deere615
12-26-2011, 11:25 PM
Well I have had this thing for over a year and they are fairly a new product to the Bobcat line so I figured I would do a review on it. Last November I brought a new Bobcat CT225 compact tractor with a loader. Mainly to load bulk salt in the winter but to do light landscaping in the summer also.
I have had not one problem with the exception of a small leak in the back differential when I first got it, it was covered under warranty and was a pinched gasket from the factory. It fires up every time even in the cold (see the video below) For alot of the hours being a cold start, load the salt then then shut off its done great.
For power wise its got a 27hp 3cylindar diesel and if I could do it again I might go with the CT230. The power the machine has it sure can do alot but when I dig into a full pile of salt or start digging in dirt it bogs down some. They all also have 4x4 and when using the loader it pretty much needs to be in 4x4 mode. The power this little machine has is great I wasnt sure when to expect when digging into the grass/ground and it exceeded my expectations there on the few jobs I had used it on. I even pulled out alot of stumps with both the back and the loader.
The loader works great, mind you it does not lift as high as a skid but I measured to make sure I would be able to load my vbox with it and its close but it works. its lifted everything I have put in the bucket fine. The big issue is having counter weight. I didn't have anything for the longest time Then decided to fill the rear tires but that wasn't working out so I built a box and filled it with concrete which is nice because I can take it off anytime.
Maneuverability is nice the machine has power steering and tight turning. Its a hydrostatic so its 2 pedal one forward one reverse so its very simple. Its 3 speeds high is really only for driving around I do most work in Medium and use Low for the tough stuff. Even with a weight box though this machine can get sketchy on some of the hills we have in this area. Going up no problem she climbs hills great. Going down you have to be careful there isn't too much in the bucket. and Side to side is not recommenced in rough terrain.
I have not had any other attachments on the machine besides my weight box but hope to get a brush hog someday
For questions of why I chose this over a skid was because of price, ease of operation, and versatility, they both have their place and I hope to have a skid someday also. I would love to have a CT450 someday for snow removal too!
I am sure I forgot stuff, but ask away for anyone who is really interested in these machines.
A few pictures and some videos are below-Subscribe to my YouTube account I am sure I will have more of the machine.
Some Videos of it
When I first got it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TtoWszXyOY
Cold Start
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzKHK6xbun4
Digging dirt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ystyd1XxfO4
Moving Broken Block
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1UPvOCSSGs
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I have had not one problem with the exception of a small leak in the back differential when I first got it, it was covered under warranty and was a pinched gasket from the factory. It fires up every time even in the cold (see the video below) For alot of the hours being a cold start, load the salt then then shut off its done great.
For power wise its got a 27hp 3cylindar diesel and if I could do it again I might go with the CT230. The power the machine has it sure can do alot but when I dig into a full pile of salt or start digging in dirt it bogs down some. They all also have 4x4 and when using the loader it pretty much needs to be in 4x4 mode. The power this little machine has is great I wasnt sure when to expect when digging into the grass/ground and it exceeded my expectations there on the few jobs I had used it on. I even pulled out alot of stumps with both the back and the loader.
The loader works great, mind you it does not lift as high as a skid but I measured to make sure I would be able to load my vbox with it and its close but it works. its lifted everything I have put in the bucket fine. The big issue is having counter weight. I didn't have anything for the longest time Then decided to fill the rear tires but that wasn't working out so I built a box and filled it with concrete which is nice because I can take it off anytime.
Maneuverability is nice the machine has power steering and tight turning. Its a hydrostatic so its 2 pedal one forward one reverse so its very simple. Its 3 speeds high is really only for driving around I do most work in Medium and use Low for the tough stuff. Even with a weight box though this machine can get sketchy on some of the hills we have in this area. Going up no problem she climbs hills great. Going down you have to be careful there isn't too much in the bucket. and Side to side is not recommenced in rough terrain.
I have not had any other attachments on the machine besides my weight box but hope to get a brush hog someday
For questions of why I chose this over a skid was because of price, ease of operation, and versatility, they both have their place and I hope to have a skid someday also. I would love to have a CT450 someday for snow removal too!
I am sure I forgot stuff, but ask away for anyone who is really interested in these machines.
A few pictures and some videos are below-Subscribe to my YouTube account I am sure I will have more of the machine.
Some Videos of it
When I first got it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TtoWszXyOY
Cold Start
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzKHK6xbun4
Digging dirt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ystyd1XxfO4
Moving Broken Block
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1UPvOCSSGs
236033
236032