I got thinking about this the other day. When I look back over the last almost 20 years and decide what machine made the most impact on my operation, I think I would have to say my first 95XT.
Back in 1998 I had 1800 series machines, the XT's had been out for a year or so. I purchased an 85XT. Didn't work out for me, my dealer rolled me into a 95XT with high flow. That really changed what I was able to do. I was now able to compete with larger machines (backhoes and small wheel loaders)in moving material on site. I could load trucks with ease. I was able to take on larger jobs with more of a profit margin. It powered any attachment I wanted to buy, and yet was excellent at excavating material. The utilization rate was excellent. I soon learned that a set of steel tracks turned into a small dozer. That machine really launched my company into a much more diverse operation with a much greater earning potential. The machine was expensive, even by todays standards I think, but it was worth every penny.
I remember Walmart had built a Super store here and they had about 3K yards or more of free topsoil they were giving away to those that wanted to load it. It was a popular place for a while. I showed up with my Circle R side dump and a 95XT to load out some of it. One of the guys that was with the major excavation company on the project came over and asked if wanted a shovel. That was pretty funny. No one was laughing after I loaded the trailer in a hearbeat with the large 84" bucket. At that time there were very few of these machines around. It changed a lot of ideas on what a skid steer could do.
A tracked machine comes close for me but at its time in my operation the 95XT takes the prize for making the biggest impact.
Anyone else?
Back in 1998 I had 1800 series machines, the XT's had been out for a year or so. I purchased an 85XT. Didn't work out for me, my dealer rolled me into a 95XT with high flow. That really changed what I was able to do. I was now able to compete with larger machines (backhoes and small wheel loaders)in moving material on site. I could load trucks with ease. I was able to take on larger jobs with more of a profit margin. It powered any attachment I wanted to buy, and yet was excellent at excavating material. The utilization rate was excellent. I soon learned that a set of steel tracks turned into a small dozer. That machine really launched my company into a much more diverse operation with a much greater earning potential. The machine was expensive, even by todays standards I think, but it was worth every penny.
I remember Walmart had built a Super store here and they had about 3K yards or more of free topsoil they were giving away to those that wanted to load it. It was a popular place for a while. I showed up with my Circle R side dump and a 95XT to load out some of it. One of the guys that was with the major excavation company on the project came over and asked if wanted a shovel. That was pretty funny. No one was laughing after I loaded the trailer in a hearbeat with the large 84" bucket. At that time there were very few of these machines around. It changed a lot of ideas on what a skid steer could do.
A tracked machine comes close for me but at its time in my operation the 95XT takes the prize for making the biggest impact.
Anyone else?
