Do I grab the new Machine?

[Squizzy246B]

I'm going to make the Cat man crunch the numbers but I thought I'd ask for some opinions:

Our 246B is an 04 model we bought new in May 05 and has 550 hrs on the clock after 7 months work. The Cat finance was at 6.9% for 60 months. Our interest rates run about 2% higher than the States and the best a bank could do me was 8%. I financed $30K for the 246B being half the cost of the purchase.

Our Cat dealer is clearing out 05 stock and is particularly keen to clear some of the mid and larger sized skids. 216 & 226 are the big sellers here. Our 246B doesnt have the full cab and Aircon...a major bummer in summer here, less for the heat than the Dust.

I can go for a 242B or 246B with full cab and aircon for 4.9% but I don't know what they will offer for the trade. I'm thinking that if my monthly repayments only go up a $100 or so I may as well get into the new machine. All our attachments will change straight over. What do you think??

[xkvator]

Squizzy
are you saying the 246 costs $60,000? :eek:

i hope you have some luck with your dealer on trading...i don't see it here on skids.

[Tigerotor77W]

I'm guessing he's listing Australian dollars, so that 60k figure is around $45k (USD).

[Squizzy246B]

I'm guessing he's listing Australian dollars, so that 60k figure is around $45k (USD).

Yep, The machine was $57K + Tax when we got it. About 8K off list.

[Squizzy246B]

The Cat man came back with his offers. They have in stock a 248B, new, with 3 year drive train warranty. The differences to our 246B are:

Full Cab, Aircon & Heat
Hi-Flow Hydraulics
Hydraulic Quick Couplers for the buckets/attachments
Bucket levelling
and a couple nice to have POS thingys in the cab like cup holders etc

Other than that all the spec's ROC etc are identical. The Hi-Flow is really of no use to us...but you never know what you'll be doing down the track. The 248B has been offerd to us at less than the price of a new 246B with identical specs. The Hi-flow model here (in Aussie dollars) normally costs about $6K more than the standard. Basically we would be getting the Hi-flow for free. For us it would be like having aircon in Iceland...we will probably never use it. However, it may make the machine more valuable at next trade-in??... or it could just be something else to get in the way...breakdown..whatever.

What would you do in my shoes (apart from having smelly feet :) )?.

It will cost me another $200 a month which I'm happy to pay for the cab, aircon and quick couplers.

[Steve Frazier]

If you are satisfied with the expense, then by all means I'd go for it. I've got the 248 myself and use the high flow for my snow blower. There are other attachments that utilize the circuit like a stump grinder, and cold planer are just a few. The high flow option will return more on resale as you suspect, plus you can cover any job you might come upon. I haven't been sorry that I went high flow.

[Jeff D.]

Hey Squizzy,I can remember you had another thread about installing a AC unit on your current machine,but that must have not panned out well?I think if you have to spend alot of time in the seat,and your hot and miserable,then the trade would be justified.
I know I wouldn't want to ride around all day in a cab that felt like an easy bake oven,with the heat taking all the bouce out of the curls...er,scalp.

I don't know much about that new a machine,but the hi-flow could just be a 2 stage hydraulic pump,and some related hardware.It wouldn't necessarily have to cause any increase in maintanance/repairs were it not used.

Plus you get that "New skid steer smell "and who could put a price on that?(Besides the dealer)
Good Luck.

[Squizzy246B]

Hey Squizzy,I can remember you had another thread about installing a AC unit on your current machine,but that must have not panned out well?I think if you have to spend alot of time in the seat,and your hot and miserable,then the trade would be justified.
I know I wouldn't want to ride around all day in a cab that felt like an easy bake oven,with the heat taking all the bouce out of the curls...er,scalp..

Yep its mainly the dust that gets to us...and my business partner John is not getting any younger so he's totally sold on the new machine for basically $50/week. It was going to cost $5,500 Aus to get a full after market A/C system (more from Cat) and I couldn't get a great deal of "warm fuzzy's over the 12 volt systems.

I don't know much about that new a machine,but the hi-flow could just be a 2 stage hydraulic pump,and some related hardware.It wouldn't necessarily have to cause any increase in maintanance/repairs were it not used.

The new model has a whizzbang variable displacement pump thats supposed to be the bees knees.

Plus you get that "New skid steer smell "Good Luck.
:bouncegri :bouncegri :bouncegri :bouncegri :bouncegri :bouncegri :bouncegri :bouncegri :bouncegri :bouncegri

[itsgottobegreen]

The high flow option will return more on resale as you suspect, .
Thats why I got a deal on my 773G the guy didn't realize it was a hi-flow when he sold it (ex united rental piece) Since it had United Rentals sticker over the Hi flow decal. I already had a friend offer to buy it for more than I paid for it.

plus you can cover any job you might come upon. I haven't been sorry that I went high flow.
Yep. I have no need for hi flow at the moment. But I know I will. Use it for an excuse to buy more toys.
" But honey its a high flow, so it needs some high flow attachments to keep it busy. "

[Squizzy246B]

Its being delivered next week :bouncegri

[CascadeScaper]

We're going to need pics! When are you going to get the 301.8?

[Squizzy246B]

We're going to need pics! When are you going to get the 301.8?

The 301.8C does not even get into Aus until 14th Feb....bummer. The CAT guys are so busy the 248B wont be out until next week. I just can't wait to get in that cab...pity you can't post "smellopics" :rolleyes: We are on a commercial site at the moment and I did a couple of hours this afternoon backfilling one of our mass retaining walls; I could have passed off as a Black man when I finished except that I can't jump!...can't dance either. :cool: No more dust for me!

[Squizzy246B]

I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it,

Straight to work, no messing around. It got up to the low 90's here today and the AirCon is bettera than eating dust, almost civilised:eek: . Bucket levelling was good to have but anybody who has run loaders will know its no big deal. The hydraulic quick coupler are going to be very very handy. The machine has big hydraulic balls compared to the 246B. Pic's tomorrow.

[Tigerotor77W]

I'm starting to think you're just going to sit in the cab all day and never come out. :Cowboy

[itsgottobegreen]

hey somebody do Squizzy246B a favor and change his screen name to Squizzy248BHIFLOWcabA/C:bouncegri LOL

Hope you like your new toy, whoops!!!! I mean tool.

[Squizzy246B]

hey somebody do Squizzy246B a favor and change his screen name to Squizzy248BHIFLOWcabA/C:bouncegri LOL

Hope you like your new toy, whoops!!!! I mean tool.

Hey, thats a good point...how do I change my name??..not that it matters really...I like to remember the old girl...ahh ...machine..sniff:crying ..we had a lot of good times together:bouncegri

Yes I think I like my tool, and the 248 is good too:rolleyes: :cool:

Anyways, of course the kids are raggin my stupid to go down the shed and have a look, and SWMBO is cranky cause I took it out and got it dirty before I took some photos.

[Jeff D.]

Hee-Hee!!Well you'de better enjoy the new tool now,cuz they don't stay new very long!!

Don't worry though,you'll still have that new payment to remind you on the long winter nights,how fun it was today.:rolleyes:(Do they have winter down under??)

[Squizzy246B]

Hee-Hee!!Well you'de better enjoy the new tool now,cuz they don't stay new very long!!

Don't worry though,you'll still have that new payment to remind you on the long winter nights,how fun it was today.:rolleyes:(Do they have winter down under??)

We go right on through winter Jeff, nothing like you guys get, in fact winter is the best time for earthmoving, compaction comes up well, no need for a dust management plan etc.

Anyway, here she is (with our old sand tyres and 4 in 1)

[Squizzy246B]

And this is the bit I'm paying $50/week for:

[Jeff D.]

She really does look nice!! $50/wk isn't much for the added comfort in your daily working conditions.

Especially when your able to work year round.

Enjoy Squizzy.:thumbsup

[itsgottobegreen]

Yea thats defently worth $50 a week. :Cowboy :thumbsup

[Squizzy246B]

The 246 only had the buttons for the 4 in 1. The 248 has the thumb roller, much easier to control, more proportional.

[Squizzy246B]

Couple of weeks down the track - time for a review:

It was 104 deg F yesterday and the cab was a joy although I didn't get to spend that long in it!. Its well tight. Today I was clearing stumps on a new site and the dust was horriffic. I was raking out the sticks and often it was so dusty I couldn't see the rake in front of the door. Had to clean the airfilter twice in 3 hours. All clean inside the cab though. Happy with that part.:) :notworthy

The Hi-Flow pump is noisy but not intrusive. The hydraulics are awesome, heaps of grunt. Its different to the 246B in that on the 246 the aux circuit suffered for the loader and revs had to be kept up a bit when using the 4 in 1 a lot. The 248B is practically the opposite. I used to grab steel pickets on the 246 and pull them out of the ground. On the 248 I ran up to one and closed the bucket and almost sheared the picket right off:eek:

On the 3rd day she dropped a pile of hydraulic oil in the truck and a check of the tank showed it was almost empty. A Cat truck materialised on site shortly after my phone call and a poorly installed O-ring was found on the pump. All fixed free of charge..not great on a new machine but you have to love that Cat service.

I stalled the machine three times today but from my previous experience on the 246B I know that this (on the Mitsapillar 3044 engine) can be the result of sittting idle too long at the dealer and I know this machine sat for 8 months. I'll hit the pile a few more times and if it doesn't come good Cat will get a call. The same thing happened when I first got the 246B.

Whilst the specs show very similar for the 246-248 this machine definetly is steadier when lifting weights that are around the ROC...or maybe even a little more:rolleyes:

The hydraulic quick hitch is just sheer luxury as far as I'm concerned and I like the bucket levelling for some applications.

All in all I'm very happy..mainly that I'm not eating dust all day, and that I have 3 years warranty up my sleeve. Apart from that the first bill for a monthly payment turned up:eek:

[Ford LT-9000]

If Cat still uses those fittings with the O rings I'am not surprised it leaked they are a biatch to get to seal right. Your lucky the hydraulic vapour didn't hit something hot or you would have one hell of a fire going. Hydraulic oil burns hotter than gasoline.

As for dust on the windshield when I was screening topsoil the backhoe windows used to get dusty the windshield would be hard to see through especially when the sun glaring at you.

I was told leave the wiper going and it wiped the dry dust off it worked it didn't scratch the windshield but I always kept the wiper bottle full of washer fluid plus I had a bottle of windex in the cab.

It sounds like the bigger machine is working out for you :thumbsup

[CEwriter]

Whilst the specs show very similar for the 246-248

Wow, those really are similar machines. Only difference is hydraulic flow and pressure, and a couple hundred pounds of operating weight.

[Dozerboy]

That’s a nice machine did ya spring for the radio too? How do you like your 4in1? I hate to run a backhoe without one is it just as irreplaceable on a skidsteer IYO?

[Steve Frazier]

The 248 and 246 are identical machines save for the high flow pump. That's the only difference. The added weight of the big pump is probably what's helping you with stability.

[Squizzy246B]

Ford LT, all the diabolics are under the seat and the engine is pretty well shielded from the area...ask Steve..its a lovely place to be under the seat of a Hi-flow machine:bouncegri . It was an O-ring on one of the drive pumps.

I have heard of guys running the windscreen wiper dry but never tried it. I have to adjust the washers cause at the moment I just make geisers.

DozerBoy - I could go for hours about 4 in 1's suffice to say I just couldn't imagine trying to do a job without one. I still find new uses for it and I've had for like 12 months or something. Haven't got around to the radio yet but it needs it bad.

Steve - Thats what I was thinking but its only like 150 lbs or something. Anyway, it works well.

I pushed the machine really hard all day today and it didn't stall once so I guess the system is working properly now.

Thanks all for the replys.

[stuvecorp]

Cool that your new machine is working out. The air is priceless for hot weather use. Glad to hear that your cab is tight and not letting the dust in. Our Case 440 is very bad for letting the dust in and it's very frustrating. The hyd. quick tach is one of the best things ever. Enjoy you machine!