MINI SKID STEERS

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Frans, could you embelish that list? I'd like to know who's got the various traits.

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Yea, I am sorry that Dave Norgaard has not chosen to rise to the challange of highlighting the various qualites of what is out there in the mini-skid market by not saying ANYTHING about the other models.

You might want to check out the Boxer line up:

cpiequipment.com

I object to Dave Norgaard's shamless statement that, and I quote,: "The Thomas 35DT, 25hp Kubota diesel track. This is the cadillac of the mini Stand ons"

Just reading the specs. on the boxer blows the Thomas out of the competition. Goes through a narrower gate, has more power, lifts higher, etc, etc,. So why say that the Thomas is the "cadillac" of all mini-skids? Why not say that this Thomas model is the cadillac of the Thomas line?

The Thomas IS NOT the 'cadillac' of the mini Stand ons. It is only one of many stand ons in the market today and the Thomas, while a good unit, does not do what other units will do.

I get very annoyed at salespeople who just push their own financial interest to the disadvantange of the person who is trying to make an educated decision... At the same time I know that Dave Norgaard is a sponser of this site, so.... I guess he can do what he wants.

Frans
 
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I get very annoyed at salespeople who just push their own financial interest to the disadvantange of the person who is trying to make an educated decision... At the same time I know that Dave Norgaard is a sponser of this site, so.... I guess he can do what he wants.

Frans

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Ouch That wasn't very nice
/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif dude I'm a slow typer mangoes was first /forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif

You must have a high opinion of cadillac /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dave
 
How about posting specs to compare?

Rather than starting a spat, show value.

When I look for anything to buy, price isn't where I start. To begin, I want to know how X compares to Y. What makes Z so much more expensive? After gathering data I can make a value decision. If I did lots of small-access jobs it would be worth the extra money to have a narrow machine. If not, maybe a faster machine would be more important.
 
Man I couldn't sleep last night, after Frans blasted me. I have been meaning to post A chart of all the comparisons, 1 I thought this thread died and two when I copied it it game over funky lets say. So at the risk of you guys thinking its Junk here go's. It lists alot of the big skids also, but if you look close you will see Hyd flow, HP all that good stuff just didn't have time to clean it up -- lots of machine information. /forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif

EDIT My List sucked glens you the man
 
TNT, I appreciate your input. I know the idea that I drew is a bit more restrictive, but I think that 3-4 foot chunks (if the machine could curl the weight) would travel nicer in a vertical position.

I found a local dealer that can get me a Valby GR36 for a good price. I was wondering your thoughts on it as an alternative, especially considering the set up I already have in the pic.
 

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Cool, I used to run that same rig years ago on my swinger. It was so light compared to my bucket grapple, I could pick much larger logs. Very nice looking boom looks like it telescopes? I bet you find 90% of the time you can put those Tongs right where you need it, no handling or rotator needed. /forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif

The Swedish Valby looks like a well made grapple, havn't ever touched one though. The 36" opening will only limit you on bigger logs and brush piles, when you go up one size to there 50" It gets to heavy at 210#s without a hanger. (for a mini I think)

So you are not going to hang it out on the end of your boom, you want to mount it under those triangular gusset plates?
When you say curling it up are you going to ridgid mount it? or have a universal swivel of some kind?
Part of stability in your ride depends on where your lift arms are, when you mount low your arms have to be high for travel clearance you lose stability and lift hieght. that is why my design has the goofy looking goose neck design so you get travel clearance but your arms remain low, simple enough design to copy. But it costs you in gained weight. /forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Thanks for all the valuable new information, everybody.
I am personally convinced that a mini would be an asset, especially with my small operation. Let me tell you, hauling material from the back yard to the front gets mighty old. Of course there never seems to be a lack of young bucks ready to prove themselves...
Frans
 
A buddy who is pretty good with a plasma cutter and mig welder helped me make that on a Sat afternoon a few week ago. That was the first time it got used. A voyage of discovery.
-height of lift is limited
-degree of curl is limited
-not enough curl on some loads to balance off the bottom

I could hang the Valby similar to yours. The plate is set up like a trailer hitch, square tubing same diameter as what is attatched to the frame, reciever sized tubing slides in. We made a short stinger and a 7' stinger. The hook is welded to a shorty of the larger tubing to allow one to slide the hook any where along the length of the stinger. It's held in place by friction bolts. If I got the valby i'd just make a dedicated stinger with a swivel and u joint.

But the other idea mentioned earlier is to bolt the valby (or whatever grapple i end up with) directly to the quick attatch plate, parallel to the ground.
 
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But the other idea mentioned earlier is to bolt the valby (or whatever grapple i end up with) directly to the quick attatch plate, parallel to the ground.

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They don't curl back very much do they? It will work bolted solid to the plate and you will save a lot of wieght, But you will put alot of stress on your grapple tines. Probably work well with wood chunks, but it will really limit you when loading a chipper or dragging long leads or brush piles around corners, I don't know what the real advantages would be of that kind of design. and your arms are still high
 
Well . . . I guess that chipper probably does prefers hand feeding. The minis might be a little to macho to be caught feeding that baby. /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I understand where you are coming from Frans with the whole "salesman" attitude thing, but I think Dave is being honest here. He has other minis available, but chose the Thomas for his own company and told ytou why. Sounds fair enough to me. Just a perspective that's all.
 
Mangoes:

You and a friend built that skidding tong loader on a Saturday?! Wow, that's impressive. How much was the raw materials? I have been wondering about making something like that, but you got 'er done! Good job.
 
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