Looking for Suggestions on Used Skid Steer

[Beckbenj]

Hi All,

I’m shopping for a skid steer, most likely used, and something around 7K pounds seems about the right size for work I’m interested in doing (property maintenance, light demo). I’m most interested in a tire machine because of cost and ease of maintenance. My budget is a max of $35K, but obviously the lower cost the better. I can live without an enclosed cab. I’m most interested in a machine that is lower hour and is maintenance friendly as I’ll be handling any repairs.

Any particular make, model, year to avoid or seek out? I’ve heard not great things about Gehl. I’ve seen quite a few New Hollands and Bobcats around, in addition to a few Cats.

Should I shoot for a low hour older machine with minimal computer control (aka confuser) ?

 

[thendrix]

I personally am a big fan of Kubota. Mine is a 75hp track machine and it's IMPRESSIVE how much you can do with them. I also have a Case 1845C I use in a stack house and in chicken houses moving litter. They have their quirks but I really can't complain about mine. It's been mostly terrible free which is impressive considering the environment it lives in. I can't speak from personal experience but I man that has a grading company told me to be careful of Bobcat. He said around the 2k hour mark he had to swap engines in 2 that he had.

 

[CM1995]

Our 279D Cats have been very dependable. Have 2 one 2016 has around 3K hours on it and we've had to replace the alternator and rebush the quick tach which should be expected. 2019 279 has only needed an alternator. Alternators seem to be the week component at least in the 2 we have.

Used to run Bobcat but had to divorce the brand due to the dealer. The Bobcats with Kubota power are decent, I would stay away from the Deutz powered ones. Had an 863 and had to keep a spare fuel pump solenoid in the machine as you never new when it would go out and leave the machine dead.

Kubota is a great brand although I have never owned an entire orange Kubota product. Owned many machines over the years with Kubota power that were bullet proof. Our 2 - 279D's have yellow painted Kubotas in the engine compartment.

 

[Drag racer]

Hi All,

I’m shopping for a skid steer, most likely used, and something around 7K pounds seems about the right size for work I’m interested in doing (property maintenance, light demo). I’m most interested in a tire machine because of cost and ease of maintenance. My budget is a max of $35K, but obviously the lower cost the better. I can live without an enclosed cab. I’m most interested in a machine that is lower hour and is maintenance friendly as I’ll be handling any repairs.

Any particular make, model, year to avoid or seek out? I’ve heard not great things about Gehl. I’ve seen quite a few New Hollands and Bobcats around, in addition to a few Cats.

Should I shoot for a low hour older machine with minimal computer control (aka confuser) ?

I would recommend looking through the skidsteer forums here probably get an idea what to stay away from, personally if possible stay away from computer control.

 

[IceHole]

S series Bobcat are great, and parts easy to find. Made from around 2001 to 2010 or so.

 

[KSSS]

Unlike excavators, skid steers are categorize by rated operating capacity (ROC) not weight. The class from 1800-2200 are largest selling sector. There are two lift types, radial and vertical. Each has its benefits. Radial is nice if your not loading a lot trucks with it , radial has fewer moving parts and the sight lines are cleaner. Some options that are nice to have, ride control is a function that cushions the lift arms, smooths out the bumps for a better ride and allows you to move faster over rough ground, I would find one with a cab, its worth it, just spend the money to buy it. High flow can be a nice feature to have, since you never know what you may end up doing with one, having high flow allows you to run more hydraulic attachments. Is it necessary, no its not necessary for everyone, but if you have it, it gives you options. You have to go back along way to not have a computer involved somewhere. Everyone OEM has had good and bad years and models. I would find a make and model your interested in and post it and see what people have to say about it.

 

[Beckbenj]

Unlike excavators, skid steers are categorize by rated operating capacity (ROC) not weight. The class from 1800-2200 are largest selling sector. There are two lift types, radial and vertical. Each has its benefits. Radial is nice if your not loading a lot trucks with it , radial has fewer moving parts and the sight lines are cleaner. Some options that are nice to have, ride control is a function that cushions the lift arms, smooths out the bumps for a better ride and allows you to move faster over rough ground, I would find one with a cab, its worth it, just spend the money to buy it. High flow can be a nice feature to have, since you never know what you may end up doing with one, having high flow allows you to run more hydraulic attachments. Is it necessary, no its not necessary for everyone, but if you have it, it gives you options. You have to go back along way to not have a computer involved somewhere. Everyone OEM has had good and bad years and models. I would find a make and model your interested in and post it and see what people have to say about it.

The computer part I can understand, it seems like I’d have to go back to a 90’s machine to get away from computers.

I’ve been looking pretty hard at a 2012 Takeuchi TS60V with about 550 hours. Not high flow, but it’s in excellent condition for about $25K.

Others on the list:

Bobcat S650 (high flow, 1000 hours - $27K).

Bobcat S450 (std flow, 1000 hours - $18K)

 

[phil314]

Bobcat S650 (high flow, 1000 hours - $27K).

This would be a great deal as long as the machine is in decent shape and it's got the kubota motor.

 

[ProfessionalForkliftOp]

Hi All,

I’m shopping for a skid steer, most likely used, and something around 7K pounds seems about the right size for work I’m interested in doing (property maintenance, light demo). I’m most interested in a tire machine because of cost and ease of maintenance. My budget is a max of $35K, but obviously the lower cost the better. I can live without an enclosed cab. I’m most interested in a machine that is lower hour and is maintenance friendly as I’ll be handling any repairs.

Any particular make, model, year to avoid or seek out? I’ve heard not great things about Gehl. I’ve seen quite a few New Hollands and Bobcats around, in addition to a few Cats.

Should I shoot for a low hour older machine with minimal computer control (aka confuser) ?

2000s b series cat skid steers are something to look into. We have a 252b and it’s been very reliable and a good all around machine. No emissions too

 

[Beckbenj]

This would be a great deal as long as the machine is in decent shape and it's got the kubota motor.

It’s in good shape but has the Bobcat motor.

Edit: apparently the Bobcat engine is made by Doosan. Not sure what to expect quality wise with a Doosan.

 

[ozarkag]

It’s in good shape but has the Bobcat motor.

Edit: apparently the Bobcat engine is made by Doosan. Not sure what to expect quality wise with a Doosan.

Doosan motor not too bad, biggest issue is injectors are prone to fail. Clean fuel a must. Will be somewhat more expensive to maintain otherwise too. Just a bit too new. . .

 

[phil314]

Doosan motor not too bad, biggest issue is injectors are prone to fail. Clean fuel a must. Will be somewhat more expensive to maintain otherwise too. Just a bit too new. . .

Yes, exactly. Doosan motor is good. Biggest thing to realize is they use a common rail injection system. Those system require very clean fuel. It is critial to use good clean fuel and use the updated bobcat fuel filters and change them regularly.

Apart from that, it still sounds like a good deal. I've got an S650 (not high flow even) and it's been an awesome machine.

 

[Beckbenj]

Any thoughts on a 2001 Cat 236 with 1500 hours ($25K). Looks to be in great shape, original owner is selling.

 

[Beckbenj]

Doosan motor not too bad, biggest issue is injectors are prone to fail. Clean fuel a must. Will be somewhat more expensive to maintain otherwise too. Just a bit too new. . .

What can I expect to NOT be able to repair on the S650? I’m guessing Bobcat has a scan tool that requires you to go to a dealer?

 

[phil314]

What can I expect to NOT be able to repair on the S650? I’m guessing Bobcat has a scan tool that requires you to go to a dealer?

Almost all newer skids steers are going to require some kind of scan tool/software for some things. With one of these machine, there is going to be times when you need to go to the dealer or independent mechanic and have them program something for you. That's just the way things are now.

But on the flip side, the computer will often throw a code telling you what the problem is. That also means it can be very easy to fix the problem yourself. In the end, many problems are still mechanical and require turning wrenches and replacing parts.

Which brings me to why I bought a bobcat. I do my own work on my machine. So knowledge is key. Whenever someone asks a question about a bobcat, there are lots of answers. That makes working on it much easier. With most of the other brands, you may get a few answers or even crickets. In cases like that, your more likely to need the dealer.

If you are good at turning wrenches, know a little bit about computers, and with the help of this forum, you should be able to fix most things on a machine.
If computers terrify you, then consider an older machine, problem with them is it can be very hard to source parts sometimes.

 

[Tyler d4c]

Any thoughts on a 2001 Cat 236 with 1500 hours ($25K). Looks to be in great shape, original owner is selling.

Stay away from the no letter cats they have engine problems. That machine has a 3034 in it they are quite prone to rods wanting to exit the block

 

[Beckbenj]

Almost all newer skids steers are going to require some kind of scan tool/software for some things. With one of these machine, there is going to be times when you need to go to the dealer or independent mechanic and have them program something for you. That's just the way things are now.

But on the flip side, the computer will often throw a code telling you what the problem is. That also means it can be very easy to fix the problem yourself. In the end, many problems are still mechanical and require turning wrenches and replacing parts.

Which brings me to why I bought a bobcat. I do my own work on my machine. So knowledge is key. Whenever someone asks a question about a bobcat, there are lots of answers. That makes working on it much easier. With most of the other brands, you may get a few answers or even crickets. In cases like that, your more likely to need the dealer.

If you are good at turning wrenches, know a little bit about computers, and with the help of this forum, you should be able to fix most things on a machine.
If computers terrify you, then consider an older machine, problem with them is it can be very hard to source parts sometimes

Thanks, appreciate the insight. Computers are not an issue by any means, I just don’t want to be needing the dealer for every little issue that comes up. Sounds like they are pretty reliable machines and have a good knowledge base!

 

[Beckbenj]

Any experiences buying used Sunbelt equipment? Apparently the S650 was formerly a Sunbelt machine. It seems this can go either way as far as machine condition and really is no different from buying from an owner.

 

[thendrix]

I would think rentals would be ok. They would be fleet maintained I would guess. Have a neighbor that bought a mini ex from United and he's been satisfied

 

[ozarkag]

Rentals are often stripped models, single speed, hand foot control, open station etc