The Mini-loader thread

Sorry for beating the rung bell, Holly.

Another thing I'd do is have a gear pump to run the main hydraulics and one aux circuit, and have a variable displacement pump to run the second circuit. This would likely be an option on a production machine, but it should be able to be reverse compatable.

Another option that stems from us picking a load up and carrying it a few hundred feet or better is an option that would allow full speed at a very low rpm on the main circuit (independent of the second aux hydraulics). This would reduce noise and fuel consumption. Noise is relative, but fuel consumption isn't over the life of the machine. If it lasts 2k hours and saves 2 quarts of gas an hour, that's $2400 bucks over the life of the machine.

I haven't a clue what it'd cost at this point, it'd probably take me the better part of three weeks (150+ plus design hours) with it being my primary focus to design a prototype using mainly off the shelf parts.

Nothing all that innovative over all, but noone else seems to make a mini to order, aside from basic engine options.
 
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I bought a Boxer 320 with trax from Dave and I can't rave enough about it. For the price, you will not find anything in our business that will out work a mini with his grapple. We bought great trucks this year, chippers...but the mini was the biggest surprise of all! What a great investment. It payed for itself in weeks for us and I am now going to add another model this Spring. Thanks Dave for the great info to help knudge me the right way!!!

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Thanks Mark,

Boxer was closing out the 08 320's for Ten Grand last year.

I tryed to tell all these fence siting mini wanters, It was the best deal to come along in a long time for a NEW mini.

Now they are back up to $12900

boxer320.jpg


Still a good buy
 
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What I don't get is why other companies haven't put turf tracks on their mini loaders, yet. ASV has an impressive video showing that their heavy beasts won't even tear up a putting green.
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Now that is one thing Ramrod did that no other mini did, I took this Pix at there factory in Saskatchewan

Ramrodtrksmooth2.jpg
 
I saw a demo in IL a couple years back and it didn't damage the turf much at all. Looked to just bend it over. The one thing I understood from talking to the reps was that they were nearly horrible in wet or soft conditions.
 
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What I don't get is why other companies haven't put turf tracks on their mini loaders, yet. ASV has an impressive video showing that their heavy beasts won't even tear up a putting green.
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I talked to ASV a few months ago about buying a set of their green tracks for both of our tracked machines and they told me they weren't interested in making tracks other than for their own machines.
 
Dave,

Allow me to rant against Leon’s Manufacturing for you.

I will reinforce your experience with Leons Manufacturing who manufactures the Ramrod. For any in earshot, do not buy anything from Leons Manufacturing. In my 3 year experience, the company refuses to stand behind their product. With my Ramrod 915T, I documented 7 flooding events with gasoline dumping either into the crankcase, or out the hot exhaust. The youtube video shows the wet muffler, & fuel running out of the muffler intake pipe.
Feb 2008: flooding out the exhaust Youtube
June 2007: hydro-locked and flooding you tube

The first event occurred within 5 weeks of purchase, 4 times within 66 hours, and 7 times over the 13 months it took the Kawasaki dealer to install a redesigned carburetor, which solved the problem. Leon’s refused to acknowledge any responsibility for selling a new machine with a defective carburetor that dumped gasoline out a hot exhaust within the fist 5 weeks of purchase. To the end, they deferred blame and responsibility to Kawasaki and the Kawasaki repair dealer.

“We are also very frustrated with your ongoing Kawasaki problems…… With reference to your request to replace your machine and reimburse your direct expenses, our policies are very clearly outlined in your Ramrod Operator's manual.”
Don Reed, Ramrod Manager

“Through all of the failures that took place on your engine, Chappell tractor was negligent in trouble shooting your failures and should be compensating you…… Ramrod cannot administer Kawasaki warranty policy, all warranty decisions are made by Kawasaki….”
Dwight Turta, Technical Services Manager,
Leon's Mfg. Company Inc.

In 2009, I ordered a replacement wheel motor, which was damaged in shipment. It was packaged in a box nearly 3 times the volume of the heavy steel motor with a cone shaped shaft. No surprise that it blew out of the box. UPS and Puralator both denied the claim due to improper packaging, which I concurred with. Again, Leon’s refused to acknowledge responsibility, exchange the motor, refund my cost, or even file a claim with the shipper. They did offer to sell me a new wheel motor.

“The motor was damaged by UPS shipping not Leons Mfg Company Inc. If a claim was put into UPS then UPS owes you for the refund not Leons Mfg Company Inc. Leons will not be coving the damages incurred for the motor which was caused by the shipping company. “
Dwight Turta
Technical Services Manager
Leon's Mfg. Company Inc.

It literally was the worst customer experience I have ever had with any organization. The Ramrod is now up for sale.

Dave, I appreciated all you did to try to get Leon’s to resolve my dissatisfaction.
 
I replaced my Ramrod 915T with a Toro Dingo 425TX. In the field, without any doubt, it easily lifts more, drags more, and has better traction that the Ramrod 915T. Their tracks, though not smooth like the Ramrods, are designed for turf (Toro is a lawn Company) and are very friendly on turf compared to the typical lug track.

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I've heard nothing but bad when it comes to the RamRod, plus they have a reputation of not standing behind their product.

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AMEN!!!!
Follow-up to my earlier post ranting against the Ramrod. I bought my first mini, the Leons Manufacturing "Ramrod 915T" new from Dave (tnt). A demo unit with about 35 hours. Loved it the first day as a labor saver. Then the issues began:

1. As described earlier, the Kawasaki gas engine would randomly flood on a whim, dumping gas in either the crankcase or out the hot exhaust. After mopping up the mess, would run fine again. Bring it to the Kawasaki dealer and it would run and test to spec. After 13 months, over 7 documented flooding events, and several trips to the dealer, it finally happened at the Kawasaki dealer. Only then did Leons or Kawasaki believe me, and offer the ultimate solution of changing the carb. Leons Manufacturing (Ramrod) refused to acknowledge any responsibility or recourse for this defect on a new Ramrod, standing behind their policy that the engine issue was with Kawasaki and their dealer to diagnose and repair. After two years, Leons did send a token reimbursement that did not even cover my direct expenses associated with the flooding events.

2. Leon's also told me it was common knowledge that the fuel shutoffs had to be closed for transport, or the engine could flood. However, the 2 shutoffs were located inside the machine in an area that was not visible, or easily accessible with a gloved hand.

3. The engine was placed on the machine in such a way that pulling the drain plug dumped oil directly onto the floor of the machine, making a huge mess. Leon's Manufacturing subsequently sent a replacement drain plug/shutoff with a hose barb to attach a hose and direct the oil to a drain pan. The shutoff they sent did not have the correct threads to fit. (I bought one locally)

Apparently, Leons engineers never tried to shut off the fuel in winter, or change the oil. Or they didn't care about the operator.

4. Though Dave (TNT) was very vocal in advocating on my behalf, he's 1000 miles from me, so direct service was not an option. This made it very easy for Leons Manufacturing to defer blame to my local mechanic and the Kawasaki dealer. Dave could not get Leons to change their position.I had little leverage in dealing with Leons. I did not buy a Kawasaki mini-loader, I bought a Ramrod. Thanks for all your efforts Dave.

5. Getting parts from Canada (Leons) was slow and expensive. When I ordered a replacement wheel motor, Leons packaged it improperly, and it arrived damaged. Again Leons subsequently denied responsibility.

Lessons learned:
-Do not buy any equipment made by Leons Manufacturing, they will not stand behind their equipment
-buy equipment that has local service centers
-I don't always make good choices.

Sorry for the long posts. I've been holding this in for too long.
 
Dan,

Still ache about that deal. You had every reason to lose your cool & blow your stack for the terrible service Leons & I offered you. Through out that ordeal you remained calm and rational, a real gentleman honest and decent to work with.

Your deal taught me that Leons has no to very little Integrity. Like I said B4 there are more Leon stories beside yours that I best not repeat.
The only good thing I will say about Ramrod is, if anyone is in the market for a used machine and you find a 900 in good shape and a good price I would not let these stories dissuade your buying decision to much. The 900 is a good "chevy" type machine.

Dan again, my sincere apologies.
I am glad that the Dingo has been serving you well They are a good machine.

Never had problems like this with Thomas, and so far Boxer has been very committed to customer service.
As a dealer I have had no major problems or issues with the Boxer 3, 4 and 5 series.
 
Dave,

My Ramrod 915T is for sale at IPL & Equipment in Framingham MA. They are the new Ramrod dealer in Mass. I cannot endorse buying anything made by Leons Manufacturing, regardless if it hurts my resale value. I almost bought your Boxer, before buying a demo from my local Toro dealer.

You did not disappoint me, did what you could. It was Leons Mfg and Kawasaki that left me hanging with the problem for 13 months. What's a dealer to do if the manufacturer will not stand behind their product?
 
I'm in the mini market. Business has oicked up and the backlog has allowed me to make the move. I'm hearing good things about the Boxer,Thomas,Vermeer and dingo. I know one major thing is getting a machine with a nearby dealer but even after reading the thread I don't hear a definitive yes on which machine is the best. The Boxer 500 series looks pretty darn good on paper. Anybody run one?
 
[Edit]One of the[/Edit] first question I ask anyone is do you want tires or tracks and why?

I want tires mainly for less damage while turning on grass.
 
miniskid tires vs tracks:

goals:
minimize damage to good turf
minimize damage in wet areas
traction in woodland edges


the Dingo tracks work fine for all of the above. That said, I've never used wheels to compare.

Tracks will chew up grass, especially thin turf, with tight and/or multiple turns in 1 spot, such as repeatedly feeding the chipper. So we lay down lawn mats when needed.

traction in woodlands is also fine.
 
Tires are worlds better in grass with regards to turns.

Tracks offer supperior traction to tires, by virtue that the deeper they dig, the more track that engages the ground.

When it comes to carrying a load, the weight shifts from the back of the machine to the front, same as any machine. The lower psi of tracks is somewhat of a myth on a vehicle who's weight shifts so dramatically. On a chipper with a statically positioned load/CG, tracks could and should have lower PSI. On a loader that isn't the case.

Still, tracks can do less damage due to less slippage, however they will still rut just like a comparably wide tire.
 
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