Hi Treebuzz folks,
I'm in need of a chip truck, probably a 1.5 ton. I'm in Maine, but would consider trucks on the east coast or Midwest. I'm most interested in years 2004 through 2010. I prefer diesel and 4x4.
Treeline, how has your SK 752 been for you this year? I bought an SK 750 in February, and it's amazing how much we've used it. A mini gets tree work done like nothing else. The BMG lets you drag a log past obstacles like you have it on a leash. And place the logs with precision in the truck of...
They gave me a quote on the sk 850 too. $29,990. It has a 37 HP Yanmar engine, has a digital screen, and has to go into re-gen mode every so often to burn off the carbon. I would worry about glitches and screw ups with that fancy technology. The guy said the extra HP mostly helps if you're...
Mike, the SK 750 that I demoed has a Kubota D1105-E 25HP engine, that is tier 4. They took out the turbo to make it tier 4 compliant....if it had turbo it would be 31HP like the SK 650. This option is available on the 750 in Europe....go figure! But, it still seems to have a ton of muscle. Jesco...
I just demoed the Ditch Witch SK 750 last week. Sweeeet! I used it on a job and filled my dump trailer with pine logs in a half hour. I think I'm already getting good with the BMG grapple. I was amazed at how easy it is to maneuver this machine. You guys were right, just rest you hand on the two...
Where does ballast go on the mini? I just talked with a salesman from the Shrewsbury, MA dealership and he mentioned that the SK 755 isn't made anymore, it's been replaced by the SK 850. The specs I've looked at say that the SK 750, which is still being made, has an optional 31 hp Kubota. That's...
Yeah, few machines are actually EASY to work on. Possible is the best we can ask for. For winter starting, do the sk-650 and 755 have a block heater so you can plug it in over night?
Pelorus and Mike,
Thanks for describing the controls. Yeah, it sounds like the joystick or the dual levers would both work well. I'm considering a Ditch Witch or a Vermeer mini, and I'm trying to weigh the features of the machines, and their reputation. How has reliability and service been with...
Mike, with your SK 755 is it easy to control your tracks while you use your grapple? I think you have two side by side levers for the tracks...can you use them with one hand?
Glad to hear it's turned out to be a great truck. I see a lot of tow trucks that are that model, so I'm not surprised to hear you say it has good power. My chevy 1-ton will be 20 years old next year, so I'm always thinking about the next step. Put in a new power steering pump with the help of a...
I think both brands have year models that are better than others. I used a 1995 Bandit 250 last week. We chipped a half acre of 12" white pine...opening a water view, and leaving the oaks. The chipper was amazing. Burned through the logs with the engine pausing only now and then to catch up. It...
I'm pretty sure that the Ditch Witch 750 and 650 have a foot pedal too to control the hydraulics. Royce, are the track control levers on your Dingo similar to a Ditch Witch....one for each track? Are you able to drive it with one hand?
How reliable has your Ditch Witch been? What type of repairs or problems have you had? I'm wondering about the hand controls: on your DW do you need to use both hands to run the tracks? How does that work out when you're using the BMG...does it require two hands as well?