Mini Skids

wyoclimber · Sep 8, 2014

I'm looking into Mini Skids. From what I've seen I'm thinking the big Boxer or Vermeer. Anyone have any experience with them? I may end up looking at a Dingo as well, a lot smaller but I might have a line on a well maintained one for a decent price.

Mark13y · Sep 8, 2014

Boxers are sweet, go with the bigger one (540?) and a branch manager and your set. I hate vermeers of any type, heard good things about the dingo but haven't personally ran one.

jim454 · Sep 8, 2014

I like the Dingo wheeled mini. I'm on my 3rd one since '98. The controls are a bit awkward but they're still a good little machine. The big selling point for me was the coupler that attaches the pump to the crank. Toro uses a rubber dampener that takes the jarring from the connection. That means you won't have to pull the pump from the motor every 400 or so hours to grease and inspect the coupler ans shaft. That and Toro is a company that's been around for years and stands behind their product. At least that's been my experience.

Lumberjack · Sep 8, 2014

I'm (Top Notch Equipment) running a sale on Boxer 532DXs with a BMG for $24.5k plus shipping (or pickup).

Informal Boxer 532DX Walk Around
http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/boxer-mini-skid-sale.27324/

Baja Mike · Sep 12, 2014

Look at the ditch witch I bought the sk 755 and love it
I am pretty sure it has the highest lift and capacity it is amazing what you can do with that after a few hours on the controls.I have had it for 13 months now and am still amazed at its capabilities.

KYAPLE · Sep 12, 2014

We have the Vermeer s800tx. We love it! its our first/only one so we don't have anything to compare it too but its awesome. The only change we did was we went with a Ryan's Equipment grapple instead of the Vermeer one. (full 360 degrees hydraulic rotation) We have had no problems with it to date, but I should say that I work for a small residential company (5 guys in the field) so its not used everyday. We have had it for 9 months now and just hit 100 hrs. We love it no question. They can make you a cowboy and possibly lazy(personal experience) but either way good luck with your decision and keep us posted on what you go with!
Kieran

marlinspiker · Sep 13, 2014

The controls on the Boxer are terrible and carpral tunnel inducing. Get a ditch witch 755. We have one and love it

wyoclimber · Sep 13, 2014

Hmm. I think I'm gonna have to figure out a way to test drive a few. Not in a huge hurry anyway, I don't feel like adding a payment right before winter so I don't think it's going to happen before spring. Anyone know of any good equipment dealers in Denver who might let me play around on some?

Oroboros · Sep 13, 2014

Here's an idea. Buy yourself a grapple first. Rent different machines to try and buy the kind you like. Or get the dealers to let you demo them.

wyoclimber · Sep 13, 2014

Not much selection to try out here in rural Wyoming. In fact, I think the Bobcat dealer is the only place I've even seen a mini skid. Not a bad idea though, maybe I can talk the local tractor supply/saw shop into carrying some to rent. They like me there, I've spent $5000 on saws this summer so they'd better.

Oroboros · Sep 13, 2014

You can't go wrong with a ditch witch diesel. Find a low hour sk650. You will love it.

flyingsquirrel25 · Sep 13, 2014

It sounds to me like you are going to want to start with the Bobcat version first (heard good things about the MT55). Otherwise you may be traveling a long way for service if you have a problem. If you do find a place that you can demo them, drive around on different surfaces (pavemnt, grass, gravel ect.) to find out how they handle it and how the surface handles the machine. They sure are nice to have. Good luck

Lumberjack · Sep 13, 2014

One thing to consider is Bobcat uses a different plate than the rest of the minis. It's the same as the Gehl AL140.

Mangoes · Sep 13, 2014

Anyone done a cost-benefit analysis and/or Return on Investment review?

I sold mine after 5 years and gave up on the principle.

ROI was easy to figure out, but cost benefit analysis was more abstract, and didn't prove viability. Quick issues:
- lawn damage
- extra assets required to function the machine: trailer, tow vehicle, peripheral fuel cost
- lawn damage
- lawn damage mitigation costs: plywood/mats
- training and competency obligations (P&P required for each machine or process, for those that care to adhere to regs) and the costs associated with implementing
- lawn damage

I got really bored with being accountable for lawn landscape damages I didn't perform.

marlinspiker · Sep 13, 2014

you can address lawn damage in your terms and conditions. I find our does fine on lawns if turning points are mitigated with matts. how bout the effects of not having one.
-repetitive stress injury
-back injury
-back injury

TreeLogic · Sep 13, 2014

What machine did you have Mangoes?

wyoclimber · Sep 13, 2014

In my area firewood is high value. I'd also like to move into minimizing waste by doing reclamation projects with anything I can. Making a big wooden trough sink out of Elm right now and I've done Russian Olive bookcases in the past. Once you get into that, I don't see how I can avoid having a skid and a dump trailer. The mini skid is really a starting point to allow me to move larger pieces of wood easier. Eventually I'll likely move to a full sized skid steer but I figure, one step at a time.

flyingsquirrel25 · Sep 13, 2014

Mangoes said:
Anyone done a cost-benefit analysis and/or Return on Investment review?

I sold mine after 5 years and gave up on the principle.

ROI was easy to figure out, but cost benefit analysis was more abstract, and didn't prove viability. Quick issues:
- lawn damage
- extra assets required to function the machine: trailer, tow vehicle, peripheral fuel cost
- lawn damage
- lawn damage mitigation costs: plywood/mats
- training and competency obligations (P&P required for each machine or process, for those that care to adhere to regs) and the costs associated with implementing
- lawn damage

I got really bored with being accountable for lawn landscape damages I didn't perform.

Lawn damage is a huge concern for me as well. I pride myself and sell my work on the quality of the job and what the property looks like when I am complete. One of my big concerns is leaving ruts on someones lawn with my truck. My mini skid allows me to park my truck on the pavement, haul the brush to the street and feed the chipper off pavement. I will say I just purchased a few mats for those areas where I need to turn on grass.

My return on investment review; I purchased a used unit in my second quarter because of work load and being behind on getting the work done and net income (work was there just couldnt get to it). I just began my fourth quarter and I have already surpassed net income for my entire year last year, and I am only caring a 4 week back log vs. the 8 week I had in May (less people turning away due to the back log as well).
My conclusion... Great purchase, thanks to BrendonV and SuperK.

brendonv · Sep 13, 2014

Mangoes said:
Anyone done a cost-benefit analysis and/or Return on Investment review?

I sold mine after 5 years and gave up on the principle.

ROI was easy to figure out, but cost benefit analysis was more abstract, and didn't prove viability. Quick issues:
- lawn damage
- extra assets required to function the machine: trailer, tow vehicle, peripheral fuel cost
- lawn damage
- lawn damage mitigation costs: plywood/mats
- training and competency obligations (P&P required for each machine or process, for those that care to adhere to regs) and the costs associated with implementing
- lawn damage

I got really bored with being accountable for lawn landscape damages I didn't perform.

Maybe get better operators? Ive never had a complaint, or have had to fix lawn damage in seven years operating a mini skid. Trailers are not nessesary, in seven years my two minis have been on a trailer a total of a less than a dozen times. Fuel...diesel burns about $2 an hour at full throttle which is unessesary for tree operations. So fuel costs for the day, because we are not equipment operators, is probably $10. Everyones circumstances are different though. I know i cant, and havent lifted rounds of wood in a long long time. Our logs leave jobsites in nine foot + lengths.