Ditchwitch sk1550

[Sfoppema]

Anybody running this? I've got an older 650, but thinking of demoing a 1550 and scooping one to have for another crew or just to have on a bigger job. Got inspired by @Serf Life !

 

[VenasNursery]

Anybody running this? I've got an older 650, but thinking of demoing a 1550 and scooping one to have for another crew or just to have on a bigger job. Got inspired by @Serf Life !

Definitely a game changer
im sad every time I have to take my Vermeer because my wife takes it for larger tree installs

the undercarriage is adequate for the weight of the machine so same impact on the lawn as my 650tx Vermeer
It carries 48”balls with 4”-5” trees no problem at fully raised arms
It impresses me still 7 months after purchasing

 

[Sfoppema]

That's awesome! Any issues with it at all? I've got a few attachments I'd like to run with my 650, but just don't think it will have the power to run them. A 1550 would. Plus I'm sure once you get on one you won't want to use a smaller one.... Any info or things to look out for with it?

 

[Crimsonking]

Keep the tracks clean. There are a couple hydraulic lines that can be compromised by built up debris. Also, the little rubber caps on the rollers come off somewhat easily, so have a few spares.

It doesn’t like long periods of idling, either (not a personal choice, but habit of the team I was with).

It’s a great machine: easy to maneuver, can handle more than you’d think, and has serious side-lean tolerance- more than any mini I’ve run.
It’s ripped 6” trees from the ground with just a mulch bucket. It’s moved a Bandit 1890 chipper on a sloped driveway. It’s climbed up and down slopes I wouldn’t dare send other machines on.

 

[Sfoppema]

Keep the tracks clean. There are a couple hydraulic lines that can be compromised by built up debris. Also, the little rubber caps on the rollers come off somewhat easily, so have a few spares.

It doesn’t like long periods of idling, either (not a personal choice, but habit of the team I was with).

It’s a great machine: easy to maneuver, can handle more than you’d think, and has serious side-lean tolerance- more than any mini I’ve run.
It’s ripped 6” trees from the ground with just a mulch bucket. It’s moved a Bandit 1890 chipper on a sloped driveway. It’s climbed up and down slopes I wouldn’t dare send other machines on.

Can you explain "It doesn't like long periods of idling"? Like what does it do when you leave it idling? and how long do you mean? If you leave it idling will it malfunction? What happens ? etc etc

Thanks very much for your input!

 

[Crimsonking]

We ran into an issue after it idled all day between runs (long story), and it hadn’t regen’ed in a while. I think running the regen did the trick, if memory serves (no promise there). All to say- Run it at high throttle when operating, and shut it down between uses. Obvious points, but not everyone operates that way.