Skid-steer shopping

[Electra_Glide]

Went to the local Bobcat "open house" this week to do a little skidsteer shopping. I've pretty much decided that I don't want to go through another season of renting skidsteers. Most of my work centers around an excavator (sewer lines, house addition foundations, and retaining walls). The skidsteer would primarily be used for cleanup, backfiliing, and shuttling around material.

I went to talk about an S220/S250, but they're currently running an open house "special" on S175s. I know it's like comparing apples to banannas, but that's what I've been trying to do for the last few days. This is only my second year out, and I'm trying to spend my money wisely.

The "special" is a basic S175 w/68" low-profile bucket for $20935, which is about $3100 off list (according to the salesman), compared to about $32000 for a basic S220. With their financing (60 months @ 6.9%), that works out to over $200 per month cheaper for the smaller machine.

What would you do? Also, when packaging in attachments (I want a set of tracks and some forks), what's a reasonable discount to shoot for? Is 25% too high or too low?

Thanks...

Joe

[itsgottobegreen]

First I would go with a S185. Same machine, but you get a turbo (10hp+)and some extra counter weight. Both really help out a lot. I love my 773G(185) its no S250, but it will hold its own. I also would look into getting a cab with heat at least. Open cabs suck. Even if you don't have A/C you can at least keep the dust off of you when gradding. Also High flow is must now adays. More and more attachments require hi flow and attachment control. :yup

Mine is fully loaded, minus A/C and the suppention seat (coming soon, thank god). I wouldn't buy one any other way. Worth the extra $$$$$ spent:thumbsup

[cat320]

Well if you think you will need the bigger machine get it because that cheaper price will look good untill you need that extra lift capacity or power. I can't see them have just a special on one machine model but who knows. I would compare other machines to let them know you have been looking .Also try out sourcing the financing from a local bank for better terms. But don't compromise because if you have to rent what you should of bought then really makes the whole saveing $$ useless in my opinion. But if you don't need a heavy machine than the 175 seams like a good all around unit.I have a gehl 4640 turbo and it fit what i needed it for. bobcat here are a pain in the behind to deal with and love to over price there stuff .

[CascadeScaper]

Here's the question: What size did you rent most often in the last year? That's the size you need to buy.

A cab isn't a necessity if you're trying to keep your payments down, buy an open air machine your first time around and spoil yourself on the next machine.

[Electra_Glide]

Here's the question: What size did you rent most often in the last year? That's the size you need to buy.
Last year I rented an S220 a few times since that's the machine I was considering buying. For the jobs I did (a couple of backyard regrading jobs), I really didn't "need" it.

A cab isn't a necessity if you're trying to keep your payments down, buy an open air machine your first time around and spoil yourself on the next machine.
This is exactly what I have been thinking for the last few days. Better to have a very basic machine in-house, with an affordable payment, than no machine at all.

Well, it's all a moot point anyway. Just got off the phone with the salesman. I'm the proud owner of a brand new S175 with suspension seat, 68" low-profile bucket, bolt-on teeth, forks, and Loegering tracks. Signing the paperwork on Monday.

Joe

[Tigerotor77W]

Congratulations! Let us know how it works for ya... and take photos if you have time. :D

[xkvator]

Excellent choice Joe...congrats on your purchase.

my son-in-law has a 773...good all-around machine...was using it this past week to push over trees(up to 8'') and clearing land for a house they're building.
also had a T250 demo...dug the sandy, clay soil well, and cut the 1000' driveway in at a fast pace.
the width would be a disadvantage in some situations
Still had that d@mn Bobcat hop to it...I thought the tracks would eliminate that

[jmac]

Congratulations!
I think your right on, a machine with out all the extra's is better than no machine. You can always add a front door after the fact if dust is problem. I did that on mine after two years of eating dust. Your on your way to the next machine. Like I said before, the first leap is always the hardest!
Now advertise, advertise advertise!!
You will make more money this year by owning than you ever made in the last two.

[CascadeScaper]

That's awesome! Should be an excellent machine size wise for what you're doing.

[norrodbh]

Congratulations Joe !

I think you'll like it. I have the S175, and picked it for the same reasons you gave. I do not ever recall being on site and lamenting that I didn't get something bigger. Lamenting not having a DOZER maybe :)

Wise move on the tracks, they really change the dynamics of the machine.

Here is mine on a cut job for a barn.
865

[Tigerotor77W]

Hmm, not bad at all!

Now if I had a few dozen grand... :D

[Electra_Glide]

Well, finally got a picture of the new machine. Finally was able to put it to work. When I took this picture, it had a whopping 4.5 hrs. on it, just before I loaded it on the trailer. The excavator in the background was a rental.

Of course it rained most of the day. Been raining here for the last week, and looks like it's going to keep raining for at least another week.

Here's also a picture of it loaded on the trailer with my truck.

[2004F550]

We just demoed a s205....salesman said it is a s175/85 with more nut and counter weight....great machine...definatly a lot better with the new hand controls....the old set up that goes back to standard bobcat or case was junk when we tried it on a t300..anyway i couldn't believe the power, it was like a dozer...really stable too...only downside was the visibilty out the back seemed very poor compared to the Cat we tried.....a good machine for sure though

[CascadeScaper]

I had a chance to play with an S300 recently, still couldn't get over the lack of "feel" in the joysticks. Even with them setup like our Cat controls, there's still no feedback in the controls, I hated that. Other than that, I guess they're good machines, but the controls I still don't like.

[norrodbh]

Looking good Joe! Better get those tracks on with all this wet we're in.


Let me know if you need ideas on those tracks. I've got a good system that lets me install them by myself in under 15 minutes.

When did you get the truck? Is that a new 3500?

Stay dry !

Brent

[digger242j]

I'm reminded of the Brad Paisley song--"let's get a little mud on the tires".

:thumbsup