Which to choose? Mini Skid Steer

[dmorse68]

I use my SK752 with vermeer grapple to dig small tree, and shrubs out all the time. You can grab around the stump to bust up the root ball, and they come out usually with no issues.

Thank you TreelineNH for taking the time to reply. Good info. The Ditch Witch dealer quoted me $22k for the SK600 and $25k for the SK752. Both come with a bucket (no grapple). What do you think? Should I spend the extra $3k and get the SK752 as opposed to the SK600? They both have the same horsepower I think. Flow rates might increase? The only difference I see is longer wheel base. And maybe that is enough of a reason to get the 752. I'll ask for your guy's expertise on that one. Thanks again

 

[Merle Nelson]

dmorse68 in addition to your research here and elsewhere are you going to try running the same model machine (and any other possible contenders) before you buy? You can instantly learn a lot that way. Avoid a mistaken purchase or know it's well worth $3K more for instance.

Welcome to TreeBuzz by the way.

 

[dmorse68]

dmorse68 in addition to your research here and elsewhere are you going to try running the same model machine (and any other possible contenders) before you buy? You can instantly learn a lot that way. Avoid a mistaken purchase or know it's well worth $3K more for instance.

Welcome to TreeBuzz by the way.

Merle Nelson, thanks for the welcome! I have "test drove" a Boxer. It was the 320 model. Its all they had in stock at the moment. Although this was my virgin voyage on a mini, and was fun, as well as only being $15.5k for a 7 hr machine, I can tell it is going to be too light of a machine for my landscaping needs. Went and looked at the Toro's. The thing that turns me off about them is the lower pin hight specs and also the additional operators platform you have to purchase which is smaller than Boxer, Vermeer, and Ditch Witch. I am going to test drive the Ditch Witch for sure. I think Vermeer is out of my budget range, although high quality like the Ditch Witch. What are your Thoughts?

 

[Merle Nelson]

I have only used a mini skid for a few minutes so no help on any specifics.

But, I notice that these tools and pieces of equip we persue can save us tons of effort. Also if we choose well they can save us so much more effort, and for me, aggravation.

When I was shopping/researching for a new chipper I was clear each salesman wanted me to buy today what they had on the lot. I just wasn't getting the answers I needed to know it was the best purchase for me and my uses. In the end after renting many different machines and traveling to and working with guys who had a chipper I thought I wanted I arrived at what would be the best performer for me.

I spent more than even the salesman thought I should on options and upgrades. Every day I use that thing and one of those options saves me work, time, frustration, I just smile to myself - worth every penny.

Seperately, as I understand it Vermeer uses proprietary parts and are far more expensive when something needs repair. Also I see Ditchwitches at the rental yards not far from the Napa Valley if you need access to any of those to try. (A lot of the guys on here are getting demo equip they think they want to buy delivered by the dealer for a test run.)

 

[dmorse68]

I have only used a mini skid for a few minutes so no help on any specifics.

But, I notice that these tools and pieces of equip we persue can save us tons of effort. Also if we choose well they can save us so much more effort, and for me, aggravation.

When I was shopping/researching for a new chipper I was clear each salesman wanted me to buy today what they had on the lot. I just wasn't getting the answers I needed to know it was the best purchase for me and my uses. In the end after renting many different machines and traveling to and working with guys who had a chipper I thought I wanted I arrived at what would be the best performer for me.

I spent more than even the salesman thought I should on options and upgrades. Every day I use that thing and one of those options saves me work, time, frustration, I just smile to myself - worth every penny.

Seperately, as I understand it Vermeer uses proprietary parts and are far more expensive when something needs repair. Also I see Ditchwitches at the rental yards not far from the Napa Valley if you need access to any of those to try. (A lot of the guys on here are getting demo equip they think they want to buy delivered by the dealer for a test run.)

Thank you sir! I wonder if you might direct me closer to those rental yards you are referring to. Much obliged!

 

[TreelineNH]

Thank you TreelineNH for taking the time to reply. Good info. The Ditch Witch dealer quoted me $22k for the SK600 and $25k for the SK752. Both come with a bucket (no grapple). What do you think? Should I spend the extra $3k and get the SK752 as opposed to the SK600? They both have the same horsepower I think. Flow rates might increase? The only difference I see is longer wheel base. And maybe that is enough of a reason to get the 752. I'll ask for your guy's expertise on that one. Thanks again

I never test drove a 600. I told the dealer my application and he steered me to the sk752.

 

[dmorse68]

I never test drove a 600. I told the dealer my application and he steered me to the sk752.

Good to know. Thanks for that bit of info.

 

[Crimsonking]

I haven't read through the whole thread, so forgive me if this had already been mentioned. While it seems you're already steering away from Vermeer, something else to consider is their reputation for popping tracks off. This happened when we demoed one a few years ago, and then I heard that it was common for vermeers.

We eventually went with the DW Zahn, but I prefer the SK models myself. The crew I'm with now had to rent one while our mini was down, and the controls were as dreamy as I remembered. Super smooth and intuitive. Between Boxer, Vermeer, Ramrod, and DW controls and overall performance, I feel that DW outperforms the rest and at a competitive price.

 

[climbhightree]

While it seems you're already steering away from Vermeer, something else to consider is their reputation for popping tracks off. This happened when we demoed one a few years ago, and then I heard that it was common for vermeers.

I've had my vermeer 650tx for 4-5yrs now, with 1,200 hours...I love it. Tracks don't really pop off that much if your careful not to turn on big roots and partially buried rocks, and have them properly adjusted. If they do pop off, it only takes a couple minutes to reset it. Plus I doubt the triangle style system (where the drive wheel is raised) pops as much, or at all, compared to the older style.

I never used a dw, so I can't speak for them. I had tried the bobcat and Toro before buying my vermeer. At the time of my purchase Vermeer was the only one who had a single joystick control, and for me I felt this was a better system. Now most manufacturers offer this type of control system. I went with vermeer cause I have a local dealer, that I also have a chipper from. I like having a local dealer to maintain my equipment versus just a local equipment shop.

Also from what I heard you can now get a bobcat mini with a standard plate vs the bobcat specific plate.

Vermeer wise the 725tx and the cx1000 fit through a 36" gate. I'd lean towards the cx1000 if I was re buying...but neither would work well for my set up cause they are longer the the 650tx.

Just my 2 cents.

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[Crimsonking]

Good to hear. Sorry, I meant to ask if Vermeer users had the experience I described.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Yes I will private message over the rental yards I know of.

 

[dmorse68]

I haven't read through the whole thread, so forgive me if this had already been mentioned. While it seems you're already steering away from Vermeer, something else to consider is their reputation for popping tracks off. This happened when we demoed one a few years ago, and then I heard that it was common for vermeers.

We eventually went with the DW Zahn, but I prefer the SK models myself. The crew I'm with now had to rent one while our mini was down, and the controls were as dreamy as I remembered. Super smooth and intuitive. Between Boxer, Vermeer, Ramrod, and DW controls and overall performance, I feel that DW outperforms the rest and at a competitive price.

Good to know and thank you for your input

 

[dmorse68]

I haven't read through the whole thread, so forgive me if this had already been mentioned. While it seems you're already steering away from Vermeer, something else to consider is their reputation for popping tracks off. This happened when we demoed one a few years ago, and then I heard that it was common for vermeers.

We eventually went with the DW Zahn, but I prefer the SK models myself. The crew I'm with now had to rent one while our mini was down, and the controls were as dreamy as I remembered. Super smooth and intuitive. Between Boxer, Vermeer, Ramrod, and DW controls and overall performance, I feel that DW outperforms the rest and at a competitive price.

Good to know and thank you for your input

 

[deevo]

Good to hear. Sorry, I meant to ask if Vermeer users had the experience I described.

Ha ha yea the 650's are brutal for popping tracks ! Always at the wrong time ! I sold mine last Feb and bought a new 725, only happened once all year, and literally was between a rock and a hard place when it came off! But thank goodness the 725 doesn't have that major issue ! Redesigned track system really helped it. I really like my 725!

 

[Bucknut]

Ha ha yea the 650's are brutal for popping tracks ! Always at the wrong time !

Do you feed a chipper with it often? I'm just guessing it must be run on asphalt a lot to de-track. Ours has only partially thrown a track twice in 450 hours. 2 minute fix, still on original tracks. (But we don't use a BMG, so limited time on paved surfaces)

 

[Philtreeman#1]

Thanks for responding Tread Lightly. I love Bobcat. They are a solid company with solid equipment. With that said, I have been avoiding their mini skids for 2 reasons. And maybe the 2 reasons are minor. But they feel like legitimate ones to me. Let me know your thoughts, but the first reason is the non-universal attachment system. I like the fact that the other manufactures are interchangeable for the simple reason I can rent attachments I need for specific jobs as the jobs come and I do not have to purchace so many attachments. A guy could spend more on attachments then the machine and use certain ones infrequently. However, if I went with Bobcat, and if there is a place that rents BC's attachments that is close to me, then that problem solved. But then there is the 2nd issue....The trolly. I wish they had a stand plate. I do not like that trolly apparatus. It's low to the ground and prone to hitting things when backing up or maneuvering in tight place? Correct me if I am wrong about that.

The MT85 is available with either the bobtach system or the industry standard universal quick attach.
It also has a operators platform with rubber shock absorbers.

 

[climbhightree]

Do you feed a chipper with it often? I'm just guessing it must be run on asphalt a lot to de-track. Ours has only partially thrown a track twice in 450 hours. 2 minute fix, still on original tracks. (But we don't use a BMG, so limited time on paved surfaces)

For me, I don't think I ever popped a track feeding the chipper. It has always been when turning in the woods...when going over roots or partially buried rocks.

To fix a popped track, the easiest thing to do: Throw a chunk of wood, or a rock, between the platform and the ground. Then put you grapple/bucket etc on the ground and lift the mini off the ground completely. After that it just a matter of loosening and re tighten the track once it is reset (just crank it all the way loose to reset). With the mini off the ground, you can use the mini's steering controls to help pop the track back in place. Oh and remember clockwise loosen the track.

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[deevo]

For me, I don't think I ever popped a track feeding the chipper. It has always been when turning in the woods...when going over roots or partially buried rocks.

To fix a popped track, the easiest thing to do: Throw a chunk of wood, or a rock, between the platform and the ground. Then put you grapple/bucket etc on the ground and lift the mini off the ground completely. After that it just a matter of loosening and re tighten the track once reset (just crank it all the way loose to reset).

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Yep exact same scenario. Never ever on pavement, and we literally babied it turning, throttle down to prevent it to no avail.


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[deevo]

Do you feed a chipper with it often? I'm just guessing it must be run on asphalt a lot to de-track. Ours has only partially thrown a track twice in 450 hours. 2 minute fix, still on original tracks. (But we don't use a BMG, so limited time on paved surfaces)

Climbhigh answered before me, all what he said. We only really run it on asphalt 20% of the time


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This is what I prefer ! Running mini skids in snow !

 

[Bucknut]

Interesting. I always heard paved surfaces grabbed more. Anyway we've been lucky so far.