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Opinions - 2004 Cat 216 vs 2005 Bobcat S150

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Tjones98

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May 5, 2026
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Sold my 751 when I left Colorado and looking for a new (to me) one.

Moved to WI, and landed on two, both in the $16K range.

#1 - 2004 Cat 216
all hand controls, new tires, rubber over the tire tracks, bucket. 1900 hrs - don't know much more about it yet other than a head gasket replaced.

#2 - 2005 Bobcat S150
hand and foot, good tires, hi-flow/two speed, heat, door, bucket. 3500 hrs.

Will be used for general landscaping, food plotting, wood-mill, ranch type work.
Been reading up, Bobcat's lift cap is a little more and a little longer wheelbase, but the tracks on the Cat I think make up for that. Cat should operate smoother and quieter.

Other thoughts?
 
John C.

John C.

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The engines in the 216 had a problem where they self destructed. When you get a chance to run the machine, warm up the engine to operating temperature. Park the machine with the engine running at idle and then remove the engine fill cap on top of the valve cover. If there is a problem there will be lots of blow by and maybe some smoke. If you see that, run away.
 
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Simon C

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Some good comment above. One thing to be mindful of is that a 2004 Cat 216 has some parts discontinued from Caterpillar. That is how things are now.
The Bobcat is up there in years and not too many folks know all the ins and outs of repairing them especially the safety systems. Kubota engines are pretty good but there is more to a unit than an engine.
So many have bought looked like good units on this site only to be deep into a won't operate problem.
Better do a good inspection, maybe some oil samples, and check on parts availability.
Simon C
 
southernman13

southernman13

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I have a 216B3 and love it but only use it now and again. It’s cool litlle machine. Think it has 1600 ish hrs. Not sure if it has a different motor than
The 216. Not even sure the year if mine.
 
Welder Dave

Welder Dave

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The more I read about problems with newer skid steers the more I'm happy with my 94 Thomas. It's very simple with no electronics and a Kubota engine. People that knock them I don't think spent much time if any running them. It's not perfect but is equal to or better than a Bobcat 743,753, Case 1840, etc. The one thing I wish it had was a Bobcat style quick attach. It was still a Bobcat patent in 94 but in 95 the universal quick attach came out. There is a company making a universal quick attach for it but it's very pricey. Thomas had an adaptor. I'm thinking of making my own adaptor so I can rent an auger or other attachments if I need to. I have 3 buckets for it, actually 4 but one is worn out and needs some repairs.
 
CM1995

CM1995

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Running what I brung and taking what I win
Tjones98 said:
Sold my 751 when I left Colorado and looking for a new (to me) one.
Click to expand...

That 751 would've out lasted both of the newer machines. 751/753's were bullet proof.

In my experience parts will be more available for the Cat than the Bobcat. Have to defer to the others that are more knowledgable on each machine's durability.
 
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Simon C

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CM1995 said:
That 751 would've out lasted both of the newer machines. 751/753's were bullet proof.

In my experience parts will be more available for the Cat than the Bobcat. Have to defer to the others that are more knowledgable on each machine's durability.
Click to expand...
Yes 751's and 753's were of a different era. Less comforts but always worked.
Simon C
 
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Simon C

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Boss system problems from what I know. Anything can be fixed but I dealt with Dealership for Bobcat and can't get info to repair, or some parts not available. Companies are not holding onto parts for 30 years anymore. You can buy a new machine.
Simon C
 
Welder Dave

Welder Dave

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I thought Bobcat had good parts support for older machines. I remember reading someone found parts on a shelf for an old M970.
 
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Simon C

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Welder Dave said:
I thought Bobcat had good parts support for older machines. I remember reading someone found parts on a shelf for an old M970.
Click to expand...
Some individual dealers did have parts managers that seen that the same piece breaks every 3000 hours so stocked some as they knew they would all sell eventually. Sometimes a dealer will do a search for some part and it comes up as no longer supported, could be an individual dealer that has one, but none available from the parts factory. If you spend lots of time you can find yourself, but they wont spend 20 hours for your $500 part. I have 2 Transmission filter By- pass sensors for most 10 to 30 year old Cat Wheel loaders and Dozers, that the ffactory has stopped making for some suppose to be new and improved one. These older ones last 5000 hours or more, doubt the replacements will last that long.
Its how business runs today.
Simon C
 
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