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Author Topic: Question for Skid Steer Owners  (Read 12284 times)

crankshaftdan II

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Re: Question for Skid Steer Owners
« Reply #30 on: March 07, 2015, 04:38:59 AM »

Just a newbie innocent bystander here--don't have my OWB in operation yet--considering a skid-steer purchase down the road and was wondering what the maintenance costs are on WHEEL units vs the TRACKED units as the ones with the original rollers etc.???   I have seen a lot of used over the wheel types rubber tracks that can be fitted over a wheel unit-looks to elevate the machine up for ground clearance-adds some dirt/sand/poo goo to the tire area/wheels etc. on the other hand the regular tracked machines that I see used on CL can already have the rollers/brngs/sprockets replaced with 600 hours.  Seems to me the tracked machines are at a premium to purchase up front and require more $$ for up-keep costs, but is the most desired machine due to the added traction and other handling considerations.  If one purchases a unit and keeps the machine clean-whether it is wheeled/tracked and performs the required manintenance one should expect a return on that investment.  Just my two cents worth-hope that I am not confusing anything on the thread and not anyway related to the tractor/skid steer discussion.
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Jwood

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Re: Question for Skid Steer Owners
« Reply #31 on: March 07, 2015, 05:08:53 AM »

It's all what you need it to do and where you need it to go. Tracked machines are more maintenance but then again if you operate as recommended and are really the only one using it then it should last a long time. For instance keeping proper tension and avoid doing 180 degree type turns. What brand you choose is a whole different ball game.
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rt014

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Re: Question for Skid Steer Owners
« Reply #32 on: March 07, 2015, 07:16:14 AM »

Great feedback everyone. Really does depend on primary use.  For me it would need to be a 'do everything' machine.  And I also have over 70 acres and it has logging roads criss-crossing the whole thing.  It takes a while to get from one end to the other on a Rhino so using something like a tracked skid steer would be really slow.  If I can't have both, I think I'm leaning to the tractor for now as it gives both more flexibility and higher ground speed.

If someday, I do some serious logging (selling saw logs), I can see a skid steer really doing the trick.
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mlappin

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Re: Question for Skid Steer Owners
« Reply #33 on: March 07, 2015, 07:26:56 AM »

Great feedback everyone. Really does depend on primary use.  For me it would need to be a 'do everything' machine.  And I also have over 70 acres and it has logging roads criss-crossing the whole thing.  It takes a while to get from one end to the other on a Rhino so using something like a tracked skid steer would be really slow.  If I can't have both, I think I'm leaning to the tractor for now as it gives both more flexibility and higher ground speed.

If someday, I do some serious logging (selling saw logs), I can see a skid steer really doing the trick.

Some do offer a two speed option, but yah I hear yah, skids are much slower than a good tractor but do offer more safety with their lower center of gravity and ROPS.
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tawilson1152

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Re: Question for Skid Steer Owners
« Reply #34 on: March 07, 2015, 07:29:40 AM »

Going back to the op's situation. You said transporting after getting the logs out of the woods is your bottleneck. Would maybe a dump trailer be a better investment for you? It's a big timesaver for me. I would never try to talk someone out of getting a piece of equipment, I'm just throwing some options out there for you.
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justinb

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Re: Question for Skid Steer Owners
« Reply #35 on: March 09, 2015, 08:43:44 AM »

Going back to the op's situation. You said transporting after getting the logs out of the woods is your bottleneck. Would maybe a dump trailer be a better investment for you? It's a big timesaver for me. I would never try to talk someone out of getting a piece of equipment, I'm just throwing some options out there for you.

Yes, I have thought about keeping my tractor and getting a dump trailer.  So many options for me.  Right now I'm leaning towards skid steer.  I like the idea of cutting large chunks of tree and using the grapple to get them out of the woods.  My tractor struggles to drag large trunks so I end up bucking them, and either dragging out smaller pieces or hand loading them into my small bucket.   In a perfect world, a skid steer and dump trailer would do the trick. 
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Log hog

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Re: Question for Skid Steer Owners
« Reply #36 on: March 14, 2015, 05:02:32 AM »

Well I can't answer the question of tractor or bobcat. I have both and use both. I have a Bobcat s650 with root grapple and I love it. Most often I cut logs in the woods to 8 foot long then pick up as much as the grapple will hold and drive down the trail. I don't like skidding them, picks up to much crap on logs. I also pick up 8 foot logs and place them right in front of the burner, cut and toss in,  less handling.

I love my tractors too but down side is you can't see the bucket or quick attach.  And need larger room to maneuver.  I can do way more log handling with the skid steer than I ever could with a tractor. But for the jobs my tractors do I couldn't use a skid. Sooooooo buy them both. It's only money, they will print more.   :photo: ;D
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Roscoe

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Re: Question for Skid Steer Owners
« Reply #37 on: March 15, 2015, 06:18:38 PM »

Well I can't answer the question of tractor or bobcat. I have both and use both. I have a Bobcat s650 with root grapple and I love it. Most often I cut logs in the woods to 8 foot long then pick up as much as the grapple will hold and drive down the trail. I don't like skidding them, picks up to much crap on logs. I also pick up 8 foot logs and place them right in front of the burner, cut and toss in,  less handling.

I love my tractors too but down side is you can't see the bucket or quick attach.  And need larger room to maneuver.  I can do way more log handling with the skid steer than I ever could with a tractor. But for the jobs my tractors do I couldn't use a skid. Sooooooo buy them both. It's only money, they will print more.   :photo: ;D


X2
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Re: Question for Skid Steer Owners
« Reply #38 on: March 16, 2015, 03:19:02 AM »

X3, great post log hog, I tell my wife that all the time, an old friend of mine that served his country well in Vietnam x3 and then got screwed with MS used to tell me " the guy that dies with the most bills wins"
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yotehunter66

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Re: Question for Skid Steer Owners
« Reply #39 on: March 28, 2015, 04:11:04 PM »

I could use one with a grapple.
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aries9245

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Re: Question for Skid Steer Owners
« Reply #40 on: March 29, 2015, 01:55:08 PM »

I think they both hv use for different things.. I wouldn't do with out either one..
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