Posted: 4/26/2012 2:55:30 PM EDT
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Im going to be renting a Bobcat T140 in the next couple of weeks to clear a couple acres soon, do any of you guys have any experience with skidsteers or maybe even own one? What are the pros and cons, what do you hate about them? The one ill be renting is a hand control for speed and foot control for hydraulics |
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Quoted:
Im going to be renting a Bobcat T140 in the next couple of weeks to clear a couple acres soon, do any of you guys have any experience with skidsteers or maybe even own one? What are the pros and cons, what do you hate about them? The one ill be renting is a hand control for speed and foot control for hydraulics I think foot controls are a silly carry over from a time long past. They are sweet with all their attachments, really versatile. I rarely use one with a bucket, because its a waste of time when I can go grab an 18,000 pound back hoe and really move dirt. |
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My experience with skidsteers: Had a Case skidsteer on the "farm" that had massive hydraulic problems. When I was younger, it was my job to scrape the hydraulic oil/dirt goop off of the underside of the motor. Case skidsteers are piles of crap. Hated that thing. The controls were messed up and it would bounce as you were trying to drive the stupid piece of junk.
My uncle ended up buying it. TL;DR: as a kid maleante had to clean up a POS Case skidsteer that drove like shit and he hates them with a passion now. |
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Im on the coast Quoted: What part of MS and how much to rent it? I'd LOVE to see one operate and figure out if I want to rent one, or pay an operator, to remove ~4 acres of cedar trees (versus paying a dozer operator to come do it) The clearing Ill be doing is mostly small brush and some dirt moving, piling it all up and burning it. I've used a skid before so I know how to control it and whatnot And its tracked not wheels, I'm getting a mulching head, rotary cutter (bush hog), and a bucket |
| For removing small trees, fork lift tiens are nice. Run the forks at an angle in the ground and tip back. Move 90 degrees and repeat. Cuts the roots and pops the tree out. Works for up to 10 inch trunk with a big enough machine. Have had trees pop out of the ground. Does take pratice. |
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Quoted:
Im on the coast Quoted:
What part of MS and how much to rent it? I'd LOVE to see one operate and figure out if I want to rent one, or pay an operator, to remove ~4 acres of cedar trees (versus paying a dozer operator to come do it) The clearing Ill be doing is mostly small brush and some dirt moving, piling it all up and burning it. I've used a skid before so I know how to control it and whatnot And its tracked not wheels, I'm getting a mulching head, rotary cutter (bush hog), and a bucket Coast? Booh. 
Hey, can you use that mulching head on downed trees, or only on standing stuff? I'd sort of like to push my shrubby cedars over THEN mulch them. Is that possible? |
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Quoted: What size trees? I wouldnt go over 6" but go slowQuoted: Im on the coast Quoted: What part of MS and how much to rent it? I'd LOVE to see one operate and figure out if I want to rent one, or pay an operator, to remove ~4 acres of cedar trees (versus paying a dozer operator to come do it) The clearing Ill be doing is mostly small brush and some dirt moving, piling it all up and burning it. I've used a skid before so I know how to control it and whatnot And its tracked not wheels, I'm getting a mulching head, rotary cutter (bush hog), and a bucket Coast? Booh. Hey, can you use that mulching head on downed trees, or only on standing stuff? I'd sort of like to push my shrubby cedars over THEN mulch them. Is that possible? |
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Quoted: Im on the coast Quoted: What part of MS and how much to rent it? I'd LOVE to see one operate and figure out if I want to rent one, or pay an operator, to remove ~4 acres of cedar trees (versus paying a dozer operator to come do it) The clearing Ill be doing is mostly small brush and some dirt moving, piling it all up and burning it. I've used a skid before so I know how to control it and whatnot And its tracked not wheels, I'm getting a mulching head, rotary cutter (bush hog), and a bucket I have an older Bobcat 863 and I love the thing. Greatest tool around. It is a fair amount bigger but with the attachments you've spec'd I'd say you'll be alright. I think it really depends on how much seat time you have already as to whether you should hire an experienced operator or not. If you've only used a skid steer a little bit, you'll probably waste a lot of rental time. Not that getting more time on it isn't valuable, but keep it in mind. The main thing I tell newbs (not saying you are one) is when the machine starts to hop and jump, and it will, just let go of the controls. You can carry loads high if you're careful, but don't do it while moving until you get the hang of it. When you do go high, keep the bucket level so that you don't dump it back into the cab on yourself. |
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T140 is a track machine, which I like better than wheeled. More traction and less "bounce".
Pro's: Easy to learn to use Lots of attatchment options Small and can go lots of places Cons: Used by itself, not my 1st choice for lot clearing. With a standard bucket, you won't be able to rip out trees/stumps of any considerable size especially with the relatively low weight of the T140. Throwing a track is a pain. Tracks can damage terrain more than wheels Personally, I think using a grapple attachment, picking up loose brush and working with a excavator grubbing out the big stuff is a great combination for clearing small lots. But alot can be done with all the differant attachments If you can only get on machine ( they make one designed for digging out stumps, but I've never used it). Just depends on how much time you have and how many you can rent. |
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I only have 8 hours in one but the biggest issue I ran into was "bounce" , if that's even the right term.
The controls were so sensitive that the movement transmitted from my arms would create a good shaking of the machine, i.e. bounce. Once I braced my elbows to steady my arms, the rest of the day was actually fun. |
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