[Chrisb]

I am totally green with skid steers but looking to purchase. I am considering two, both used. One is a Case 1816C with apx 1500 hours (18 hp) with hand controls no foot pedals to operate with a 43 inch bucket asking $3600. The Case had a new engine in 2001. The other is a Gehl 2600 with aprx 800 hours (24 hp) with hand controls no foot pedals to operate with a 54 inch bucket asking $3400.
The Gehl looks cosmetically 'cleaner' but both are REAL nice as you can see if you visit the web sites below. Any help or which you who are experienced with skids would prefer is MUCH appreciated. I realize that the Gehl is no longer being made but currently parts/engines are available. Thanks!

case:
Case 1816C skid loader skidsteer low hours

gehl:
Gehl Skid Loader

[NCSULandscaper]

save your money on both, because none of them will do any real work.........my CAT skid has 72hp and sometimes its underpowered

[Stonehenge]

I'm a big Gehl fan, but even I'd pass on 2600. I didn't even recognize the model number when I read it. Had to Google it. That machine has got to be at least 25 years old or more. If it only has 800 hours, that's either 800 hours on a new engine or 800 hours total, which means seals are probably old and cracked, and when put into real service (<40 hours per year isn't real service), I'd expect lots of things to start breaking. Engine, hydros, controls, etc. (In fact, here's a 2600 made in 1978.)

I know little about the Case, but it looks like it's from the same era, and was put to similar use.

If you need a machine for tight spaces and you don't mind not being able to lift more than a wheelbarrow or two worth of material, and you don't fear the likelihood of having to do some non-minor repairs, then they might work out great. But if you need a daily runner and you need it to work hard for you, you might want to consider newer, more powerful models.

Our Gehl 6635 has 80 hp and has been up to the jobs I have for it about 95% of the time. The other 5% I wish I had the 7000 series.

[Chrisb]

I'm just going to use it mostly for snow removal and light dirt/gravel hauling. I test drove and saw the Case doing this and seems to work nice. Doing the same today with the Gehl (I'll ask if it had a new engine put in or not). If it is used for just this purpose [light snow/dirt/gravel hauling] will they work? Remember I'm not going to do any REAL work just MINOR work LOL..?

[RHayden]

I'm also a big Gehl fan and the 2600 should be from the mid to late 70's. That size was and still is very popular among larger livestock operators as they can zip in and out of barns and stalls and such.

One of our first skids in the 80's was a 3410- a step up from the 2600- and it was really nothing more than a motorized wheelbarrow but came in handy in tight spots. You can move a little dirt and do a little cutting it just takes a lot longer. The engine should be ok up to around 3000 hours but the controls, hydros, and drives will be sloppy. They are also very unstable when lifting to load or dump.

The Case 1800's still seem to be popular with smaller concrete guys around here who use them to place sand and backfill and I assume to do a little coring out.

[Chrisb]

Whoops the Gehl has 1500 hours and the Case NOW has aprx 850 hours (he has been using it to move snow). And the Gehl engine was rebuilt in 2002.
So Case engine new in 2001 and Gehl rebuilt 2002. Tires on Case 'okay' (need new soon)... the Gehl tires look good.

Sounds like RHayden you lean toward the Case. The guy selling it said he dug out his driveway with it prior to putting in cement and moved a lot of dirt with it too?

[RHayden]

If you are SURE this size machine will fit your needs- its probably six of one/half dozen of another in this instance. With older machines like these you are bound to have some headaches no matter what.

Performance wise they will be pretty much equal. Who's the local dealer? Which one do you feel more comfortable operating? Back when we bought our first one, you didn't have a choice in controls. Gehl had the Tbar which we all liked better than the Case flippers so we went with Gehl and have stayed with them ever since.

FWIW- I think the 1816 is priced a little high at $3600.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Stonehenge]

If it's going to be for snow, and not a lot of snow, I might opt for the machine with the better tires. New meats all around for the Case will probably run $4-600.

From the looks of both machines, neither will be very stable loading something into a truck - just not enough counterweight and a narrow and short wheel base.

As for the seller digging out his driveway, I can offer this pseudo-analogy: everything is 'walking distance' when you have the time.

Good luck with your purchase.

[AZTLANLC]

never mind

[sig556]

Unfortunately both look to be under powered. Ideally try and find something with at least 60+ hp. You really need the weight and extra power ...generally you will outgrow a machine at 18hp really quick.