Pic(s) of cat 215

[BrandonV]

Picked this up today for a rent/demo trial for this month. I'm looking at picking somthing up like this to run around the nursery. Thought I'd snap a pic, I'll get some more later when the crew puts it to work. Brought it home today and put one of our combo buckets on it and put some soil in our potting trailer. so far so good.

[BIGBEN2004]

What kinda truck is that in the picture? Looks like it can handle that gooseneck perfect. A lot better than seeing a load and trailer like that behind a dually, very dangerous. You can probally get into a JCB cheaper, would be good to try and compare them. Tell us what you think of that machine. We have a John Deere telehandler on the farm and couldn't run the farm without it. Here is a video of it working in the field.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgSG9DOJG88

[Dirt Digger2]

hahaha BIGBEN...nice music??

[DiyDave]

Sounds more like cotton pickin music!:laugh::laugh:

[BrandonV]

its a c7500 with cat motor, air brakes and suspension and my favorite part... An ef 10 speed

[DiyDave]

Sorry about the cotton picking comment. I did not realize that it could be considered racist. My parents used to always say "turn down that cotton pickin music", when I was younger. I still can't stand rap garbage, at least my post didn't mention killing anyone of any sort or color, or having relations with one's progenitors! I guess I was just raised differently!:confused:

[BrandonV]

well we've had it for a couple of days now. pretty much love it, only complaints would be the joy stick is a little firm, but I'm thinking the newer ones might be electric over hyd so that'll solve that problem. also it like anything takes some getting used to. It is a hoss though, getting through the fields w/ no problem and its proving to be great at loading w/ (as pictured w/ my truck) because you don't have to get up on the trailer as close, like w/ our traditional loaders. This particular unit has foam filled tired, which though is nice for the aspect of no flats, I think I'll pass because I think it makes it a bit rougher ride than I would want, but it'll move none the less. one of my guys kept saying how rough it rode, till I explained that you don't have to have the pedal to the floor all the time. It goes MUCH faster, much quicker than you it feels. Can't really appreciate the speed when you're in the cab, but if you're watching like I did you'll see it scoots.

[stuvecorp]

Nice rig, that trailer is sweet. What type of coupler does the Cat have?

[BrandonV]

just like our 287b so buckets, augers and everything else will work as well

[BIGBEN2004]

hahaha BIGBEN...nice music??

My brother posted it on their and he picked the music. I asked him what was he thinking, I thought it sounded like crap.:laugh:

[ksss]

I like the compact size of that machine. Big enough to get it done but still able to get around and easy enough to transport. I believe those are made in England by JLG is that right.

[BrandonV]

this one is german made I think, the newer ones I'm not sure. I'm looking at the TH255 which is think in the replacement for this one? As long as the tires/wheels are the same size I'll be pleased I think. If they're not I might try to finagle this one away.

[DiyDave]

My brother posted it on their and he picked the music. I asked him what was he thinking, I thought it sounded like crap.:laugh:
Glad I wasn't the only one!:clapping::clapping:

[BrandonV]

Probably the last of my photos. Took it upto brother's house to "change a light bulb" while we we up there took some pics of the back end of the nursery from up in the air.

[bobcat_ron]

Now that's a view!!!

Are you starting to fall in love with the 215 now?

[BrandonV]

i like it alot. easy to load w/ and you don't have to "bump" the sides of the trailer or what ever. Also if/when we purchase I'll buy one of those OSHA approved man baskets for it, can you can pruning? or often we have to tie up large trees for the 90" spade to get under, bingo. I'd like to buy one of those dutchman Tree Rex (http://www.dutchmantreespade.com/web/treerex.html) ball handlers for it too, if they're not too much $$$ if not modified hyd pallets forks will be ok.

[BrandonV]

so guys I'm going to buy this th215 from the rental fleet. I love it, it has about 300 hrs and they're pricing it I think reasonably for what the machine is... they're wanting to move it because this model is no more. anyways is 48k a good price? it has solid tires, ac/heat, they're giving me a warranty though october 09. I priced a new bobcat 417 (which is smaller, and not as powerful and it was marked down from 59k to 52k so I think they're treating me good. thanks for any input, oh also can anyone recommend a good set of tree forks?

[PerfectEarth]

That's awesome! You'll love that thing. I've set hundreds of huge b&b trees with our Lull at my Estate job... but it just has forks. I can only imagine the places you can auger and set trees with that machine. Good purchase!

[BrandonV]

with all the rain we had from fran we had to add some drainage to a home we just completed. only problem is the drive is pea gravel and pavers so the mtl makes a real mess, and I don't have time to clean it up and that and the homeowner wanted to add some more boulders off the side of the drive at another place (not pictured) this thing was a lifesaver. turns on a dime and the reach was a nice bonus too.

[Junior M]

we got rain for almost three days straight here in sc from fran.. your work always looks so good.. have you made a move on that thing yet?

[BrandonV]

in the process. I had thought about going with a ag style kubota instead but I do like this unit very much.

[bobcat_ron]

Who in their right mind puts pea gravel under paver stones? I thought everyone used crushed and compacted stone dust?

[mrusk]

A telehandler is without a doubt on my to buy list.

[Gravel Rat]

One of the mines got a zoom boom its a little bigger than that Cat it is a Cat machine. I put the outriggers down on the front and lifted the boom up and stretched it straight up the sucker must have 50 feet of reach. I thought that would be scary lifting its rated capacity that high.

Oh ya the joystick on the cat machine I was using was stiff I thought boy you would have to be carefull it can be really jerky if your not carefull and dump a load on somebody or something.

[BrandonV]

Ron some of the drive is pea gravel some us Pavers it's all done correctly.

[bobcat_ron]

Ron some of the drive is pea gravel some us Pavers it's all done correctly.


Is the idea for sub-surface drainage?

[BrandonV]

well in this case no, they like the softer look of the gravel as to pavers. I personally like the idea, but after working on this job where the contractor simply put pea gravel on top of a abc base I would insist on using something like gravelpave2™ or equivalent with a washed stone base because this was heck to work on, and when it rained the pea gravel washed down the drive badly.

[BrandonV]

my twin brother "borrowed unannounced" it one day and went crazy ripping trees out of his yard. it's a change from the exciting world of engineering.

[bobcat_ron]

I saw a JCB of that size, but even smaller, now that is a cool machine!

[BrandonV]

is that the "robot" you're talking about

[bobcat_ron]

Nope, mini version of their Telehandler.
520-40, 71" wide and 83" high, it's like a skid steer, but 4 wheel steer, it uses standard Bob-Tach buckets and attachments, a neighbour of mine has one, it sure beats a wheeled skid steer any day:

http://www.jcbamericas.com/products/1-agriculture/5-telescopic-handlers/154-52040/

[BrandonV]

that is a very sweet looking tractor

[BrandonV]

current job... the cat was a great tool to have here.
btw as I described in my irrigation post (i'm double posting since some of yall don't hang out there... I'm torn between these two forums)
well today we hand dug and loaded dirt into the telehandler for a good 275' we then rip-raped that section. we have about 800-1000' to go. so a couple more days, the only catch it on the longest wall there is TONS of parked contruction equipment, storage trailer and everything it takes to build a factory so I don't know if we'll be able to get started on it for some time. Anyways here are some more pics, tomorrow we're going to take the hydro-seeder full of water and wash off and water all the plants in real good.

http://www.lawnsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=126463&stc=1&d=1227221948
http://www.lawnsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=126464&stc=1&d=1227221954
http://www.lawnsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=126465&stc=1&d=1227221959
http://www.lawnsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=126466&stc=1&d=1227221964

[BrandonV]

ron you might recognize my bucket, its came w/ my 864 bobcat

[bobcat_ron]

That's not a Bobcat bucket is it? It sure looks beefed up.

[BrandonV]

sure is it's huge I think it's 7.5' wide can't remeber. It honestly was too big for the bobcat. It's quite heavy, even unloaded.

[Scag48]

That's the only disadvantage to combo buckets, weight. I remember loading my old man's dump trailer with some 5/8" back in the day with his Cat 216 and the 60" combo. If I heaped the bucket real good and was sitting on somewhat of a slope loading downhill, which is a no-no anyway, jump the machine a little and I'd fall into the trailer. Did that once, don't recommend it. No damage to the machine and I was 17 at the time, I got a good chewin' from my dad anyway. Last time I did that.

[riverwalklandscaping]

thats a huge wall ... i hope everyone was VERY careful not to slip..

[BrandonV]

came in handy today, we had to get some 50" hollies across a wall to help a customer screen off a new home from his pool. kinda sad really both homes are on huge lots but the new one is going in 30' from his pool, we did our best to make it disappear.

[BrandonV]

and some pics of a job today... had to rip out all the foundation plantings, without tearing up the old brick edge of course... sounds like a job for (ta dit-a dah!) telehandler. it did a great job, didn't break the concrete or scuff it up a bit.
also a close up of my big bobcat bucket

[Junior M]

Looks like you need some toof's for that bucket...

[BrandonV]

For those who don't frequent the pic/vids section here she is in action... iphone is making me waste so much more time than I used to. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qrL4x8w-EM)

[bobcat_ron]

I liked that!

[BrandonV]

Not quite as spectacular as a silo but it's as much fun as we hole diggers get to have.
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