New or used skid steer??

[KactusKiller]

I'm looking into the possibilities of buying a skid steer before end of yr. Gonna be doing mostly brush work on soft sandy soil so going to be looking for a track model with enclosed cab since we have a ton of poison oak.
I'm thinking 75HP minimum with hand controls, I'm pretty big and its hard to get my big feet to work foot pedals easily.
Any suggestions for new versus good used? I would prefer one that has the new sticker price worn off a little but def don't want to buy one that will be in shop all the time. I'm not loyal to a brand and this will mainly be for my personal use but could possibly do some work for others in my area.
Any suggestions and does anyone have a good slightly used machine they may be done with and looking to part ways with that fits my description? Grapple, tree shear and brush hog are def implements I'll want.

[Arrowthreat]

I'm looking into the possibilities of buying a skid steer before end of yr. Gonna be doing mostly brush work on soft sandy soil so going to be looking for a track model with enclosed cab since we have a ton of poison oak.
I'm thinking 75HP minimum with hand controls, I'm pretty big and its hard to get my big feet to work foot pedals easily.
Any suggestions for new versus good used? I would prefer one that has the new sticker price worn off a little but def don't want to buy one that will be in shop all the time. I'm not loyal to a brand and this will mainly be for my personal use but could possibly do some work for others in my area.
Any suggestions and does anyone have a good slightly used machine they may be done with and looking to part ways with that fits my description? Grapple, tree shear and brush hog are def implements I'll want.

First question might be personal, but are you wanting to pay cash or finance?

We just purchased a 2018 SVL 75 slightly used from one of my good friends for our family farm. The machine has 250 hours. For us, it was a cash deal, so it was a no brainer to save the money and buy a reliable, low hour machine from someone we knew. With that being said, I really wouldn't feel comfortable buying a used skid steer unless it was from someone I knew. They are by far the most overworked equipment out there.

If you were financing, no question I would buy a new one. Kubota and CAT offer 0% during their special incentives.

Since its for personal use, I would buy a SVL 75. If it was for company use, I would buy a CAT. Kubota is a much better machine in every aspect. However, CAT will provide a loaner if you have a warranty issue. Also, parts are available everywhere. A CAT house will have a much quicker turn around than any small Kubota house. We just had a CAT 259D with 2k hours on it blow the motor. CAT put a brand new crate motor in the machine under warranty. They provided a brand new loaner machine in the downtime. They had our skid steer back within a week and half.

I'm a equipment manager for a fairly large construction company. I do this everyday. We've ran every brand out there. This is what has worked for us, and me personally on our farms.

[KactusKiller]

Depends on the deal of course and who I’m buying from. Anything over say 25-30k I’d probably finance

[Arrowthreat]

Depends on the deal of course and who I’m buying from. Anything over say 25-30k I’d probably finance

10-4. I would probably finance a new machine than. I bought two new SVL 75's for work earlier this year. I think we got them for 56k a piece at 0% financing.

Don't get me wrong, there are some good older machines out there that are in that 25-30k price range you could pay cash for. The Bobcat T650-750's with the Kubota motors are tanks. But any older machine you're going to have to work on. Hydraulics, tracks, etc. Little problems are frustrating, especially when you're trying to get projects done on the weekend.

[rferg84]

Have you checked used prices lately?

I honestly would go new, the used market seems really high to me.

Get a new machine with a warranty and 0% financing.

Unless you just want an old beater (nothing wrong with that) I'd go new.

[BrianL]

Will you be depreciating it on your Federal taxes?

[sambo73]

pm sent. let me know if i can help you or answer any qustions
here is my cell # 903-368-4110

not very far from you.

[BrianL]

1 Cat
2 John Deere
3 Kubota
4 Bobcat

[gfulton]

Used Kubota.

[rlwenzel]

I priced used ones and the ones I found with a couple thousand hours weren’t much cheaper than a brand new one. I went with a John Deere and have been extremely happy with it. I own a fence building company so they get used to the max. Very reliable machine and strong.
Ryan

[dclifton]

FYI just bought a new Cat 299LM a few weeks ago and if you plan to pay off early. Go with the 4.25 interest rate i think it was they charged.

The price difference between the 0% machine and the 4.25% was about 10-12K i think.

I did the math and the 4.25 rate came out to almost the exact same price as the 0% machine for total payoff. Which i plan to pay it off early so i will save some of that atleast.

I bought mine from Warren Cat and they where ok Holt was even worse. But none of them I was impressed with their communication or service.

You would think for the money they would do a better job communication but once you think that a skid steer is a cheap machine to them i guess you are low man on the pole.

[dclifton]

Also look into the Danuser Intimidator i bought one 2 weeks ago and its been great! Also look at the CAT grapples if you buy the machine from them do yourself a favor and just get the grapple from them as well. Ive been around alot of them and theirs is one of the best.

[KactusKiller]

Thanks, all good info. Yes it will be a deduction but still have to pay the monthly’s and in today’s economy who knows what tomorrow will hold. I like spending other people’s money on zero interest but I also don’t like long payoffs. I just don’t like the thought of adding 50-60k of debt but i like the warranty and potential for less headache.
Like said above if you take care of then the resale value is great.