Kubota SCL1000

Boomslang

Boomslang

Been here much more than a while
Location
The ether
So this is the year I think I'll start saving my body.

Looking around at articulated loaders (Avant and Giant), but damn they're expensive. I have a few options near me for mini skids; Bobcat, Ditch Witch, Vermeer, and just today came across the Kubota SCL1000.

They seem to be fairly new to market, so my Google-fu is not finding a lot of long term reviews. Has anyone here run one? I know Kubota makes a lot of the engines in other loaders and they seem reliable. Plus, their tractors are very popular around here with farmers and landscapers, but I'd like some real world experiences before pulling the trigger.

www.kubota.ca

SCL1000 Series Stand On Compact Loader | Kubota Canada

Meet the Kubota SCL1000: the compact stand-on track loader that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
www.kubota.ca www.kubota.ca
 
I’ve read some pretty bad reviews on their mini if I remember correctly it’s mostly the undercarriage

Idlers constantly going bad
Tracks come off continuously
Something about the tracks being designed to be closer together than other machines ( for flotation and for access through gates )

It’s their first generation of creating their own mini and this was 2-3 years ago when this machine was first released maybe they addressed their problems

Resale on them are not that good when see them used for sale and I don’t see many people using them
 
I have around 100 hours operating one of these. They are stout for their size, but riddled with computer problems. Also, grapple flow seems to be all or nothing, so it’s hard to finesse that control without powering down. I still think it’s a good machine, but I wouldn’t get one without a warranty and solid servicing dealer nearby.
 
If Bobcat is in your area, the MT100 is definitely worth a look. To me it seems like the focus of lots mini track loader comparisons is HP, lift capacity, and hydraulic flow. However the quality/feel of the controls are what matters the most in my view. MT100uses mechanical controls instead of pilot controls like the SCL1000. The auxiliary hydraulic control button on the Kubota sounded nice in theory, but it seems to eliminate feathering attachments like grapples. Drive them all and pick your favorite
 
Alec A. said:
If Bobcat is in your area, the MT100 is definitely worth a look. To me it seems like the focus of lots mini track loader comparisons is HP, lift capacity, and hydraulic flow. However the quality/feel of the controls are what matters the most in my view. MT100uses mechanical controls instead of pilot controls like the SCL1000. The auxiliary hydraulic control button on the Kubota sounded nice in theory, but it seems to eliminate feathering attachments like grapples. Drive them all and pick your favorite
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Bobcat is one of my local options. I'm tempted by the price of them (~$42,000 maple dollars), but I've heard not so great things about them. A lot of breakdowns and something about the mechanical track tensioner being shite.
 
Boomslang said:
Bobcat is one of my local options. I'm tempted by the price of them (~$42,000 maple dollars), but I've heard not so great things about them. A lot of breakdowns and something about the mechanical track tensioner being shite.
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Right on. I haven't heard the same other than people prefer the grease track tensioning of other machines compared to the mechanical tensioner on MT100. Mine was built during early COVID and had an internal hose break and a couple gauge related issues, I believe from being stored outside briefly in the PNWet. I have since moved it into my shop and haven't had any other problems. Sometimes it sits for a month if we are pruning a lot and it jumps right back in when called upon.

Are you in the branch manager or Vermeer/fixed style grapple camp? The speedy and smooth controls on the MT100 make for very efficient BMG operation. I've run Toro, Vermeer and a little bit of DW, but I prefer the Bobcat over those. And like you said, the price is attractive compared to the other brands. I would rather buy an Intrepid wheel loader for the money a Vermeer skid costs.
 
I've have had the mt100 since May of last year and have about 300 hrs on it. To date the only issues I've had has been a thrown track, which really isn't too hard to put back on if you have the tools available and just yesterday we had our first breakdown. Lost all power to the drive controls. Turned out to be a belt popped off. Loosen 4 bolts to remove the exhaust heat shroud, and line up the belt. Tensioner is spring loaded and could be released with the leverage of an axe handle.

I wouldn't recommend this regularly, but I have picked up and moved a 2500lb log with this machine despite the 1000lb rating. When I bought mine they offered o% APR at the dealer.

In the short time I have owned mine, I would recommend it. It's been great for me and a big improvement from the vermeer relic that I used to use.
 
Jehinten said:
I've have had the mt100 since May of last year and have about 300 hrs on it. To date the only issues I've had has been a thrown track, which really isn't too hard to put back on if you have the tools available and just yesterday we had our first breakdown. Lost all power to the drive controls. Turned out to be a belt popped off. Loosen 4 bolts to remove the exhaust heat shroud, and line up the belt. Tensioner is spring loaded and could be released with the leverage of an axe handle.

I wouldn't recommend this regularly, but I have picked up and moved a 2500lb log with this machine despite the 1000lb rating. When I bought mine they offered o% APR at the dealer.

In the short time I have owned mine, I would recommend it. It's been great for me and a big improvement from the vermeer relic that I used to use.
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I feel like I have cleared a 1000lbs with mine as well. I just try not to that often.
 
Jehinten said:
I've have had the mt100 since May of last year and have about 300 hrs on it. To date the only issues I've had has been a thrown track, which really isn't too hard to put back on if you have the tools available and just yesterday we had our first breakdown. Lost all power to the drive controls. Turned out to be a belt popped off. Loosen 4 bolts to remove the exhaust heat shroud, and line up the belt. Tensioner is spring loaded and could be released with the leverage of an axe handle.

I wouldn't recommend this regularly, but I have picked up and moved a 2500lb log with this machine despite the 1000lb rating. When I bought mine they offered o% APR at the dealer.

In the short time I have owned mine, I would recommend it. It's been great for me and a big improvement from the vermeer relic that I used to use.
Click to expand...
What were you doing with it when the belt popped off?
 
Alec A. said:
Right on. I haven't heard the same other than people prefer the grease track tensioning of other machines compared to the mechanical tensioner on MT100. Mine was built during early COVID and had an internal hose break and a couple gauge related issues, I believe from being stored outside briefly in the PNWet. I have since moved it into my shop and haven't had any other problems. Sometimes it sits for a month if we are pruning a lot and it jumps right back in when called upon.

Are you in the branch manager or Vermeer/fixed style grapple camp? The speedy and smooth controls on the MT100 make for very efficient BMG operation. I've run Toro, Vermeer and a little bit of DW, but I prefer the Bobcat over those. And like you said, the price is attractive compared to the other brands. I would rather buy an Intrepid wheel loader for the money a Vermeer skid costs.
Click to expand...
Just what I've "heard". I've also heard from other that have no issues. Probably like anything else it comes down to how it's used, maintenance, and some luck.

I'm definitely in the BMG camp and would prefer power rotate. The only other mini I've ever run was a SK1050. That was an impressive unit that didn't have much downtime. But they're also at the higher end of mini skids in terms of cost.
 
Alec A. said:
What were you doing with it when the belt popped off?
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It was one of the few times I wasn't personally running it. The operator who was is respectful of loader but not as smooth as I am. He's used to his vermeer articulating loader. So I don't think it was anything operator related.

All that said, we were doing storm work where the homeowner wanted the debris shoved off into the woods. At the time he was shoving some brush. Nothing obvious like sticks going into the engine compartment.
 
Boomslang said:
Just what I've "heard". I've also heard from other that have no issues. Probably like anything else it comes down to how it's used, maintenance, and some luck.

I'm definitely in the BMG camp and would prefer power rotate. The only other mini I've ever run was a SK1050. That was an impressive unit that didn't have much downtime. But they're also at the higher end of mini skids in terms of cost.
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I hear a lot of folks say they want a rotator BMG, but I think the knock around is a more fluid tool for feeding chippers or stack wood. Without a second auxiliary circuit, a electronic diverted valve is needed to switch between grabbing and rotating. Sounds clunky.
 
Alec A. said:
I hear a lot of folks say they want a rotator BMG, but I think the knock around is a more fluid tool for feeding chippers or stack wood. Without a second auxiliary circuit, a electronic diverted valve is needed to switch between grabbing and rotating. Sounds clunky.
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I've honestly never used the knock around style. Everything I ran before had power. I found it incredibly useful in tighter spaces and when loading wood into a dump trailer. The electronic diverter never bothered me because your rarely driving and grabbing at the same time.
 
Dual stick is very smooth esp going backwards which is a lot of the time. I can turn around and have one hand on the controls and the other free instead of both hands on the machine and craning the neck. I find it much more intuitive and also forgiving. We liked the ctx100 as it was a beast, but like the dual from the get go.
 
here’s my hot take on mini skids.
DW, Vermeer, bobcat in that order of best reviewed.
I’ve briefly toyed with a DW and I think it’s vastly superior to my Vermeer.

Regardless of the big three brands, ease of service dealers locally are a big thing. Bandit just axed the dealer I bought my machine from and now the dealer is a little slime ball and a long days round trip. No help from them unless I bring the machine in, including troubleshooting!

Dual sticks allow for independent track control like real tracked machine. My single joystick won’t put one track in reverse and the other in forward, so super tight turns drags a track. This not only is bigger impact on lawns but wears the shit out of them on pavements.

Also a high drive sprocket design keeps debris and crap away.

Also one thing that frustrates the shit outta me is lack of hydraulic float. Not really tree work related at all but for nearly anything else like grading it’s essential imo.

Other considerations is dual hydraulic attachment function. And or high flow/low flow. A must in my opinion. I installed a hydraulic winch on my grapple.

Then there are the maintenance wear items to consider, sprockets, idlers etc. my Vermeer eats idlers and one off they aren’t too bad but doing a whole set can set you back $3k usd in parts. DW claims superior design (and reviews backs this up).

I have no issues with the spring tensioner, typically tracks need to be tightened and rarely loosened unless you throw a track. Most thrown tracks are operator error, and then next common is worn sprockets/idlers. But they do happen, and the grease ones make a huge mess to back off tension.
I can put a track back on within 15 min tops. Use the hydraulics to push up the front of the machine as high as possible. Cut a few blocks of wood and push with a fiber glass pole as far back as possible. Let off the hydraulics and let the machine rest on the blocks and attachment.
Two 9/16 bolts to remove the cover plate and I think it’s a 1” bolt/spring tensioner. Not too bad with a ratchet but does kinda suck with a wrench as you can only turn about one flat at a time.
Sure grease can be easier but 1 you need the volume of grease on hand, 2 you have to purge the grease to slack off for getting the track back on/off. Probably not too bad in a shop or controlled environment, but a simple tool box is quick and easy.

My initial appeal for a wide track machine was the psi rating, mostly for soil compaction issues so I turned my nose up to wheels. Sure it comes into play with no loads but heavy loads shift COG to the front dramatically increasing the PSI. A few trips on the same path with kinda moist soil will leave ruts.
 
Serf Life said:
Anyone have current quotes to share? USD or CAD.
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In May I paid $42,911 after tax for the mt100. Wide track and I paid extra for the universal interface to use the attachments that I already had.

Those two options adds a little over $3,000 to the price. USD
 
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Best prices I have received so far. All Canadian dollars.

MT100 $42k+tax, which seems to be a real deal going by the above.
Kubota $52k+tax
Avant 528 $56k+tax
SK1550 w/ 500 hours $55k+tax, comes with extra wide bucket and pallet forks

Giant and Vermeer will get back to me early next week.
 
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