went with the ASV RC30. For what we do (landscape construction) it's been great. Stable, user-friendly, lawn-friendly, compact and built for abuse.

[Nathaniel Carr]

The Ditch Witch is a very interesting machine to me. I talked to the salesman at NEGROWS he says the Zahn is for the contractor who trenches and wants other utility. The Zahn is not going to dig with the bucket as well as the mini loaders out there. I told the DW guy that we would be using it to dig out patio base and walkways, etc, and he steered me to the SK 650. He also said the Zahn wont lift as much. It is a slick rig though and I wish I needed on.
Hope this clarifies.

[Pelican]

The articulated machines are less stable when they are turning than when they are straight, just something to consider.

[PSUscaper]

the main advantage of the machine is that it won't damage the turf like a mini-skid will. The same principle as all the dedidcated trencher/vibratory plow machines. If turf damage is a big concern, then the machine is probably a nice option. If not, then I think a mini-skid would be the better option.

[green2green]

The issue of turf damage is the psi of the tires on the ground vs. the tracks. Even if the machine articulates it will cause ruts in soft ground as with any tired machine as the tracks would have more surface area to stay on top. If the ground is firm or hard the articulation would be be less damaging to the turf.