When I was hardscaping I would rent one maybe 6 to 8 times a year and I certainly would have used one more if I owned one. Schedule a bunch of jobs and rent one for a week.

 

Good machine to have if you doing smaller jobs or need to fit into tight areas. I went back in forth with mini machine but lead times and prices got long and high and I needed something bigger. I would rent until you paying more in rentals than payment on one.

 

You will use it non stop when you get one. I think the Ditch Witch is a superior machine, but that's besides the point. I wouldn't landscape without my mini. The ground has to be somewhat firm and you have to run straight lines if you want to drive it across the lawn for mulch jobs. If it's soft or there is a lot of turns then I use my SK1550 with a 44" material bucket to load my gator which I them drive anywhere.

 

I would get the zahn over a fixed track machine

 

thanks for all the replies! i learned how to use mini skids starting with a bobcat mt85 and i just liked it a lot that's why i want a bobcat, im sure ditch witches are great machines as well.

 

We got a dingo last year, amazing machine. No matter what brand you get, you will see an increase in productivity and make your life easier on certain tasks.

 

The MTs might not be the most powerful but they are built strong and last 2000hrs+.

• Biggest issues: Your guys need to keep grease in the undercarriage, or it is expensive to replace the roller pins every 500hrs.
• One Odd issue i had and couldn't find any help online was the Right parking brake pin wouldn't fully retract causing it to hit the back of the drive gear. I have to painfully remove the ball joint that attaches to the brake lever and back it all the way out to make the brake line longer so that it put more downward pressure onto the cable/line when parking brake was disengaged. This was all trial and error and it ultimately worked, but the access is almost nonexistent. I took off the top control panel cover plate to get better access.

 

Piss poor machine for that task
It’s not very fast
It’s tracked so likely to mess up finished landscape with manuvering
Look at the bobcat l28
That’s what you want

 

Ventrac

 

Ventrac is over priced and under productive unless it’s lawn work like mowing or aerating and snow plowing/blowing
It’s not a loader in any way

 

My choice for moving material and doing zero damage. Works so good!