Which to choose? Compact utility tractor VS Mini Skid VS Gehl

A material handler is better than none. Can always sell and upgrade or upgrade and keep as backup etc. Bobcat is always doing low prices and tempting financing for a reason but you’d have a new machine under warranty…. So yeah, just get your employees a picker-upper machine now and change later if need be.
 
If you feel you’re in a stable financial position with the business get the best machine you want and can afford payments for. versatility has its place like a Swiss Army knife, while it can do some of everything the cost is how effectively can it do a specialized task. There is a real reason why front end loaders/articulated loaders and excavators are preferred over a backhoe which can do both task.
Sure it’s extra maintenance for two engines.. I’d focus on whatever will give you the most profitable productivity and least likely to outgrow.
 
evo said:
If you feel you’re in a stable financial position with the business get the best machine you want and can afford payments for. versatility has its place like a Swiss Army knife, while it can do some of everything the cost is how effectively can it do a specialized task. There is a real reason why front end loaders/articulated loaders and excavators are preferred over a backhoe which can do both task.
Sure it’s extra maintenance for two engines.. I’d focus on whatever will give you the most profitable productivity and least likely to outgrow.
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I dig the advice here. My thinking exactly. Thanks guys!
 
southsoundtree said:
What can each machine do, besides tree work, to fill your schedule? What attachments will you get? What kind of grapple is best suited to your market?
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Mini backhoe for digging and transplanting, snow blower for our harsh winters, branch manager for tree stuff, bucket for moving mulch, grading and the like, box blade for road leveling, tiller for garden plots, auger for fence posts... The list goes on and on.

Anyone have experience with the longevity of modern bobcat equipment?
 
First piece of equipment I bought was a 2021 Bobcat MT100 w/BMG with their financing. Money maker and game changer for starting a business, very little maintenance needed with a smooth operator. Way cheaper than employees too, always on time, enjoys long hours. Added a Erskine root grapple and now it slays blackberries, poison oak, whatever else.
 

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Alec A. said:
First piece of equipment I bought was a 2021 Bobcat MT100 w/BMG with their financing. Money maker and game changer for starting a business, very little maintenance needed with a smooth operator. Way cheaper than employees too, always on time, enjoys long hours. Added a Erskine root grapple and now it slays blackberries, poison oak, whatever else.
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I’m considering buying this similar setup. Now that you’ve had the bulk of a season on it, care to share more? Pros/cons etc. I’ve really only got experience with the gas mini skid that Vermeer makes. Easy to operate, quite reliable, and worked well for the tree service I used to work for, but Vermeer doesn’t finance(?) Bobcat has pretty handsome interest rates, or no rates if paid in 48 months… any real world advice, or experience from anyone out there would be huge!!! I need a mini!!
 
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Chris Schultz said:
I’m considering buying this similar setup. Now that you’ve had the bulk of a season on it, care to share more? Pros/cons etc. I’ve really only got experience with the gas mini skid that Vermeer makes. Easy to operate, quite reliable, and worked well for the tree service I used to work for, but Vermeer doesn’t finance(?) Bobcat has pretty handsome interest rates, or no rates if paid in 48 months… any real world advice, or experience from anyone out there would be huge!!! I need a mini!!
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It's been great, no regrets. Way cheaper than paying an equivalent number of laborers. It will change your methods for lots of things i.e. parking trailers, moving mulch, pulling out small shrubs. I am now married to my mats, especially during our wet months, but the traction and turning radius of tracks vs an articulated loader is more valuable to me. I bought the wide tracks and am still glad I did, but I do need a 42"+ gate. Cheers.
 
I ran a compact tractor (36hp Kubota with grab) before getting articulated loaders. The Avant is streets ahead for tree work, but much more expensive of course.
Never used a mini skid.
 
Given enough room, an articulated loader would be great.

For me, the ability to zero-turn is more important, often.

One perk to my Boxer mini skid is an expandable/ retractable undercarriage (34.5-43.5" width) and 9" wide tracks.
 
Alec A. said:
It's been great, no regrets. Way cheaper than paying an equivalent number of laborers. It will change your methods for lots of things i.e. parking trailers, moving mulch, pulling out small shrubs. I am now married to my mats, especially during our wet months, but the traction and turning radius of tracks vs an articulated loader is more valuable to me. I bought the wide tracks and am still glad I did, but I do need a 42"+ gate. Cheers.
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So you’re liking the bobcat, or tracked minis in general?
 
Serf Life said:
Bobcat is always doing low prices and tempting financing for a reason
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Mind me asking what the “reason” is? I am tempted by that 0% for 4 years thing(is there red flags I’m too ignorant to notice?). I could buy it outright, and not totally blow my capital in an uncomfortable way, but making monthly’s at $950 would be very handy too. Personally, ideally, I’ve got experience on the Vermeer minis, and that’s what I really want, but no financing through Vermeer, the service/support isn’t as good as bobs, but more/better suited for tree work…… I don’t know what to do… Need to spend some $$$$$, I think a mini is the best option for me at this stage, just can’t nail down which one.
 
All of the Bobcat woes are second hand to me, and probably more woes with second hand. Rubbing shoulders with more knowledgeable and experienced heavy equipment guys over the yrs has steered me away from Bobcat. Can’t think of one legit excavation company in the greater area that uses them, mostly Cat/Deere/Volvo. I’ve run full size of theirs but not the mini, we stepped up on one and was not impressed vs DW or Vermeer. But brand new with warranty and a local dealer sounds better than abused used Vermeer/DW and no warranty… There are two mini threads on here that have oodles of pages.
 
Going to look at a 2021 ctx100 with 240 hours. Looks mint. He’s asking 35k. Open to any thoughts/criticisms/things to look for etc….. I like the Vermeer user interface, the way they handle, the range of motion, and the capacities. Comes with two buckets, and a concrete breaker. Part of me is a little hesitant that those 200 hours could all be from busting out concrete (which I assume is hard on bushings, and the machine in general….)
 
I’m late to the discussion but @Brando CalPankian bought a new Yanmar too. I got one because I had a Baumalight stump grinder. My work consists of tree work grapple, dirt work and stump grinding. I also use it for tilling and moving stuff. To me it makes sense to move around an 2200 lb machine with my 1/2 Ram and 10ft dump trailer. If I strictly used it for tree work, maybe I would buy a skid steer. Not sure about a mini steer because I’ve never used one. Good luck with your search. Keep us posted. Craig
 
ClimbingTN said:
I’m late to the discussion but @Brando CalPankian bought a new Yanmar too. I got one because I had a Baumalight stump grinder. My work consists of tree work grapple, dirt work and stump grinding. I also use it for tilling and moving stuff. To me it makes sense to move around an 2200 lb machine with my 1/2 Ram and 10ft dump trailer. If I strictly used it for tree work, maybe I would buy a skid steer. Not sure about a mini steer because I’ve never used one. Good luck with your search. Keep us posted. Craig
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For my local the only thing better would be an articulating loader. This tractor is gentle on turf, fits through most gates, has a plethora of attachments, is fast and efficient, easy to maintain, and cheap. Wildland-urban interface in mostly rural areas.
 
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