Ditch Witch sk3000 - a Beast!

[arborandearth]

I went down to the dealer to pick up some parts for my sk800, and to my great surprise, they had the new sk3000.

I took it for a test spin and was very impressed by a few things - it was a very smooth ride, extremely powerful, hreat lift height, and has incredible visibility. I think the visibility is my favorite thing about stand on equipment. Its is big though...footprint is the same as a standard skid.

I asked about the purchase price...I think he said 58 or 68k...can't remenember because I was too excited about operating the machine, fondling the joystick, and couldn't hear him over the purring of the engine.

While it isn't the right machine for our operation right now, it makes a lot of sense in the California climate and tree/landscape industry where we are on and off the machine and need improved visibility. We just do too much residential for that size. I guess I will have to get into lot clearing and larger landscapes.

If the economic forecast wasn't so questionable, it could have easily been a 'um honey moment - "Yeah, so I took the Ranger into the dealership to pick up an oil filter, and the weirdest thing happened. Somehow I came home with an F350...it was just too good to pass up."

 

[Merle Nelson]

First time I've seen your post Arborandearth, welcome to TreeBuzz. I'm over in Bodega Bay, I'll see you at a program or event some time.

Do you go to ArbFestWest?

 

[arborandearth]

First time I've seen your post Arborandearth, welcome to TreeBuzz. I'm over in Bodega Bay, I'll see you at a program or event some time.

Do you go to ArbFestWest?

I went by the name Norcal Brock before I changed email servers and lost my password, and I had posted a bunch. I think I actually met you at a Tree Stuff event in Bodega Bay hosted by Chad from from A Plus and Pfannerman was there as well.

I have gone to ArbfestWest but didnt go last year.

Did you ever get a Switch N Go?

 

[Merle Nelson]

Ahh, now I understand. Yep I remember meeting you.

No switch n go. I went with a hooklift on a Ram 5500.

 

[Fivepoints]

I need a full sized skid steer and I've been wanting to buy a larger mini than our sk650. It's a 2006 model that we still use daily. It's getting kinda long in the tooth to be our only loader. We sure miss it when it breaks down. We also need to move larger logs than it can handle. Just yesterday we were rolling some 4 ft silver maple across a yard with it so we could load them into our grapple truck. This sk3000 might just be the ticket. One thing I really don't like about regular full sized skids are the rear visibility sucks. That price tag at 58k or 68k is kinda hard to swallow. I was planning on buying a used late model full sized tracked machine towards the end of this year or next year.

 

[arborandearth]

That price tag at 58k or 68k is kinda hard to swallow. I was planning on buying a used late model full sized tracked machine towards the end of this year or next year.

If you can buy one used, an Avant or Giant maybe? The other thing about the sk3000 is it is the first gen and largest machine Ditchwitch has put out. Always seems that, regardless of manufacturer, first gen machines have unique mechanical issues.

 

[Sfoppema]

Just picked up a leftover 1050. It really is like a Cadillac compared to the old trusty 650. Picks up a lot more has a lot more power same width but like 4 inches longer. The 1550 and or the 3000 are serious machines but overkill for typical residential day to day imo. Got 0 down 0 interest 48 months. Was like 38k with branch manager and bucket 1 year parts and labor warranty. Couldn't say no..... Been nice having both.