Avant 528 vs cast 33d

[Brando CalPankian]

We have a big Kubota tractor with the winch and grapple along with other attachments. It comes out on jobs a few times a year and the rest of the time we use it on our farm. Hindsight being what it is, I would’ve likely bought a smaller tractor and a larger Avant.

A larger avant. What size do you have now??

 

[RyanCafferky]

A larger avant. What size do you have now??

528. Want a 700 series.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

528. Want a 700 series.

I've been looking at the 528. Why a 700?

 

[96coal449]

I've been looking at the 528. Why a 700?

I would imagine for the larger weight capacity. If one can have both, it's a great duo. Perfect combo for big jobs with huge trees and enough guys to keep it moving.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

I would imagine for the larger weight capacity. If one can have both, it's a great duo. Perfect combo for big jobs with huge trees and enough guys to keep it moving.

I'm probably going to have to take a day and demo them all. I worry about the "bigger foot print" being an issue but rarely is that the issue. Capacity more times than not is the crux.

If I need something smaller I'll just get a Chinese mini skid, lol. Just kidding

 

[Treetopflyer]

I'm probably going to have to take a day and demo them all. I worry about the "bigger foot print" being an issue but rarely is that the issue. Capacity more times than not is the crux.

If I need something smaller I'll just get a Chinese mini skid, lol. Just kidding

If your not tootight on space look at the 7 series
it’s not much larger spec footprint , but you gain near around +1k in lift capacity I believe.
you go from 50k in a five series plus to 80k $ in that jump though as well thereabouts
for brand new with attachment grapple say and bucket maybe more
you could pick up a 735 for less than 755 or 760
it has 26 hp kubota vs. the 57 hp kohler on the other two bigger
if your not running heavy duty attachments and just want the lift capacity and can go slower the 735 is more economical and would run a grapple just fine. may lug up a slope and be slow but slow is better in most our sites

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Giant is no longer sold by top notch, so the closest dealer is in Brandon (north of Alexandria, an extra couple of hours away).

Being new to dealer support, is it a detriment to have your dealer support that much further away?

 

[VenasNursery]

I drive my chipper to Morbark factory which is 3 hours away because it’s probably the best service I’ve ever seen.
(Morbark problems not engine problems)

My RV is the same roughly 3 hours away for awesome service also and have 4 choices within 45 minutes away.

Service is one of the most important thing when purchasing anything.

 

[RyanCafferky]

I would imagine for the larger weight capacity. If one can have both, it's a great duo. Perfect combo for big jobs with huge trees and enough guys to keep it moving.

Exactly. I had an opportunity to get a 755 a year ago for a big discount off retail but didn’t go through with it because I couldn’t trade in my 528.

 

[XTREEC]

Another vote for Avant. There are some FB groups that are very helpful for hiccups if you’re not going to a dealer. They make adapter plates Avant to Skid steer

 

[Brando CalPankian]

I drive my chipper to Morbark factory which is 3 hours away because it’s probably the best service I’ve ever seen.
(Morbark problems not engine problems)

My RV is the same roughly 3 hours away for awesome service also and have 4 choices within 45 minutes away.

Service is one of the most important thing when purchasing anything.

That's good to know. I would rather be taken care of than choose the wrong dealer who's close.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Another vote for Avant. There are some FB groups that are very helpful for hiccups if you’re not going to a dealer. They make adapter plates Avant to Skid steer

Good to know. Hadn't thought of FB support. The CMC FB is pretty helpful.

 

[Boomslang]

Parts are more important than service IMO. Lots of guys can turn a wrench. What I need is readily available parts, not 2-3 weeks (maybe).

 

[VenasNursery]

Parts are more important than service IMO. Lots of guys can turn a wrench. What I need is readily available parts, not 2-3 weeks (maybe).

Shouldn’t a good service shop stock most parts?

 

[Boomslang]

Shouldn’t a good service shop stock most parts?

You'd think so, but a lot of places are JUST shops and order parts as needed.

 

[ATH]

I've been looking too.

I "think" I like the rear seated units better than the rear swinging units. But if you are buying from a Bobcat dealer, why not the Bobcat L23?

The Giant has a lot of mention above.
Intrepid has been mentioned once or twice. Regarding support, they keep a full supply overnight all parts.
I haven't seen much mention in tree care and not sure why...they seem to have similar specs:
*New Holland ML12
*Case SL12

(higher priced look to Wacker Neuson or Mecalac)

 

[Brando CalPankian]

I did a lot of digging and calling. Our avant dealer was able to do a demo on a 528 and has stellar service and a field service division.

We got a 755i with lots of attachments. We figured one common thing with our tractor has been low capacity. This thing lifts everything now. And it's high flow so we can run bigger implements (i.e forestry mulcher).

Pretty impressed. I can see how it'd be easy to hurt the machine with an inexperienced operator due to the plastic. However, it's a smooth machine. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Blown away at what it will do.

 

[Treetopflyer]

Congratulations!

 

[Treetopflyer]

From our experience usually brush piles are the culprit to have chance at hitting the machine. But with how long that boom extends on 755 you should have no problem keeping the load far enough away to not not damage the unit. Great choice , tons of capacity for the size overall!

 

[Brando CalPankian]

From our experience usually brush piles are the culprit to have chance at hitting the machine. But with how long that boom extends on 755 you should have no problem keeping the load far enough away to not not damage the unit. Great choice , tons of capacity for the size overall!

My thoughts exactly. The extendo boom came in handy today pulling logs off the edge of a driveway.