Bobcat S630 vs Cat 246D

Both newer models with less then 500 hours but the Bobcat is open cab hand/foot controls. The Cat is an enclosed cab with a/c and heat.

The Cat is from a private seller who is anal about taking care of his equipment like me and kept indoors. The bobcat was kept outside and sold by a used dealer without knowing the real history. Both run great but the Cat cost 6k more. The cat does come with some steel OTT tracks as well and a cat tooth bucket. Bobcat comes with a smooth aftermarket bucket.

How do maintenance cost compare between the machines? Is one more expensive to own then another? The Cat has more electronics and things to go bad and the bobcat is more simple. Still leaning towards the cat though since it is like a new machine.

What would you guys choose?

Every seller is anal about taking care of their equipment when it's for sale. Why is he selling it with so few hours? Do you need a cab with heat and AC or the tracks? The tracks are probably worth 3K. How much warranty is left on either machine? Will the dealer give you warranty if it is not covered by the factory anymore? Less than 500 hours the dealer should know some history of the machine. Was it a repo that was never serviced, etc. Have you run both machines, which controls do you prefer? I'd have to see both machines and run them. The Cat sounds like the better choice but is 6K more.

Bobcat is a 2015 and the Cat is a 2016. The Cat is actually under 300 hours. He bought it new to do some property work similar to what I want to do. The Bobcat is under 500 hours and is not quite as clean since its been sitting outside for a long time. The owner of the Cat waxed the thing lol. He also works on them for a living and seems to know a lot about them. You can tell when a piece of equipment is cleaned and maintained well. Not that the Bobcat is in bad shape because I still really like the S630. I dont have to have AC but of course it would be nice on these 90 degree days.
I have run both Machines and I like both but think I may slightly prefer the hand controls just because I think they will be faster to get use to.

JJay0335 said:

I dont have to have AC but of course it would be nice on these 90 degree days. I have run both Machines and I like both but think I may slightly prefer the hand controls just because I think they will be faster to get use to.

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A 90 degree day is going to feel like 110F in the cab. I spend a couple hours pushing dirt this weekend and I looked like I'd gone swimming after I was done.

Its very hot and humid out today in Cincinnati so I know what you mean.

You know what it's like without A/C.....the fact that it's hot without the enclosed cab and A/C is one thing, but try bucketing material around or even better, power raking when it's dry out without an enclosed cab, that dust loves to stick to anything damp, guess where that will be.....

All else being equal, go with the cab unit. It will hold its value better and you will be way more comfortable. If your going to really work the machine it then pays to look at the spec sheet and compare breakout, lift capacity, hyd flow and pressure and so forth. If your not going to really work it, those things may not be as important.

I actually ended up going with the 630. Does anyone know where I can get an owners manual online?