Okay, this is kind of a continuation of the "How much $ for a Thumb" thread. I'm looking at a Cat 225
https://www.rbauction.com/1979-CATERPILLAR-225?invId=8925715&id=ci&auction=SACRAMENTO-CA-2016168
and 215D
LC https://www.rbauction.com/1990-CATERPILLAR-215D-LC?invId=8920106&id=ci&auction=SACRAMENTO-CA-2016168
at auction this Thursday. Both already have thumbs so that's good. Wondering which would be better for working on steep (15-30 percent) slopes. My instincts tell me a LC would be more stable, but would love to hear some opinions from people who actually know about this. I don't feel I need a machine over 40,000 lbs. so am also considering this
https://www.rbauction.com/1998-HYUN...d=8843505&id=ci&auction=SACRAMENTO-CA-2016168
Obviously three very different machines. I like the 215 but the hours (14,500) scare me, although the machine looks good in pictures, other than the boom cylinders. The Hyundai is really the size I want and it's got relatively low hours, but it's a Hyundai. Anyway, I hope some of you more knowledgable than myself will have some educated opinions. This is for ranch work, not production. I don't really care how fast a machine does a job, I just want it to do it and keep on doing it. Thanks to all who responded in my previous thread and anyone who can offer insights here.
https://www.rbauction.com/1979-CATERPILLAR-225?invId=8925715&id=ci&auction=SACRAMENTO-CA-2016168
and 215D
LC https://www.rbauction.com/1990-CATERPILLAR-215D-LC?invId=8920106&id=ci&auction=SACRAMENTO-CA-2016168
at auction this Thursday. Both already have thumbs so that's good. Wondering which would be better for working on steep (15-30 percent) slopes. My instincts tell me a LC would be more stable, but would love to hear some opinions from people who actually know about this. I don't feel I need a machine over 40,000 lbs. so am also considering this
https://www.rbauction.com/1998-HYUN...d=8843505&id=ci&auction=SACRAMENTO-CA-2016168
Obviously three very different machines. I like the 215 but the hours (14,500) scare me, although the machine looks good in pictures, other than the boom cylinders. The Hyundai is really the size I want and it's got relatively low hours, but it's a Hyundai. Anyway, I hope some of you more knowledgable than myself will have some educated opinions. This is for ranch work, not production. I don't really care how fast a machine does a job, I just want it to do it and keep on doing it. Thanks to all who responded in my previous thread and anyone who can offer insights here.