dieselnewbie

facimile there of.

I have alot of work to do in terms of hauling several tons of dirt from the front yard to the back to level it out.

Also, the more I look around the more work I see that has to be done. Hammer up the driveway and have a new one put down, etc. Things like that.

Anyone here have any heavy equipment for home use?

I'm not sure if a Bobcat is the best thing to buy for hauling stuff over/across my yard. Maybe a tracked loader instead?

There are alot of older Bobcats forsale on EBay that are not too expensive.

Any thought or suggestions?

I figured I'd buy an old Bobcat or something else, do all the work over a year or two and then sell it.

I think I'd be better off money wise doing it that way. No?

Otherwise I'd have to rent one repeatedly, which I don't want to do.

I don't want to pay a contractor $20k to do all the work.

Thanks for any input.

DT.

NHdodgeman

A bobcat would fill the need great but Im thinking the skid steer would be a little harsh on the lawn.. But if you wont be traveling across your lawn much or dont care about that why not. How about a small or midsize yard tractor such as a kabota or similar with turf tires? You can find a nice one cheap. We've got a 57 ford workmaster w/8ft buckit and it handles chores nicely. ie: moving dirt and loam.

dieselnewbie

That would be adequate for sure but it's too big.

I have alot of pine trees around the yard and would like something more narrow.

The ideal loader would be an ASV RC30 (www.asvi.com). It's a track model, very small and strong but it's alot of dough.

If I could get my money back, minus normal wear and tear of course I may do it but I want to explore other possibilities first.

That's why a Bobcat came to mind.

Thanks for the input!

DT.

PistolWhipt

Bobcat makes rubber tracks that fit around the regular wheels thus making it into a track loader ... however, tracks will eat up a lawn just as bad when you turn.

Get something with a steering wheel that will roll around it's axis.

...or just keep a few stacks of sod handy

PISTOL

pappyman

Any Skid Steer will eat your lawn even tractors will tear up the grass......but grass can be replanted after your done

If you buy a skid steer get the best one you can afford the resale will be better a few points to look for are, Aux hyd, standard quick release bucket, 10/16.5 tires min, 8 bolt lug rims, diesel engine with at lease 38 hp, lift cap of at lease 1500 lbs

Any time I have to travel over a customers lawn with my skid steer I get it in writing that the lawn will be damaged most customers understand that

Skid Steers give you good array of attachments if you have the standard bobcat quick release bucket

Because my New Holland skid steer is a 1989 model my bucket release was not the standard bobcat style it cost me $500.00 to change it over to the new style

Resale is good on skid steers as long as the hyd's are strong and the diesel engine is in good shape......I sold a 1988 New Holland L555 for more then I payed for it after one year of use

You should be able to buy a good skid steer for $5000.00-8000.00 and not lose any money on it after one year

dieselnewbie

Thanks Pappyman,

Is it possible for a relative novice to determine of the hydralics are strong and that the engine is in good shape?

Example:

If the hyd's don't leak and the engine sounds good, doesn't smoke and doesn't leak, does that tell all or should I hire a Bobcat specialist to get in there to check it out?

How would you inspect it?

Also, what level duty machine should I be looking at for say, medium work with some of it in pretty close quarters. Say, what model Bobcat would be good? That way I can look up those specs on the Bobcat site and find any machine that fits that bill.

Thanks alot,

DT.

pappyman

Other then a pressure gage on the hydraulics the best way to check them is to work the machine....dig while spinning the wheels to fill the bucket another test is to try and pull a small tree outta the ground......also try spinning around in a circle on concrete to see if the machine hops around if it does the controls need adjustment look at all the pivot pins for wear with the bucket down on the ground lifting the machine try moving the wheels back and forth and watch the lift arms and bucket pins for movement

I personally don't like the Bobcats to spendy....I prefer New Hollands or Gehl machines or even a John Deere.....a diesel should stop smoking after its started and not smoke while digging or working the machine

The type of work your doing should only need a 1500-1700 lbs lift cap and the hour meter should work this will tell your how much the machine had been worked during its life time and try to get one with good rubber on it look at the ply rating of the tires

I like the older New Holland's like the L series because theres a New Holland dealer close to me with very share mechanics that give free advise on repairs the LX and LS series are good machine for their price range too

Theres never a guarantee that any machine is a good one until it breaks......I sheared a drive sprocket off my axel on the 3rd day I had it but it was my fault trying to over work my machine

So good luck in your search for a machine I perfer buying one from a dealer rather then Ebay because most dealers give a warranty on used machines even if its only for 10 days that gives you time to try it out and to see if it will work for you

dieselnewbie

Thanks again Pappyman, I will look into New Hollands and see if there's a dealer closeby. I will shop for those specs.

I'm withing 10 miles of a bobcat dealer though, that's why I was considering them.

I'll let you know how it pans out.

DT.

suzukiZrider

i have driven bobcats, cats, toyota, deere and new holland and i like the deere and new holland best due to the way they lift bobcat makes a few like they lift with the vertical lift they are the S175-S205, S250, S300 but i still prefer the deere and new holland

and yes toyota made a skid steer it was the SDK7

bmoeller

I have run a Bobcat 542B, Case 1816, 1830, 1835C, 1840, 40XT, Thomas, Deere 240.

I like the Deere the best. Since they lift mostly straight up As apposed to more of an arc), they can lift more weight, higher, than the others, before it will try and tip forward on you. The Deere is VERY stable and very strong hydraulics. They also have a little better accessability to the engine compartment for sevicing.

Whatever you do, DO NOT buy a 1835C with either the gas engine, or the 3 cylinder Continental diesel. The gasser is junk, and the diesel shakes and rattles something fierce. Constantly having to tighten up the engine mounting bolts, and isn't very strong. The 1840 or the 40XT are the best ones that Case offers (that I've used anythow.) They have the 3.9L Case (Cummins 4B), and works great. Plenty of power, for most jobs. I can usually run the 1840 at half throttle most of the time.

Make sure to get a machine that has a quick-tach type of bucket hook-up.

As far as old Bobcats go, stay away from the old M610 (or the same vintage Bobcat). They use a variable speed drive instead of a hydrostatic drive transmission. They are fairly esasy to work on, though.