Picking a NEW CTL, Deere, Kubota, NH, Bobcat, Cat?

[92U 3406]

What year? I'm not doubting was just curious as I've never had an issue.

Early-mid 2010's. Parts breakdown indicates only 6 zip ties on one of the main harnesses believe it or not.

 

[JK96]

Early-mid 2010's. Parts breakdown indicates only 6 zip ties on one of the main harnesses believe it or not.

I was more curious about the newer machines they are putting out. Last 5 years or so. I know the older units had issues. I'll admit I'm not putting a lot of hours on mine.

 

[KSSS]

The older machines had harness issues. They changed up the harnesses in 2016. I have a SV340B, TV450B and a DL550 Minitour (a sister machine to the 620B). The DL550 spends most of its time as a Dozer or with the Sharpgrade grader on it. Having 1.25 cy bucket it moves as much material on the front end as a 590SN. Pretty impressive for a CTL.

 

[Georgia Iron]

Does fine fully loaded turning but the weight leaves some pretty heavy disturbance if you pivot 180. Wouldn't want to do it on grass if you wanted any left. I've worked it hard and have stalled it once. The only time I feel it's underpowered is working steep grades with a full load. My TV450 was faster on steep grades. With that said the TV650 is moving a lot more material. The other thing I've noticed is it great for grading flat pads. Not only the amount of material I can move but the weight and longer track length makes a huge difference. Bucket edge never pulls down and just keeps on pushing. With that said this machine is not for everyone but perfect for what I'm doing. I would not want it if I were moving it a lot job to job or had to worry about tight access or property disturbance. I scaled it out fully fueled with the bucket at 16,800 lbs. Add my brush cutter and grapple or tree puller and I'm at 20k.

A couple of videos pushing dirt with it
Cleaning out some dirt piles from a recent building we put up.

Pushing hard pack clay into a new pond bottom

That's a good looking machine i would love to try that out. I never see any rental cases on my jobs so it's not likely I will get a chance to use it. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[CM1995]

I never see any rental cases on my jobs

Me neither. It's either Cat, Tak, Deere or Bobcat. Come to think of it we don't see Case or Kubota CTL's very often either owned or rented.

 

[JK96]

The older machines had harness issues. They changed up the harnesses in 2016. I have a SV340B, TV450B and a DL550 Minitour (a sister machine to the 620B). The DL550 spends most of its time as a Dozer or with the Sharpgrade grader on it. Having 1.25 cy bucket it moves as much material on the front end as a 590SN. Pretty impressive for a CTL.

I thought my 620B was heavy. Whats your minitour scale out with the dozer blade on?

 

[KSSS]

Honestly I haven't scaled it. They say 18600. That girl is beast in the dirt though.

 

[JK96]

Honestly I haven't scaled it. They say 18600. That girl is beast in the dirt though.

Agreed. The push these have is unbelievable. I almost ordered a tooth bucket on purchase and quickly found it wasn't needed. This last pond project I was cutting hardpack clay and had to be careful not to pile dirt onto the windshield.

 

[bradhfo]

Guys I greatly appreciate all of the feedback that has been provided. As this machine will be more of a luxury item and not an absolute must have, I'm going pass on the cat and go for a John Deere 331P. I couldn't justify the extra 20k price tag for the cat 275 versus the JD 331p. Delivery is expected to be in late July!

 

[JK96]

Guys I greatly appreciate all of the feedback that has been provided. As this machine will be more of a luxury item and not an absolute must have, I'm going pass on the cat and go for a John Deere 331P. I couldn't justify the extra 20k price tag for the cat 275 versus the JD 331p. Delivery is expected to be in late July!

Very nice machine. I think you're going to be happy long-term with the extra HP and weight

 

[TXRweather]

Not being an arse but I am being a skeptic. So 2 weeks of a CTL rental completed a job that the lowest bidder priced out at $80-100K?

Need more details on this project.

ok

 

[TXRweather]

Not being an arse but I am being a skeptic. So 2 weeks of a CTL rental completed a job that the lowest bidder priced out at $80-100K?

Need more details on this project.

Well, ok. I am going to assume that you don't live in an area that has a massive boom on construction. There are not enough dirt contractors and excavator companies around here. The construction industry has exploded around here the past few years. We are in the middle of a California relocation explosion. It was tough enough to get the 3 bids I got. Most of the contractors never even showed up to bid, once they found out what my project was. All 3 of them bid stupid high, because they didn't want my project on my farm. Not profitable enough. They want contracts with all of the industrial parks and massive subdivisions that are swallowing up our country side, where they don't have to relocate equipment every 2 or 3 weeks.

I can't change your mind or show you any of the proposals I got, because I threw them away several years ago. I did the job myself much, much cheaper by renting a CTL and not doing half the amount of work they were going to needlessly charge me for. I had plenty enough clay on my farm I got out of a borrow pit, instead of excavating all the dirt out of the area and trucking in dozens of loads of chert to fill it back in, like they wanted to charge me for. Sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[TXRweather]

I agree. I've heard of some ridiculous claims but a 2 week rental saving the cost of an $80K+ new machine pretty much takes the cake. Often hiring an experienced operator will get a job done faster than an occasional renter could do it. Hiring might bring a larger machine as well to speed the job up. If looking at an $80K plus machine I'd certainly want to demo the candidates for a day or 2. My dad sold commercial turf equipment and it wasn't uncommon for his customers like golf courses to get demo's up to a week sometimes 2 weeks if a good customer. If customers abused the demo's as one golf course did, with all suppliers, they could still get a demo but it was 2 days max. and the machine was picked up. If they never ended up buying anything no more demo's. For big tournaments machines like a greensmowers could often be loaned or rented for cheap. My dad got up at 4 in the morning one time to deliver a loaner greensmower for big tournament. They started cutting at 6am to be ready for an 8am start. Half way through the greens got a 2nd cut to keep them consistent. Two greens mowers weren't fast enough.

What ever, dude.

 

[CM1995]

Well, ok. I am going to assume that you don't live in an area that has a massive boom on construction.

Well you know what happens when you assume... LOL - yes I live in an area with a lot of construction going on. We are in the commercial site prep business and turn down projects daily because we are booked up.

They want contracts with all of the industrial parks and massive subdivisions that are swallowing up our country side, where they don't have to relocate equipment every 2 or 3 weeks.

Yeah me too. That's why I don't do residential. Maybe you were getting bids from the wrong contractors?

I did the job myself much, much cheaper by renting a CTL and not doing half the amount of work they were going to needlessly charge me for. I had plenty enough clay on my farm I got out of a borrow pit, instead of excavating all the dirt out of the area and trucking in dozens of loads of chert to fill it back in, like they wanted to charge me for.

Sounds like you needed a more defined scope of work for what you wanted to do. Another reason I stick to commercial work as there is a set of contract drawings and defined scope of work.

 

[BRProperties]

Guys I greatly appreciate all of the feedback that has been provided. As this machine will be more of a luxury item and not an absolute must have, I'm going pass on the cat and go for a John Deere 331P. I couldn't justify the extra 20k price tag for the cat 275 versus the JD 331p. Delivery is expected to be in late July!

Late July! 4 or 5 weeks ago, I went by 1 of the AgPro stores, had 4 or 5, 333P's out front!. Is 10-12 weeks normal time frame?

 

[CM1995]

My Cat dealer has 265's and 275's on the lot, drove through today.

 

[JK96]

Well, ok. I am going to assume that you don't live in an area that has a massive boom on construction. There are not enough dirt contractors and excavator companies around here. The construction industry has exploded around here the past few years. We are in the middle of a California relocation explosion. It was tough enough to get the 3 bids I got. Most of the contractors never even showed up to bid, once they found out what my project was. All 3 of them bid stupid high, because they didn't want my project on my farm. Not profitable enough. They want contracts with all of the industrial parks and massive subdivisions that are swallowing up our country side, where they don't have to relocate equipment every 2 or 3 weeks.

I can't change your mind or show you any of the proposals I got, because I threw them away several years ago. I did the job myself much, much cheaper by renting a CTL and not doing half the amount of work they were going to needlessly charge me for. I had plenty enough clay on my farm I got out of a borrow pit, instead of excavating all the dirt out of the area and trucking in dozens of loads of chert to fill it back in, like they wanted to charge me for. Sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do.

Had a similar situation 20 years ago trying to get a road put in for a new property purchase. 2 bids came in at 60k and 70k. A lot of that bid was trucking dirt in to build up grade. Put things on hold and ended up using a third contractor that used the dirt on site and slightly different route in making the most of existing grade for 10k. Didnt have to truck any dirt.

 

[Welder Dave]

What ever, dude.

Nobodies a fan of grossly exaggerated claims. For an $80K+ price tag a demo shouldn't be a problem.

 

[TXRweather]

Nobodies a fan of grossly exaggerated claims. For an $80K+ price tag a demo shouldn't be a problem.

Give it a rest, dude. You don't know anything about me or my present or past projects. You are the one that came up with the +$80k price tag, not me. Have a nice evening.

 

[Welder Dave]

Why the attitude?? You stated the $80 to $100K from the lowest bidder for what took you two weeks to do with a rental. Nobody believes that.