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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 732
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 732 |
Preference of brand and any insights Thanks
1/504 PIR
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,780 Likes: 42
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,780 Likes: 42 |
Bobcat, Case, JCB, John Deere all make good machines.
Just a matter of what you want and how much money you have to spend.
Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla!
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,820
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,820 |
Something with a Kubota engine
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,489 Likes: 51
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,489 Likes: 51 |
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,302 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,302 Likes: 1 |
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went" Will Rogers
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 19,822 Likes: 22
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 19,822 Likes: 22 |
Bobcat biggest you can afford that will fit your needs.
"Maybe we're all happy."
"Go to the sporting goods store. From the files, obtain form 4473. These will contain descriptions of weapons and lists of private ownership."
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,976 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,976 Likes: 6 |
I have been pretty impressed with the 2 Cat machines we have at work. Had a New Holland and a Case before these machines but they were older and didn't have all of the new technology and amenities that is available today so no real comparison.
Only complaint is the bucket latch mechanism, each of the 2 has had a latch cylinder replaced. Latch pins that slide up and down must be lubed extremely good and never allowed to get the least bit dry or they get very sticky and may not release unless persuaded.
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 06/28/18.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,605 Likes: 71
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,605 Likes: 71 |
Be sure to get a $100,000 pickup to haul it with.
And if youre less than 5'-6" get a dually 😄
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,439 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,439 Likes: 1 |
We just got a 299 Cat here at the shop. Doesn't lack for power. The question is, are you going to USE it? How much snow do you get? How much landscaping will you really do?
If it's going to be a "hometoy" I'd really want to look at used rentals that can be rebuilt or tightened up. No point in dumping cash into something that will just sit.
Up hills slow, Down hills fast Tonnage first and Safety last.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,633 Likes: 10
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,633 Likes: 10 |
Rubber tracks on a snow after it gets back down ain't quite what you're well just put your seatbelt on
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,633 Likes: 10
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,633 Likes: 10 |
Rubber tracks on a snow after it gets packed down ain't quite what you're... well just put your seatbelt on
Last edited by ldholton; 06/28/18.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,947 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,947 Likes: 2 |
How much hp do you need and do you need to fit into tight spots? do you need high flow hydraulics? What sort of attachments do you need?
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 963
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 963 |
Rumor has it that Bobcat quality control is going down hill fast. This from people that own and run them.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,904 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,904 Likes: 5 |
Not impressed with my John Deere at all. I'd go New Holland (Case). My farm manager has one that they run the piss out off on the farm, and it just keeps on running. Much better controls than the JD.
That said, I'd probably look really hard at the JCB one arm machines. Especially if you work it in the snow and ice, the side entry is sooooo nice. One slip and any injury will make it worth your while. I know my next machine will be a one arm one.
Sic Semper Tyrannis
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,381 Likes: 10
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,381 Likes: 10 |
First, measure your penis. For the sake of argument let's assume it's pitifully small. Next, put a 12" lift on your truck (Browning sticker mandatory) Buy one a them drop hitches about 4' long. Go spend 125,000 on a machine you use twice a week to carry the garbage cans down to the streetside. Get on the fire and brag about how powerful and durable your machine is.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,735
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,735 |
we have the John Deere 333, it does lack for power and has been reliable...but already mentioned above on packed snow you are in for some THRILLS !!
Patron member, NRA, Life Member SCI,
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,998
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,998 |
LOL, I was thinking the same thing.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,000
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,000 |
I'll throw Takeuchi in the mix. Have ran my buddy's 240tl and it's slick.
He went over yonder way
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 732
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 732 |
I m transitioning from mill work to active retirement. I want to stay busy and over the years I've taken on many small logging/firewood jobs that the guys with processors don't want. Ive used a tractor with a loader and while it kinda works, its not getting the job done and with no overhead protection I'm bound to run out of luck
The snow blowing side, while new to me, is where I'll make some money. Have a place on a lake in U.P., and we generally are socked in come mid December. Forrest roads are plowed but none of the long 2 tracks in are and folks are left to snowmobile or snow shoe in Several years back I rented a loader to open our rd, as things are too narrow to just plow. I had a ton of request to open up other camps and it was lucrative as it was a big snow yr. A blower is the way to go here as i have to get rid of the snow.
Ive been on a unit with tracks on dirt and loved it, but never on snow. A few of you have made the comment that tracks on the snow are not ideal, is there a compromise other than full chain?
Thanks for the insights, and so far, of the dealers Ive visited, Cat is looking best for what I believe are my needs, but I have to get on a few more units
1/504 PIR
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,439 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,439 Likes: 1 |
Okay, if you're gonna WORK it, and know machines, maybe what I would do is RENT for a day what you think you want. As for rubber tracks, ask if there are ice screws available that you can just shoot in that won't rip out and kill tires in the summer.
Up hills slow, Down hills fast Tonnage first and Safety last.
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