Which to choose? Mini Skid Steer

I've been asking around, and haven't received a solid answer. Can a mini handle pushing a 3K chipper around, up and down hill? Into forested areas? Am I crazy for wanting to? I actually think a tracked chipper is close to what I want, but a mini might offer versatility.
 
dmorse68 said:
CTX100 is a beast and fits all your requirements. How much do they cost?
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Basically there are several others that fit my needs but they are all deficient at something most of them end up being too wide. The Vermeer on paper meets them all.

CTX100 in NorCal retails for almost $39,000 i know there is some room to negotiate in there... Vs the MT 85 that is close to $27,000. So there is a big difference in price.
 
Tweakes182 said:
Basically there are several others that fit my needs but they are all deficient at something most of them end up being too wide. The Vermeer on paper meets them all.

CTX100 in NorCal retails for almost $39,000 i know there is some room to negotiate in there... Vs the MT 85 that is close to $27,000. So there is a big difference in price.
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My SK752 was $25k and is on the same platform as the sk850. Only difference is the motor. I was quoted $32k for the 850. Talk with TreadLightlyServices on here. He just got a MT85 the other day.
 
I'm going to chime in here...I have recently demoed the sk850 the ctx100 and the bobcat mt85..

My take aways from all of them..

Ditch witch Sk850..
Pros..strong horsepower, dual hydraulics, bradco adaptor plate was second to none.
Track bogeys were the best..an hour through the sand and nothing to clean out..thumbs up!

Cons...light in the rear... was tippy in sand with my 50" bobcat bucket.
Dual control levers are not responsive enough. ..don't care for them. 32k price..
25k offer on the phone and then we were at 27500-28k during demo....WRONG way!

Vermeer ctx100 :
Pros: 40 hp is great.. lift height is great.. balanced machine, great lifting power.

Cons:
..track charge pressure was low they would hydraulically stall out...my mt52 would out push this if you put them plate to plate.
THIS VERMEER WILL NOT LIFT THE ARMS AND LEVEL THE BUCKET!
Using the bucket stalls the loader arms...
DEAL BREAKER FOR ME! 38k price
35k offer..

Bobcat mt85
Pros: widest tracks 10", strongest built. Super high drive sprocket
21k price best built attachments in the industry, can lift fullsize skid steer attachments. 21k price....,
Bobcat machines WILL LIFT THE ARMS AND LEVEL THE BUCKET! 21k base machine...

Cons: 25 hp engine, wish it had 35 hp would happily pay 5k more for 10 more hp.
 
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Tread Lightly Services said:
I'm going to chime in here...I have recently demoed the sk850 the ctx100 and the bobcat mt85..

My take aways from all of them..

Ditch witch Sk850..
Pros..strong horsepower, dual hydraulics, bradco adaptor plate was second to none.
Track bogeys were the best..an hour through the sand and nothing to clean out..thumbs up!

Cons...light in the rear... was tippy in sand with my 50" bobcat bucket.
Dual control levers are not responsive enough. ..don't care for them. 32k price..
25k offer on the phone and then we were at 27500-28k during demo....WRONG way!

Vermeer ctx100 :
Pros: 40 hp is great.. lift height is great.. balanced machine, great lifting power.

Cons:
..track charge pressure was low they would hydraulically stall out...my mt52 would out push this if you put them plate to plate.
THIS VERMEER WILL NOT LIFT THE ARMS AND LEVEL THE BUCKET!
Using the bucket stalls the loader arms...
DEAL BREAKER FOR ME! 38k price
35k offer..

Bobcat mt85
Pros: widest tracks 10", strongest built. Super high drive sprocket
21k price best built attachments in the industry, can lift fullsize skid steer attachments. 21k price....,
Bobcat machines WILL LIFT THE ARMS AND LEVEL THE BUCKET! 21k base machine...

Cons: 25 hp engine, wish it had 35 hp would happily pay 5k more for 10 more hp.
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Thank You so much for the information and response. I do have a couple of questions.

CTX100 When you say the track charge pressure. You are referring to the hydro-static drive motors they either don't have enough flow or pressure to really push the machine. Example if you had a blade on the front it would struggle like crazy?
Regarding the lift arms are you referring to AUTO-leveling I know this is an option on the bigger Bobcats I looked at. Because when we tested the MT85 It would not CURL the bucket forward or back at the same time as raising. But if it AUTO levels that is a positive.
Lastly mind elaborating on the bucket loader arms stalling? Is that a weight capacity issue? Were you trying to lift or move dirt sorry i was just confused.

Also thank you for the pricing info. Currently I have negotiated down to $33 K from ~$39K for the CTX and Bobcat has not budged still sitting at $27K

Thank You again for your help.
 
(Mt85)
27k is above msrp...25688 is msrp
They should be below that.

There is no auto level on any mini skid of any brand. (Electronic that is, linkage leveling excluded.)
The bobcat machine is capable of running both arms and bucket at same time...it's a finesse thing...

With the vermeer ctx100 and tx800 you have no choice, even with an empty bucket if you are raising the loader arms and even sneeze on the bucket the arms will stop. Engine still wide open...it's a hydraulic valving issue.

(Ctx100 and tx800 )
As for the tracks...say you have a full bucket of stone and have to drive through a soft muddy area and turn 90 degrees. ..before you get to your destination the track motors will stall out. It will take a couple of trys to get through.
 
Tweakes182 said:
Thank You so much for the information and response. I do have a couple of questions.

CTX100 When you say the track charge pressure. You are referring to the hydro-static drive motors they either don't have enough flow or pressure to really push the machine. Example if you had a blade on the front it would struggle like crazy?
Regarding the lift arms are you referring to AUTO-leveling I know this is an option on the bigger Bobcats I looked at. Because when we tested the MT85 It would not CURL the bucket forward or back at the same time as raising. But if it AUTO levels that is a positive.
Lastly mind elaborating on the bucket loader arms stalling? Is that a weight capacity issue? Were you trying to lift or move dirt sorry i was just confused.

Also thank you for the pricing info. Currently I have negotiated down to $33 K from ~$39K for the CTX and Bobcat has not budged still sitting at $27K

Thank You again for your help.
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Bobcat wouldn't budge for me either for the MT85. I was quoted 27k as well. They cost more here in Californai. It's what the market will bear here. They are cheaper in other parts of the country where the cost of living is less. I live in Napa Valley (so norcal like you) and 3 months ago when I was looking to get one, they were non available and a mile-long list of people waiting for them. I was told it was going to be 2-3 month until the factory could release more. And here we are now...3 months later. I would imagine there is still going to be a long waiting list here on the West coast for them. What did they tell you the availability was for them?
 
One thing about the mt85, or so I've heard, is that it seems to be top heavy and therefore tips easier. A company in my area has one, and the laid it over 6 times in the first yr (where as their old mini only laid it over once).

I've personally never drove it, but that was my first impression when I saw the mt85...that it looked like it would tip easier than my 650tx

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 
evo said:
I've been asking around, and haven't received a solid answer. Can a mini handle pushing a 3K chipper around, up and down hill? Into forested areas? Am I crazy for wanting to? I actually think a tracked chipper is close to what I want, but a mini might offer versatility.
Click to expand...


I move my 4400 pound chipper with my Boxer 532dx, routinely. The BMG has an insert hitch that accepts slugs. Not as rigid as a dedicated towing set-up, but pretty much does what I want most always. Takes a good operator. I wouldn't expect a newer operator to get all they can out of it, naturally.

I've pulled it up a 25 degree fresh-gravel driveway pretty well, until I lost traction on the loose gravel.

I move it around off-road. A tracked chipper is different, but you will be happy I think to have log, brush, trailer moving capacity. I have moved all my gear to the deep back yard in a trailer in one trip, chipped into the trailer, moved it to the dump spot, and tipped as high as possible (not dumping on its own, but greatly aids unloading). Moved all the wood to the wood shed. 100' fir by myself in a day.

BTW, my chipper has super light tongue-weight (maybe 100 pounds). a strong person can easily flip it onto its butt.
If you're in Olympia, let me know.
 
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I too have a hitch plate for the 25g mini. I can move my 1390 on fairly flat ground. I only use it to move the machine out of the way when the chip truck is in the shop or I need the chipper closer to the garage to do maintenance on it.
I also like it for my rake... but I can now put that under my BMG and soon to be on my root grapple
IMG_0042.webp IMG_0041.webp
 
evo said:
I've been asking around, and haven't received a solid answer. Can a mini handle pushing a 3K chipper around, up and down hill? Into forested areas? Am I crazy for wanting to? I actually think a tracked chipper is close to what I want, but a mini might offer versatility.
Click to expand...
@deevo moves his Bandit 65 with his Vermeer 725 regularly. On and off a barge and up moderate hills.
 
dmorse68 said:
Bobcat wouldn't budge for me either for the MT85. I was quoted 27k as well. They cost more here in Californai. It's what the market will bear here. They are cheaper in other parts of the country where the cost of living is less. I live in Napa Valley (so norcal like you) and 3 months ago when I was looking to get one, they were non available and a mile-long list of people waiting for them. I was told it was going to be 2-3 month until the factory could release more. And here we are now...3 months later. I would imagine there is still going to be a long waiting list here on the West coast for them. What did they tell you the availability was for them?
Click to expand...

Currently they have an MT85 available brand new on the lot. They actually have 2 but one is already sold. The other is available. They would not budge on the price like you said. It has typically been an 8+ week lead time they started putting in order way ahead of time to hopefully have them on hand or they will lose business i think.

Currently Vermeer is also about 6 weeks out on all CTX100's or more they also cant keep them in stock.
 
I had a chance to test drive back to back (not a full day demo). The Vermeer S800TX and the Bobcat MT85. Vermeer is trying to get a hold of a CTX100 for me to look at. But the S800TX although smaller than the CTX100 the numbers on it compared to the MT85 are very impressive. So here is what I found. I also tested both with a friend so they were also able to see for their selves and give their own opinion.

Notes from test drive

Vermeer S800TX
More or less PROS --
Large hook loop on loader arms to crane machine, Presence switch built into standing platform, lots of power (40hp gas motor), Fast 4.5mph, sleek design (insignia built into vents), Fuel tanks on each side of a machine each with a cup holder built into each (soft soda and hard soda?), Small and simple control panel, aux hydraulic controlled by finger tips,

I was able to manipulate a full bucket of dirt while driving around no problem granted that is not a lot of weight. I was unable to recreate issues with them driving carrying a load through soft ground as there was no soft ground in their yard.

Height of sprocket drive lower center of gravity but not nearly as high as bobcat not as clear of debris and damage, Overall visual quality of idler/bogey wheels and tracks not as well built (looking in my personal opinion as the bobcat). when accessing the motor compartment the Vermeer has a very easy to flip up panel to get to basic components from the top. If you need to do major work you will need tools but all the side panels are relatively easy and straight forward to remove.

CON
Vermeer Wide tracks can not simply be installed on a narrow track unit. It would be cost prohibitive to switch back and forth.



MT85
Foot control for Aux hydraulic, VERY robustly built, LARGE hydraulic cylinder for bucket Curl/attachment tilt, All filters are easy to access without had tools through side panels, When you "prop" up the hood on the MT85 you have alot more room and a bigger view than on the Vermeer, But you can not access much beyond the top of the motor. It did not appear easy to access the motor from either side by removing panels. You could access filters but not the engine.

Bobcat you can swap narrow for wide tracks at any time there are no other parts needed.

I confirmed the Bobcat has no problems lifting and curling at the same time.

CON
To do any moderate motor work it would be extremly tight or well invloved process to get at the engine
 
At that budget, The Top Notch/Giant 254sw with telescoping boom?

http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/new-articulating-loader-from-top-notch.31791/

With my sk650 at 32 hp, Hp doesn't really seem to affect anything - I've got a bottomless useless surplus - including log lifting unless I take an impossibly large chunk up a very steep hill (happened once and the motor barely bogged down at full power). I suspect that the lower hp machines (with comparable tip weights, psi, and gpm) perform as well as mine for the tasks of tree work.

Gpm, psi, lack of side-to-side rotation, and structural body strength affect stump grinding. Don't expect much unless you buy a 15k grinder attachment with its own power source.

If milling, then pallet forks?

With an adaptor plate you could run full size loader attachments on this larger machine and just rent them. Mini-compatible rentals are non-existent in my area...

The most limiting features of my mini are the tip weight and ground pressure/tracking on nice yards. The Giant from Top Notch solves those two issues while retaining 36" access and (for your case) having a very high hinge pin.

The tracks may be better than wheels for rototilling and bucket/grading work. I feel like trenching would be fine on wheels since you drag it in reverse. I don't really know much about these applications.
 
I had an mt55 and greasing it every 8 hours was a PITA! I tried to demo the mt85 but the rep from Bobcat central out of Stockton never returned my calls. The mt85 is a vast improvement over it but has even more grease fitting. Really loving my sk752. No grease fittings and the open track design is great! Joe over at Ditch Witch Sacramento has been very helpful and accommodating. He even delivered an implement on a sunday morning when I was in the area on other business. Great customer support. Wish I had gone to the sk850 for the extra horsepower though. $8k difference was hard to swallow. looking into adding all the components from a Kubota 1105-t to add a turbo and gain 8 hp. Bought a set of narrow tracks as well and under $400 which is a great price from a manufacturer.
 
Smithy74 said:
I had an mt55 and greasing it every 8 hours was a PITA! I tried to demo the mt85 but the rep from Bobcat central out of Stockton never returned my calls. The mt85 is a vast improvement over it but has even more grease fitting. Really loving my sk752. No grease fittings and the open track design is great! Joe over at Ditch Witch Sacramento has been very helpful and accommodating. He even delivered an implement on a sunday morning when I was in the area on other business. Great customer support. Wish I had gone to the sk850 for the extra horsepower though. $8k difference was hard to swallow. looking into adding all the components from a Kubota 1105-t to add a turbo and gain 8 hp. Bought a set of narrow tracks as well and under $400 which is a great price from a manufacturer.
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Sk850 has tier 4 pause to process pollutants. You get one or two overrides, then it really shuts down and dw has to come unlock it (what I've heard, anyways...) Not something you want happening when the mini needs to pop a sketchy top against its lean.

Additionally, dw swallowed the koolaide and put side operator cockpit thigh supports like vermeer has. It seems like a pita, when going backwards.

The sk850 gpm, psi, and tip weight are only marginally better than sk755/sk650. Sk755 is best dw right now, followed by sk650 and sk750, imho... All three are nice machines.
 
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