Mini Skids

treeandland said:
TNT, I'm impressed with the Avant, but that machine isn't in my price range. I can afford a used tracked mini skid steer, and I think I've narrowed it down to Ditch Witch or Vermeer. The 650 model from both brands are about the same weight I think. Which of the two machines would you buy, and which would perform better with the BMG?
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Hey, Vermeer Northeast out of Hopkinton MA has a used Vermeer 650 for 18,000. Looks like a really nice machine and the price seams fair. Just an FYI. It is listed on there web-site.
 
Ditch Witch all the way
I have an sk 755 and it is incredible
I have 800 hrs of time on it
I have the bmg and it's awesome I pick up large limbs and stacks off small ones as well
I bought an extra set of small tracks to narrow it up and have not and will not put them on
Because I fit in most spots with the 9" tracks
I will just take a section of fence down rarely if needed
And I work in suburbia
 
Baja Mike said:
Ditch Witch all the way .......
I bought an extra set of small tracks to narrow it up and have not and will not put them on
Because I fit in most spots with the 9" tracks
I will just take a section of fence down rarely if needed
And I work in suburbia
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Totally agree about wide tracks. I used to think 36" width was soooooo necessary. Not so. Our machine is 42" wide and I can think of 2 trees we couldn't reach in the past 2 years. On those, just cut wood loader size, use arbor trolley to move it to gate, lift over fence, problem solved.
 
ROYCE said:
Hey, Vermeer Northeast out of Hopkinton MA has a used Vermeer 650 for 18,000. Looks like a really nice machine and the price seams fair. Just an FYI. It is listed on there web-site.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this info Royce, I'll check it out. I've been impressed with the selection of used minis on Machinerytrader.com Does anyone have experience with them?
 
Bucknut said:
Totally agree about wide tracks. I used to think 36" width was soooooo necessary. Not so. Our machine is 42" wide and I can think of 2 trees we couldn't reach in the past 2 years. On those, just cut wood loader size, use arbor trolley to move it to gate, lift over fence, problem solved.
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What type of mini do you have, Bucknut? I'm going to be shopping for one this winter. That makes sense that you can just bring the logs to the gate and lift them over...I bet using a log-right log arch would be a practical way to move them when needed.
 
Baja Mike said:
Ditch Witch all the way
I have an sk 755 and it is incredible
I have 800 hrs of time on it
I have the bmg and it's awesome I pick up large limbs and stacks off small ones as well
I bought an extra set of small tracks to narrow it up and have not and will not put them on
Because I fit in most spots with the 9" tracks
I will just take a section of fence down rarely if needed
And I work in suburbia
Click to expand...
How reliable has your Ditch Witch been? What type of repairs or problems have you had? I'm wondering about the hand controls: on your DW do you need to use both hands to run the tracks? How does that work out when you're using the BMG...does it require two hands as well?
 
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"Kiss My Axe"
Associate degree in forestry from PSU Mont Alto
Certified Arborist
Owner/operator of Climb High Tree Service established in 2002
www.climbhightree.com
https://m.facebook.com/ClimbHighTreeService
https://www.youtube.com/user/climbhightree
https://www.youtube.com/user/2treekiller2
 
treeandland said:
How long have you had the SK650, and do you recommend that model?
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Only had it for 2 years, approx 300 hours. No problems whatsoever. Not even a slipped track. Starts and operates like it did on day one.

Do I recommend it? Yes. Built like a tank, super strong. If you find a good used one, buy it. (They aren't made anymore). That said, if I was looking new I'd get an articulated, or "settle" for one of the upgraded models. The only drawback of the 650 for me is the potential lawn damage if you drive carelessly. The newer tracked DW and Vermeers have design improvements like the elevated drive sprocket and internal drive motors.

Some people knock them but to me the drive controls are fine. Simple and intuitive, all done with left hand/palm. But I don't operate a BMG so I can't comment on that. Side note: I see the appeal of Vermeers single joystick control, but having true independent control of each track can be handy. With Vermeer hydro power is routed thru a diverter to the drive motors. Fine under most circumstances. But if you get the right undercarriage hung up on a stump you can't operate just the left side like the DW. Just a thought.
 
Bucknut said:
;);)
Dude, why would you crush someone's car like that?;)
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Storm crushed it.

But I did add my own dent right after that picture

Log slipped out of the grapple when I was lifting it out.

"Kiss My Axe"
Associate degree in forestry from PSU Mont Alto
Certified Arborist
Owner/operator of Climb High Tree Service established in 2002
www.climbhightree.com
https://m.facebook.com/ClimbHighTreeService
https://www.youtube.com/user/climbhightree
https://www.youtube.com/user/2treekiller2
 
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Have you looked at the new Toro Dingo TX1000? I demo'd it at the Kentucky expo and was very impressed. I have been using a Toro diesel 525 the last couple of years, and was looking for a bigger, better built machine. The new improvements are that they now have an operator station, radiator is moved to the back of machine, electronic T-handle for the drive system(Yeah!), improved track design, higher lift height, increased lift capacity, and faster forward and reverse speeds. They are pricey though, MSRP at around 32K.
 
OasisTree said:
Have you looked at the new Toro Dingo TX1000? I demo'd it at the Kentucky expo and was very impressed. I have been using a Toro diesel 525 the last couple of years, and was looking for a bigger, better built machine. The new improvements are that they now have an operator station, radiator is moved to the back of machine, electronic T-handle for the drive system(Yeah!), improved track design, higher lift height, increased lift capacity, and faster forward and reverse speeds. They are pricey though, MSRP at around 32K.
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What does the foot petal operate? I thought the new one comes with a foot petal that operates something? I believe it is the hydraulics that is operates?
 
Yes that right. I demo'ed it with a bucket, so did not get to try it out. Also there are 2 sets of hydraulic hookups at the front of the machine.

Sent from my XT1097 using Tapatalk
 
ROYCE said:
What does the foot petal operate? I thought the new one comes with a foot petal that operates something? I believe it is the hydraulics that is operates?
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I'm pretty sure that the Ditch Witch 750 and 650 have a foot pedal too to control the hydraulics. Royce, are the track control levers on your Dingo similar to a Ditch Witch....one for each track? Are you able to drive it with one hand?
 
@treeandland, Yes the dingo has a control for the drive mechanism that allows you to use it one handed. It is not really one for each track though. It is one bar that controls all the drive operations. Similar to a skidder. I am just trying to wrap my head around how a foot pedal would be for controlling the grapple? I want to demo one and see how it operates.
 
Foot pedal on my DW 650 is for running an auger, or other implement where you want / need hands-free operation. I don't own an auger, so the only time the pedal gets depressed is by accident. Only sends flow in one direction; ie. depressing the pedal will close the grapple, but not open it.
 
Pelorus said:
Foot pedal on my DW 650 is for running an auger, or other implement where you want / need hands-free operation. I don't own an auger, so the only time the pedal gets depressed is by accident. Only sends flow in one direction; ie. depressing the pedal will close the grapple, but not open it.
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So you have a control to run the grapple hydraulic? That is not the foot pedal?
 
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