Opinions on Gehl 5635sx

[Tinman204]

Hi everyone.

This is my first post.

About 5 years ago I purchased a brand new kioti ck27 tractor with FEL to maintain my 14 acre property. I've been very happy with it overall but I find that I need more machine. I pretty much only push snow with it and use the loader in summer to lift trees for firewood and that kind of thing. I often borrow a skid steer as my tractor doesn't dig well and won't lift a ton..

My tractor at 5000lbs has a rough time pushing through the hard drifts we get in winter and it lacks breakout force so even scooping through them can be tough. It also lacks traction even though I have snow tires and 4x4.

It also has a open cab and with Temps dipping to -40 celicious here its not fun spending 4 hours pushing snow with no cab..

Last week I stopped in a gehl dealer that is close to home and had a look at what they had for sale on the lot. I've been told this dealer is good to deal with and my initial experience was very good. I'm thinking of trading in my 5 year old compact tractor on an older skid steer. Figured I'd look for something early to mid 2000s with no more then 2000 hours.

Online the dealer had a Gehl 4840 with 1500 or so hours so I went in to have a look. That machine was sold.

So,

Manager showed me a 1997 Gehl 5635sx that's on the lot. It was older and larger then anything i had looked at previously to this so initially i wasnt very interested. But after I started looking at the 5635 I saw Its a large frame machine (bigger cab and should be more capable) has a cab and heat, single speed, standard flow hydraulics (20gpm), universal quick attach and a large smooth bucket that I think was 80" or so. It has the gehl t bar controls which Ive never run but I like hand controls. Looks like it will lift 1800 lbs or up to 2000 plus with weights. It weighs 7200lbs which is 2200lbs more then my compact tractor which should do the trick for pushing through those drifts at home.

Unit has 2200 hours and was used on a small farm for landscaping/speading top soil and I assume snow removal. It has rust spots on it and could use a paint job but overall it seemed free of dents and dings /signs of abuse. Couldn't see any leaks underneath and the engine was clean. Interior is what youd expect on a 20 year old skid, used but not abused. Dealer put a new Gehl seat in which is very comfy.

Tires are old, about 80% tread but are cracked. Appears this skid has spent most of its life on soft ground based on the tires.

Dealer said the previous owner had a new engine installed by another deutz dealer but couldn't tell me why the old engine failed just that a new motor had been installed and had bills for it.

New engine has 50 hours on it, previous owner traded it on a compact tractor as he wanted to run a tiller and brush hog on the farm and said he didn't use the Gehl much anymore as it didn't fit his needs.

They also have basically an identical 4835 sxt that is similar but the lift capacity is less and I believe but am not sure that is a smaller frame machine?

Any info on the 4835sxt vs 5635sx? They are the same horse power but the 5635 lifts and weighs more and the engine has more displacement which I'm guessing wold make it feel more powerful?

So my questions are is a large frame older machine like this 5635 a good buy or should I consider a slightly newer 4835 sxt with the same horse but less lift capacity and wieght? Or should I be looking for something a little smaller in the early to mid 2000s like I originally planned. Newer smaller machines are in my price range but I'm unsure if they will out push out lift and older 35 series gehl.

Any thoughts?

 

[Jeepwalker]

Those are pretty good machines by size and design, I haven't owned one, but have looked the over pretty close and know some guys who have owned a few. They have received good service and had positive feedback about them, some guys have bought only Gehls for many years. What's good about t-handle controls is it eliminates foot pedals and makes it easier and safer to operate and get in/out, especially for older users. Getting in and out is one of the activities where people frequently get hurt or killed using a skid loader. Guys I've known that use a lot of different machines from new to older Bobcats, say they can pretty much get used to whatever machine they are using after a few minutes. Gehl's unique low-profile loader arm design provides operators better side visibility than other machines, which is also a good safety feature. An 80" bucket seems a little large for that machine, a 72" bucket seems like it would be a better fit, but I guess it depends on the rims and tires too. But the 80" bucket would probably be nice for snow ....and you might want to pick up a narrower toothed bucket for digging. Smooth buckets can do limited digging, especially if the ground is moist, but other than that, you'll want to explore a bucket with teeth.

I wouldn't let tires be a stumbling issue on the deal. You can get a set of tires on sale or on the internet for not all that much (hopefully you won't need new rims too). While new tires provide great traction for digging, they also reek havoc and tear things up when doing repair and finesse work on turf that you care about. Sometimes it's nice to have a set of so-so tires that won't tear things up. So, it depends on what kind of work you end up doing and if you want, you can select from a variety of tread patterns that will best meet your unique needs if you were to decide on new tires. On the engine, given that it's so new as they claim, if you don't feel so comfortable, ask the dealer if they have some sort of a warranty you can buy. Even if it were the original engine, 2000 hrs is nothing for a skid like that. You see them advertised around here with extreme hours, like 8000 hours and so on. It's good to be careful and look at all aspects of the loader, but that's not very many hours. It's nice they put a new seat on it.

Weather it's a good buy or not, I guess depends on how much they are asking (which you didn't list), the market in your area and what you can afford. Gehl's seem to be good machines, and I regularly see them around here on construction sites along side Cats and Case machines. Personally, I wouldn't go with anything smaller than that machine but that's just me. By today's standards, it's really not a really large frame machine, but about the right size to do some real work w/o easily outgrowing it. If you need to trailer it, which it doesn't sound like you do, but if you did, you'd want to make sure your truck/trailer can handle whatever you buy. Smaller machines make it easier to get into tighter places and house and you can do a lot with even smaller machines. One nice thing about older machines is fewer electronics to go wrong that can't be resolved by a reasonably competent mechanic (as opposed to a trip to the dealer). For most homeowners high productivity is less important than reliability and cost of ownership and that machine should have fewer electronics to go wrong.

What makes a skid loader a versatile machine are the numerous attachments. You might want to save a little money for a few key items you might need. IMO, a tooth bucket is almost a necessity for any real digging, and a set of pallet forks for moving things around. You might want to consider a plow or snow pusher as well. It's difficult (but not impossible) to find good used tooth buckets at least around here and the same for a set of used forks that aren't bent. The time to swing a really good deal on these are when negotiating with the dealer. Around here, used skid loader mount snow plows are a dime a dozen on craigslist, mostly home-brew Boss and Western conversions. But a good, strong Virnig v-plow up to the stress of a skid loader might be worth investigating brand new if you get a LOT of snow drifting in your area. Post hole augers and other items are popular attachments as well, but can be rented if only needed infrequenly. Well, good luck. Hopefully some long-time owners will chime in with their ownership experiences.

 

[Tinman204]

Jeep walker, thanks for the info.

To fill in a bit more info on this machine. They are asking about 10k US for it which in this market is a fair price and I'll add on the cheaper side. Theyve had this skid on the lot for about 8 months so i think theve dropped the price a couple of times. Will probavly be a straight trade for my current tractor. The next jump up in price would be about 5k which gets me never but more often then not 2x the hours and often those are track machines which I have zero interest in for home use. If I need a track machine I have borrowed a Deere 333d from the place I push snow for in the winter. That thing is a beast I will say. In winter I run a cat 950h and volvo L90E to clear snow and other then that I haven't run much else.

The bucket is indeed a 72" smooth bucket, a toothed smaller bucket and a set of forks Is something I think I'll work into the deal.

As for the weight my trailer will just handle it but my 1/2 ton is not legal to haul it in my area as I'd be probably 1000lbs over weight. No biggie though as I have access to several trailers as well as trucks not that I ever haul my equipment now so I don't think that's a big deal.

And you hit the nail on the head I'm looking for reliable and simple for at home. Something that wI'll push snow, ,lift pallets of wood and do some grading and soil moving.

Speed is nice but it's not a need for me at home. I'm just looking for more machine then I need at a reasonable price. I can fix darn near anything and I'll add my brother is a diesel mechanic who specialises in small diesels so I always have his brain to pick.

I was thinking about asking about warranty as the new motor is nice but was unexpected in something with this many hours.

Dealer said they ran this skid through their shop and replaced a few things like the seat but otherwise it checked out.

So it sounds like a machine this vintage shouldn't be overlooked simply because it's old style and maybe needs a paint job? I remarked at the great visibility on all 4 sides and the cab fit me well as I'm 6'2" and 260 lbs. Foot controls are something I don't love as I have size 14 feet and often it's a tight fit for them on floor pedals. The gand controls I'm sure I can get used to as I jump in and out of different loaders during snow removal and some have different stick configurations then others.

Thanks once again for the info. Very much appreciated!

 

[Jeepwalker]

It sounds like you know your way around skid loaders. That price would be a good deal around here especially with a cab, heat, new seat, and those hours. I don't think you can go wrong because it's at the low end of it's depreciation range. If you decided in a couple years to go a different direction, you should still be able to get about what you paid for it ...probably even more if you repainted it with new decals and tires. Before you buy it, check the lower bucket and cylinder pins for excessive wear just because. The more you look, the other deals you're gonna find, and every once in a while you'll see something that'll make you say, "Jeez, I shoulda waited." But at some point ya have to make the jump and enjoy what you got. I personally wouldn't be afraid to own a Gehl. There are a lot of good machines out there. Good luck.

 

[Parts]

I have a newer 6635 SXT Series II. So a newer machine than you're looking at but similar. I really really like the Gehl 35 series now that I have run mine. I always felt a little instability with Bobcats that the Gehl seems to have engineered out. Its almost too smooth and stable lol. I wouldn't hesitate buying another. Mine has no computers and a mechanically injected 81-83hp turbo Deutz. Not sure what engine your machine would have but the power is really really there. I am glad I found out about the Gehl line-up. They really are super heavy duty...I think you'll like it.

 

[Tinman204]

I have a newer 6635 SXT Series II. So a newer machine than you're looking at but similar. I really really like the Gehl 35 series now that I have run mine. I always felt a little instability with Bobcats that the Gehl seems to have engineered out. Its almost too smooth and stable lol. I wouldn't hesitate buying another. Mine has no computers and a mechanically injected 81-83hp turbo Deutz. Not sure what engine your machine would have but the power is really really there. I am glad I found out about the Gehl line-up. They really are super heavy duty...I think you'll like it.

I believe the 6635 series 2 is identical to the 5635 that I'm looking at except it has more horse power, lifting capacity, 2 speed and hiflow. They both have the deutz FM1011 if I remember correctly.

 

[Parts]

I believe the 6635 series 2 is identical to the 5635 that I'm looking at except it has more horse power, lifting capacity, 2 speed and hiflow. They both have the deutz FM1011 if I remember correctly.

I have a single speed and without hiflow. Mine has a BF4M1011F - thats a 4 cylinder turbo. I think the 5635 could have that same turbo engine?

 

[Tinman204]

I have a single speed and without hiflow. Mine has a BF4M1011F - thats a 4 cylinder turbo. I think the 5635 could have that same turbo engine?

Interesting. I though all 35 series 2 had the 2 speed but I guess I'm wrong. The 5635SXT is the same engine with turbo with 80hp.

The one I'm looking at is the same engine as yours just naturally aspirated.

 

[Parts]

View attachment Gehl Operator Manual.pdf

Heres an operators manual that can tell you a bit.

 

[62oliver]

Hi everyone.

This is my first post.

About 5 years ago I purchased a brand new kioti ck27 tractor with FEL to maintain my 14 acre property. I've been very happy with it overall but I find that I need more machine. I pretty much only push snow with it and use the loader in summer to lift trees for firewood and that kind of thing. I often borrow a skid steer as my tractor doesn't dig well and won't lift a ton..

My tractor at 5000lbs has a rough time pushing through the hard drifts we get in winter and it lacks breakout force so even scooping through them can be tough. It also lacks traction even though I have snow tires and 4x4.

It also has a open cab and with Temps dipping to -40 celicious here its not fun spending 4 hours pushing snow with no cab..

Last week I stopped in a gehl dealer that is close to home and had a look at what they had for sale on the lot. I've been told this dealer is good to deal with and my initial experience was very good. I'm thinking of trading in my 5 year old compact tractor on an older skid steer. Figured I'd look for something early to mid 2000s with no more then 2000 hours.

Online the dealer had a Gehl 4840 with 1500 or so hours so I went in to have a look. That machine was sold.

So,

Manager showed me a 1997 Gehl 5635sx that's on the lot. It was older and larger then anything i had looked at previously to this so initially i wasnt very interested. But after I started looking at the 5635 I saw Its a large frame machine (bigger cab and should be more capable) has a cab and heat, single speed, standard flow hydraulics (20gpm), universal quick attach and a large smooth bucket that I think was 80" or so. It has the gehl t bar controls which Ive never run but I like hand controls. Looks like it will lift 1800 lbs or up to 2000 plus with weights. It weighs 7200lbs which is 2200lbs more then my compact tractor which should do the trick for pushing through those drifts at home.

Unit has 2200 hours and was used on a small farm for landscaping/speading top soil and I assume snow removal. It has rust spots on it and could use a paint job but overall it seemed free of dents and dings /signs of abuse. Couldn't see any leaks underneath and the engine was clean. Interior is what youd expect on a 20 year old skid, used but not abused. Dealer put a new Gehl seat in which is very comfy.

Tires are old, about 80% tread but are cracked. Appears this skid has spent most of its life on soft ground based on the tires.

Dealer said the previous owner had a new engine installed by another deutz dealer but couldn't tell me why the old engine failed just that a new motor had been installed and had bills for it.

New engine has 50 hours on it, previous owner traded it on a compact tractor as he wanted to run a tiller and brush hog on the farm and said he didn't use the Gehl much anymore as it didn't fit his needs.

They also have basically an identical 4835 sxt that is similar but the lift capacity is less and I believe but am not sure that is a smaller frame machine?

Any info on the 4835sxt vs 5635sx? They are the same horse power but the 5635 lifts and weighs more and the engine has more displacement which I'm guessing wold make it feel more powerful?

So my questions are is a large frame older machine like this 5635 a good buy or should I consider a slightly newer 4835 sxt with the same horse but less lift capacity and wieght? Or should I be looking for something a little smaller in the early to mid 2000s like I originally planned. Newer smaller machines are in my price range but I'm unsure if they will out push out lift and older 35 series gehl.

Any thoughts?

I had an old bobcat 732 for 17 years, it was an awesome machine, but I was always pushing it beyond its limits (1300 lbs ROC). I use it in a sort of hobby farm setting, big hay bales, boxes of firewood etc. Rear wheels off the ground or close to it much of the time. This fall I bought a 1997 Case 90xt, a huge upgrade. That thing is a beast, the added capacity (2450 lbs ROC) makes it feel so much more stable, it never feels like it wants to stand on its nose or anything. And it is MUCH faster. My wife is learning to plow snow with it, I would never have considered this with the old one. Case is 9000lbs though, 2x as heavy as the old bobcat. Unless you need to have a smaller machine, go big and go home haha.

 

[Tinman204]

View attachment 164074

Heres an operators manual that can tell you a bit.

Thanks I downloaded that manual. Looks like a simple and roust machine for sure.

The t bars shold be really easy to learn based on what I read in the manual.

Still waiting for the dealer to move forward and give me a trade in price for my tractor. Hopefully they will get back to me soon before the next snow dump I'm sure we'll be getting.

 

[Parts]

The T-bars are luxurious. I was used to hand and foot controls. My fear going in was that the T-bars might require a lot of wrist movement. But its not much wrist twisting at all.

 

[Tinman204]

The T bars is one of the things that drew me to the gehl machines I will admit. I climbed into the 5635 and moved the sticks and they didn't require as much wrist movement as I thought they would.

Still not sure if I'm going to do a deal on this machine or wait for one a bit newer like maybe a series 2 with a 2 speed and hi flow hydraulics. I do think I'm 100% sold on a gehl though.

One thing Im finding is its hard to get is good advice from friends I know . A lot of my friends own or run skid steers but they all make their living with them doing concrete or snow removal. They all are super interested in the fact that I'm looking for a skid but they all say "oh that machine is too old, you should get something newer with more toys and electronics". I don't think they understand that this is a machine for use at my home and I'm not buying it to make my living.

My buddy just told me that tonight over coffee and then 10 min later told me how another guy we push snow with is getting code after code on his new bobcat and it's driving him nuts cause it goes into limp mode and he has to take it into the dealer. And on top of that he said "thsee new machines are great but you can only do so much work to them cause of all the specialised electronics"

For at home I still think an old style mechanical machine like a gehl is a smart bet as I can work on it.

Maybe wrong but that's how I see it.

Anyone disagree?

 

[Jeepwalker]

Case and Gehl were early adopters of hand (only) controls. Now, most skid steers have electric/joystick, but still hand controls. High flow hydraulics would be nice, but there are only a few attachments you'd likely use it for (snow blower might be one of them).

 

[Tinman204]

Yeah a snow blower is of interest to me bUT I'm not sure if I will ever buy one as I have lots of places to put snow. Still would be nice to have one some times.

 

[MX45]

G'day,
Just following your train of thought, ie KISS principle. I agree! Travelled Austrlalia in an FJ60 Landcruiser, manual gearbox, no computer and just points for spark. Only had to replace points. On those travels I saw a Wagon pull into a Caravan Park and the auto transmission was smoking terribly - clearly overheated with the towing of the van, driver said he knew what he was doing, go figure, hood was up on the wagon the next day! Stick with manual for simplicity and no elecs beyond the necessary. Equally saw brand new 4wd Nissan Patrol in Broome, had the auto fail - he was towing as well - auto was under warranty. Bad news was he had to send it to Perth to be repaired. Elec/computer/sensor fail and gear train fail. Took weeks to transport and then return for re-fit. On my computer run Hilux tipper dual cab I had a coil pack fail - manufacturing fault. The computer demanded the whole car stop! Had to be towed and analysed - the tech experts could not figure - I followed my nose to burned elecs and found coil pack - replaced and all go again.

On the property where ever possible I use the KISS principle. Can't always as manufacturers make machines more complex and reliant on what will be unobtainable computer when they decide the machine is no longer supported. Stick with your principle of KISS as it is the right one for putting a machine back into operation yourself or certainly more simply.

Best of luck. Bought this end machines with functions I have never used and other machines with functions I thought I would not use and do. Best machine for the job is always the one that gives little trouble and is built like a brick outhouse they say over here in OZ.

Regards, MX45

 

[check]

Agree with the KISS principle 100%. I was looking for a Gehl or older Case 1845C when I bought my Cat 236B and Cat 246. I couldn't get the aux hydraulics to work on the 236B because of electronics. There are electronics in the right joystick which would cost $600 to replace so I sold it rather than make that gamble. The joysticks are fun and easy but they have a turn radius because you can't get one motor to go forward while the other is in reverse. Around here Cat is about all you find used. I do all my own repairs and I can fix just about anything but electronics. I think their main purpose is "Planned in obsolescence" and dealer dependence .

 

[Tinman204]

I think you may be right.

 

[Tinman204]

Here's a picture of the machine in question. A little rough in the paint department but seems straight and should have tons of life left.a new paint job and decals would fix her right up.



Really apreciated all the comments on this thread. Good to know an older machine is still relevant and serviceable even though today's fancy electronic machines are so advanced an old timer like in the picture can still do work and last for many years.

Hopefully I'll get the deal done this upcoming week.

 

[Parts]

Good looking machine! Tough as nails I tell you. Mine fired up in 1 crank in 30 degree weather today. Quietest hydros I've ever heard. Can you tell I am so glad I discovered my Gehl 6635? Or should I say, can you tell I am glad I discovered Gehls? LOL