Been shoppin' skid-loaders...

[Whitespider]

... and the more I look, the more confused I get. I guess that's because I really don't know a lot about them... I've run a few, but that's the extent of my expertise. Just to be 100% honest, I flat don't have the cash to buy "new" anything, and I ain't gonna' go the credit line way for one (I want to avoid any new monthly). I have no livestock, I don't grow crops, I'm just a guy living out in the county and a skid loader isn't something I "need"... more like something I could use. I could use it for clearing snow, moving a little dirt and rock now and then, moving firewood, pushing brush into piles, hauling the burn barrel into the woodlot for dumping, moving objects too heavy to lift (or I don't care to lift) and various other "light" duty jobs... and it wouldn't be used every day, probably not even every week. I don't believe I need to list all the possible jobs related to firewood... most anyone here can pictures those. The thing is, I have no "loader" of any sort, and my back ain't getting any younger.

So I'm lookin' at used and I see 'em priced everywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand... different brands... different models (which mean nothing to me)... different sizes... etc. So I'm askin' you guys that own and use 'em...

The small(ish) ones look like they'd be handier for me... but how small is too small ??
Is there certain brands/models that should be avoided ??
And what "problems" should I be looking for ?? I mean, I know about engines and what to look for, and I understand the hydraulics and what to look for, and yeah, I know tires ain't cheap. But what "unique" maintenance/wear items/possible expense/often neglected/problems should I be lookin' at ??

I guess I'm just askin' for a little general direction towards shopping used skid loaders. I have no delusions, I realize I'll probably spend some money on one after the purchase... I'm just hoping to avoid getting stung with an expense costing half, or equal to, the purchase price.

Thanks guys.

 

[mesupra]

If you don't live on a farm or plan on using it commercially you might want to consider a small 4wd tractor with loader, should be able to get into something around 30-50hp for around 6-12k. Also, the use of 3pt attachments might be handy.

 

[Whitespider]

Maybe I can add a specific question...

I'm finding several Case 1816's, 1537's and some brand called "Mustang" in the $3000.oo - $4000.oo range ??

Yeah, a small tractor would also be nice, but not near as handy getting into/out of tight spots in the woodlot... I can see uses for one, and the 3-point, but the skid loader just seems like it would be "handier" for me.

 

[Guswhit]

I know that the Case 1840/45 series are almost indestructable, but they are still bgoing upward of $5k most of the time. There are also some really good mustang models out there, but I don't like to use my feet for operating.

 

[Retired]

Try to screen for the major headaches, just like you would any used machine.

Use the loader to raise the front end. Get off and wiggle the front tires, play tells you it needs bearings. Do the same with the rear. Not unusual for one side to be bad and not the other. There is a universal joint that is expensive to replace and hard to get at to grease. Usually the only access is under the front seat, sometimes the seat has to be removed. If the current owner has no idea what that is, it has been neglected.

I'm guessing you know your way around engines and don't need help there.

IMHO if it does not have universal skidplate coupling and a 3rd hydraulic outlet, you aren't getting much for your money and can do better with a small tractor, as suggested above. Add-on implements (say a mower or post hole digger) are 2x as expensive for a skidsteer compared to 3 pt.

 

[1grnlwn]

For what is worth. Bobcat 773. Bought with 900 hrs $16000. Use once a week. Spend about $900 a year on breakdowns and damage. Not cheep but I like having it.

 

[hanniedog]

Another thing to consider is the things can dern near get stuck on a banana peel.

 

[Walt41]

Here is one of mine, it stays up the street at my buddies shop and mostly loads mulch all summer. right now it is here for annual service and to weld up a broken grease fitting. If you have no tracks, keep em out of the mud and woods. I use the tractor in my avatar for 90% of what I do.View attachment 290607

 

[Henry and Wanda]

Hello,
You mentioned about using the skid loader in the woodlot. If it's a fairly smooth level woodlot then it will be ok, but if you plan to go into the woods with it, it better be a tracked model. I live on 18.5 acres of mountain land with lots of rocks here and there. Since the ground is rough and the skid steer doesn't have much ground clearance, it doesn't work so good. Mine has wheels , not tracks. The wheels also tear up the ground real easy !!!! I bought it to basically plow my .4 mile lane in the winter, but it has been very handy in other ways. If I get a tree hung up on another one, I just chain the base and pull it down. Since it didn't work well in the woods, I bought a used 4WD New Holland tractor. Either way, neither of them are cheap to buy. It's hard to find a nice tractor of at least 35HP with a FEL for less than $15K and skid steers are even worse. Good luck in finding something you like.....you'll never regret it after you use it a while !!!!!


Henry and Wanda

 

[brenndatomu]

Another thing to consider is the things can dern near get stuck on a banana peel.

When did they start using radials on skidsteers? :hmm3grin2orange:


And from your "new wood hauler thread"...

That's great if it works out that way... but my neighbor's experience is the exact opposite.
Unless you personally know what, and from whom, you're buying used it's always a gamble... you have no inkling what you're buying. For all you know the previous owner didn't change oil for 5 years, or maybe the thing was under water once, or like my neighbors purchase... the tires are full of stop-leak snot and they still go flat in a couple days, and the carb has screws stripped-out and put back together with super glue and self-tapping screws, and the auto-clutch went out in less than a month. Have you priced four new tires, a new carburetor, and clutch parts for a Jap ATV?? And all this on top of what he knew he would spend (torn seat, broken brake lever, and a couple other things). Before he was done that first year he had nearly the price of new invested in a used one... and now it's low on compression!

At least buying "new"... even cheap Chinese "new"... I know exactly what I have.

Guess you've takin up gamblin in the last 24 hrs, huh? :hmm3grin2orange: Nah, just funnin with ya, I have been trying to justify the purchase of a compact tractor with FEL myself. I have a rack system design in mind that, if I had a FEL, would allow me to not have to touch the wood until it is being thrown into the furnace, well, after it is CSS onto the racks that is. If I buy a tractor, it will definitely have to be a used one, maybe even one that needs some work, which I can do. That brings me to my point, my neighbor buys alot of older farm equipment, he has been able to purchase several skid loaders at auction that needed an engine/pump/whatever, for a lil-bit-of-nothing price. He has made out like a bandit so far. You seem pretty handy, maybe this is a option to consider???

 

[Preston]

Just as a money guess thing, my L2800 Kubota new was $12,500. The FEL would have been another $4,000. I didn't do that but do I now wish I had. I need it so bad. Just me but the SS would no way work for me. To much soft dirt.

 

[Cheesecutter]

I have a bobcat 751 diesel. Sips fuel for 45hp. While using it for doing firewood related stuff 1/2 gal/hr or 2 gal/ hr pushing snow. Gas models are cheaper. Case made bulletproof skid steers as mentioned. New Holland is the most stable/ sure footed Ive ever used. Omc/Mustang were better than nothing but not impressed. Gehl 4500 was decent but always needed something. Foot control or hand control - I prefer hand because it seems like better fine control. Aux hydraulics are nice. Other than the bucket, forks of some type are GREAT. Tires need tread, but you would amazed how many small skid loaders have bald car tires on them. The roll cage nice to have... look at most of them and they have battle scars on them. As far as bucket width 5-6 foot is the most versatile. I think you would be happiest with something in the 30-45 HP range with 900-1500 lift capacity. That's my experience.

 

[flyboy553]

I have three skid steers. A 236 Cat with pilot controls(left drives and turns, right hand runs bucket, an 1845 Case with hand controls and a 642 Bobcat with foot controls. Of the three I like the case best by far. Simpler operation. The problem with these is that the chains will break once in a while in the drive system and they aren't fun to fix. The Cat with pilot controls is alright, but I like the traditional hand controls better. I am short so the foot controls on the 642 are harder to run for me.

Things to look for are any kind of welding on the loader arms, bad bushings or bearings in the wheels and bucket and loader arms. This will let ya know how they were used in their prior life. I never buy one from a cement guy or a curb and gutter guy. They seem to be used hard and poorly maintained, as a rule. The bobcat should sit still when your hands are off the controls. Some of them like to creep a bit(my 642). Makes it hard to get out and load the bucket with wood while being chased by the bobcat. Also, look for one that does not require you to wear the seatbelt at all times to operate it. It's a PITA to have to put that on every dang time you get in.(John Deere's are like that)

Some of them have gasoline engines(my642). That can be real handy in the woods as they start even when it is dreadfully cold out there. If you get a diesel you will want glow plugs or a plug in heater and of course an electrical source for that. They are not well known for starting in the winter.

I very very rarely get stuck with any of my skidsteers. In fact I have not been stuck inover 10 yrs running. now if I thought I should drive across the swamp with it, of course I would get stuck, but if ya use common sense, which you seem to have, you will be just fine.

Just a few basic things to look at.

Ted

 

[Cheesecutter]

Do you have a price range in mind ? That will make recommendations easier

 

[husqvarnaguy]

Do alot of shopping around and save up some cash. When you go to look at a machine check it over REALLY GOOD. Look for broken welds, check the pins and bushings, check the fluid levels and the color of the the fluids, check the air filter, look under the machine to get a feel of where it has been. Some of that stuff will tell you how they took care of the machine. Also check parts availability and prices on that particular machine so you dont get a machine you cant get parts for.

 

[rmount]

My experience is very limited, but I have found that the ones on wheels slip real quickly when it's wet (we're on clay soil), and the ones built with tracks are better than the ones with tracks over the wheels for traction and maneuverability.

 

[cat10ken]

I have a 57 HP Gehl skid loader with a grapple bucket that I have only used one time in the woods to move a large hickory log. It does a lot of spinning, cuts deep ruts, is tippy on the side hills, you can't see whats behind you, all of these reasons and more is why I have only put 3 hours on the machine in the 2 years I've owned it. I much prefer my 4x4 Duetz tractor over the skid steer.

 

[Hedgerow]

Now just hold on a minute here!!! This is a guy who's too cheap to buy a second saw!!!
Now we're talking a skid loader????
First off, there's NOTHING on a skid steer that's cheap.... If you can find one for the 5000 dollar range, it's gonna need a TON of "not so cheap" parts...
You'll re-tire a skid steer 3 times before replacing tires on a tractor...
Skid steers are handy rigs, but if cost is a factor, RUN!!!! RUN FAST!!!!

 

[farmer steve]

i'm gonna go with the 4wd tractor &FEL. i use my NH for farmin in the summer and firewoodin in the winter. i've looked at SS but decent shape,low hours are 15-20 grand. spend less and all you will have is headaches &empty pockets. wifey said get what i need cause its the last one i'm gettin so i did. 6' snowblower(u could have used that this winter:smile2 bucket,forks & a rock bucket.i would'nt get near the use out of a SS. good luck Spidey.

ps. buy a second saw.:msp_biggrin:View attachment 290683

 

[Whitespider]

Now just hold on a minute here!!! This is a guy who's too cheap to buy a second saw!!!

Naw Hedgerow, you have that all wrong... it ain't 'cause I'm too cheap, I just don't see the need.

Anyway, y'all have given me a lot to think about.
I was thinking quite a bit smaller than most of ya' are... like in the 12-18 HP range and something under $5k.
Maybe I'm all upside-down in my thinking... but I wasn't planning to move mountains with it.

Here's a few I spotted on CL for under $4k...

case skidloader

1537 Case Skid Loader

Case 1816 b skidloader