I'm entertaining the idea of buying a skidsteer soon. Probably spend around 10k. I thinking of a machine around 5k pounds, around 1500 lbs lift capacity. I do tree work on the side, so I want something that is still nimble enough to go on lawns on occasion (I have a toro dingo mini skid that I mainly use). Lots of options out there, obvious looking at the big players like bobcat and Cat, but wondering if anyone has experience any other brands and how they like them? I found a New Holland that looks good for the price. Takeuchi intrigue me. Any other brands to look at? Advice?
My neighbor has had a gas powered Gehl for many, many years. Small enough to get into tight places and still has good lift capacity. No foot controls. I like that. All done with the hands.
Ya, I definitely prefer hand controls, but bobcats have foot pedals. Not a deal breaker, but a negative. I've ran a gas powered bobcat quite a bit. Gets the job done surprising well, kinda like my dingo!
I have run them all, older NH or the JD made buy NH are hard to beat for lifting heavy weight and stability on hills
Had a NH with tracks a few years ago and kept losing planetaries ($7k each) even with changing the gear oil every other month. Traded it in on another NH, 2014 L225, and blew a hole in the block at 700 hours. NH made good on the engine even out of warranty but still makes me wonder. Our construction department has a Cat with tracks, can't remember the model since it rarely comes in for repairs and they service themselves. It's been bullet proof.
