Bobcat vs. New Holland?

which machine do you prefer & why? - Eric

Well it's really hard for me to say exactly I think bobcat has some nice stuff but I really thing you pay more for the name since they have been out the longest.The newhollands are great long wheelbase easy to service machine but noe real HP or break out. John Deere is similar to the NH. as it's an easy to service machine with pleanty of break out. And there are so many more I belive in being able to service my own stuff to bobcat with so many electronics would be out for me as is the dealer here seams to thing his stuff is gold and will take you when he takes you and they are the only one for miles so you are at there mercie . So if it came down to it I gues I would get a JD the same as the NH but more power.

Just a little info to direct my opinion: What would be your intended use for the machine (pallets, digging lifting)? It there a reason you already have limited it to Bobcat or New Holland? Have you considered others?

Bobcat seems to be the most popular, but as Cat320 mentioned they seem to flog you for parts & service. I've only owned Bobcat, but I think I'm ready for a change. Doing more lifting than digging.
I like the lifting design of the NH plus the smoother ride.
- Eric

I've never owned a skid steer at all, but I've run a number of different makes. Personally, from the operator's seat, I've never been as fond of either Bobcat or NH as I am of Case.

I have run both bobcat and NH and liked the NH for ride and reach.I have a case backhoe but never liked there skidsteers untill the new xt line but have never used one.As the NH are nice I have heard that they lack in the power dept. As why I sugested JD same as NH except more HP.

I've run my friend's NH LS190 along with a number of other machines, and it would probably be one of the last machines I'd consider for purchase. It needs to be updated in the worst way, they are still using technology that most of the other manufacturers have abandoned.

The controls are manual and stiff, They'll add to fatigue after a full day's use, along with the excessive noise.

The hydraulics aren't as powerful as many of the other manufacturers either, I'm not sure why.

In your survey, I'd choose Bobcat.

It would depend on what you are looking for in a skid-steer . How many hours do you put in a day operating ? What is your typical job ? Some business owners only look at bottom lines . Some look at warranties and maintence costs . Some look just at resale values , so it really depends on a lot of factors when comparing brand x to brand z . Also , what are the reputations of the dealers ??? To me , this is a big one ,cause I've seen some guys get great deals on machines , only to get screwed over by the dealer for everything else , even warranty work . Around this part of the world right now , Cat is trying to bite into the market , and they've been bending over backwards trying to get new sales . This is great for the buyers , but really crappy for dealers . But again ,if you are farmer Joe who only needs it for several hours per week , it wouldn't make sense to go out and spend 50k for a new Cat . And conversely , if I sat in one for at least 12 hours a day , six days a week , I'd go for the only one that has pilot controls . Sorry to complicate things . Oh , I've run Bobcats and Cases and some Cat ( Bobcat the most ) . Each had good points . Case was the 95XT , for snow removal , but for a new machine to not have a working heater ( p-poor design ) was to me just mind-boggling . Apparantly this was a common thing . Other Cases include the 1845 and 1840 , both I liked . Bobcats : have run several types , liked the newer hand control and being able to see around me . Cat , took me a few minutes to adjust to the controls , then never looked back . I believe they set new standards for everyone else to follow . BUT ,they cost almost double anything else . Oh well ,you wanna play ,you gotta pay . Hope this helps , or at the very least was entertaining


Rob

I've been out of the full time excavating business for almost 10 years now. So I just use my machine to move logs & snow, and maintain my long gravel drive. The reason I was looking into the NH was their foot controls. I've run the older Case 1845 machines & the hand controls made my tendonitis flare up. I will look into the JD machines do they have the foot controls?

Also wondering if anybody's had experience with Thomas or the older Mustangs? Somebody has a smaller Thomas machine from BC on Ebay.

If the tendonitis is a concern, then you should look at machines with electronic control like the CaseXT series, Cat, or Bobcat. The effort required is minimal and the precision is tremendous! If you just need a small machine, used Cat 226s are out there for well under $20,000 and I don't think you'll find a more comfortable skid steer to run.

New Holland knows they have a out dated skidsteer design and next year they are being revamped. We have been told pilot controls are being added along with other changes.

Had the oportunity to run a Scat Trak 1300C today. Nice simple design like the 743, would be easy to work on. Was a decent price, $8500 with only 1500 hrs. on it. They sure don't hold their value like a Bobcat. Somebody had posted on another thread how much they liked them. Did seem a little bumpy of a ride, tracks would probably help smooth that out though. - Eric

Sounds like you are on the right track although the Cat prices are not as bad as they sound. Once the machines get to the level you are talking about, I am seeing that they all tend to level out in price and price drop. So for a part time unit, it would only make sense for you to look at these types of machines. When looking, look hard at details to make sure you get a nice machine and not an over-priced lemon. We had Mustang for 25 years with very minimum/minor problems over 6 machines. We just recently switched to Cat (Mustang lacked some options we wanted) and am liking it so far but have not spent much time in it yet. If you are not a master mechanic then you may want to stick with a local reliable dealer and what they can do for you so it may make it easier later if you did have a problem.

Steve I'm suprised by the comment on the stiffness of the controls on the NH LS-190? It should have hyd assist on the control levers. I like ours, we run 2 machines (190's) and have no problems with them. Our main use for them is lifting heavy loads (over 4000 lbs) and loading semi's.

I have used the John Deere machines infact we bought one before we went with NH, we tore the torque tube out on the backof the machine the first week. It was returned to the dealer after that.

I did demo the case XT95 but the $6000+ price differance put it out of the running.

We run 5 NH machines 2 190's, 2 170's and 1 old 555 skid steer.

My friends machine has the Case style controls, the foot pedal runs the auxillary hydraulics and you twist your wrists to work the boom and bucket. This was the function I felt required too much effort. I also found it difficult to feather the controls as in making minor adjustments to unload pallets. I haven't spent a lot of time in it, but I felt a full day in the cab would lead to a lot of fatigue.

I know a number of people who swear by NH, I buy from a nursery that uses them exclusively. I just can't compare them to some of the other offerings out there, but you're right, they are a bit less expensive than some of the others.

there both great brands but i like how the bobcats aren't real long like the bigger new hollands,but the new holland super boom is just awsome.

now this is what i picked

and this one too

Are Bobcats worth the extra money? I priced a Bobcat S300 with cab and heat for $37,000. A New Holland LS180 with 2 speed, cab and heat is 25,800. That's a big difference for me.

that's a very good price for the 300 the ls180 is alittle different, but that's about the going price for both units

Well guess I'll have to stand up for the T Bar Mustang. 1998 2040, not the most luxirous but the dealer was desperate for sales being right next to bobcat so the price was more then right and the attachents list was long without any mark up's. Very reliable too....Not sure now, the dealer doesnt even have one skid on the lot to look a......, so I guess in the future it will be a Cat. But if u can find a used mustang, not a half bad machine.