Small Skid Loader Recommendations

[Anonymous-0]

We are considering getting a small used skid loader for feeding silage in our stanchion barn. Being a rather tight old barn, the skid loader would need to be pretty compact; probably no more than 42" wide and as short as possible. Reliability, availability of parts, and easy to work on come to mind as necessary characteristics. What brand(s) would you recommend?

Thank you,
Glenn FitzGerald

 

[I wanna Farmall]

I have no experience, but i would look at new holland

 

[glennster]

we've had both bobcat and case skidders. both were nice machines. dealers were pretty close too. see who your nearest dealers are and make your choice accordingly. right now with home construction sales in the gutter, there are a lot of used machines out there.

 

[Dave from MN]

I would recommend an older 440 or 450 "bobcat" brand skidloader. Small strong machines. Also model 310, or 443 for older ones.

 

[Brokenwrench]

I`m pretty partial to Gehl, but on this one I`m with Dave. Another brand I see alot of small skid steers around here in is Mustang.
Good luck BW

 

[BENJAMIN KIMM]

Deffinatly looka new holland. the make some of the top machines in the industry. stay away from gehls with onan 4 cyl.they had head gasket problems. Bobcats are a little on the tippy side so i tend to avoid them.

 

[phillip d]

If you want short,you may want to measure some bobcats.We use a 751 and it's pretty short because the engine is in sideways,any New Holland or Deere that I ever saw has them in lengthways,but I don't get around too much,so they may be shorter ones out there as well.Good luck

 

[old]

A friend of mine has a bobcat 371 which is probably about as small as the go and its pretty good. Lift is limited to around 500lbs and it has a single cylinder koler engine in it so parts are easy and pretty cheap to come by but finding one might be hard to do.
Hobby farm

 

[Anonymous-0]

I appreciate the responses so far. I just got off the phone with my brother. He was telling me about a little one he saw at a machinery dealer today. It was a Powertrack with a 20 hp. Honda engine...very small, approx. 40" wide bucket, 6.5' long, operator stands up, etc. Anyone have experience with a Powertrack? I think he said they were $17,000+ new. This used one was listed at $6,000+ if I remember correctly.

Glenn F.

 

[Anonymous-0]

A Gehl 4240 or a 3640 would be nice for you I love mine 4240. Got a 50 inch bucket I can get in my young stock barn with it and let me tell you it is better then using a fork and loading it up. I also I have my little Gehl hydro cat that is even a little smaller but I use that in the milking barn. For cleaning the calf pen out.

 

[Dairy Farmer in WI]

i have a case 1840 and love it! also have a Bigger jd too. those are better built and the 2-speed is real nice when going long distances with it. if ya get a 1840 that would be the best choice that i can think of for your needs. those are fun if you have the hand controls. they come either was as far as i know. i think new holland makes smal skids too as does Bobcat. just shop around and look over every thing carefully.
just my 2 cents
DF in WI

 

[glennster]

if you want a small stand on skidder, look at the dingo's. my landscape friend has two, and a small track type stand on loader. they use them all the time, small easy to transport and pretty powerful. last year the home depot rental department sold their rental unit dingo, $6500. came with trailer, bucket, trenching attachment and post hole digger. i shoulda bought it, but i didnt. now i kick myself when i think about it.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The Powertrack is going to be in the same basic category as the Toro Dingo, Bobcat MT50 walk behind machines, they are small and handy should fit in the tightest places with ease.

Personally, I dont like a gas engine on a piece of equipment but you know what they say about opinions. Good luck to you

 

[Lee in Iowa]

I had an 1818 Case that would be about as big as you could fit. Mine had a 42" bucket, but you can get a 36" and turn the wheels around, but then it might be kind of tippy. I liked the controls on the case better than any of the others I have run. I also wouldn't buy one with a single cylinder engine like the older case 1816 they don't have enough power to operate the loader and move at the same time. Lee

 

[Anonymous-0]

Don't get an older mustang in the smaller size. The newer ones might be better. I rented one and it was gutless. Being that you need to get into tight spaces, look for one with the most visibility in all directions. There are several stand up machines available but I'd rather be sitting down. Most name brands are good machines. Thomas makes a decent machine too. Anything in a 5 ft. width is too big which would include Bobcat 700 series or Case 1840. None of the smaller machines have 2 speeds. Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have had 2 440B's, a 450, and 2 463's.The gassers--air cooled-- are good to 1200 hrs,then usually need a new engine. The Kubota diesels will run forever.
I'd get a 453 or 463 with floatation tires and a 42" bucket if space is that tight.

If possible,I'd get a 753 or S-130 with the narrow rim option if you can use a 56" wide machine. Much more power and uses away from the barn. A 753 can do a lot of dirt work--the 400's are too small for much other than feeding and pushing manure. A tracked machine will not work for your intended use.