Deere 320D VS Bobcat S205

Hey guys my father and I are in the market for a new skid steer. We are considering both the Deere 320D, as well as the Bobcat S205. Both machines seem pretty close on performance... One thing I like about the deere is the higher lift height.

Anyway, what do you guys feel is the better machine?

Would possibly be buying new, possibly used if a low hour with the features we want pops up for sale (2 speed, cab, and a few others).

Also, when it comes to the Deere 320D how are people liking the E/H controls? We are on the fence weather or not we want standard controls, or the E/H. What about the counter weights? Where do they go on the deere?

Thanks!

I like the size of the 205, I think its a great niche machine, good lift capacity and compact. My biggest issue is that it doesn't spec well. Little power, poor breakout. If they had gave it more power and better breakout it would be an excellent midsized machine.

I know one excavation contractor here with a D series Deere (I think its the size up from the 320). It has less than 100 hours on it and they cant keep it out of the shop, EH issues and electrical problems in general. I doubt that is representative of all of them, I think they just got a bad one. They are about ready to seek a buy back.

The Deere I think is a stronger machine, if I needed more of a horse, I would go Deere. If I was doing alot of lift and carry where the weaker performance of the BC was not as much of an issue I would go with the BC.

Deere's standard controls have been horrid in my view. Way too much effort and feedback. If you are ok with Deeres EH reliabilty I would go with that over their standard controls.

Well we want to be able to run a few types of attachments such as a concrete breaker and things of that nature. Will both of these machines handle most of the attatchments? We do not really feel a bigger machine is necessary because we have a 410G (bachoe) for any type of "bigger" work. I am biased towards Deere due to the fact that we farm, and we run all Deere equipment.

As to controls, I have read and been told that Deere has worked out most of the problems with the EH controls. Is that true?

The two machines will run the same attachments. The aux. flows are likely close enough that it would be sixes as to which would be better from that stand . Although you might want to check the flows and see which machine makes more aux. flow.

I am not sure if Deere has E/H figured out yet or not. I am sure if you asked a dealer they would say yes. I only know of the one I mentioned. They are not very popular machines here. If its a concern, perhaps negotiate an extended warranty on the EH as part of the deal. If you are a Green Deere Customer and buying your machine from an Ag dealer you should have some negotiating power.

They are both good machines. If you have a good relationship with the Deere dealer, buy the Deere. Read through this forum all the "which machine to buy" threads and it always comes down to dealer service being as important, if not more so, than the machine itself.
The counterweights on a Deere are mounted behind the tires on each side. Stackable in 170# pairs up to 3/side.

Well we went with the Deere. 2011 320D with everything except the reversible fan. It is a used model with 160 hours, pretty excited to get it. Should be delivered within a week or so!

Congratulations on your new machine Parker22. I bought a new Deere 323D this past fall with everything but the high flow hydraulics, and I love this machine. No issues yet, I am under the 100 hour mark.

Good to hear! How do you like the E/H controls?

The E/H controls are my preference. I am a novice, I used both hand / foot controls and E/H. There is a very slight delay going from one direction to the opposite but you get used to it and its not a problem. I go from my compact excavator to the skid steer with out having to think of how to control the machine. I know people with quite a bit of experience in skid steers like the hand foot controls, and after about 30 hours on a hand foot controlled machine I got used to it, but it only took an hour or two to get well acquainted with the E/H controls for me.

My father and I both are used to hand/foot controls because of his old skid. However we are both very excited about the E/H.... He was a little more hesitant but I will spend 90% of the time in the Skid and he will spend most time in the 410G if we are both working together. If it is a skid only job it will be only me running it. So we went with the E/H. I am going to try it out tomorrow before the machine we bought is brought down from Wisconsin.

When my demo E/H machine was delivered, I hopped in and was moving dirt in my back yard before the sales guy could back his truck and trailer off my driveway. That was the first time using E/H for me. My wife who has never used a skid steer was able to jump in and move dirt for me while I was loading the bucket with the excavator. Very easy to use and control the machine with.

I am anticipating that it will be a breeze!

Parker22,
Hope you are happy with your decision. We have purchased a new 2011 JD328D with everything including auto rev fan. Not sure how many hours done so far but definately less than 100 and all is going well. We have found it to be a very 'ballsy' machine with a great cab. I would like to operate new Case just to compare.
We have had a couple of misshaps with the McLaren Protrac Rubber OTT's which I assume is from not having them tensioned enough. We cut into the side wall of two tyres. Down to the canvas - I am having rubber vulcanised on the areas where the cuts are. Mclaren are not very forthcoming in their fitting manual of the consequences if the fitting is not done correct. We also had a lot of slag left in the links which meant we had to take each shoe off and clean/grind the slag out before we could get the link to adjust to the next hole. A couple of the tyre guide side plates do not protrude out at the same angle as the rest as well. Hopefully we'll get the tension right and everything will be OK.
Firetrack