skidsteer advice wanted

[Jeff H]

I'm looking at purchasing a Bobcat 7753. 46 hp. It comes with a 66"tooth bucket, a 60 " 4 in 1 bucket, pallet forks and a 16' gooseneck trailer with a 4' dovetail. The engine was replaced with a reman about 2200 hours ago. It also has a cab with heat. No air but a cooling fan and tire over tracks on it.
16k asking price.
Does anyone have any experience with this type of machine ?
Is the price fair? good? or a keep shopping price?
I'm looking for something to use on the farm. Road grading, road/trail building, digging water holes, and I'd love to build a brush hog for it and a tree puller would be useful later down the road. I'm concerned that the 46 hp may be too small but I have zero first hand experience with skidsteers.
Any advice appreciated.

 

[farmer]

I would be afraid that is too small for a bushhog.
Price doesn't sound bad but if u could afford a track machine with 70-100 hp you would be happier.

 

[Jeff H]

Thanks Farmer. I was afraid that might be the case. All the extras plus the cab make it attractive but in the end I need to be happy with it.

 

[MattJK]

What are total hours? Pumps and hydraulic motors are obviously older than the engine.

 

[Jeff H]

Correct. 2200 hrs on a reman engine. Not sure of the year though.

 

[MattJK]

Right. How about hours on the original motor? If the second one has 2200, there might be over 6000 hours on the frame and hydraulics.

 

[Jeff H]

No info on that yet. I think I'm going to pass since it's a smaller machine.

 

[kansas-Andres]

The 7753 models came out in the early 1990's. The 7753 model was replaced by the 773 model in the late 1990's. The machine is probably around 25 years old. $16,000 seems expensive, especially if you don't need trailer to move it around like a contractor would.

Look at the Bobcat T-190 track units. Track units are the only way to go, IMO. A 2005 model just sold for $14,000.00. The unit had 2200 hours and was in good shape.

 

[buckdeer1]

Another piece of equipt I think would be handy is a mini excavator

 

[Mennoniteman]

That sounds very expensive. The price of a skidloader should directly reflect the total hours on the machine, because that is the life of the machine. Before buying a certain brand first figure out who is going to fix it if it needs repairs. Buy the machine with the repair guy in mind. Because it will need repaired sometime while you own it. Kubota SL75-2 is the one of my machines I use for habitat related stuff. Bought it new, 300 hrs on it, had it back for blown hyd hose under the seat, warranty, but a long drive to the dealer.

 

[Jeff H]

Another piece of equipt I think would be handy is a mini excavator

Amen to that! I rented a 10 k excavator earlier this year. What a wonderful machine! I ran it for 12 hours and trenched my road which is 1/3 mile, dug 2 water holes, 2 gate post holes, made two roads/trails, and cleared out a ridge top for a food plot. All on 3 gallons of fuel.

 

[MattJK]

The 7753 models came out in the early 1990's. The 7753 model was replaced by the 773 model in the late 1990's. The machine is probably around 25 years old. $16,000 seems expensive, especially if you don't need trailer to move it around like a contractor would.

Look at the Bobcat T-190 track units. Track units are the only way to go, IMO. A 2005 model just sold for $14,000.00. The unit had 2200 hours and was in good shape.

Agree with the recommendation for tracks. Puncture proof is one benefit, but for habitat work, low ground pressure is the key. Tracks let you run in wetter areas and don't compact or rut do much. For us habitat junkies, that means we can use the machine when we have time (vs when soil is dry) and can have less compaction or leveling issues for food plot work. Plus we often do projects where there is not awesome drainage - because all that ground is already in tillable.

Down side is that tracks and undercarriage do wear out and are significantly more expensive than tires. So, back to knowing your mechanic, find some way to get a life estimate on the track and undercarriage. This is a common listing point on larger tracked machines like excavators and dozers. "75% undercarriage" etc.

 

[Weezy]

I rented a New Holland E35 mini ex about 6 times this year. . Nice little machine but with almost 4000 hrs the wear and tear is starting to show. Track would occasionally come off. No big deal if you have everything you need handy. Last time I had it the track came off at least 6 times. Frustrating and greasy situation.

 

[Double L]

I agree with the others, would try to get a bigger machine. I just got a 75 hp MTL with tracks this spring and i had a 65hp machine with tires at my work and I never even took it to my property, the track machine is awesome but i wouldnt want it any smaller. all I use mine for is habitat improvement and thought it couldnt get any better but I picked up a 35,000 lb excavator with a blade and added a thumb and now i think that may be my new got to machine. Look into the bigger machines, I think you get alot more bang for your buck. I got mine for about what some minies are selling for. Tree removal is pretty nice with it...LOL

 

[Jeff H]

I wish I had the money for a skidsteer and excavator. Good advice on the larger machines. I've been advised by someone in the business to buy as large as you can afford. You mentioned that it's your "go to" machine. What do you mainly use it for and would it replace your skidsteer for any projects?

 

[Mennoniteman]

Excavators' are better for digging ditches and waterways, and pulling stumps. Skid loaders are better for moving materials, grading and leveling fields and trails, and plowing snow.

 

[Otghuntingclub]

I bought a Bobcat E42 mini-ex early last summer, and wonder how I got along without it. They are pricey and certainly not everyone can swing one financially, but the work you can do with them is amazing...and I’m still a novice with the thing. Even if you have to rent one occasionally, something to consider.

Now a CTL is on my wish list. Looking at the Kubota SVL75. It’s hard to justify, but I’ve got a rather big parcel (380 acres). I’m semi-retired and doing probably 80% of the habitat work myself. Without the right equipment, it seems I’m going backwards.

 

[Mennoniteman]

I bought a Bobcat E42 mini-ex early last summer, and wonder how I got along without it. They are pricey and certainly not everyone can swing one financially, but the work you can do with them is amazing...and I’m still a novice with the thing. Even if you have to rent one occasionally, something to consider.

Now a CTL is on my wish list. Looking at the Kubota SVL75. It’s hard to justify, but I’ve got a rather big parcel (380 acres). I’m semi-retired and doing probably 80% of the habitat work myself. Without the right equipment, it seems I’m going backwards.

I moved a Kubota SVL75 CTL to my 500 acres three years ago to do some trail and habitat work, I planned to keep it there for several months until my projects are finished. Three years later it's still there, I just keep finding more projects to do! If you want to make new foodplots, widen trails to plant clover on them, or make some mega-shooting lanes, this is the perfect machine IMO.

 

[Double L]

I wish I had the money for a skidsteer and excavator. Good advice on the larger machines. I've been advised by someone in the business to buy as large as you can afford. You mentioned that it's your "go to" machine. What do you mainly use it for and would it replace your skidsteer for any projects?

I all ready had a farm tractor with bucket and if I could only buy one more machine it would be an excavator. Considering I was focusing on habbitate improvements. I can remove trees and make roads with excavator so much easier and faster. I’ve been blessed to have all three now so making food plots is much more fun than it is work now. When buying machines I do believe bigger is better. Good luck.