what size bobcat do I need?

[kickin sum grass]

I am looking for the smallest (lightest weight) Bobcat that will unload pallets of fertilizer/salt off of semi's. I can add rear weight for balance with no problem, so I need to know what size machine I can get away with.

The dealer is pushing an s205 but I think that is to big. One guy told me his s160 will lift a pallet of fert ok. Whats you opinon based on your experience as to the smallest size machine I can get.

I am trying to keep this as cheap as possible as to the cost of the machine and being able to haul it on a 7000 lb trailor. I am hoping not having to buy a bigger trailer for the machine.
thanks

[Tigerotor77W]

How full/high are the pallets? Will you be doing anything else with the machine?

I think you'd be set with a Deere 317 or 320... but with a Bobcat, you might have to go with the S205 or up.

[kickin sum grass]

the skids are around 2000lbs maybe 3 ft high or so. The main use of this machine is to move pallets with light grading work occasionally.
I know the s205 is the only one rated at 2000lb capacity, but I am looking for actual users that have smaller machines that will pick up the load. I am not lifting very high.

The problem with the s205 is I was quoted 31,000 dollars and then I will have to buy a bigger trailor as well and that is out of the budget. Just looking for the smallest machine I can get that will move the pallets.

I will look at the specs of the JD.
Thanks

[Tigerotor77W]

ksg, as you are looking for actual user commentary, I'll bow out... the main thing that I wanted to get across is that non-JD (and to some extent, NH) vertical lift machines are flattened-out radial lift machines. That is, every manufacturer's vertica lift *but* Deere has a system that moves the load out as the load goes up; Deere lifts straight up. Therefore, since you'll be unloading from truck-bed height, on a per-pound basis, Deere's machine will lift more. I can't say I'd always recommend a Deere skid, but this is definitely a situation where I would.

Mathematically, if your pallets are 2,000 pounds, the S160 will barely be able to lift it (stability; hydraulically, I'm not sure) unless your friend threw on counterweights and was lifting uphill.

[Scag48]

When lifting heavy loads it's better to have more machine than just barely enough. Things get very dangerous very fast if the load shifts or the site isn't 100% perfect for the load/unload.

[Squizzy246B]

The bottom line is skid steer loaders don't make great fork lifts. If you are going to unload pallets off trucks on a regular basis...get a forklift, telehandler or loader. Skids will shift pallets around a site OK at anything up to 2 or 3 feet off the ground. Mine lifts 1& 1/2 times its ROC no problems. However, get the load up to eyeball level and will come unstuck exceeding the manufacturer's limits...it is that simple.

I shift 550lbs blocks around regularly but have to be very, very careful when loading our truck. Level ground, increase tyre pressure etc etc. It sounds like you might be trying to cut one of those corners that you just shouldn't. Go second hand if you can't afford new and get a hold of the biggest machine you can and live a longer healthier life.

[freddyc]

I can tell you from skid steer experience hat the last 2 posts are spot on.

I know you want to save the trailer money and so on but it's not worth your life.

In short, any skid will lift more than their rating, but thats not the point. The point is that if the load is off center, or theres a 2" divit in the pavement, theres a very good chance you're going over. And adding weight to the skid isn't enough to take the changing conditions into account.


Get a correctly rated machine or better yet, a forklift. Especially if you're doing it on a routine basis.

[bearcatlawn]

s175 bobcat will work. we use it to load skids of salt that weight 2400 lbs. but that is only a handful of times during the winter. i would rather have a forklift if we had to do it more often

[Gravel Rat]

I have to agree a skid steer really doesn't make a good forklift for unloading trucks you really should have a small articulated loader something that will lift some weight.

Something like a Kubota R420S or a R520S or I meantioned on another post a Waldon articulated loader the make good rough terrian forklifts.

www.waldonequipment.com

[Dirty Water]

Why not pick up a spider fork lift?

[kickin sum grass]

my first thought was a forklift but after thinking about it I would rather have a multi tool machine. I turn down 3-4 new lawn installs and repairs every year because I don't have the equipment. I usually refere them out but could go ahead and make a little more to pay for the machine. I also have some land I would like to clear and regrade for expansion soon.

As far as the unloading, I would be backing them away from a semi and lowering the loader, drive about 50' and set the skid down. Not much moving around so getting it tipsy would be unlikely.

Had some great comments, keep the opinons coming please. I will be purchasing next week.

[Team_Yamaha]

If the pallets weigh 2,000lbs then I would get either a S185 w/weight kit (what I just bought) or S205. The S185 with weight kit is "rated" to lift 2,000lbs, according to the dealer. I havn't lifted anything more than 1,200 lbs yet, but I just got the S185 on Monday, I can tell you that the S185 is ALOT more stable lifting 1,200lbs than the 763 (1,500lb cap) was, they are not even in the same ballpark. So to speak...

[Squizzy246B]

The way to make max lifts safer is move a few bags (of whatever) closer to the machine/frame.

My machine has a 2100lb ROC but can lift 3300lbs of blocks for moving around a site. If I try and unload that weight from a truck I end up doing a nose plant (DAMHIK). When we have to move some blocks onto the truck my boys just stack the weight against the face frame and I can put 3000lb on the truck, so long as the ground is flat.

Shifting a few bags or blocks only takes a minute and makes things much safer. Its the leverage which does skids in as a forklift. However, this is not something you want inexperienced or careless operators doing.

[Tigerotor77W]

I think Squizzy is hitting the nail on the head harder each time, and it bears repeating again: loader ROC is with a standard (specified by manufacturer) bucket, with the load entirely concentrated at the centroid (more or less, center of mass) of the bucket. When you shift to forks, all of a sudden, the center of the load will move farther away from the machine -- it's the essence of a fork+pallet system. If you want to get close to the machine's tipping capacity while using forks, you'll have to do what Squizzy said and move the entirely load closer to the face of the froks -- the vertical part.

Either way, it sounds safer to just use a blame forklift or telehandler, rather than attempt some risky business with a skid. 'Course, it's your call...

[Gravel Rat]

I have picked skids of material off trucks with skid steers it is a little scary at times once you got the load off the deck you gotta roll the forks back to shift the weight. The back wheels on a skid steer dance pretty good once you get enough room backing straight out no turning what so ever then drop the load so its only 6"s off the ground.

I have run forkifts for over 12 years lifted some heavy loads and some real expensive loads. For unloading skids etc a Forklift is hard to beat its why I suggested the Waldon loader as they have a mast and a loader bucket as options.

[danmc]

I just went through the pains of purchasing a skidsteer for work. We ended up getting a Cat 242B but if it were my money I probably would have gone with the JD 320. It has 2200lbs ROC with the counterweights and the price was right: the skidsteer, 66" bucket, cab with heat & ac, counterweights and power attachment came to 25K before tax. Don't forget, the ROC is at 50% lift height and over; below 50% loft height the capacity doubles before you'll tip (under optimum conditions)

[tnmtn]

have you thought about a small tlb. something along the lines of a B100 would have the lift capacity and still be able to accept skid steer attachments up front and back for that matter. you would be sacrificng the skid steer turning ability but at least your tires would last longer. if you need a tighter radius check a b250. but then your getting heavy for the trailer. just another thought.

[kickin sum grass]

sorry, but what is a tlb?

Update, I had a s160 of a buddys to play with. I could load and unload a full 2000 lb skid onto and off a flatbed truck (dodge) 1 ton. It was slightly tippsy but did not tip over. I kept the skid tilted back until into place and it seemed to work ok. I think with a few weights on the back it would be fine for unloading a truck. I almost have bobcat talked into letting me try an s185. Maybe next week.

Thanks for the replies.

[Tigerotor77W]

TLB = tractor loader backhoe.

[Signature Landscaping1]

Bobcat 743

[all ferris]

if a little is good than more is better....this can be said about skid loaders. I would get a loader that can do more than what you want to do with it now. For example, now you are unloading 2000# pallets of fert. What happens when you want to do a retaining wall and the pallets weigh 3400#. You will be wishing you got a bigger loader. I used my t200 to unlaod 3400# pallets of wall stone today and it can be a hair raising experience on un-level terrain.

[GreenMonster]

I almost have bobcat talked into letting me try an s185. Maybe next week.



KSG,

You've answered your own question with the statement above. If you're serious about buying, there is no reason for a dealer not to let you demo a machine.

I believe that ROC is at the top, so if you're picking off pallets from 3-4' high, I would think the S185 would be a decent choice based on your criteria. Remember though, skids aren't forklifts, and it can get hairy. Be careful.

[Gravel Rat]

If your unloading a truck and you feel the machine starting to go over or its feeling really tipsy drop the boom it doesn't matter if you hit the truck or trailer deck your unloading the skids from. You don't want the machine to roll over because you may end up with what ever is on the skid on the cab of the machine.

I have ran forklift for many years where you pick a 4-5 ton load off the truck in one lift you have to make sure your centered and the machine can do it.

I was running a rubber tired backhoe with forks last year it was the first time I really run a backhoe with forks man what a different experience from a regular forkift. With the hoe hanging on the back the forks didn't have enough weight to counter balance the machine so the backhoe wanted to do wheelies.

[brownsallseasonlandscape]

have you thought about a small tlb. something along the lines of a B100 would have the lift capacity and still be able to accept skid steer attachments up front and back for that matter. you would be sacrificng the skid steer turning ability but at least your tires would last longer. if you need a tighter radius check a b250. but then your getting heavy for the trailer. just another thought.

We are looking into a B300D from bobcat as we have rented one in the past. This thing is awsome having the full time backhoe saves on cost and adds the rear end weight you need to lift the big load. We pulled a few fence post with it that were in two feet of concrete and had been there for 30 years, the rear wheels barely came off the ground. Call your bobcat dealer now! Don't listen to anything that they say about a lack of power, the breakout force on the backhoe is great for demo or land clearing, I beileve you can use a clamp on the rear for tree or shrub removal.:blob2:

[GreenMonster]

We are looking into a B300D from bobcat as we have rented one in the past. This thing is awsome having the full time backhoe saves on cost and adds the rear end weight you need to lift the big load. We pulled a few fence post with it that were in two feet of concrete and had been there for 30 years, the rear wheels barely came off the ground. Call your bobcat dealer now! Don't listen to anything that they say about a lack of power, the breakout force on the backhoe is great for demo or land clearing, I beileve you can use a clamp on the rear for tree or shrub removal.:blob2:

My dealer told me Bobcat is getting out of the TLB and discontinuing their models. Hopefully, it doesn't result in problems down the road with parts and support.

[Tigerotor77W]

GreenMonster, out of curiosity, did he give a reason?

[GreenMonster]

GreenMonster, out of curiosity, did he give a reason?

I not sure I accurately recall, but he suggested they are seriously ramping up their mini x offerings as it is a fast growing market. MY guess is they prolly couldn't compete in that market with Kubota, JD, New Holland, etc.

Other interesting news, he mentioned Kubota will be introducing a skid steer, and Bobcat will be completely doing away with Kubota motors. I think, as in I'm not sure I recall this correctly, but I think he said Bobcat is buying out Deutz

[Gravel Rat]

I can see that there really isn't that much work for a TLB if people want a rubber tired backhoe they are looking at Case,Deere and Cat etc. A mini excavator can out dig and go places where rubber tired backhoes can't go.

I also think Bobcat is making a mistake dropping the Kubota engine its really hard to beat the little Kubota diesels if they were going to drop it they should look into Yanmar or if Isuzu makes a small enough engine.

You start getting into Deutz engines more expensive to repair and prolly cost more and not as good as Kubota.

[GreenMonster]

Gravel Rat,

All my bobcat Kubotas have been good to me so far, so I would have to agree.

Dealer said with Kubota getting into skid steers and already offering mini x's, it's kinda silly for Bobcat to be telling customers how great the Kubota motor is.

[Gravel Rat]

I don't know why Bobcat would be getting into a snitt about Kubota making a skidsteer they both already make mini excavators.

If Bobcat burns their bridges with Kubota they will end up in some trouble I seriously doubt they are going to find any other manufacturer that supplies a cheap and easy to fix reliable diesel engine that small.

Bobcat is the first company to really produce a skid steer loader everybody else copied them I think the second company was Case then the rest followed behind.

[brownsallseasonlandscape]

My dealer told me Bobcat is getting out of the TLB and discontinuing their models. Hopefully, it doesn't result in problems down the road with parts and support.

I just talked to my dealer today he said the same thing that the market was never there for bobcat put there parent company IR is still going to make the TLB. He also said by law they have to manufacture parts for 10 yrs. What do we know if anything about the kubota skidsteer?

[GreenMonster]

What do we know if anything about the kubota skidsteer?

I don't know anymore than what I've said. Not even sure when we'll see the first ones.

I don't know enough about who makes motors and where else Bobcat can go, but I can see them trying to separate themselves from Kubota if they're makings skids and mini x's. It is a little silly for them to be singing the praises of bulletproof Kubota motors, who is going to be (and already partially is) a direct competitor in compact equipment.

On another note, it will be interesting to see the similarities between the Kubota skid and the Bobcats. I mean, they've been producing engines for Bobcat for how long now? They gotta know everything there is to know about a Bobcat skid.

[ToroLandscaper]

I dont know much about bobcats but dont/didnt some bobcats have deutz engines in them?

[Scag48]

Yes, Bobcat was using Deutz engines in some of the larger machines, the older 963's I know for sure.

[Tigerotor77W]

Corrections:

Gravel Rat, Mustang is the second-oldest SSL manufacturer after Bobcat. From there, it may actually be NH then Case... but I'm not positive on that.

Deutz engines were used on all 800-series long-wheelbase machines (863, 873, 883). The 963 was Perkins. Deutz also makes larger (>150 HP) engines, so I'd be very surprised if Bobcat bought the entire line. Personally, I think Bobcat needs to decide on an engine and stick with it. Right now, with Kubota, you can get an entire line of skid steers with one engine. That's great for service. Just when Bobcat seemed to settle in (after debating Kubota, Peugeot, Deutz, and Perkins) on Kubota, they want to get rid of it... arg! (No current Bobcats run Deutz engines.)

At the same time, I wonder if Bobcat will get rid of the transverse-mounted engine... it may be hard to find another company with offerings in the 2L category (that isn't already a competitor to Bobcat), so maybe the engines will go in longitudally now? Hmm...

And I'm getting a little flustered with the number of manufacturers in the SSL industry... there are at least three more in Europe, in addition to
Bobcat, Case, Cat, Deere, JCB, Komatsu, [now Kubota], Gehl, Mustang, Takeuchi, Hyundai, Daewoo, NH, Thomas, and Volvo... granted the Thomas and Hyundai are one in the same, and Daewoo and JCB hardly have any market share, but that's a ton of manufacturers to keep track of. If I had to buy a skid steer in three years, I'd go insane trying to figure out which one is the best for me...

[StoneStacker]

My Kubota dealer here in Oregon told me that Thomas was going to supply the skid steer to Kubota, but only in Europe not in the U.S.

[Tigerotor77W]

That's correct... Thomas makes SSLs for Kubota for the European market; Thomas and Hyundai signed an agreement for Thomas to produce SSLs for Hyundai. I'm not sure if that's been fully realized, or if it is still in the planning stages.

Wonder, then, what the Kubota US machines will be like... and if they'll replace the Thomas-Kubota agreement in Europe as well.

[dccarling]

Go with the bigger machine even if you have to get a bigger trailer. A machine that has a rating of 2000 pounds lifting a pallet weighing 2000 is cutting it close enough. That rated capacity is on level ground under ideal conditions. The center of the 2000 pound weight would be out 24" in front of the pivot pins using a 4' pallet. We all know the machine will lift much more, but the question is....will it tip over? Many have resulting in injuries to operators. Work safe, don't put yourself at risk

[Digdeep]

I agree with dccarling. I would opt for a machine that will lift more than what you'd normally be doing. It definitely doesn't hurt to lift material that weighs less than the machines Rated Operating Capacity, but it can be unsafe to lift material that exceeds it. This is exactly why I will be trading in my used RC-50 for a larger ASV machine sometime next year. I'm at my limits for some of the work I want to do with it, and it will move a 2,000 pound pallet around, even though it's ROC is 1,500 pounds.

This brings me to the thread that was talking about the John Deere video showing their machines lifting more than their competitors. I think it was stupid and reckless. We all know a machine will hydraulically lift more than the machine's ROC, but all it takes is for someone to do this in a real application (not in a controlled test), flip the machine on it's nose, eject the operator, kill/maim him, and sue stating that he saw it on a video on the John Deere website. if it isn't meant to do it, don't show it. i always sold a customer up to another machine size if he wanted to do something at the very limits of the machine he "wanted". I would have rather lost a sale than sold a marginal machine for the job.

[Team_Yamaha]

We have been building a couple of spec houses lately since the trucking abd snowplowing have been kinda slow. And now that we are roofing them, and have same numbers to go off of, I can tell you what I have found out for lifting capacitys so far. These are all based off of shingles weighing 245 per sq. (or about 82 lbs per bundle).
The S185 lifted 31 bundles all the way to max height, thats about 2540 ish pounds.

The S250 will unload a full pallet of 54 bundles off of a flat bed truck on flat ground, which is about 4400 lbs. And it will easily lift 48 bundles to max height, which is about 3900 lbs. I have never really figured out the true lifting cap. of either machine before. I was very impressed with both of them!!

[Tigerotor77W]

Team_Yamaha, the S250 is my favorite skid steer (so far...). However, Deere did put the S300 lifting a 4400 pound pallet to rest with its video of the S300 trying to lift a 4400 pound block. I'm certainly not going to argue that your operation didn't take place, but
a) is it possible the bundlers weren't 4400 pounds, or is the density off?
b) do you have counterweight on the S250? How much?
c) did you have a full tank of fuel when you lifted that bundle?

I went to go through some math to figure out just how much a 325 could lift, but the only company that may provide enough figures to calculate tipping capacity at max reach is Cat. Bobcat, Case, Deere, name 'em all, don't have enough specs to calculate the figure without estimating certain proportions... by my calculations, the Deere 325 could have lifted 3200 kg (more than 6000 pounds) without tipping. Haha, okay, no, not quite...

But if what you're saying is perfectly valid, and making some broader assumptions, then Deere rigged the test.

(Assumptions: tires are the same on your S250 as Deere's test S300; Deere used the same amount of fuel you did; ground was level in both instances; same operator weight; same machine weight; same forks; same lift truck bed height; there may be more...)

[Squizzy246B]

But if what you're saying is perfectly valid, and making some broader assumptions, then Deere rigged the test.

(Assumptions: tires are the same on your S250 as Deere's test S300; Deere used the same amount of fuel you did; ground was level in both instances; same operator weight; same machine weight; same forks; same lift truck bed height; there may be more...)

My question is how the the Mf's dtermine the CofG of the test weight...are we comparing apples with apples. I "lifted" well over 4000lbs with my 246B yesterday......not a lot I could do with it...but it was off the ground:waving:

[Scag48]

The way I figure it, if you need to lift 4000 pounds, buy a forklift. LOL. Honestly though we never need to lift ANYTHING. We get away with having such a light skid steer. All of our stone and sod is delivered and dropped right where we need it. Once it's on the ground, if we have to move it we break it down onto smaller pallets that the 216 could handle.

[Squizzy246B]

The way I figure it, if you need to lift 4000 pounds, buy a forklift. LOL. Honestly though we never need to lift ANYTHING. We get away with having such a light skid steer. All of our stone and sod is delivered and dropped right where we need it. Once it's on the ground, if we have to move it we break it down onto smaller pallets that the 216 could handle.

Scag, thats what we do but when its 140 to 550 lb blocks it takes an excavator and a lot of time to break down pallets.

[Team_Yamaha]

BobcatS250, we did shift some of the bundles from the front edge of the pallet to the back gaurd of the forks. I don't have what most people would call a counter wieght kit on the S250, but I do have fluid in the rear tires for that reason. I had just filled both machines on Thursday morning, so there was maybe a gallon or two under full.

I didn't think that the numbers where right either, but I counted the number of bundles a couple times and did the math a couple of times and I came up with the same numbers:confused: ....

Also, do you know a web site that I could find this John Deere video??

[mrusk]

The way I figure it, if you need to lift 4000 pounds, buy a forklift. LOL. Honestly though we never need to lift ANYTHING. We get away with having such a light skid steer. All of our stone and sod is delivered and dropped right where we need it. Once it's on the ground, if we have to move it we break it down onto smaller pallets that the 216 could handle.


I guess you don't do many SRW or any pavers. I do alot of walls out of versa lok. Each pallet weights 3840lbs. So you think i should buy a forklift to move them around the job site?

[Tigerotor77W]

Team, http://www.deere.com/en_US/cfd/digdeeper/archive/heavyweight_champion.html

Thanks for the clarifications.

Squizzy, I agree. The pallet in that video looks uniform, but it's in a metal box, so it's impossible to tell.

When manufacturers "rate" machines for ROC purposes, they put the bucket parallel to the ground and assume the weight is concentrated at the centroid of the bucket -- that is, if the bucket were heaped to capacity, more or less the CG of the bucket would be the centroid. Somehow, numbers are fudged here. Oh well... not much I can do.

mrusk -- I think you'll be fine with a skid steer if the terrain is advantageous. If you have hills, or slopes, or any other rough terrain, a telehandler may be a better bet. If you work on hard, flat surfaces such as roadways most of the time, a vertical mast forklift will be better. However, a machine such as a compact wheel loader may be even better -- it'll give you better lift but retain the attachment and size versatality that's the biggest selling point of skid steers.

[GreenMonster]

The way I figure it, if you need to lift 4000 pounds, buy a forklift. LOL. Honestly though we never need to lift ANYTHING. We get away with having such a light skid steer. All of our stone and sod is delivered and dropped right where we need it. Once it's on the ground, if we have to move it we break it down onto smaller pallets that the 216 could handle.

ugh. lift capacity is one of the main reasons I upgraded my skid. Breaking down layers of pavers, coping and wall stone is a huge time killer when hardscape is 75% of your biz. It's quite nice being able to move a full pallet from point a to point b on a job site.

[Gravel Rat]

Myself I don't like the way the John Deere's boom system is I can see that being a maintenance pig. I'am surprised they haven't had problems with the arms bending. I imagine the pins on those Deere machines see some decent strain on them.

To start with they have a hydraulic cylinder pushing the arms backwards :confused:

It looks like the Bobcat machines faired second best I was surprised with the Cat machines the one looked pretty beefy machine. The smaller machine rolled on its nose but so did the others.

I do have to agree if you have skids of rock,brick etc to be moved around or off a truck and onto a site you don't want to be breaking down skids so your machine can lift it. A forklift is to save time and your back trying to lift heavy items.

[Squizzy246B]

The video says they are professional operators...so why isn't the load crowded right back to the machine until the last bit of the lift...professional actors for the camera more like it. Bah Humbug!

[Gravel Rat]

Its just like that other video comparision with the rubber tired Bobcat compared to the AVS Tracked skid steer.

The one problem is how is a person truely to tell that that they are really lifting what they say they are. Any type of forklift will have light back wheels. One forklift I was running at a warehouse it was a 2000lb forklift but would regularly lift 3000lb skids the rear wheels would lift off the ground so you steered with the brakes. A forklift will lift any kind of load if you heal the boom back all you do is pick some weight and start to roll the boom back.

[Scag48]

I think if hardscape is 75% of your business you should be running a compact wheel loader to handle the weight. Eventually the weight is going to beat down on a skid steer.

[ksss]

Actually a 95XT with a counter weight kit would handle the 4K load just fine. With the counter weight they have a roc of 3600 pounds. Without the counter weight it is still 3150 which if your even somewhat careful can easily handle 4K. There isn't a more heavy duty, heavy lift skid steer on the market. Downside is they are expensive and I wouldn't say they are cheap on fuel, but if you need to move material they are one of the best on the market.

[GreenMonster]

I think if hardscape is 75% of your business you should be running a compact wheel loader to handle the weight. Eventually the weight is going to beat down on a skid steer.

what do you define as a compact wheel loader?

[Lazer_Z]

what do you define as a compact wheel loader?
Mark, I'm going to take a stab in the dark and say that he means something like the Cat 904B, 906 or something similar. Just a guess on my part.

Rob

[GreenMonster]

Mark, I'm going to take a stab in the dark and say that he means something like the Cat 904B, 906 or something similar. Just a guess on my part.

Rob

Oh, like an articulating loader?

[Scag48]

Yeah, a Cat 904B or a 906 is what I'm thinking. There are a few advantages to a compact loader vs. a skid steer if you're doing alot of lifting. Since the machine is articulated, there's no chance of side bucking when turning with a large amount of weight on asphalt. That makes it alot easier to safely manage the load and keep the material from shifting off the pallet.

[Gravel Rat]

You guys have to remember articulated loaders are not easy to haul because they are heavy plus they are long. If you want a good articulated loader then you look at Waldon I meantioned it a few times before. They are a well built loader and built in a way they are easy to repair and use pretty much common parts you can get anywhere.

If I was looking for a decent rough terrian forklift Waldon would be it if I couldn't get that it would be a 580 or 590 Case backhoe with forks.

[all ferris]

JD sealed their fate with me when I used a 270. What a piece of crap. The hydraulics were the worst I have ever seen. On top of all this the motor blew up on this particular machine @2000 hours for no particular reason and this machine leaked more fluid than exxon valdeez (sp). JD has to realize that by not moving the lift arms forward slightly makes it harder to put a load to the center of a truck. The JD skid is a real treat trying to load 5000# logs over the axles on a truck...it can't get close enough to the truck with out hitting the rims. If you're loading a nice truck with alcoa rims you better be careful or you'll have a mad truck driver.

[Scag48]

A Cat 906 isn't any heavier or longer than a 305CR. Transportation seems fairly simple to me.