Ditch Witch 650?

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the DW is a phenomenal machine. Built like a tank. In fact, if I HAD to find a negative, it's that it's a little on the heavy side at 2600 lbs. Based on asking around and some online research, it seems like the Vermeer 650 and 800 and the newer high end Boxers were basically developed specifically to compete with it. Have read several accounts of how the Vermeer 600 was not in the same league. (Including on treebuzz by Olddirty)With that 33 hp Kubota it's seriously close to a small full size Bobcat in power. I have bowed the back wall of our dirt bin with it because it will dig into the dirt pile... and just keep on pushing.
I'm sure the newer competitive machines are nice too, but it'd be hard to go wrong with a DW.
 
I own a DW 650 and it has been both a game-changer and back saver for sure. Not sure how it compares to other competitors models, but I can say that I very rarely need to operate it above 1/2 - 2/3 throttle. More than enough power.
Wish the ground clearance was a little higher, (eg. the hyd. drive motor guards at the rear sprockets)
Throttle cable broke. PITA to replace. Pesky minor hydraulic leak somewhere that continues to elude me. One of the three capscrews on the joystick control (under the grease-filled protective rubber boot) occasionally loosens (a date with Loctite is in it's future) and is also a minor PITA to fix.
Real lawn-friendly "turf" tracks would be nice as well. Need to research that one further.
I have close to 400 hours on mine now, with zero buyer's remorse.
The joystick track controls on the Vermeer are s'posed to be better than the independent track controls on the DW. I dunno. I find the controls on the DW very intuitive and responsive.
 
We own one and absolutely love it. I believe you are pretty close to me. If you want to come up to our shop and move some wood around and try it out you are more then welcome to. We also run ours with the bmg
 
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