searcyfarms
Well-Known Member
Help - I have a dilemma - my skid steer burned up totally - makes me sad - I only had it a year and only used it about 8 hours, I loaned it to my neighbor and he put about 45 on it in that time so more than me. First off it was an MC110 Volvo. I know you all can rant all you want about the scat/Volvo machines but I have had nothing but stellar luck with them and the perkins engine. Easy on fuel and they have some torque and digging that wont quit. I use mine for primarily digging on the farm, moving heavy wet manure, hay, digging up trees, stumps, brush cutting with a cutter that will grind up 10 to 12" trees so it gets worked when its worked. I had been mowing 3 to 6 inch trees for about 8 hours and I was backing up and heard a pop!!! I had a front plexiglass door to keep debris off me and when the blow torch sound came I knew I was in trouble, within seconds the cab was filled with black smoke, I couldn't breathe and with the arms off the ground I couldn't get door open. I shut off engine right before I exited busting through the front door and landing on the mower out front. Blessings I am ok - now trying to find a replacement - I have no idea how much or if I will get any $$ from the ins co - however I need to replace it and am considering other machines - I need something that has some guts, I don't like using machines that when you are turning with both sticks pulled and digging hard or lifting/turning the engine bogs down or dies, that is annoying!!! So....with that being said I also do not want a track loader due to the maint costs of tracks and lack of traction in the mud. I have over the tire bar tracks and they are the only way to fly in the mud. My cousin has an ASV with rubber tracks and he cant use his where I can. I have to pull him out have the time not to mention he cant push/dig in the mud and get leverage like in can with my bar tracks.
So wheeled skid steer - I don't like the JD and their weights on the back/sides I would knock those of bumping into trees or rocks, those bolts would get torn right out and then I would have other issues. Volvo are hard to find and I don't like the single arms on the new ones. I want at least 2200 lb lift. Are the 262B cat ok? that is about the only thing I have seen so far that might work - how about the new Holland 190 or is there something in the bobcat/case that are reliable and don't break down. Maybe a Gehl? I know some models have issues. I owned a Scat Track 1700C for 15 yrs and put 550 hours on it to give u an idea of the work/time I put on one. I loved the perkins power in it as well, same 86hp engine basically just not as much lift as the MC110.
How about a pilot machine ( are they a night mare on reliability? ) or at least like the MC110 the hydraulic assist sticks, the 1700C was pure battle when digging, the harder you pressed into them the harder it pushed back, it would wear u out in a long day.
Fire away with your recommendations - I don't want a weenie machine that breaks or lacks power and lift. Yea I know about Taks and have driven them but I don't want rubber tracks.
So wheeled skid steer - I don't like the JD and their weights on the back/sides I would knock those of bumping into trees or rocks, those bolts would get torn right out and then I would have other issues. Volvo are hard to find and I don't like the single arms on the new ones. I want at least 2200 lb lift. Are the 262B cat ok? that is about the only thing I have seen so far that might work - how about the new Holland 190 or is there something in the bobcat/case that are reliable and don't break down. Maybe a Gehl? I know some models have issues. I owned a Scat Track 1700C for 15 yrs and put 550 hours on it to give u an idea of the work/time I put on one. I loved the perkins power in it as well, same 86hp engine basically just not as much lift as the MC110.
How about a pilot machine ( are they a night mare on reliability? ) or at least like the MC110 the hydraulic assist sticks, the 1700C was pure battle when digging, the harder you pressed into them the harder it pushed back, it would wear u out in a long day.
Fire away with your recommendations - I don't want a weenie machine that breaks or lacks power and lift. Yea I know about Taks and have driven them but I don't want rubber tracks.