Comparison of Compact Utility Loaders

[Grn Mtn]

I've been renting Compact Utility Loaders, Mini-Excavators, Skidsteers and Tractors. Each type really has its area of expertise and all of them can do the job of the others to some extent. For me, a small (solo) landscape design/build operation, it is the Compact Utility Loader that has become my favorite. I like its ability to get into tight spaces(fence gates) and I can trailer it on my own trailer. I have used the Toro 300 Series Wheeled and 400 Series Tracked, with the buckets and the Backhoe option. I have also used Compact Power Prodigy (the little one rented at HD that comes with a trailer full of toys), using the bucket, auger, trencher, leveler.

Tractors: Need wide open spaces(farm) poor maneuverability. Slow bucket speed. Large and heavy. Great for mowing/brush hogging, box raking, transporting materials (forks)
Skidsteers: Very heavy, compacts soil. Tendency to tip/rock/bounce with sudden movement. Incredible strength/speed.
Mini-Excavators: Single minded(task) machine. The absolute best at ripping out Yews.
Compact Utility Loaders: Limited lifting capacity/dumping height. Light weight/easy to trailer, fits through gates, loads of attachments, works in tight areas.

I compiled a Top 10 feature comparison of 4 machines I find interesting. The Toro because well its a Toro, the Gehl articulated mini loader because it articulates, telescopic reach, speed, the Boxer because the tracks are variable width, hydraulic flow rate, and the Ditch Witch because of the dedicated backhoe.

[Mike Fronczak]

So what is your question?
The data & comparison is intresting however. I have a Dingo 222 & wish it held just a little more(before tipping), was thinking about the Boxer, but the tip load is actually less. Thanks for the info.

[Grn Mtn]

There was no question, I was just thinking out loud:)

Mike look into the Boxer Brute. What do use your Dingo for? and what attatchments do you have?

Model # Brute
Engine Power: 27 HP
Engine Manufacturer: Kohler
Width: 42.5 "
Weight: 1850 LBS
Tip Capacity: 1750 LBS
Hinge pin height: 69 "
Travel speed: 4.5 MPH
Operating Capacity, 35% of tip load: 613 LBS
Operating Capacity, 50% of tip load: 875 LBS

[Vermeer]

GN Mountain

If you could design a machine what features would be the most important out of all the ones you selected above?

[Grn Mtn]

...If you could design a machine what features would be the most important out of all the ones you selected above?

Well this is a tough one, but what I would choose I don't think would pertain to the larger landscape contractor. It would be a machine that could do many tasks well, yet be simple to maintain, and shouldn't have a cost more than $24,000. It needs to be small enough to maneuver through 36" gate openings, yet have as much lift capacity as possible.

Why your at it how about a million dollars:p


Tracked unit for low ground pressure and so you can drive it over trenches.
5" ground clearance or more with a smooth undercarriage.
24 HP engine or more BUT it needs to run on methanol.
Attached to the rider platform is a hitch, so you can tow stuff. Lots of possibility's's here, new concept.payup
Enough hydraulic power to spin a 36" auger.
High gear for traveling speed, 4mph is just too slow .
Like a skidsteer, connect the lift arms as far back as possible to increase leverage and use riders weight as ballast. Combine this with telescoping bucket so you can load a pick-up over the side.
Keep weight under 2,500 lbs.


My choice of attachments:


4-in-bucket standard with unit. I do lots of renovation and moving branches and ripped up bushes and sod chunks is a pain by hand.
8" and 36" augers for fence posts and large shrub/small tree planting.
A device to carry strips of pavers without having to hand stack them. --Its all about saving time with arduous tasks.
A winch attachment to pull out shrub stumps, but like a mini-excavator have a trench filler blade drop down so when your pulling the stump out the tracks don't slide across the yard.
A 36" x 48" wide flat bottomed tilt-bed trailer to move lots of product in one shot.

[Grn Mtn]

Who knew? I just checked out your S600TX:

Weight of unit--------2,530 lbs
Width of tread--------36"
Operating capacity---500 lbs
Tipping capacity------1,450 lbs
Hinge pin height------80"
Ground speed---------4.5 mph
Engine----------------25 HP Kohler, G
Hydraulic pressure---3,000 psi
Hydraulic flow rate---13 gpm

Those are great numbers, and the list of attachments is good also. I like the bucket that tilts, and tell me more about the mini-backhoe?

[Ted Smith]

Just visited a trade show and seriously looking at the Ditch witch 350 or 500. I like thier track drives for not tearing things up so badly and they seem to be less expensive -- thoughts?...

[fishinman22487]

Hmm, I never knew Gehl sold a mini skid steer!!! Learn something everyday....

Grn Mtn-
I agree on a faster travel speed for the Dingos there soooo slow:(

[YardPro]

i spent a lot of time demoing the boxter, dw sk300 and 500, and the toro tx425...

bought the 425, but liked both the boxter and the ditchwitch.

be sure to demo units before making up your mind...
the features on the boxter that i thought i would like turned out to be the reasons i did not buy it..

if i had it to do over again i would have a very hard time choosing between the sk500 and the dingo....

[Grn Mtn]

be sure to demo units before making up your mind...
the features on the boxter that i thought i would like turned out to be the reasons i did not buy it......

Couldn't agree more. This is how I've come to the conclusions so far. Yard pro did you end up with the Toro because of dealer support?

[DerikL]

Has anyone used the thomas mini skid steers. I will be checking out all the different units at the New England Grows show next week, before i start demoing any of them.

[Grn Mtn]

Thomas is sold at United Rental but they rent Toro? Just did a quick internet search and could not find out anything, sorry.

[Grn Mtn]

just found this useful link with a huge list of mini skidsteers and a comparison of the same info I was compiling.
http://www.igin.com/Landscaping/lanscapingsub/pageMiniSkidSteerChart.html

[Grn Mtn]

Okay, I found some Thomas info:

Compact Utility Loader---Thomas: 25GT
Weight of unit------------1,900 lbs
Width of tread------------n/a
Operating capacity-------530 lbs
Tipping capacity----------1,058 lbs
Hinge pin height----------n/a
Ground speed-------------3.2 mph
Engine--------------------25 HP Kohler, G
Hydraulic pressure-------3,000 psi
Hydraulic flow rate-------8.5 gpm

[paolaken]

just can't go without my dingo.

[Grn Mtn]

just can't go without my dingo.

What kind do you have? What is it's main role? What do you trailer it with (kind of trailer)

[paolaken]

i have a 222 tire model. older unit. i use it for everything. install sprinkler systems. i have the vibraplow attachment. 2 buckets, small with teeth and mulch bucket. auger head, 9" 12" 18" and 30" tree bit. also concrete mixer fits on auger power head. also have a snow blade for sidewalks. i have a 16' landscape trailer i haul it on pulled behind a 3/4 t chevy. its a great machine. havn't tried any others but they all look good to me. i will be looking for another unit this year. probably used, maybe a track unit for the vibraplow. that is about the only advantage of the track unit is the vibraplow.

[DerikL]

Is the 222 the chain drive model? If it is do you have any issues with the chains coming off, and how much maintance is involved. I have only used the 322 which has a hydro motor at each wheel.

[paolaken]

the 222 is a chain drive to the front wheels. never had one come off. the only thing i do is keep the chain greased and adjust the chain tensioner. not any problems at all. if i get another one though, i would probably look at the 300 series but wouldn't rule out the 222. we need 2 so i'll be looking for another this year. see what comes along, not to pickey except the bobcat dosen't take the mini skid attachments.

[Grn Mtn]

Have you thought about getting tracks to go over the tires?

[paolaken]

never really had much need, but was told you can't put tracks on the 222.

[YardPro]

Couldn't agree more. This is how I've come to the conclusions so far. Yard pro did you end up with the Toro because of dealer support?



lol.. ah no... had a little drama whit the purchase.. BUT the dealer has recently been very helpful...

i bought it mainly due to price ... the dingo was almost 5K cheaper than the sk500...

i love my dingo.. but i am not sure i would not love the sk more....

[Vermeer]

Who knew? I just checked out your S600TX:

Those are great numbers, and the list of attachments is good also. I like the bucket that tilts, and tell me more about the mini-backhoe?

Grn Mtn,

Sorry for the delay have been away for a little bit. The new mini backhoe will be coming out in the late spring. I can get you some more specifics by Friday (Weight, dig depth etc). If you ever need a demo on the S600TX let me know I will be able to get you set up with a local dealer. As for all who are coming to New England Grows stop by the Vermeer booth and get a first hand look.

Jon