Which to choose? Mini Skid Steer

[Merle Nelson]

What the heck?????? Stay on topic.

No, that's a great post. That could easily save someone from buying the wrong machine for their needs if taken to heart.

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

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*derail**. how do you like that CID mower on the 850. Been thinking about one for my 1050 all spring!

 

[hseII]

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

What’s up with the extra joystick?

I think Tanner added that for the hydraulic Rotator.

 

[Lumberjack]

The rotator only uses one circuit, a joystick controls 2. When I had a rotating grapple on my AL540, I rewired the horn button to activate the hydraulic solenoid that switched the aux from running the grapple to rotator. A second joystick/lever would be cumbersome, requiring moving your hand off the loader's joystick.

 

[Wes84]

*derail**. how do you like that CID mower on the 850. Been thinking about one for my 1050 all spring!

I have mixed feelings about the CID. As far as performance goes... for a 37 hp machine, the damage that you can do is mind boggling.
The first job that I put it on, I caught a 4 ft. strand of barb wire. Wrapped around the output shaft and cut the bearing seal. I had asked about bearing seal protection before I bought the unit. They sent some seals and designed a shroud for bearing protection (which should have been on the unit to begin with. It's a BRUSH CUTTER and fence wire is a given) but only offered to pay $100 of the $350 that my dealer charged for the repair. Two months later, gave a 1 star and an honest account of the experience on Google and they call me the next day apologizing and tell me my check is in the mail.
The CID is an acceptable unit. With the cutaway design I can cut down a 6 in. Pine tree no problem, but you can't efficiently mulch a tree that size so it is a bit unnecessary. The cutaway allows sawdust and small chips to spray from under the deck and on to your machine. Not a big issue but I suspect I'll have to clean it out one day and you know how much room there is under the hood of an 850/1050.

It also weighs 675 lbs. Not a problem for the 850 but I think it puts unnecessary wear on loader linkage and track roller bearings. If I had to do it over again, I'd probably buy a Quick Attach Mini Brush Buster. It has similar performance, better fit and finish, the blades are just under the cut away (minimizing scattering debris), it only weighs 420 lbs., and they will stand behind their product.
If any of you have any more questions feel free to email me at wesp5284@yahoo.com. I have a good bit of industry knowledge on this type of machinery.

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[hseII]

The rotator only uses one circuit, a joystick controls 2. When I had a rotating grapple on my AL540, I rewired the horn button to activate the hydraulic solenoid that switched the aux from running the grapple to rotator. A second joystick/lever would be cumbersome, requiring moving your hand off the loader's joystick.

Yes.

I believe he purchased a 2nd Auxiliary setup from the same fellow who sold him the grapple, but I am going off 2nd or 3rd hand information.

So a hydraulic Rotator isn’t going to get me that much more of an advantage than a manual one.

That decision was really toying with me.

 

[hseII]

I have mixed feelings about the CID. As far as performance goes... for a 37 hp machine, the damage that you can do is mind boggling.
The first job that I put it on, I caught a 4 ft. strand of barb wire. Wrapped around the output shaft and cut the bearing seal. I had asked about bearing seal protection before I bought the unit. They sent some seals and designed a shroud for bearing protection (which should have been on the unit to begin with. It's a BRUSH CUTTER and fence wire is a given) but only offered to pay $100 of the $350 that my dealer charged for the repair. Two months later, gave a 1 star and an honest account of the experience on Google and they call me the next day apologizing and tell me my check is in the mail.
The CID is an acceptable unit. With the cutaway design I can cut down a 6 in. Pine tree no problem, but you can't efficiently mulch a tree that size so it is a bit unnecessary. The cutaway allows sawdust and small chips to spray from under the deck and on to your machine. Not a big issue but I suspect I'll have to clean it out one day and you know how much room there is under the hood of an 850/1050.

It also weighs 675 lbs. Not a problem for the 850 but I think it puts unnecessary wear on loader linkage and track roller bearings. If I had to do it over again, I'd probably buy a Quick Attach Mini Brush Buster. It has similar performance, better fit and finish, the blades are just under the cut away (minimizing scattering debris), it only weighs 420 lbs., and they will stand behind their product.
If any of you have any more questions feel free to email me at wesp5284@yahoo.com. I have a good bit of industry knowledge on this type of machinery.

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Thank You for this Honest Review.

 

[treegongfu]

Does anyone know the difference between the Giant sk 251 D available in North America and the sk 252 D available in Europe?

In particular, I would like to know what accounts for the much greater tipping load on the sk 252 D (434 kg) vs the sk 251 D (293kg)?

Thank you

 

[Jehinten]

Just playing around with my new to me Vermeer S600. Not the biggest or badest machine out there, but it sure beats hand loading. It's also really good on grass when I want it to be. This clip was at my own house while condensing the burn pile, which is the reason for the no PPE.

 

[treegongfu]

I got the answer to my own question from giant.

I'll post their reply.
My Name is Jan Op ‘t Hoog and I’m the account manager for North America.

I received your questions about the differences between the SK251 D and SK252 D mini-skidsteer models.

In particular the difference between the tipping loads.



I can honestly tell you that the tipping load for both the machines is the same.

I checked the North American website and there I’ve seen the 293 kg tipping load.

This is not the right information and I instructed the IT department to adjust this.



Both the machines have a tipping load of 434 kg measured 50 cm on palletforks.



The biggest difference between the two machines is the drivability.

This is improved on the SK252 D. It has a smoother drive now, due to a new installed valve block.

 

[TopNotchEquipment]

The New CAST 825D

 

[Crimsonking]

We recently bought a tracked skid (previously only used DW zahns) and are quite happy with its performance. DW 1550- 46” wide, so not squeezing through small gates, but can side hill better than dually zahns. Also picking up some good sized ash.

 

[Fivepoints]

Do you mind sharing how much that SK1550 was? PM is fine if you don't want to share in public.

That will probably be my next machine when I can afford it. I have an SK650 that I've had for years. I think I'm going to keep it for a secondary/backup machine when I do get something else. I'm kinda torn as from what I heard they are priced high enough they are getting into good used full size skid steer kinda money. There's times when it would be great to have the lifting capacity of a full sized machine. We have also thought about doing a firewood processor and large round splitter on a full sized machine.

 

[climbhightree]

View attachment 54296

The New CAST 825D View attachment 54305

Curious why the switch from Giant??

 

[Wes84]

We recently bought a tracked skid (previously only used DW zahns) and are quite happy with its performance. DW 1550- 46” wide, so not squeezing through small gates, but can side hill better than dually zahns. Also picking up some good sized ash.

I know that people get tired of hearing it but Ditch Witch is the way to go. I have been more than pleased with my SK 850. Strong, super durable, and easy to work on. When it comes time to get another, I'm getting a 1050 which is basically the same machine. It can fit through most gates, has a light footprint, and WAY more than enough power if you're using it for what it's designed for. It's a beast of a little machine.

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[Wes84]

Do you mind sharing how much that SK1550 was? PM is fine if you don't want to share in public.

That will probably be my next machine when I can afford it. I have an SK650 that I've had for years. I think I'm going to keep it for a secondary/backup machine when I do get something else. I'm kinda torn as from what I heard they are priced high enough they are getting into good used full size skid steer kinda money. There's times when it would be great to have the lifting capacity of a full sized machine. We have also thought about doing a firewood processor and large round splitter on a full sized machine.

The 1550 is a little over $40k. I have a friend that has one with a weight kit. It has an ROC of 2k lbs.+. More than many full sized skid steers. He said it's not near as easy on turf as the 850/1050. Unless you're moving a lot of full pallets of sod or pavers I would probably go with the 1050 for around $32k. Lighter, more compact and you won't run into many jobs that a mini skid is designed for that you will need more power. My 850 always has power to spare. I never run it at full throttle, even with attachments like a brush cutter. The 1550 actually has a slightly smaller displacement engine with a turbo. The 1050 has no turbo. It uses a big block engine with a lot of low end torque.

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[Lumberjack]

Why wouldn't you run the machine wide open?

 

[Steve Pikes Tree Care]

For anybody still following this post after 437 previous posts lol. After researching all the brands, and three day spent at the GIA expo in Louisville, KY. demoing all of the machines in there 40 acre demo area. On Friday, 26 October 2018 I received a quote for a brand new bobcat MT85 in Louisville Kentucky for $26,196 Including the 7% sales tax. It’s reverse and forward speed is faster than the ditch witch SK800. And the operators platform was more comfortable than any of the five others I tested. It has the universal plate that will mount up with all of my BMG attachments. It is almost exactly the same specs as the ditch witch, and Vermeer. Toro does not make a comparable model. The total quote from by ditch witch dealer was $29,207 including sales tax. This was a no brainer. I hope this helps.

 

[Greatoutdoors]

For anybody still following this post after 437 previous posts lol. After researching all the brands, and three day spent at the GIA expo in Louisville, KY. demoing all of the machines in there 40 acre demo area. On Friday, 26 October 2018 I received a quote for a brand new bobcat MT85 in Louisville Kentucky for $26,196 Including the 7% sales tax. It’s reverse and forward speed is faster than the ditch witch SK800. And the operators platform was more comfortable than any of the five others I tested. It has the universal plate that will mount up with all of my BMG attachments. It is almost exactly the same specs as the ditch witch, and Vermeer. Toro does not make a comparable model. The total quote from by ditch witch dealer was $29,207 including sales tax. This was a no brainer. I hope this helps.

Was that quote from Ditch Witch Mid States? I'm going to call tomorrow for pricing. I've been looking for used machines around 20k and spending cash, but now I'm thinking about spending some more and buying new (taking on a payment for 2 years).

Anyone wish they bought the sk850 vs the sk800 because of a lack of power?

I have a MT55 right now and it's been a good machine, but kinda have my heart set on buying a DW. Haven't really given the MT85 any serious consideration.

 

[Steve Pikes Tree Care]

My quote on the ditch witch was from the Midwest sales rep and I was shopping from the Shepherdsville Kentucky store. I got my bobcat quote from bobcat enterprises on the east side of Louisville.