Which to choose? Mini Skid Steer

flyingsquirrel25 said:
Don’t mind at all. I have a business line of credit that is used for mid range purchases such as this. The interest rate is really quite good. But the best part of it is if I have a cash flow poor month I can pay just the interest and hold cash in the checking account for more pressing bills that may come up.
I will say DW offered 0% for 60 but the price went up by 1600 and I wouldn’t have the flexibility if needed.
Click to expand...
Ok. Gotcha.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
flyingsquirrel25 said:
Well I havent updated my situation since my purchase. We went with the sk1050, mainly because that's what was available (and a couple key features not available on the smaller machine) but boy is this thing a beast. It's speed, power, capacity and overall smoothness are great. I have already started to notice huge differences in how jobs progress. Less cutting, faster turn arounds and no more bouncing when turning. I'm able to load 12' logs in the dump trailer, stack logs by the street for the log truck and feed tops/wood/trees into the chipper with little effort.
I was a little disappointed at the run around I got getting the machine, but was happy that if I needed a loader the salesman would drop his demo off for us to use. I was also a little frustrated when he dropped the machine off, he showed me the basics of the computer but that's it. I had a tech out replacing the hydro cap and he showed me the maintenance tracking, regent cycling, how to bypass it temporarily if in a bind and a couple other quirks of the machines... all features I had no idea were even there. My guess is the sales guy didn't even know about them.
Over all I've been super happy with it so far (52 hrs), but we will see as time goes on. Hopefully things continue to go well.
View attachment 46312
Click to expand...

I agree that you made a good decision to go with Ditch Witch. I have the SK 750 and there is no operator sensor like the Vermeers have, so I've heard. This paid off last week, because we were carrying grapple loads of brush out of a steep backyard on 5 inches of snow. Kyle stepped off the platform and walked beside the machine, which gave it just enough advantage to make it up the hill without spinning the tracks.
One problem I had was changing the hydraulic filter. I'd make a big mess no matter how fast I got the old filter off and the new one on. So, I bought this electric pump that mounts on 5 gallon buckets, and pump the reservoir out into clean buckets, change the filter and then reverse the pump to put the fluid back in. I also drain out the last quart or so that the pump can't get. I think it's a good way to get the job done.
 
treeandland said:
I agree that you made a good decision to go with Ditch Witch. I have the SK 750 and there is no operator sensor like the Vermeers have, so I've heard. This paid off last week, because we were carrying grapple loads of brush out of a steep backyard on 5 inches of snow. Kyle stepped off the platform and walked beside the machine, which gave it just enough advantage to make it up the hill without spinning the tracks.
One problem I had was changing the hydraulic filter. I'd make a big mess no matter how fast I got the old filter off and the new one on. So, I bought this electric pump that mounts on 5 gallon buckets, and pump the reservoir out into clean buckets, change the filter and then reverse the pump to put the fluid back in. I also drain out the last quart or so that the pump can't get. I think it's a good way to get the job done.
Click to expand...

The sk1050 hydraulic filter is above the tank so the gravity keeps the oil down. Sure you loose the oil in the filter but engineers created a shoot under the filter that catches spilled filter fluid and diverts it to an area you can put a catchment device (I use an old glass bread pan). Instead of the oil running down on top of the engine. I can try to get a picture of it tomorrow.
Merry Christmas
 
Hey guys. Slightly off topic. Do any of you know roughly how many hours that you should expect out of the hydraulic pumps on a well maintained, later model Ditch Witch mini (models from the past 5 or 6 years)?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
Wes84 said:
Hey guys. Slightly off topic. Do any of you know roughly how many hours that you should expect out of the hydraulic pumps on a well maintained, later model Ditch Witch mini (models from the past 5 or 6 years)?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
There are lots of factors that play into this. Extreme heat and extreme cold could both help to shorten the life of hydro pumps and obviously any contaminants in the system. I wouldn't be surprised to see one go 4k hours.
 
500 to 4000hrs is what you could expect. So round 2000 in average.
As said, temperature extremes influence life span.
I like to add that running low rpms and low loads can quadruple the expected life. But be aware, most pumps got minimum rpms to run healthy.
 
marne said:
500 to 4000hrs is what you could expect. So round 2000 in average.
As said, temperature extremes influence life span.
I like to add that running low rpms and low loads can quadruple the expected life. But be aware, most pumps got minimum rpms to run healthy.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I have wondered how much you could back off of the throttle if max power wasnt needed without damaging the pump somehow.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
tc262 said:
Full throttle is rarely ever needed. I run my loaders at half throttle 98% of the time. It should increase longevity of parts.
Click to expand...
That's about what I was thinking. What kind of loaders do you use

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
Wes84 said:
Yeah, I have wondered how much you could back off of the throttle if max power wasnt needed without damaging the pump somehow.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

A good ballpark is where the engine developes the maximum torque, usually round 2000rpm for a diesel, you can go little lower if the engine likes it. Depending on the pump, you may try to stay above 1000 revs when performing any motion.
Find out the type of pump you got and then get the datasheet, sometimes even expectable lifetime @certain rpms and pressure is quoted.
 
marne said:
A good ballpark is where the engine developes the maximum torque, usually round 2000rpm for a diesel, you can go little lower if the engine likes it. Depending on the pump, you may try to stay above 1000 revs when performing any motion.
Find out the type of pump you got and then get the datasheet, sometimes even expectable lifetime @certain rpms and pressure is quoted.
Click to expand...
Thanks!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
I usually run full throttle to optimize ground speed, unless it's tight quarters...

I'm nearing 2000 hrs. on my hydraulic system. No problems yet... my unit tossed a hydraulic filter shortly after it was maintained at the ditch witch dealer. Normally they are on point, but I had that issue, then they also cracked the alternator bracket while adjusting the alternator to increase the belt tension. Couple days later the alternator fell off, the belt went slack, the cooling system stopped, the temp gauge failed, etc. Can't really fault them, but I sure wish Kubota made a hardier alternator bracket...
 
colb said:
I usually run full throttle to optimize ground speed, unless it's tight quarters...

I'm nearing 2000 hrs. on my hydraulic system. No problems yet... my unit tossed a hydraulic filter shortly after it was maintained at the ditch witch dealer. Normally they are on point, but I had that issue, then they also cracked the alternator bracket while adjusting the alternator to increase the belt tension. Couple days later the alternator fell off, the belt went slack, the cooling system stopped, the temp gauge failed, etc. Can't really fault them, but I sure wish Kubota made a hardier alternator bracket...
Click to expand...
good grief. Did it ruin the engine

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
I've got about 2300 hours on an sk650. Its still on its original hydraulic system as far as pump stuff. We have changed the fluid and filters of course.

We did have a starter solenoid short out last week leaving it stranded in a customers driveway temporarily. Stuff just happens with skid steers sometimes.
 
So does anyone have a larger unit that uses def or complies with emissions regulations?
Is it really THAT much of an extra headache from a cost/maintenance standpoint?
Im looking at a low hour SK 850 and a low hour SK 755 (which doesn't have emissions reg stuff, of course) that I found a good price on. Any thoughts?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
Wes84 said:
So does anyone have a larger unit that uses def or complies with emissions regulations?
Is it really THAT much of an extra headache from a cost/maintenance standpoint?
Im looking at a low hour SK 850 and a low hour SK 755 (which doesn't have emissions reg stuff, of course) that I found a good price on. Any thoughts?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I have the sk1050 with regen cycles. It goes into regen every 90 hours or so, but can be used while in regen. The regen can be inhibited if working in an area where heat is an issue. Our biggest issue with it is it normally goes in when we are finishing up for the day. We just inhibit, and start the cycle first thing morning on our next day. We currently have just over 300 hrs (since June). I’ll let you know in a few years !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom