School me on Skid Steers

[Krivoman]

I just asked a buddy who runs these everyday for their family business.

His response
Cat is one of the best machines get 75hp or more. Tracks do less damage to the ground and can get around in wet conditions a lot better. You do not need high flow to run most brush hogs. Tooth bucket and grapple bucket are a must.

[S-3 Ranch]

Originally Posted by bloodtrailer28

Tracks is really the only way to go imo. ALOT more traction. I mean you will likely never get stuck unless you really push it where tires will spin on wet grass. Alot more stable and not near as rough as ride as tires.
The only con to tracks is they are more expensive and rocks will tear them up.

This , also your machine will be in some shop getting the tracks replaced, unless you are competent in track problems/ replacement, most of our locals in the Hillcounrty favor wheeled
Because of ease of repair

[bloodtrailer28]

Originally Posted by pilar

This , also your machine will be in some shop getting the tracks replaced, unless you are competent in track problems/ replacement, most of our locals in the Hillcounrty favor wheeled
Because of ease of repair

We change all of ours and it is a little bit of a pain but not that bad.

[AntlerCollector]

Originally Posted by Traildust

^^^^^^Best advice on this thread!

That’s a negative ghost rider!

Renting several ones is a waste of money. Just go test drive them.

[Sticks&Strings]

We have a 95hp Bobcat. It has been great, but the door is an issue if the boom is up.

We have a grapple, toothed bucket, and a trencher. We had a guy who just came and used our machine but his attachments. He used a harlow rake and it was awesome for road work. He also said he has a dozer blade and it will push way more dirt than you think.

He raked our road, then used a vibrating roller and packed it down and it was nice. Road was full of big rocks and holes before he started.

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[Mohawkman]

Originally Posted by pilar

This , also your machine will be in some shop getting the tracks replaced, unless you are competent in track problems/ replacement, most of our locals in the Hillcounrty favor wheeled
Because of ease of repair

My 2004 has the original tires. It has about 1500 hrs. They are the oversized with thicker walls (so you could run the metal tracks if you wanted.) it has been Pasture use mainly cutting mesquites with a tree shear and brush with a rotary cutter. Some dirt work, fence etc. I add more tire dope every year. I am fixing to replace them with some just like them if I can find them.

[AntlerCollector]

Any of y’all who bought them for your land, but don’t use it all the time now, would you be interested in renting it to me? I have about 3 acres I what to clean up at my home in Votaw.

[Gunfish]

Originally Posted by Runnin4D

If you are going to be doing brush control (underbrush, yaupon, cedar etc) and anything up to ~7-8” in diameter, the “super shredder” is all you need. This attachment is high flow. It runs around 10k, 1/3 the price of a mulcher head style. We run one of these with the Kubota 95. Works great for cleaning a place up. If you want to completely clear everything, the drum mulcher head is more likely the way to go.

For road repair the grader/planer attachment works well.

You should be able to get the 95 and these two attachments plus a bucket and forks for around 100k

Newbie here. Can you tell me who manufactures the Super Shredder?

[M16]

It's getting closer to buying time. Got a price on the Kubota 95 but they didn't have any in stock. Supposed to get some in the next couple of weeks. Stopped by the Cat dealership today and looked at a CAT 299 D2 XHP. The salesman wasn't around so all I got to do was look. Very nice machine and only $30,000 more than the Kubota. I'm trying to convince myself to up the budget even though it not going to be used commercially. Anybody have or know of a lightly used CAT 299 D2 XHP for sale?

[boh347]

https://www.machinerytrader.com/list...odel/299d2-xhp

[Hart8]

Iron Planet Ft.Worth will have what you're looking for.

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[Chapo]

I’ve ran both Cat and Kubota a lot. I prefer the cab and controls of the Kubota. The door on the Cat is a huge pain. The only time you can open it is if the boom is all the way down. Also the door in the Cat has safety exit handles on the left side. Had an employee use them to exit the machine. You can’t imagine how hard it is to put those safety latches back on. The positives of the Cat are the simplicity and reliability of the drivetrain. Also the Cat seems to have more pushing power

[Bowtech38]

Originally Posted by M16

It's getting closer to buying time. Got a price on the Kubota 95 but they didn't have any in stock. Supposed to get some in the next couple of weeks. Stopped by the Cat dealership today and looked at a CAT 299 D2 XHP. The salesman wasn't around so all I got to do was look. Very nice machine and only $30,000 more than the Kubota. I'm trying to convince myself to up the budget even though it not going to be used commercially. Anybody have or know of a lightly used CAT 299 D2 XHP for sale?

I work at a kubota dealer in temple , we have 95-2’s in stock.

[bloodtrailer28]

Originally Posted by Chapo

I’ve ran both Cat and Kubota a lot. I prefer the cab and controls of the Kubota. The door on the Cat is a huge pain. The only time you can open it is if the boom is all the way down. Also the door in the Cat has safety exit handles on the left side. Had an employee use them to exit the machine. You can’t imagine how hard it is to put those safety latches back on. The positives of the Cat are the simplicity and reliability of the drivetrain. Also the Cat seems to have more pushing power

The one and only thing i don't like abour cats is the door setup. Other than that i would take them over any other machine. They definitely have more pushing power than any other machines i have ran. We've had cats deeres kubotas case(junk) and Bobcats.

[Backwoods101]

Not trying to derail but can anyone point me in the direction of the thread where the guy hired a fella to "mulch" his rock driveway with a skid steer? I cant find it for the life of me

[boh347]

Originally Posted by Backwoods101

Not trying to derail but can anyone point me in the direction of the thread where the guy hired a fella to "mulch" his rock driveway with a skid steer? I cant find it for the life of me

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.c...t=rock+crusher

[Backwoods101]

Originally Posted by boh347

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.c...t=rock+crusher

Thanks man!


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[JeffK]

Originally Posted by bloodtrailer28

The one and only thing i don't like abour cats is the door setup. Other than that i would take them over any other machine. They definitely have more pushing power than any other machines i have ran. We've had cats deeres kubotas case(junk) and Bobcats.

What are the problems with case? I was looking at New Holland which is my understanding the same machine as the case.

[BigYoung]

tagged

[bloodtrailer28]

Originally Posted by JeffK

What are the problems with case? I was looking at New Holland which is my understanding the same machine as the case.

Pretty much you name it and it broke. Not really but thats what it seemed like as it was constantly down and in the shop. We had it around 6-8 months before we got rid of it and got another cat

[Arrowthreat]

Originally Posted by M16

It's getting closer to buying time. Got a price on the Kubota 95 but they didn't have any in stock. Supposed to get some in the next couple of weeks. Stopped by the Cat dealership today and looked at a CAT 299 D2 XHP. The salesman wasn't around so all I got to do was look. Very nice machine and only $30,000 more than the Kubota. I'm trying to convince myself to up the budget even though it not going to be used commercially. Anybody have or know of a lightly used CAT 299 D2 XHP for sale?

I would definitely try and find a Kubota. Since the last time I posted on this thread, we have started to have a lot of issues with the two brand new 259D CAT skid steers we bought. Electrical and fuel pumps on both machines. They have been fixed under warranty, but its still cause for concern in my opinion. Both machines have less than 500 hours on them.

[Palmetto]

I keep coming back expecting pics of M16's new ride.

[Brown E]

Consider your budget and how much you use it first. Tracks will be more than tires and worth it depending on where you use it. Hand controls are easier I am told than hand/foot controls. My Bobcat S130(Kubota engine) has tires and foot controls. I have not problem with the foot operation of the bucket. Air Conditioning would be nice in Texas but more $$.

[Hollywood]

Originally Posted by Arrowthreat

I would definitely try and find a Kubota. Since the last time I posted on this thread, we have started to have a lot of issues with the two brand new 259D CAT skid steers we bought. Electrical and fuel pumps on both machines. They have been fixed under warranty, but its still cause for concern in my opinion. Both machines have less than 500 hours on them.

This ^^^
I worked for CAT for 20 years, a lot of that time as a Technician. I manage a huge fleet of equipment now. We can't afford downtime with equipment & don't want to keep spare machines around for breakdowns.
I now stay away from CAT equipment due to the wait times for service response & electronic troubles in the new equip. I have a backhoe in the S.A. shop now for a Warranty engine repair- been there 2 months. That would be a major problem for an owner operator.
The older D series ( 2011 ) John Deere machines a reliable.
The 3 Kubotas I purchased a doing great so far.
CASE & New Holland would be my last resorts.
Takeuchi, I feel makes the best track machine in the market. It is their track & undercarriage design that is universal to the market design now.
They built the 1st machines in early 2000's. The TL140 with an Isuzu diesel, awesome machine.
Good luck.

[JBJTX81]

I saw the JD 333g in action with a mulcher and dozer blade on my place. I was utterly amazed with all the tasks it preformed and how quickly my property was transformed. Its a small dozer at 12K lbs but can do 50 other things dozer can't. I don't have any experience seeing nor using any of the other models mentioned here but I was impressed.

[Reel cajun]

I have a gently used one for sale on Craigslist Houston if anybody is looking for one. Just listed it. 572 Hours

[dwactx]

we have 2 - JD 323E Track/cab machines
These are beasts...best thing about JD is you can get parts at any JD tractor dealer as well.
Most smaller towns have an AG PRO or some kind of JD dealership.
This has been a lifesaver when you need a simple part or a hose or something.

Whatever you decide, figure out what you are going to do with the machine and make sure you match the machine with the proper attachment...HI Flow, no high flow etc.
If you plan on any type of shredder or brush cutter, a enclosed cab is a must. also 2 speed is a must in my opinion

[M16]

It’s getting close to buying time. I’m probably going with the Cat 289 hi flow. I really don’t want to deal with def. If I were using it every day it wouldn’t bother me. Setting up possibly a month or so could cause problems with it crystallizing. Otherwise it would be between the Cat 299 and the Kubota 95. Plan is to pull the trigger Monday morning.

[bloodtrailer28]

You will be happy with the 289. We run 2 of them one with 3500 hours and the other pretty close to that with zero problems....well other than self induced. Lol and we run the hell out of them.

[Grant2]

Bobcat is still king. Kubota has a serious DEF problem now days. We have both and the Bobcat still runs great.

[M16]

Slowly making progress. Made a trip to Marble Falls today to do some attachment shopping.
Talk about a kid in the candy store! Those guys have a good supply of everything and then some. Super nice people to do business with. My only regret was not taking my big trailer as I could have bought some more stuff that I "needed". I just ran out of trailer room. I'm gonna have to make another trip one day.

Just waiting on Cat to delivery my machine and then it's off to the races!

[Stuck]

Nice. All the different attachments are great. Is that a shredder you have loaded up front? Let me know how that works, my dad was looking at those vs dropping the money on a muncher.

[M16]

Originally Posted by Stuck

Nice. All the different attachments are great. Is that a shredder you have loaded up front? Let me know how that works, my dad was looking at those vs dropping the money on a muncher.

Yes it is. I'm not going pro see didn't see the need to get a mulcher. I've got a lot of yaupon and small cedars that I want to whack. Not really concerned about how fine a grind I get. This one was about half the price of a cheaper mulcher. It'll be interesting to see how it performs.

[bloodtrailer28]

Originally Posted by M16

Yes it is. I'm not going pro see didn't see the need to get a mulcher. I've got a lot of yaupon and small cedars that I want to whack. Not really concerned about how fine a grind I get. This one was about half the price of a cheaper mulcher. It'll be interesting to see how it performs.

We have one and its pretty bad ***. Its not a mulching head by any means but it will tear up some stuff and send it flying. You will be glad you have a cab. Lol.

Used it on pastures up under trees and knocking down small cedars / saplings. You made a heck of a haul today!

[Arrow-Tek]

We have a Kubota SVLI95 track loader and nothing comes close except a Cat.

[Atfulldraw]

you and I bought basically the same package at iDig

I'm lucky in that it only takes me 30 minutes to get there, but even I take my big trailer when I go see them

You get an auger yet?

[M16]

Originally Posted by Atfulldraw

you and I bought basically the same package at iDig

I'm lucky in that it only takes me 30 minutes to get there, but even I take my big trailer when I go see them

You get an auger yet?

No auger yet. Have one on my tractor. I did get a post driver though.

[Arrowthreat]

Originally Posted by M16

No auger yet. Have one on my tractor. I did get a post driver though.

What post driver did you pick up?

[manwitaplan]

Originally Posted by M16

Slowly making progress. Made a trip to Marble Falls today to do some attachment shopping.
Talk about a kid in the candy store! Those guys have a good supply of everything and then some. Super nice people to do business with. My only regret was not taking my big trailer as I could have bought some more stuff that I "needed". I just ran out of trailer room. I'm gonna have to make another trip one day.

Just waiting on Cat to delivery my machine and then it's off to the races!

What was your deciding factor on Cat vs. Kubota?

[M16]

It finally came to an end today. I can't believe how long it took for me to get this skid steer! Almost two months from researching to getting it delivered. But it got delivered today. Lot's of cat tracks around the ranch.

The Mustang cat salesman I talked to never bothered to call me back. I guess he figured I wasn't going to buy one. The local Kubota dealer didn't have anything in stock. So I stopped by Holt in San Antonio on a trip down to the ranch. That's when things changed. They actually wanted to sell one. It took a little while to get the package together but they delivered it today.

[TX03RUBI]

Good looking machine. I was under the impression Cat dealers couldn't sell to customers outside of their service area?

[M16]

Originally Posted by TX03RUBI

Good looking machine. I was under the impression Cat dealers couldn't sell to customers outside of their service area?

I own some ranches in their service area.

[TX03RUBI]

Originally Posted by M16

I own some ranches in their service area.

I dont think a single sentence has ever made me more envious! Enjoy sir!

[M16]

Originally Posted by Arrowthreat

What post driver did you pick up?

I bought this one. I'm not turning pro so figured this would do what I needed.


https://idigtexas.com/product/danuser-t3-post-drivers/

[SpringCreek]

Having a SVL95-2 delivered tomorrow with a DanUser tree puller and 72" cutter head. I couldn't justify the cash on a mulching head. Like a kid on Christmas. We run nothing but orange at the ranch so it was a no brainer on the choice of paint. We shall see how it does. Will be slowly adding attachments as time goes on.

[bloodtrailer28]

Congrats and you will love the cat!

[JDog83]

Tom @ I Dig Tx is first class, They are great people. If you are needing anything for a compact track loader or skid steer they are the only call you should make

[IOWA BOW HUNTER]

Nice!

[JeffK]

Worth the wait! New or used machine?

[M16]

Originally Posted by JDog83

Tom @ I Dig Tx is first class, They are great people. If you are needing anything for a compact track loader or skid steer they are the only call you should make

I'm a fan! I had a list of items to purchase. He could have just sold them to me and sent me on my way. Instead he suggested we sit down and go over what I was trying to accomplish and what type of terrain I'd be working. He made several suggestions that would do what I wanted and at a lower cost. In the end I wound up with an extra item and spending 4K less than I had planned.

I like their style of doing business. Do what's best for the customer. In turn they'll send you more customers. It's and old school business model that still works.