• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

What Skid Steer Should i Get?

firecatf7333

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2011
Messages
60
Location
Rochester NY
I'm looking at getting a Skid Steer, would prefer Track but could use a wheel- Help me pick heres my info

Uses:
-main use-Loading Firewood into my dump trailer-6-8Ft from ground idk, so lift height is nice
-Small grading, earthwork stuff/landscaping work-(Right now i advertise on craigslist using my dads Bobcat MT55(mini skid steer) and do small jobs like auger holes, moving dirt, small grading. I would prolly do the same maybe just get into slightly bigger jobs but i don't plan on doing this for a living-more of a side job thing
- Eventually i'm buying land and building own house so any light clearing, driveway, etc i'll do myself, also will start a small sheep or beef farm and use skid steer to move hay in winter/summer and general farm use


I'd like to stay $10k or under but if the deal was right could spend a little more. i'd prefer a small to mid size track loader-

ASV rc50- i'm scared i'm going to spend alot to replace under carriage
Bobcat t190- a little on the big side of what i need but already own a MT55 and have seen many older t190s for sale
takeuchi TL26 or 120- I've seen some old 26's for under 10k and i've heard they are bullet proof.

Any other skid steers that are older but reliable and in my price range? Do you think i need a track machine? Loading wood will be in winter and moving hay bales will evenutally be in winter in upstate NY and it gets wet and muddy.

Also if i could get more "earthwork" i would advertise for it with a bigger machine but right now i do everything "under the table" and didn't plan on getting big or getting a DBA right away

thanks for help
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,321
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
I would try and find an 1845C with a cab. The TL26's were not as strong or as bullet proof as the newer models. I would try to get along with wheels at least until you get your operation off the ground. While they are more productive in a lot of circumstances they are also more money to keep running. That works if your making money not so good if your not which can easily happen when your buying a used track machine of any make and trying to get a business established.
 

dave esterns

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2010
Messages
597
Location
madison
the way people tout the 1845c, its a wonder you can get one for less than 10k. i was asking the dealer about the new case machines, and his first comment was (paraphrase) "well cases are awesome i got a guy with 15000 hours on his 1845c no problems at all" - i did not understand the significance of that comment but...

i would consider bobcats 763, 773, 175, 185.
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,321
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
You would have to look to find a good well taken care of 1845C for under 10K, you can certainly find well worn models for under that money. I doubt you would get a S185 for under 10K.
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,250
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
I would stay away from the ASV (for the reasons you mentioned) and stay away from the T190. I am a Bobcat guy and the happiest moment in my Bobcat life was seeing that machine leave on the dealers truck when I traded it in. The T190 was weak, unbalanced, very loud inside the cab and had hyd issues. The boom and bucket functions would bog down while operating, you would have to pause and move the pedals slightly for the machines hyd to start functioning again. Dealer could never fix the problem after several attempts.

The 1845 Case has a good history. I would also look at the Bobcat 743 and 843 models, tough as nails. You should be able to find a decent unit for $10K, although it will require some searching. Take a look at the online equipment auctions to get an idea of what skids are going for.

Ditto on what KSS said about track machines - for what you are doing, I would go with wheels. You can always put a set of metal tracks on if you need them.
 

firecatf7333

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2011
Messages
60
Location
Rochester NY
reply

How much does it cost to put tracks on a wheel machine, and i'm not talking about the expensive way to do it, just throwing some tracks over your wheels?

What about the takeuchi tl26, or tl130 since theres alot out there? I've read on here where guys said they were a great machine. Can a track machine go through alot more than a wheeled machine?
 
Last edited:

JCBiron

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
167
Location
St. Louis, MO
I would try and find an 1845C with a cab.

I would agree with this as well, although like KSSS mentioned, you may be hard pressed to find a nice 1845C with decent hours for under 10K. Most tend to be in that 12-15 neighborhood if they are nice. One other option, and equally bulletproof (in my opinion), are the 1840's. Smaller, yes, but very nimble, strong machines for their size, and I doubt going from a walk behind skid you would notice the size drop from an 1845....Plus, better chance of finding a nice one for 10K. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.
 

Digdeep

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2007
Messages
704
Location
Wisconsin
I would stay away from the ASV (for the reasons you mentioned) and stay away from the T190. I am a Bobcat guy and the happiest moment in my Bobcat life was seeing that machine leave on the dealers truck when I traded it in. The T190 was weak, unbalanced, very loud inside the cab and had hyd issues. The boom and bucket functions would bog down while operating, you would have to pause and move the pedals slightly for the machines hyd to start functioning again. Dealer could never fix the problem after several attempts.

The 1845 Case has a good history. I would also look at the Bobcat 743 and 843 models, tough as nails. You should be able to find a decent unit for $10K, although it will require some searching. Take a look at the online equipment auctions to get an idea of what skids are going for.

Ditto on what KSS said about track machines - for what you are doing, I would go with wheels. You can always put a set of metal tracks on if you need them.

I was a Bobcat guy too...sold them for over 8 years and still own an S220. I also own an ASV RC50 and it's a far more capable and durable machine than most would have you believe. I don't think they're that expensive to run either...Terex retails the entire undercarriage (set of tracks, two fully assembled sprockets and all 24 wheels) for $5,600.00...if you replaced everything every 1,000 hours it would cost you around $5.60 an hour on the undercarriage.

Do not buy an TL26 or TL126. My Bobcat dealership used to sell them before the 864 came out and they had lots of problems. their new machines are much better, but well outside of $10k.

I still that if your limit is $10k you'd be better off buying a skid steer, such as an 1845 (good machines). You can get one that would work for your limited workload. Good luck.
 

firecatf7333

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2011
Messages
60
Location
Rochester NY
Also, if i went with a 1840, 1845c, or similar bobcat, what kind of work could i do with it? I don't want to do any type of hardscapes, more of the earthmoving work but idk if these machines are capble of that. I wouldn't mind putting in lawns with a rockhound if that were possible, grading/leveling, french drains/tiles, things of this nature. right now i only advertise of craigslist and do all my work under the table
 
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
17
Location
Yorkville, Il
an 1845c and an 1840 theres not too much difference besides the size and lifting capacities. If I remember its all basically the same engine and hydraulic pump wise its just that the size of the machine is smaller. I have an 1845c and love that dam thing couldnt be happier. Easy to operate and can do most jobs I ask it to do, granted I know most of its capabilities. Weighs in at 6000lbs give or take and can move pallets that are loaded to 3100lbs and possibly a little bigger as long as you take your time and are slow. I'm not saying it can move major mountains or anything but brick pallets or piles of dirt and from what youve described I would suggest the 1845c.
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,321
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
There is only 6 hp difference between the 1840 and 1845C (50 vs 56). The ROC of the 1845 was about 1750 and the 1840 about 1500.
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,250
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
How much does it cost to put tracks on a wheel machine, and i'm not talking about the expensive way to do it, just throwing some tracks over your wheels?

The last set of Grouser "over the tire tracks" I bought were in the $2800 range but this was back in '02 or '03. I don't know what the current price is.

For years we ran OTT metal tracks on wheeled skids without any problems. When winter time rolled around, they went on and stayed on until spring. I have 2 sets laying around the weeds at the shop - one for an 843 and one for an 863.
 

firecatf7333

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2011
Messages
60
Location
Rochester NY
6HP doesn't seem much of a difference to me. Do they have the same lifting height, as i will be lifting over a dump trailer? While searching, i've found the 1840 to be a little cheaper.
 

CEwriter

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2004
Messages
391
Location
St. Louis, MO
Occupation
journalist
Poll: Who makes your favorite skid steer? Vote by clicking here.

Four days into this weekly poll and the two CNH brands (Case and New Holland) combine to lead with almost 30% of votes. Vote now if you want in; I'll compile the results and post them in the morning.

Hope you can participate

Larry
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,321
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
The 1845C had mech. self leveling. I am not sure what the difference was in dump height but I am sure the 1845C would lift higher. The 1845C ran on 12X16.5 and the 1840 on 10X16.5 You likely could put the 12's on the 1840.
 

yanmarman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2011
Messages
112
Location
Pa.
Occupation
union ironworker
How about a Newholland?I;ve had good luck with mine,something to think about.
 
Top