Landscape Tool

[tjsquickcuts]

Went out today and tested a BC MT55 Mini track loader, and was impressed with the performance and all that it can do. My question is, would it be worth it to purchase this machine, or a track loader.....I have a lot of Landscape Jobs, big and small, some irrigation installations, and a lot of hardscape work lined up for this year, and wanted to know which machine is the best bang for the buck.....I can always rent a track loader if I need the extra power.....Just hate to put my company in a tight spot purchasing a Track Loader....I just dont think I will have enough jobs to support the track loader this year, but in a year from now hopefully all that will have changed....Just curious on what you guys think....Got a good price on both though....2007 T250 w/ air Track Loader for around $40k with attachments.....and a Mini track for around $17k with attachments.....I plan to purchase by Feb 1st....

[paolaken]

well, i have an older loader that i use sometimes. i have a toro dingo that i use all the time. i very rarely leave the shop without the dingo. i use it everyday.

[Vermeer]

I think you have answered the question for yourself. You can rent the bigger machine if you need to on occasion. It would be much easier and more comfortable if you were not staring at a payment that could be double. The mini CUL's are capable of alot of tasks. Check out the "revisit mini skid discussion" in the tractor forum. The other option you could possibly set up is rent to own with your local dealer. There is a Vermeer dealer in Marietta and McDonugh that may be able to help you out with a S600TX

[Lawnworks]

I was in the same position as you last winter. I wanted a dingo, but I just could not justify 20k for the machine. I ended up paying cash for a used tx425... I have never regretted it. I don't think I would spend 20k on a new one unless you were actually using it everyday. Keystone Rental and Sales up in Deluth has excellent service... their dingos are a little pricey but they really know what they are doing.

[tjsquickcuts]

I think you have answered the question for yourself. You can rent the bigger machine if you need to on occasion. It would be much easier and more comfortable if you were not staring at a payment that could be double. The mini CUL's are capable of alot of tasks. Check out the "revisit mini skid discussion" in the tractor forum. The other option you could possibly set up is rent to own with your local dealer. There is a Vermeer dealer in Marietta and McDonugh that may be able to help you out with a S600TX

Thanks for the info....never considered this particular brand, but seems well built, and capable of the same tasks, and I would guess less then the BC.....I will give them a visit tomorrow.....Got a call this morning from a builder about being their lawn vendor for new construction and mtce....., including grading and installing the sod.....75 homes with small lots....

[nlminc]

Thanks for the info....never considered this particular brand, but seems well built, and capable of the same tasks, and I would guess less then the BC.....I will give them a visit tomorrow.....Got a call this morning from a builder about being their lawn vendor for new construction and mtce....., including grading and installing the sod.....75 homes with small lots....


My experience with builders...........watch out! They want everything as cheap as possible and then you'll usually have to wait for your money. There were a few contractors up here in Cherokee Co. who lost big when the builders started going under last summer.

I bought a used 420tx and love it. It's really my toy for the upcoming season. I bought it last fall because I felt I was getting a good deal on it.

[LB1234]

(1) What is the primary service that your business sells?
(2) What is your highest yielding profit percentage service?
(3) Can the track loader be as versatile as the mini-skid w/attachments?
(4) Does the track loader require additonal purchases? i.e. bigger trailer and/or storage.
(5) Is size of the machine an issue? Getting through gated yards, working in narrow alleys, turf repair, etc.

We have a Dingo TX425. For us what we got for ~same price as a smaller TLB we can do that much more work. Granted its never going to beat out a tracked loader in its intended environment...but it will perform the job (in most instances).

for larger jobs we just rent a mini-x or larger TLB if the job warrants it.

[tjsquickcuts]

(1) What is the primary service that your business sells?
(2) What is your highest yielding profit percentage service?
(3) Can the track loader be as versatile as the mini-skid w/attachments?
(4) Does the track loader require additonal purchases? i.e. bigger trailer and/or storage.
(5) Is size of the machine an issue? Getting through gated yards, working in narrow alleys, turf repair, etc.

We have a Dingo TX425. For us what we got for ~same price as a smaller TLB we can do that much more work. Granted its never going to beat out a tracked loader in its intended environment...but it will perform the job (in most instances).

for larger jobs we just rent a mini-x or larger TLB if the job warrants it.

1.The primary service are mulch and landscape rock installs.....I have started to pick up a couple of hardscape jobs such as patios, small retaining walls, and walkways....Met with a allan block rep today, and will be going with their product for all future projects....I am would assume that 40% of my landscape jobs will be mulch, 20% Rocks, 15% Hardscape, 10% irrigation, and 15% sod, and new landscape..i.e.planting trees/shrubs and irrigation work...

2. My highest yielding profit percentage service would be rocks, and hardscape work...

3. I think I have made up my mind that the mini track would serve a better purpose with having to go between small pass between homes and gates....

4. Other thing that help make up my mind...would have to purchase another truck, and possibly another trailer....storage isnt a problem.....

5. Mini Track I think wins out.....

Thanks guys, really wanted to make sure I wasn't selling myself short.....but I didnt think anything that small could have so much power.....The mini Track could go on the trailer with the rest of the mowing equipment and we wont miss a beat.....Once I purchase, I will post photos of me learning on my lawn....guess my neighbors will hate me for a few weeks because I am going to dig up, trench, and grade up my entire lawn...lol...just kidding, but I will spend a lot of time learning the machine....

[YardPro]

we also have the toro tx425 and i would NEVER think of doing my work without it...
it is worth every penny...

as for the bobcat mt, keep in mind that they have a unique mounting plate and you will have less attachments available, and the ones you can get will be more expensive...

i would look at a machine with a dingo type plate... EVERY other manufacturer uses a dingo plate for thier machines... the bobcat is the only one that does not.

[Lawnworks]

I would at least demo a Toro Dingo. I think that new diesel tx525 is one sweeet machine. I agree w/ yardpro that you may want to consider a miniskid w/ a universal plate. You can save some serious money buying attachments on ebay.

[LB1234]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I saw the TX525 at the nj landscape show a few weeks ago.

One thing I really liked was having the exhaust coming out up higher on the machine, up towards where the 'loader arms' meet the machine.

One thing I didn't like at all was the new toro ride on platform. First off, I almost broke my neck cause its not secure...it articulates up and down. Second, my calves were killing me after fiddling around with it for only a few minutes (didn't get to drive it just the stand).

Last, its tough to place two people on the stand when you have to move some boulders or a heavy pallet around. The platform is two individual footholds.

Anyone else care to comment on it?

[Lawnworks]

From what I have heard it has the highest hydro flow of all of the machines... I think 12.8. I think the standard is 11.5. This might make a little difference augering or harley raking. The diesel is also 50lbs lighter than the gas model... making it just over 2000 lbs.

[Vermeer]

I have seen the new platform and can not figure out why the platform pivots the way it does unless it is for storage reasons. Anyone know know the real reason?
It seems if you weigh more than 200+lbs or are backdragging with a bucket or sinking an auger it rides on the ground. That is the only reason I can geuss that it pivots is so it helps prevent the platform from digging in as it sits so low to the ground.

[LB1234]

I have seen the new platform and can not figure out why the platform pivots the way it does unless it is for storage reasons. Anyone know know the real reason?
It seems if you weigh more than 200+lbs or are backdragging with a bucket or sinking an auger it rides on the ground. That is the only reason I can geuss that it pivots is so it helps prevent the platform from digging in as it sits so low to the ground.

I asked the sales rep why after explaining to him that I don't like it at all and he said so when you are going up and down the curb your legs don't get pinched b/t the machine and the stand.

I have done this with our machine a few times. Its really no big deal.

[Vermeer]

The issue would be if you backed up into the curb as the platform tilts back. Ouch!

[Focal Point Landscapes]

I also have a 425 , bought it used , paid cash.etc - bought Dingo trailer and attachments - I wouldn't trade this setup for anything - best investment I have made so far . The 525 will be my next mini skid , but the aftermarket platform is definitely better than the new platform that I tried at the equipment show in Louisville. But otherwise that is one sweet machine. I agree with Lawnworks - Keystone in Duluth has been great to work with . A rep even delivered the Forkster platform to Macon for me. While I would like to have a skid steer , I can't justify buying one instead of renting - just don't need a bigger machine often enough.

[JimLewis]

I love the BC MT55. We use it about 3 days of every week. Once you have one available to you, you'll find you use it all the time. They're very handy. Great for tight access, and they can move a serious amount of product in one day. They easily replace one or two workers. And with all the attachments available these days, they are just awesome. You can have one machine to do your tilling, trenching, demolition, hauling, etc. It's great.

Basically same thing as a Dingo. But for some reason we just fell in love with the BC.

[LB1234]

Basically same thing as a Dingo. But for some reason we just fell in love with the BC.


Do you work on alot of existing landscapes? If so do you find yourself repairing a lot more of the turf than you would like?

[Lawnworks]

From my experiences there is virtually zero turf damage w/ my tracked mini.

[JimLewis]

Do you work on alot of existing landscapes? If so do you find yourself repairing a lot more of the turf than you would like?

Yes, we are usually working across existing landscapes.

We try to minimize our damage a few ways. First, we try to avoid going over turf. If there is a way to just go through an open planting bed, take out a section of fence, etc. we'll do it. Second, we just avoid a lot of turns on turfgrass, and turns we do take we try to make slow and wide. It's the quick sharp turns that tear up the turf quickly. Finally, we'll often get some big sections of plywood and lay them down on the turf area we are going over. We may spend $50 in plywood, if we can't find any free scrap plywood at a construction site. But that's still better than having to repair the customer's sod. We also take care to temporarily (for the duration of the job) remove any plants that are in the way. We will place these plants in mulch in the corner of the landscape and water them each day. Then place them back in place after the job is done.

In taking these precautions we rarely have to repair turf or plants damaged by the machine. There are often sections of the turf that look highly compacted or matted when we are finished. And we'll rake those areas out and re-seed or whatever. But that's about it.

Also, if I anticipate any damage to the turf or anticipate us having to move plants, I'll always mention this to the customer at the beginning of the job. And I mention how we'll correct it when we're done. So they know what to expect. This way, you don't have some zealot at the end of some job saying, "Now you guys are going to replace that section of compacted grass now, aren't you???" By going over all this ahead of time, I've already told them how we are going to take precautions and what measures we'll take to restore the lawn or plants.

[LB1234]

We try and do the same...as far as NOT operating on the turf and wide turns and the like. I was curious how it compares to others...if you did in fact compare them. I did and I found the dingo to be fairly turf friendly.

We actually perform a lot of mulch installations with the dingo across existing turf with minimal to no turf damage.

[JimLewis]

Yah, we've used both the Dingo and the BC. They both work fine, IMO. We just happened to like the BC more. Not sure why.