Hey guys (and maybe some gals on here), I'm in the market for a skid steer. I'm tired of renting, and have a bit of work to do around the house. 5 acres in the woods, so some dirt work, rocks, tree work, stumps, landscaping, gravel driveway, and a hobby of working on trucks, so moving junkers around and their heavy parts (axles, engines, beds, etc...).
There's a possibility of a few side-jobs through my mother's landscaping business, but I'm not factoring that into anything.
I've been looking on and off for several months now, and I was dead-set on a pre-emissions unit with as little electronics in it as I can get...but still in the 2005-2010 range (or however new I can get that meets those wants of mine). $20,000-ish budget.
Requirements are:
Wheeled machine. No tracks
Foot controls.
2000-2500# capacity.
Machine weight of 8,000 or less with one attachment. Grapple bucket is probably the heaviest attachment I have in mind. (I have a 10k trailer and don't want to upgrade).
Well then I start to see dealer ads for brand new (probably left over 2019 models) New Holland L220 machines for $32k.
First off, how are the newer NH machines from a reliability standpoint? I've read they had a lot of issues with the 200-series machines when they came out in 2012-2014...but how are they now? I'd spring for the little extra for a brand new machine, as long as I don't have to haul it to the dealer for problems every few months. Am I correct in thinking that the L220 doesn't use DEF or need to regen? That is a no-go for me, no matter what...new or used.
Secondly, back to the older machines. Any good reliable brands come to mind over another? Is any one machine easier to maintain and work on than another? Access to engine, pump, hydraulic lines, drive motors, etc.?
I'm leaning towards Bobcat. I've heard a lot of good from them, and most of the rental companies around here use them. It's also what I have the most experience with.
Deere would be a close second. Cat/Case machines are almost all pilot controls, so they may be out
Dealer support isn't much of a factor, as this would be something I would be maintaining, and doing just about every repair to myself. I know everyone says buy based on the best dealer, but I hate paying outrageous hourly service rates for someone else to change a part....reason why I've never taken a vehicle to a shop in my life either. The dealer would only be used as a source of parts if I couldn't get them online, or as a last resort if I couldn't diagnose an issue. I hope to never set foot in one...LOL
There's a possibility of a few side-jobs through my mother's landscaping business, but I'm not factoring that into anything.
I've been looking on and off for several months now, and I was dead-set on a pre-emissions unit with as little electronics in it as I can get...but still in the 2005-2010 range (or however new I can get that meets those wants of mine). $20,000-ish budget.
Requirements are:
Wheeled machine. No tracks
Foot controls.
2000-2500# capacity.
Machine weight of 8,000 or less with one attachment. Grapple bucket is probably the heaviest attachment I have in mind. (I have a 10k trailer and don't want to upgrade).
Well then I start to see dealer ads for brand new (probably left over 2019 models) New Holland L220 machines for $32k.
First off, how are the newer NH machines from a reliability standpoint? I've read they had a lot of issues with the 200-series machines when they came out in 2012-2014...but how are they now? I'd spring for the little extra for a brand new machine, as long as I don't have to haul it to the dealer for problems every few months. Am I correct in thinking that the L220 doesn't use DEF or need to regen? That is a no-go for me, no matter what...new or used.
Secondly, back to the older machines. Any good reliable brands come to mind over another? Is any one machine easier to maintain and work on than another? Access to engine, pump, hydraulic lines, drive motors, etc.?
I'm leaning towards Bobcat. I've heard a lot of good from them, and most of the rental companies around here use them. It's also what I have the most experience with.
Deere would be a close second. Cat/Case machines are almost all pilot controls, so they may be out
Dealer support isn't much of a factor, as this would be something I would be maintaining, and doing just about every repair to myself. I know everyone says buy based on the best dealer, but I hate paying outrageous hourly service rates for someone else to change a part....reason why I've never taken a vehicle to a shop in my life either. The dealer would only be used as a source of parts if I couldn't get them online, or as a last resort if I couldn't diagnose an issue. I hope to never set foot in one...LOL