Which to choose? Mini Skid Steer

Hey guys, Im going to demo an sk1550 for the next week and trying out a ctx100 for a couple hours. The vermeer dealer didn't have a 160 available yet and I wasn't too impressed with using the 100 for only a couple of hours. He said he wanted to stop by on his way back from somewhere else and didn't seem interested that the job we were doing that day was pruning and I would have preferred to use it on a large removal. So far not impressed with the vermeer salesman compared to ditchwitch.
My thought was to get a feel for the vermeer and if I really liked it wait to buy a 160. Just wondering what you guys think about it.
 
I ran across a SK1050 rental unit with 200 hours today that the GM said could be had for about the same price as an SK 800, which is a little under $30k. The salesman wasn't there, but I will find out more details when I speak to him. Machine had joystick, electronic controls, Yanmar. Should I be interested in this? I went in looking at the smaller machines. Removals aren't my main thing, but I have been itching to hit the road and do some storm cleanup. I know the 1050 would be nice there.
 
Birdyman88 said:
I ran across a SK1050 rental unit with 200 hours today that the GM said could be had for about the same price as an SK 800, which is a little under $30k. The salesman wasn't there, but I will find out more details when I speak to him. Machine had joystick, electronic controls, Yanmar. Should I be interested in this? I went in looking at the smaller machines. Removals aren't my main thing, but I have been itching to hit the road and do some storm cleanup. I know the 1050 would be nice there.
Click to expand...
Yes. Just be aware that the joystick will be about 1k to switch out if you choose to.
 
Birdyman88 said:
I was wondering about that. The joystick was a little sensitive compared to the MT85 I drove after that, but I had no real complaints with it.
Click to expand...
I operated a big MT miniskid with a joystick for about 10 minutes in the field. Normally I operate dual controls on my sk650. It was awkward, for whatever reason.
 
colb said:
I operated a big MT miniskid with a joystick for about 10 minutes in the field. Normally I operate dual controls on my sk650. It was awkward, for whatever reason.
Click to expand...
I do not like the joysticks either. They are weird to back up and turn with. Also some of them can't counter rotate. That's a deal breaker for tight spots. The whole point of a mini skid is to be able to work in tight spots.
 
flushcut said:
I love joy sticks. But I bet using a new system is going to be awkward for a a good bit.
Click to expand...
I fully admit that the bulk of my awkwardness is due to not being used to the joysticks - I've only used them a handful of times. My experience is also colored by the fast reverse speed of the ditch witch units - I've never used a joystick on a ditch witch so it always feels really slow. Those inadequacies aside, I still seriously wonder if a joystick could really get that much better, partly since zero turning is apparently off the table. Zero turning is a big deal on crane day for me, and I know it's a big deal for guys with larger chippers. Kind of feel like a wheeled articulated unit is better for a joystick...
 
I'm thinking my next major purchase is probably going to be a new or newer mini as mine is a 2006 with 3k hrs on it. I will not be buying one unless I can get one with individual track control levers. I've spent quite a bit of time running joysticks. Still don't like it. I've been running twin sticks since 2002 on minis. I see zero reason to go away from them.

I was running an mt85 last week at a crane job that belongs to a friend. Its a nice machine but the joystick doesn't thrill me. I ran it for probably around an hour moving wood and raking up with it. I really want to try an sk1050 or sk1550. I might just keep my sk650 and get an sk1550 for something a bit larger. Wouldn't hurt to have a backup machine.
 
colb said:
I fully admit that the bulk of my awkwardness is due to not being used to the joysticks - I've only used them a handful of times. My experience is also colored by the fast reverse speed of the ditch witch units - I've never used a joystick on a ditch witch so it always feels really slow. Those inadequacies aside, I still seriously wonder if a joystick could really get that much better, partly since zero turning is apparently off the table. Zero turning is a big deal on crane day for me, and I know it's a big deal for guys with larger chippers. Kind of feel like a wheeled articulated unit is better for a joystick...
Click to expand...
I feel like I can zero turn with my Vermeer but it is not very often I get the opportunity. I'll try it out tomorrow before it gets loaded on a trailer.
 
I can 360 my dual stick sk800 in a 84” wide dump trailer without bumping the sides. Drop the bucket in the rear with the bmg then spin the mini and back the platform into the bucket, would need some serious finesse with a joystick to do it.
 
Well here's another chance for the new kanga's. They are being imported into the US again. Just came in the other day
 

Attachments

  • 20201009_122641_HDR.jpg
    20201009_122641_HDR.jpg
    480.3 KB · Views: 22
islandedge said:
Well here's another chance for the new kanga's. They are being imported into the US again. Just came in the other day
Click to expand...
Wow, that things looks like quite the machine! I’m not so sure I like it though, the tires, the vertical bucket tilt cylinder, and the lack of padding in the front of the operator station are all disqualifying issues for me. I do like how rugged it looks though, it certainly looks hard to break.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom