Which to choose? Mini Skid Steer

[deevo]

Tracks in snow and ice are terrible! Just ask any hoe operator. By the way, why don’t skidders in the bush use tracks? I’ll tell you why, they are slow, you can throw em ( and that sucks hardcore in a bad spot) ! Plus they suck on ice! Tires with chains rule in ice and snow. But yeah I agree tracks have their place. I just don’t like the aggression on turf and the marks they leave on pavement etc in a turn. I don’t like having to cover entire areas with plywood every time I want to work.

My Vermeer 725 is great in snow, I suppose I could get chains for the avant. I'm so done using mats on long stretches now that we have the Avant I can tell you that much

 

[deevo]

After using the Vermeer for so long, what do you think of the BMG?

It was very very strange at first but I've come to like it!

 

[Lumberjack]

Ahhhhhh, yes - as I understand it. But then you select the green colored smooth thacks. (If I understand correctly.)

@Lumberjack could tell you.

White is non marring, so it doesn’t leave black tracks on paved surfaces.

Green tracks are smooth to not scuff grass when turning.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Carl, how in the heck are you doing? Hooklift getting close?

 

[hseII]

White is non marring, so it doesn’t leave black tracks on paved surfaces.

Green tracks are smooth to not scuff grass when turning.

I’ve been told there is another: Orange.

I understand It is Bobcat’s version of the non-scuffing.

I would like to see the long term reports on those because if they last as well as they work, they are the cat’s meow for
Tree Service Work.

 

[Lumberjack]

Carl, how in the heck are you doing? Hooklift getting close?

Going well! The hook lift has been working for over a month!

 

[colb]

Is there such a thing?

Google McLaren

 

[Stephen Moore]

Sounds like a new operator needs to be in his future. One that can operate and maintain a track machine! You are worried about tracks leaving marks, but tires and chains are your answer? really! I have had Zero trouble in the snow (everyone will have problems on ice except the chains), and actually prefer my track machine over my tire machine. If you are having issues throwing tracks, fire the ahole that can’t recognize the tracks are loose and hire someone that cares and can fix it before they fall off. Or stop being a cheap skate and replace them when they need to be replaced! And yes white tracks are non marking normally and Turf tracks (green) are extremely turf friendly, but don’t hold up very well on paved surfaces from what I gather.
Even in marginally wet conditions with a job set up properly I would put my DW trip for trip against the avant. Speed and turf friendliness.

I can operate just fine, it ain't rocket science. Articulated with turf tires is more gentle, there can be no argument there. I like tracked units for stability and ability to go on mushy surfaces or sand. But I still say turf tires are better on sensitive ground.

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

I can operate just fine, it ain't rocket science. Articulated with turf tires is more gentle, there can be no argument there. I like tracked units for stability and ability to go on mushy surfaces or sand. But I still say turf tires are better on sensitive ground.

I will agree... to disagree.

 

[Stephen Moore]

No hard feelings then?

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

No hard feelings then?

That’s the great thing about America. We can have different opinions and we don’t have to hate each other for it.... or am I supposed to hate you for it ??? This damn changing world, it’s so hard to keep up with these days

 

[southsoundtree]

Thanks for that tip! Much appreciated !

You have to grab it in just the right place to not grab the keeper-thingy and zerk-fitting, nor the loader arms. There is one sweet spot that I grab by lifting the arms, and curling the grapple. It is one of the very few times I might get off to adjust the grapple.

I am on and off my mini all the time, 2 minutes of work here and there, 5 minutes here and there, 20 minutes here and there.

 

[Stephen Moore]

That’s the great thing about America. We can have different opinions and we don’t have to hate each other for it.... or am I supposed to hate you for it ??? This damn changing world, it’s so hard to keep up with these days

That’s why they make two different kinds! Each of us have a leaning one way or the other. To be civil in a discussion is the hallmark of intelligence. We can’t give ourselves fuel for thought without discussion. We are also bringing to light the differences that help those, including myself understand better. I say bring it on!

 

[hseII]

It was very very strange at first but I've come to like it!

If you were going to add, change, or adjust anything on it, what would that be?

 

[Merle Nelson]

Great pictures for how versatile that hooklift is for you Carl, thanks. Good load on gravel and pumpkin logs.

(Derail over.)

 

[deevo]

If you were going to add, change, or adjust anything on it, what would that be?

Wouldn’t change anything, just the swinging of it is taking getting used to, as opposed to the locking feature of the Vermeer grapple, that’s all really, just have to be more careful loading logs and stuff making sure the logs secure and won’t swing when you have them up high

 

[hseII]

I’m Building one to go on my loader & trying to decide if the manual Rotator will be acceptable or if I need to go ahead & try to add the hydraulic Rotator to it & do some sort of electro-over-hydraulic diverter setup.

I only have 1 set of auxiliaries on the front of my loader.

Mine will be similar to Tanner’s.

 

[Lumberjack]

Manual rotation is plenty. I’ve ran both on a 540, I prefer manual.

What’s up with the extra joystick?

 

[Gorman]

Manual rotation is plenty. I’ve ran both on a 540, I prefer manual.

What’s up with the extra joystick?

Yea, what’s up with that?

 

[Wes84]

To sort of bring this back around to the original topic "mini skid steer... which to choose?" I'm going to start buy saying that every successful machine design has its niche.
I wouldn't mind having an Avant. I think that they are really neat and could find a lot of good use.
I own a Ditch Witch SK 850. I prefer thinking through a job and achieving efficient cycles over going wide ass open from start to finish. You'll get a lot more done in the same time, use less fuel, and will have a LOT less wear and tear on your machine. My 850 will run almost 5 mph in forward and reverse. Unless you are traveling a really long stretch back and forth, I see no practical need in going any faster(if even that fast a lot of times). It is very stable on steeper and uneven terrain. It does not tear up the lawn if you make mindful turns and are not working while it's really wet. I will never encounter anything that will actually get the machine stuck. And it's awesome if I need to throw the bucket on it and do some dirt work.

I could see an advantage in using the mini articulate loader on large level properties with sensitive turf. And I could see it being very productive on many jobs. I'd just rather live with the little bit of lack that my mini skid has on certain jobs so that I can have the versatility that it provides.

Again, both machines are popular for a good reason. They have a niche. The answer to the question "which to choose?" will be determined by you and your specific needs. The types of jobs that you do on a regular basis could differ from anyone on this thread. Research both types of machine. Figure out what they will and will not do... and pick the one that matches your application. My two cents... you'll definitely not ever regret buying a larger mini skid, especially if its a Ditch Witch.

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