Southerntreeman
New Member
I'd like to hear anyone's advice concerning the best mini skid steer and attachments to purchase from those who own, rent or are considering purchasing one. It would be nice if this thread could stay focused on helping business owners make the right purchasing decision before they purchase (like me).
This thread is NOT to argue the merit of using mini's vs other types of equipment like regular ride-in skid steers. Almost every tree service I know owns at least one of them and I own 2 myself with grapples etc. PLEASE, LET'S KEEP THE DISCUSSION TO MINI'S and let's keep it positive. I read the other post/thread on minis and I think we should start over with a new post.
To get the discussion going I'd like to start out by saying that I'm wanting to purchase a mini to access yards with limited access or yards where heavier equipment is prohibited. I need the mini for dragging brush and loading firewood/small logs into the back of a truck to help my employee's efficiency (and save their backs). I have only considered purchasing one of the larger minis since lifting height into the back of a truck as well as lifting capacity is an issue for me. I have demo'd the Ditch Witch SK 650 and Toro Dingo TX 525 wide track and they worked fine but handle very differently (the DW SK 650 has much larger specs). I want to demo the Boxer 532 DX also which is more similar to the DW. I've looked at the Bobcats and Vermeers also. I love the smoothness of the Dingo but the lifting height and weight is its biggest downfall. I would purchase a grapple bucket as well as a log/brush grapple like what The Branch Manager offer. Please give advice on attachments also. I have a friend in Ohio that loves his Dingo 525 but swears by the narrow track so that he can fit through a 36" gate. Most gates I go through are at least 40" and so I'd rather have the wide track with lower ground pressure and not tear up soft turf as much. We have beautiful lawns in the South don't want to tear them up after a rain. I realize that tracks can be harder on turf than wheels but not on real soft/wet surfaces and I wont let my guys make tight turns.
Any advice on which mini and attachments you would purchase and why would be greatly appreciated! What say you?
This thread is NOT to argue the merit of using mini's vs other types of equipment like regular ride-in skid steers. Almost every tree service I know owns at least one of them and I own 2 myself with grapples etc. PLEASE, LET'S KEEP THE DISCUSSION TO MINI'S and let's keep it positive. I read the other post/thread on minis and I think we should start over with a new post.
To get the discussion going I'd like to start out by saying that I'm wanting to purchase a mini to access yards with limited access or yards where heavier equipment is prohibited. I need the mini for dragging brush and loading firewood/small logs into the back of a truck to help my employee's efficiency (and save their backs). I have only considered purchasing one of the larger minis since lifting height into the back of a truck as well as lifting capacity is an issue for me. I have demo'd the Ditch Witch SK 650 and Toro Dingo TX 525 wide track and they worked fine but handle very differently (the DW SK 650 has much larger specs). I want to demo the Boxer 532 DX also which is more similar to the DW. I've looked at the Bobcats and Vermeers also. I love the smoothness of the Dingo but the lifting height and weight is its biggest downfall. I would purchase a grapple bucket as well as a log/brush grapple like what The Branch Manager offer. Please give advice on attachments also. I have a friend in Ohio that loves his Dingo 525 but swears by the narrow track so that he can fit through a 36" gate. Most gates I go through are at least 40" and so I'd rather have the wide track with lower ground pressure and not tear up soft turf as much. We have beautiful lawns in the South don't want to tear them up after a rain. I realize that tracks can be harder on turf than wheels but not on real soft/wet surfaces and I wont let my guys make tight turns.
Any advice on which mini and attachments you would purchase and why would be greatly appreciated! What say you?
