[skidsteerguy]

Hello- I am looking at a couple of skidsteers--a Bobcat S175 and a Cat 24?--the bobcat has 700 hours and the Cat 2,000. Cat dealer, who was not selling machine, said not to worry about the 2,000 hours. This is my first skidsteer, and I realize the important thing is how well they are maintained, but is 2,000 hours really a lot on this equipment? What kind of hours do they normally go before needing major overhaul if taken care of? I will only be putting about 200 hours per year on machine. Thanks for any help.

[Stonehenge]

The number I've heard is 4-5,000 hours before major work is needed on a machine that's cared for.

[Timber Lane]

I think the biggest factor is who put those hours on the machine. I prefer a skid steer that has had only one or two operators, preferably the owner, to one that has a dozen employees beating on it. The interior of the cab - the hand controls and seats, etc - is usually a good indication of the condition of the moving parts you can't see. If they cared about the cab, they cared about the machine.

[skidsteerguy]

I decided to buy the Cat 246--more horsepower, heated cab and seemed to be in very good condition. The cab is very well maintained and no obviouse hydraulic or oil leaks. Have only put about 6 hours on it, but really like it.

[Pelican]

I've got a 248, the high flow version of that machine. I think I have about 1700 hours on it now and have had no problems other than the fuel solenoid burning out (my fault) and the flow control to the auxiliary hydraulics getting wet and activating on their own. There's no sign of any problems to come either.

You'll love the machine, I've yet to run another machine with controls that are so responsive and precise.

[sig556]

As others have stated 2000 hrs is about the midpoint in terms of lifetime. For the right price it might be worth it.

[natural12]

Originally Posted by sig556

As others have stated 2000 hrs is about the midpoint in terms of lifetime. For the right price it might be worth it.

It's been a year so chances are he made a decision by now.

[Squizzy Taylor]

Well maintained compact equipment should do 6000 hrs easily. In most markets the re-sale value takes a dive at around 2000 hrs. I have run 3 new Cat skids to 2000 hrs and none of them were showing any real sign of problems or excessive wear. I have just had the opportunity to trade-up with minimal cost. I will probably keep my current 226BII for the longer term.

I know an old 226 in my area that I used to run has well over 7000 hrs and still goes like a trooper because its been well greased and serviced all its life. On the other hand, the Landlord at my yard just bought a 2005 Bobcat S185 at auction that has 2000hrs on it. Its been junked and he is slowly replacing all the pins, quick hitch lugs and the 4 in 1 is junk. I don't think the machine was ever greased after it left the factory.

My Yanmar mini-ex now has 2200 hrs and is just as tight as the day I picked it up from the dealer.

I would be very reluctant to buy a secondhand CTL/MTL without actually knowing the operator who ran it. Drive motors and undercarriages can be very expensive.

[simkiw]

I just purchased an old bobcat 313. does anyone have experience with this model?

[simkiw]

[quote=simkiw;66677]I just purchased an old bobcat 313. does anyone have experience with this model?