Welder Dave
Senior Member
I'd guess the hook is just for the cab. That has to be a pretty heavy machine. I don't remember what model it was but the guy I bought tires from had a Case CTL and had problems with drive motors and they were expensive. He found a less expensive supplier in the US somewhere but I think he changed motors a couple times.
If you want a bigger machine mostly for moving mats and don't want to spend a lot, look for one of the larger Thomas machines like a T233HD (not older T233Plus), or newer T243, T245, T255 . Good engines, good components, very well built but not very popular in the US. Very good control in close quarters. Could probably pick one up for less than half the price of a comparable size Bobcat or other more common machine. No frills and not a lot of electronic crap to screw up. A lot of people knock them because they aren't as common or they claim parts are hard to get. The major components are name brand so may just require some deciphering to get. I have a smaller Thomas but I'd put it up against any other machine in the same capacity. I could pick up eggs at full throttle. In comparison, I tried an early Cat skid steer with the joystick control and it had terrible control for finesse work. There was a reason it had a throttle pedal. If you had to be real careful not to damage something you might as well leave it at idle or get out a hand shovel. I prefer 2 steering levers to a single joystick so I can have total control of each side but that's what I'm used to. I think some joysticks are better than others.
If you want a bigger machine mostly for moving mats and don't want to spend a lot, look for one of the larger Thomas machines like a T233HD (not older T233Plus), or newer T243, T245, T255 . Good engines, good components, very well built but not very popular in the US. Very good control in close quarters. Could probably pick one up for less than half the price of a comparable size Bobcat or other more common machine. No frills and not a lot of electronic crap to screw up. A lot of people knock them because they aren't as common or they claim parts are hard to get. The major components are name brand so may just require some deciphering to get. I have a smaller Thomas but I'd put it up against any other machine in the same capacity. I could pick up eggs at full throttle. In comparison, I tried an early Cat skid steer with the joystick control and it had terrible control for finesse work. There was a reason it had a throttle pedal. If you had to be real careful not to damage something you might as well leave it at idle or get out a hand shovel. I prefer 2 steering levers to a single joystick so I can have total control of each side but that's what I'm used to. I think some joysticks are better than others.