Mini loader vs mini skid

djm

djm

Participating member
Location
Seacoast NH
My guys came back from New England grows talking about an avant wheeled loader. Turf tires 40" wide and can lift over the bed of an 8' truck. I was hot for a mini skid steer but we are all concerned about turf damage and they can't lift very high. Thoughts?
 
The Avant 420 is diesel and runs about $24k through us. (2% forum discount through me).

The 420 won't lift as much as the big minis, but it will lift higher than them all as well as drive faster. The controls are ok, better than most minis. The telescopic feature also allows you to boom small loads out like a telehandler.

We (Top Notch Equipment) were the first dealer for the new Avant line in America and bought the first 420.

Here's a video I made comparing it to the Gehl AL140. My personal preference is for the 140, but the 420 and 500 series is small enough to fit sideways on a trailer and still be legal width.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsGEsJLiHg4


The Chinese knockoff of the AL140 isn't very impressive in person, nor was their salesperson at TCIA. A base model AL140 can be had for $26.5k through me with the forum discount.
 
I own a AL140 with duals.

I debated between the 140 and the new Ditch Witch sk755 and was having a tough time deciding what to get. I pin pointed down what aspects that I really wanted in a machine, it had to be able to deal with wet ground, fast travel speed, and lift capacity. I am so glad I bought the 140, I kept my boxer thinking that I might use it and I haven't touched it in a few weeks. It has probably only gone on 1-2 jobs since I got my 140 in August. The only thing I am keeping my boxer for is when I split crews we can each have a forwarder.

The Gehl knockoff is highly embarrassing, I wouldn't even consider it. It looks like a very cheap version of it. (I saw it and looked at it at TCIA)
 
Ya those non name brand articulating loader looks cheap as hell in person. No way. Gehl or avant, talk to carl.
 
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Ya those non name brand articulating loader looks cheap as hell in person. No way. Gehl or avant, talk to carl.

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I agree completely. However, I bought a larger articulating loader last summer. Spotted it on the side of the highway. For Sale. In size it compares to a gehl 540 (I think). Wilmar Manufacturing Wrangler 1992. Did some searching on it not much came up. Although they are still made today. What concerned me the most was the engine. After all the great thing about these loaders is you can break it down to engine and hydraulics. John Deere diesel, hours on machine weren't that bad for a 92. Talked with our diesel guy and another that knows engines. He looked it over with me and said it was solid. 7 grand later we have a perfect machine for that big nasty removal.
That being said is it not the engine that is in it the most important part? The avant is made over seas. What isn't these days.
 
Engine yes.

But think bearings, hydro cylinders, pumps, wheel motors, steel. Parts? Resale?

They just look like a kids toy, fit and finish wise.
 
The Avants use Kubota diesels, same as my Mustang/Takeuchi track loader and my Kubota excavator.

A loader is the sum of its parts. On my track loader, replacing the undercarriage parts costs twice as much as the 98hp engine.

Tall littleneck had an awesome sales guy, in my opinion!
biggrin.gif
 
DJM,
A note on turf damage. I bought a Boxer mini 320 last summer and I was mortified at the turf damage it is capable of. I came up with a pretty neat solution though. I had some BF goodrich barn stall mats kicking around. they are 3/4 thick and I bout 16ft long. 3 ft wide. I can roll them up, ratchet strap them and load them into the truck, oh have the BMG as well. Heavy as hell, but a pretty effective mini highway...that the machine can move itself
Just a note on property protection. I have been really happy with the mini. It is a neat tool!
 
I'm also going through the same thought process to fill a void where our full size skid loaders can't go. My biggest issue with the mini skid is turf damage. We currently run the full size type skid loader asv rc50 green tracks which are awesome on the turf and pick up a heavy load, yet the minis I've seen pick up a fraction of the asv combined with turf damage I can't see myself to buying a mini unless it had smooth tracks like the asv. Ditch witch sk750 offer a more turf friendly track as an option but I don't think it's very turf friendly cause the tracks aren't exactly smooth. For that reason I'm leaning towards an articulating loader such as the 420, 140 or zahn. I need to setup a demo of each. Anyone, with the sk750 or 650 has the less aggressive tracks and care to comment?
 
[ QUOTE ]
The Avant 420 is diesel and runs about $24k through us. (2% forum discount through me).

The 420 won't lift as much as the big minis, but it will lift higher than them all as well as drive faster. The controls are ok, better than most minis. The telescopic feature also allows you to boom small loads out like a telehandler.

We (Top Notch Equipment) were the first dealer for the new Avant line in America and bought the first 420.

Here's a video I made comparing it to the Gehl AL140. My personal preference is for the 140, but the 420 and 500 series is small enough to fit sideways on a trailer and still be legal width.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsGEsJLiHg4

link went bad.
The Chinese knockoff of the AL140 isn't very impressive in person, nor was their salesperson at TCIA. A base model AL140 can be had for $26.5k through me with the forum discount.

[/ QUOTE ]
 
The link works for me!

If you are looking to buy a mini loader I wouldn't even consider buying a machine anywhere else other than from Carl and Dave at Top Notch. I dealt with Carl when I bought my Gehl and it went very smooth and has stood by the machine every second of the process. He will also make sure that you are satisfied and fully happy with your machine.

Besides the awesome service, they also make a great grapple. The branch manager has made me so much money that I would not even do tree work with out a loader and a grapple. With their grapple you can also get a set of scoops and a broom. The broom will clean up the bulk out of a yard very quickly and will save so much time when having to deal with the mess after the brush and logs are removed from the area.
 
Sorry Carl. First links goes "unavailable" and second link is stopping every few seconds. Do look the same though.
 
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