Skid Steers - talk to me

[Uncle Dave]

Trying to kill two birds with one stone, we need a light duty forklift and a large snowblower/ blade for our lot.

Any one use one for forklift duty?

Any thing to know outside of spec sheets?

 

[SJP]

How high are you trying to lift things? I like have an extented mast forklift for pallet racking etc. My neighbor in Havasu has a bobcat on rubber tracks with a fork attachment. It is cool for lifting items and getting underneath things but I like having a forklift for what I do.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I work on some for a couple of contractors. All have fork setups. One uses it heavily for pavers and stone, another for HVAC units and hardware at new sites. The only thing that may be an issue is the tire scrub on asphalt and concrete. They take some getting used to, as the load travels in an arc.

 

[HBCraig]

Trying to kill two birds with one stone, we need a light duty forklift and a large snowblower/ blade for our lot.

Any one use one for forklift duty?

Any thing to know outside of spec sheets?

I worked for Bobcat and Cat back in the day. I can tell you the Bobcat is easier to operate.

The fork attachment isn't a big deal and it will self level. I would definitely get a vertical lift path skid steer versus a radius lift path. This will make it easier to use.

Your snow blower.... is this a high volume thing? If so. I would 110% get a skid steer with the "high flow" option. You can run it at a greater volume and won't have to ring it out

 

[wet hull]

I have a bobcat and set of forks. Definitely not the same as a forklift due to how the arms go up. Overall gets most jobs done.

 

[Uncle Dave]

I have a bobcat and set of forks. Definitely not the same as a forklift due to how the arms go up. Overall gets most jobs done.

I think the what they mean by radial vs vertical lift.

 

[Uncle Dave]

How high are you trying to lift things? I like have an extented mast forklift for pallet racking etc. My neighbor in Havasu has a bobcat on rubber tracks with a fork attachment. It is cool for lifting items and getting underneath things but I like having a forklift for what I do.

We're not stacking things on rack storage , just moving pallets around to /from building to building.

 

[Uncle Dave]

I worked for Bobcat and Cat back in the day. I can tell you the Bobcat is easier to operate.

The fork attachment isn't a big deal and it will self level. I would definitely get a vertical lift path skid steer versus a radius lift path. This will make it easier to use.

Your snow blower.... is this a high volume thing? If so. I would 110% get a skid steer with the "high flow" option. You can run it at a greater volume and won't have to ring it out

We'd need a high flow unit for sure.


Im liking the cat, bobcat and kubotas so far.

 

[paradise]

We have one we use primarily for yard duty with forks. Invaluable to have the options of other attachments when desired.

That said, it’s not a forklift, it doesn’t have the smooth turning, often doesn’t lift as high and takes a better operator than a forklift.

 

[paradise]

We'd need a high flow unit for sure.


Im liking the cat, bobcat and kubotas so far.

Bobcat, if going new be prepared for a lead time

 

[yz450mm]

We'd need a high flow unit for sure.


Im liking the cat, bobcat and kubotas so far.

I have a 2018 CAT 232D Radial lift with the clamp on forks for the bucket, it works great for moving stuff around on pallets. I'd definitely get the dedicated fork attachement, Titan Attachments has them way cheaper than buying it from CAT.

Everyone has their opinions about manufacturers, so here's mine regarding the ones you mentioned: CAT > Bobcat > Kubota.

 

[lbhsbz]

How much snow do you guys get? I'd get a forklift for forklift stuff and a bobcat or even a quad with a plow for plow duty.

I'm not that smart, but in my experience trying to save money on workarounds always ends up being way less efficient and costing more in the end. Buy once, cry once.

 

[Uncle Dave]

How much snow do you guys get? I'd get a forklift for forklift stuff and a bobcat or even a quad with a plow for plow duty.

I'm not that smart, but in my experience trying to save money on workarounds always ends up being way less efficient and costing more in the end. Buy once, cry once.

what you are saying is buy twice cry twice.

Maybe we cant double duty - we've been getting by with an electric hand forklift.

Couple times a year we get slammed with snow like last week.

Forklifts dont like uneven terrain between our buildings

 

[Uncle Dave]

I have a 2018 CAT 232D Radial lift with the clamp on forks for the bucket, it works great for moving stuff around on pallets. I'd definitely get the dedicated fork attachement, Titan Attachments has them way cheaper than buying it from CAT.

Everyone has their opinions about manufacturers, so here's mine regarding the ones you mentioned: CAT > Bobcat > Kubota.

Thats the cat unit we were looking at - we can get a fork, blade and blower attachment.

We were looking at quick attach products.

 

[yz450mm]

Thats the cat unit we were looking at - we can get a fork, blade and blower attachment.

We were looking at quick attach products.

Definitely go with the enclosed cab, the backup camera, and the hydraulic remote disconnect/connect for attachments, they are all very worth it.

 

[Jmp]

skid steers can get by ok with forks if you dont need to keep material suspended in the air and exit the cab. I tend to do that alot since i am a one man show. jcb does make a pretty innovate skid steer called the teleskid that has aux flow hydraulics, a telescoping boom, and a side entry door to be able to exit the cab if you have a load that needs to stay in the air.

 

[Uncle Dave]

skid steers can get by ok with forks if you dont need to keep material suspended in the air and exit the cab. I tend to do that alot since i am a one man show. jcb does make a pretty innovate skid steer called the teleskid that has aux flow hydraulics, a telescoping boom, and a side entry door to be able to exit the cab if you have a load that needs to stay in the air.

We have help on each end and wont need to exit a skid mid load, but I did even know about JcB - looks like a good product as well.

ASV is another rerank that seems solid.

 

[wash11]

We have help on each end and wont need to exit a skid mid load, but I did even know about JcB - looks like a good product as well.

ASV is another rerank that seems solid.

JCB is decent stuff but getting parts has always been a bit harder. These days, it's more of an issue. I have a customer that's had his JCB backhoe down for four months waiting on parts that every Bobcat, Cat and Deere dealer keep in stock. He's about ready to do the Tesla/TNT video with the thing.

 

[HBCraig]

We'd need a high flow unit for sure.


Im liking the cat, bobcat and kubotas so far.

For skid steers it's hard to beat the Bobcat. But I will tell you the Kubota is a nice unit. They are very competitive

I still have a few food friends that work at socal Bobcat dealers if you need to get in touch with them let me know

 

[troostr]

We've got everything from skid steers to big wheel loaders. Every unit has a quick attach and buckets, hay forks and pallet forks. The skids are on the lighter end of lifting capacity. Our Cat struggles with anything near 2000 lbs, not to lift but to keep the ass end on the ground. Our big wheel loaders are overkill for a lot other than loading hay and feed wagons due to their lift height and capacity. We have 2 Cat telehandlers that, if I had to cut equipment, I would keep only the telehandlers. Cat has some smaller hydrostatic units that are >3000lb lift rate, have an extended reach boom, quick attach, hi flow aux, cab w/heat and air, and aren't too heavy to put on a car trailer to haul if needed. The telehandlers are just so much more versatile.

 

[HBCraig]

Asv?
Are you looking for a track skid steer or a wheeled unit?

 

[Uncle Dave]

Asv?
Are you looking for a track skid steer or a wheeled unit?

Were debating this right now - the last snowstorm has us looking at our options to move snow around and we can get more use out of a skid steer than just snow removal.

 

[Uncle Dave]

For skid steers it's hard to beat the Bobcat. But I will tell you the Kubota is a nice unit. They are very competitive

I still have a few food friends that work at socal Bobcat dealers if you need to get in touch with them let me know

Anyone in Nor cal?

 

[monkeyswrench]

Asv?
Are you looking for a track skid steer or a wheeled unit?

The only two Asv's I've been around were track deals...and I was being asked to get the tracks back on the drive wheel I don't know if it was just the operators, or if they have issues with tension. Not fun.

 

[HBCraig]

Anyone in Nor cal?

Not off the top of my head.

 

[Uncle Dave]

The only two Asv's I've been around were track deals...and I was being asked to get the tracks back on the drive wheel I don't know if it was just the operators, or if they have issues with tension. Not fun.

I was watching a YouTube vid of a guy that has one and was comparing it to his truck with a plow in various parking lots trying to figure out which was faster

I understand they use cummins (who I love) but I like the other powerplants as well.

 

[HBCraig]

Were debating this right now - the last snowstorm has us looking at our options to move snow around and we can get more use out of a skid steer than just snow removal.

I am sure you already know this but a track unit will have a significantly higher amount of pushing power. So, if a Dozer blade attachment is needed this would help. If you don't need pushing power then get a wheeled unit.

Just from what I have heard in the industry from friends , stay away from ASV. Reliability and parts. I have never owned one but just what I have been told

 

[Mandelon]

Skids sure make a mess out of the pavement. I don't know if that is an issue for your use. I have had customers complain about marks on their
patios and driveways. If I plan ahead I can lay out plywood, or even sand helps. But often I have to come back and pressure wash to get rid of them.

I wonder if you can get them with those white tires if marking up the pavement is an issue...?

 

[Uncle Dave]

I am sure you already know this but a track unit will have a significantly higher amount of pushing power. So, if a Dozer blade attachment is needed this would help. If you don't need pushing power then get a wheeled unit.

Just from what I have heard in the industry from friends , stay away from ASV. Reliability and parts. I have never owned one but just what I have been told

Shed some light please.

All the guys want a track, but it seems they aren't as good in snow from multiple sources.
On other terrain sure - but the wheels seem to win on snow without studs.

 

[Uncle Dave]

Skids sure make a mess out of the pavement. I don't know if that is an issue for your use. I have had customers complain about marks on their
patios and driveways. If I plan ahead I can lay out plywood, or even sand helps. But often I have to come back and pressure wash to get rid of them.

I wonder if you can get them with those white tires if marking up the pavement is an issue...?

It's our parking lot(s) so we'll live with them.

 

[HBCraig]

Shed some light please.

All the guys want a track, but it seems they aren't as good in snow from multiple sources.
On other terrain sure - but the wheels seem to win on snow without studs.

You are correct especially if it's a but icey . There are several tire tread options that are more aggressive if you need traction in snow conditions

There is an Ace in the Hole if you want a wheeled unit. You can buy a set of grouser tracks to wrap around the wheels.

 

[Your ad here]

If it's fragile stuff you need a very very very good operator on a Bobcat with forks. If not, a rookie operator will wipe everything out, destroy whatever is on the pallet, and smile from excitement the whole time because they are on a Bobcat. The bobcat will hop and buck when turning with the forks and other attachments. A lot of time the load on the pallet will collapse. A lot of times I've seen people end up having to pay to finish the job because their equipment operator totally fucked up moving a pallet and destroying everything on it. So if you get a skid steer make sure the operator is a humble easy going operator instead of some say yes to everything jackass.

 

[Yoshiro]

Hard to beat a Cat for product support and resale value. It will even come standard with a product link module to track hours/location etc, comes in handy if it gets stolen.

 

[X-rated]

Skid steers and snow blowers are absolutely no bueno unless your ground is perfectly flat. Paved preferred! Every dog turd you run over or bump you hit will affect the blower attachment abou 5 fold to the size of the bump. You will either constantly be digging in the dirt or gravel or leaving 6 inches of snow. I’ve had one for 10 years and absolutely know this to be true.

 

[Jmp]

debating this right now - the last

Shed some light please.

All the guys want a track, but it seems they aren't as good in snow from multiple sources.
On other terrain sure - but the wheels seem to win on snow without studs.

this is 100 percent true. A rubber tracked loader will not push snow like a wheeled loader will. the tracked units are great for floatation. throw a set of chains on your wheeled loader and you can push whatever you want, the ground pressure on the tracked unit makes them useless when you have a slick surface.

 

[infield]

MY complaint with using a skid steer for a fork lift is when the arms are raised up any exit is impossible. Tracks rule in almost any conceivable use. But the undercarriage is always worn out. Big contractors trade them at 2000 hours to keep rebuild costs in check. I will admit I do not own one but should. I have an articulated wheel loader ( Case 621 F) with JRB coupler and 3 yard bucket, forks and a hay fork. Wheel loaders will run almost forever.

 

[Uncle Dave]

Skid steers and snow blowers are absolutely no bueno unless your ground is perfectly flat. Paved preferred! Every dog turd you run over or bump you hit will affect the blower attachment abou 5 fold to the size of the bump. You will either constantly be digging in the dirt or gravel or leaving 6 inches of snow. I’ve had one for 10 years and absolutely know this to be true.

Makes sense

Our lots are flat but the spots in between aren't.

Thought is we'd use a blade (or box if anyone has feedback) for light snow, and a blower to get the snow out of the lot when we run out of place to push it.

Its more about keeping up vs waiting for a day for the guy to come.

 

[575cat]

I am the opposite I have had wheel skid loaders years in the past some light some heavy , home use , in the past 10 yrs I have had ASV skids a 50 and sr70 love the trac,s and ground clearance I have been in the lake clearing rock move snow with the blower,s 25 + year,s pushed snow up to the door and keep going yes they can be slippery on icy surfaces , everything has it,s place also joy stick is a must you control ever so infinite . I dont know how you could compare a skid to a forklift .

 

[Sherpa]

I have a Case 1845C Uniloader. I've made all of my attachments, including a forklift rack. the biggest problems with wheeled skid steers are use on dry pavement or concrete. a skilled operator (and one that works with caution and goes slow) will be able to use the forklift attachment ok.

the biggest issue is tight turns. skid steers will "buck" if you push the sticks too quick or even bump one. (think about moving something on a pallet that is not tightly stacked, or loose materials) be careful, you'll be fine. put some kid on it and say go grab that pallet, well expect to destroy whatever is on it quick.

I use my Case now to move and park my 35' gooseneck trailer. it works ok, but sure wants to buck on dry pavement...

--Sherpa

(an other guy in the used forklift market and not seeing much in my weight capacity and $$ range!)

 

[NicPaus]

I went with Cat for the controls. I have a fork attachment but like mentioned it won't lift the weight of full pallet 3500 lbs. I swapped air tires for solid and it increased lift capacity significantly but it tears up the ground more.

The mechanic I have used said if buying new he recommended Bobcat. He works on them daily. Mine is low hours maybe put 700 on it in 15 years. But once you own 1 hard to part with it even if you don't use it much. I have several buckets. Backhoe attachment. Sheep's foot attachment. Breaker. Sold the trencher as I only used it once. And the forks with a attachment I made for moving trailers.

 

[Uncle Dave]

I am the opposite I have had wheel skid loaders years in the past some light some heavy , home use , in the past 10 yrs I have had ASV skids a 50 and sr70 love the trac,s and ground clearance I have been in the lake clearing rock move snow with the blower,s 25 + year,s pushed snow up to the door and keep going yes they can be slippery on icy surfaces , everything has it,s place also joy stick is a must you control ever so infinite . I dont know how you could compare a skid to a forklift .

Im not really comparing the two.

Im curious who has used a skid to move pallets around how well it worked for them.

 

[Roosky01]

This is my $.02 having spec'd, and had my crews utilize, probably 300 of them over the last 15 years or so. Please keep in mind anything new or late'ish model is going to have emission issues all the damn time. Can't get away from it without deleting like a pick-up and ending warranty.

CAT-We are exclusively Cat (299D X3's) right now due to National agreement pricing and service availability. Funny thing is, you will be needing service ALOT! For every 5 units we have operating we always have one sitting here in reserve because there is most certainly going to be one in the shop most all the damn time. We use them with forks, buckets, dozer blades, foresty mulchers, trenchers, you name it.

BOBCAT-We used these these exclusively when the T300's came out back in the day, but quality seemed to slowly go out the window once Doosan bought them out back in 2007/2008 in our opinion. We've never let them back in the door and believe me they've tried.

KUBOTA- If I had the dealer network around me and was able to get our purchasing group onboard, I would probably be using (or at least demo'ing) their big track loaders right now rather than CAT and they are WAY cheaper to purchase if you can find them right now. My brother owns 4 of them (2 tracked-2 wheel) and loves them compared to all the other brands he's owned in the past. Ease of getting in and out of the cab (front window rolls up and nice and wide) and they don't have all the additional fancy electronic crap that is always giving problems compared to the others. They don't have the fancy shit on them like the rest, but simplicity on a skidsteer is best, IMO and they aren't in the shop all the damn time.

If you are on the pavement more than 1/2 the time and not rough terrain pushing dirt, a wheeled unit is a no-brainer. Wheeled units typically have lesser lifting capacity, etc., but if you are pushing snow you don't want a tracked unit either or the additional cost in maintenance. Put a big wheel kit on it for Winter and haul ass.

Bottom line nowadays, if you are buying a newer unit, you buy what will have the best service/support in your AO. If you are doing alot of fork work on level ground, I'd just get a forklift sized for your needs as it's going to be safer in the long run and easier for the operator.

BTW, Year 2000 was the last year the best skidsteer ever to roam the Earth was made...

 

[Canuck 1]

Im not really comparing the two.

Im curious who has used a skid to move pallets around how well it worked for them.

We do and they will work for what you want, I like Case personally. How much snow are you dealing with? A 9' snow bucket and a blower are a good combo but skip the tracks. Our newest toy for snow is a Kubota tractor with a blower

 

[Uncle Dave]

We do and they will work for what you want, I like Case personally. How much snow are you dealing with? A 9' snow bucket and a blower are a good combo but skip the tracks. Our newest toy for snow is a Kubota tractor with a blower

Sometimes a couple feet a day, usually a foot every time then you get drifts ...

We thought about tractor but unless its a really big one the guy sits in the elements.

 

[Roosky01]

If I'm snowblowing a bunch of snow all the time, I'd have a set-up like this sized accordingly and be in shorts and a T-shirt. Better comfort, visibility, fuel consumption, etc. Skidsteer blowers eat up a pile of power efficiency due to them being hydraulic driven. PTO power is where it's at, IMO.

 

[JDKRXW]

This is my $.02 having spec'd, and had my crews utilize, probably 300 of them over the last 15 years or so.

That's a great $0.02.
Question: with you using so many of them, wouldn't adding a few small articulating wheel loaders help you out?
Seems to me they've got some big advantages in certain applications.

 

[JDKRXW]

If I'm snowblowing a bunch of snow all the time, I'd have a set-up like this sized accordingly and be in shorts and a T-shirt. Better comfort, visibility, fuel consumption, etc.

That's the ticket!

 

[Canuck 1]

Sometimes a couple feet a day, usually a foot every time then you get drifts ...

We thought about tractor but unless its a really big one the guy sits in the elements.

View attachment 1078814

heavy, wet cement that stuff is. tractors have cabs like that cute little baby one Roosky posted. Tractors are also a similar price to skidsteers

I would find a case 1845 or 430 and go with a 9' snow bucket and blower

 

[Roosky01]

That's a great $0.02.
Question: with you using so many of them, wouldn't adding a few small articulating wheel loaders help you out?
Seems to me they've got some big advantages in certain applications.

We have a pile of those too, but they are sized to pick up where the big skidloaders fall off. The crew is able to haul the skid loaders behind their 550 or 5500 trucks. Our wheel loaders are bigger and have be lowboy transported.

Bottom line is the skid loaders are very versatile (each crew carries 3-5 attachments with them) and work for 80% or so of the work the crews need daily. If we have a lot of material/fall off transfer on a site then the wheel loader will come in to assist.

 

[Dr Rob]

If I'm snowblowing a bunch of snow all the time, I'd have a set-up like this sized accordingly and be in shorts and a T-shirt. Better comfort, visibility, fuel consumption, etc. Skidsteer blowers eat up a pile of power efficiency due to them being hydraulic driven. PTO power is where it's at, IMO.

A Kioti 2610 with this blower and full cab would be the hot ticket. With a front fork attachment it will lift an 1820 lb pallet. This model also is just below the 26 horsepower limit so there are no Emissions on the engine. I have had mine for 2 years now with zero issues.