is that w/ any attachments? being you're in canada I guess that would be about right. You'll love it once you get it, I bought one and then liked it so much got another.

 

I get it with one bucket and a two year warranty. Our dollar has been pretty much at par with yours for a while, so I wouldn't expect the price to be much different.

 

Have you looked at the Komatsu at all?

 

do they make a stand on unit?

 

Maybe, but I would ask around at a grey market dealer. I know they make pretty small hoes (really small) but a mini skid skid maybe.

 

I never priced the Ditch Witch, but that price sounds way high to me. I would shop around.

We have Toro Dingos, and I know some guys prefer the DW's and some prefer the Dingos, so I'm not trying to re-start that debate. A new Dingo can be had for $18-19K and even if you like the DW better, you will never get an additional $7-8K return on your investment. A thousand or two extra to get your preferred machine may make sense (but I always think of that as a personal expense and not an investment), but not 40% more money. There is no way that either of the two will be 40% more productive or make you 40% more money - it won't happen!

The market is very slow for these dealers right now. I would shop around and I would let the dealer know I was shopping around. Chances are they will not let a sale get away in this market.

Good luck.

 

BTW - I wouldn't even look at hte small sit down skidsteers. There are no significant advantages other than you get to sit down. There are on the other hand countless disadvantages such as visibility, accessibilty(incredibly difficult to enter and egress), extra weight, less manueverabilty, etc...

One major drawback to a normal skid is that hte operator will usually sit and wait for a groundman to move something or do some task while a stand-on or walk behind operator will simply just take a couple of steps, do the task and be right back to work - it's a big deal!

 

the sk650s come at a premium because of the turbo kubots, but if you're running much of anything you'll love them. we replaced out 763 bobcat our second unit, visibility was better, it's quicker and we still use the 763's bucket to move mulch around and sometimes dirt. I think they list out here at 22k but w/ a combo bucket and whatever else you're getting and the tariffs or taxes I would think canada would impose I can see where you'd get 26

 

BTW - I wouldn't even look at hte small sit down skidsteers. There are no significant advantages other than you get to sit down. There are on the other hand countless disadvantages such as visibility, accessibilty(incredibly difficult to enter and egress), extra weight, less manueverabilty, etc...

One major drawback to a normal skid is that hte operator will usually sit and wait for a groundman to move something or do some task while a stand-on or walk behind operator will simply just take a couple of steps, do the task and be right back to work - it's a big deal!

I think in some cases a machine such as a ASV RC30 would be better than a walkbehind. Better traction, faster ground speed, more stabilty for work on slopes, and you can still work in cold or rainy weather inside of a heated cab. Every machine will have its trade offs so I would look at all options that fit into your budget.

 

I have settled on a stand on unit for a number of reasons. I think it is flat out the best unit for my needs. I wanted to try a Toro, but they weren't interested in talking to me. Three phone calls looking for a demo, and they couldn't even be bothered to follow up, let alone find me a machine. Ramrod was exactly the same. Don't need the business I guess. I tried a bobcat and a ditch witch, and the DW had so much more ability that it was a no brainer. I don't mind paying the going rate for the machine, but I don't want to get bled by a salesman who doesn't think I know much. Incidentally, as other BC'ers will agree, we don't have your economic problems-yet- and they sell anything that will move dirt as soon as it hits the lot.

 

Have a competitive quote for a Bobcat MT55 and make sure you negotiate a little. I can't recall what I paid almost two years ago but it is worth every penny. I have found Brandt to have outstanding customer service, I actually bought a Deere skid because of it since.

 

I think in some cases a machine such as a ASV RC30 would be better than a walkbehind. Better traction, faster ground speed, more stabilty for work on slopes, and you can still work in cold or rainy weather inside of a heated cab. Every machine will have its trade offs so I would look at all options that fit into your budget.

Perhaps you are correct. I just know that we have a Bobcat 863 and 3 Dingos and the Dingos get used almost every day and the Bobcat almost every month. Nobody ever even asks for the Bobcat unless the Dingo simply won't do the job. Never used the ASV so I can't comment, but I know the smallest Bobcat is too small for an adult to sit comfortably in.

 

The Rc30 has the same rops as the RC50 and 60 and can fit a fat ass like mine in so its way more roomy than a 463.

 

Just thought I'd add some info about pricing if anyone is interested. I was looking for a small machine with digging ability and I ended up buying a DW sk650. The only dealers who really wanted my business were ditchwitch(Brandt Tractor) and Bobcat(Bobcat Country) I got quotes from Thomas, Ditchwitch,Bobcat,Toro and Boxer, but I sure had to work for some of them. Boxer unfortunately has no presence in BC, but they were happy to deal with me at least, unlike Ramrod, and Toro. I had them all price the machine as well as a backhoe attachment on a separate line. Here are the quotes:

Boxer 35hp diesel with 44" bucket $23,934.88
backhoe $6999.00 plus shipping & tax(nearest dealer is in Alberta)

Toro 25hp diesel with 4.3ft3 bucket $21900
backhoe $7945 plus tax

Bobcat 25 hp diesel with 44" bucket $19588.02
backhoe $ 8158.44 plus tax


Thomas 25 hp diesel $ 26000.00
backhoe $9500.00 plus shipping and tax

DitchWitch 33Hp diesel with 36" bucket $26580.00
backhoe $ 7237.91 plus tax

I demoed the bobcat and dw. The Bobcat was first, and I wasn't impressed enough to really think a mini skid was going to fit the bill. slow, underpowered and what a hokey operator platform. Then I tried the SK650, and boy, what a difference. Twice the machine. So I wanted that one. They were the most expensive (except for Thomas??), but in the end he came down a bit and I paid 32000 plus tax including upsizing the bucket to a 52 inch.

 

I'm sure you'll be happy with it. We purchased a Dingo 425 and paid $16,5 with 2 buckets and absolutely love it.

I see you are from Agassiz ... we'll be up there in Aug to race the OT National. Great track

 

Agassiz has a clever nick-name "Agony".

 

I see you are from Agassiz ... we'll be up there in Aug to race the OT National. Great track

You drive by my house to get there. The father in law built it and he still gets a few hours cat work every spring fixing the jumps. I've done quite a few loops on it myself.

 

I love my Boxer, power rake, tiller, trencher, auger, stump grinder, and all the planer, forks, and bucket get used in tight places. I rented a 463 one time only. The tires made more work ruts than I was there fixing in the first place. I think the asv 30 would be nice for 4 ft wide but I have a 553 Bob Cat that I adapted to the boxer quick attach. Boxer is 2004 24 hp with tracks that shrink to 30 inches.

 

Looking at adding a mini skid to the work force.
We don't have a wide selection of manufacturers here.

The price quoted for new
Bobcat MT52 with 18.8 hp kubota diesel $22.7K
Bobcat MT55 with 23.5 hp kubota diesel $24.1K

Ramrod 915 track w/ 23 hp air cooled Kawasaki and oil cooler $17.8K
Ramrod 1150 track w/ 27 hp air cooled Kawasaki and oil cooler $22.5K

Each offers the auger and one 9" bit for roughly 2600.

We would use the machine mainly to auger post holes, and perhaps move some navvy jack and portland.

The Ramrod pricing seems quite reasonable. And the dealer of this one does have their own service department and stocks minimal parts for it. Otherwise they come from Saskatchewan. Most mini-skid attachments will fit the Ramrod but not a bobcat.

90% of our local rental yards though carry bobcat and their attachments, so would require an adapter plate.
The bobcat definitely has a better service and dealer network.

There are also a few used 2007 MT55 around with 700+ hours for $12.5K.

If you were making the decision based on price/service/reliability what would you choose.

Initially with the Ramrod pricing I was sold. Problem is they don't have an auger to attach for a demo, nor a demo unit. I have driven an 1150 very briefly. Found the twin stick controls a little jerky.

I have yet to test a MT52 or MT55.

 

I love new equipment, but in this market I cannot imagine why anyone would buy new. There are some amazing deals on ebay and other places. I just saw a 2005 Dingo TX420 sell for $5650. That's the price of a good attachment. Also see lots of augers on ebay right now. You should be able to get into a used unit for less than half the price of a new one. The DW's are nice, but they are a much bigger machine than the Dingo's and most of the others, so you need to consider the environment you will be using it in. We like the maneuverability of our Dingos better than the others we have used.

Good luck, you wont' be sorry no matter which brand you buy!

 

Are the walk behinds all that expensive? I grumble about how much a regular skid is but won't any more.

 

I'm still in the buying process and Boxer (yuck), Vermeer, and DW are in the same $$ ball park. V and DW are making it hard for me to choose what to get....

 

For some reason here in BC there is not an array of mini skid choices.
I would like to find something used, but haven't seen too much in Canada that would be reasonable. With our fallen dollar, shipping and broker fees some of the deals don't work out to be deals, especially when a purchase would be made site unseen.We would really like to demo a few side by side.

A good used unit is our first choice, but we would go new if we knew a few of the quotes have out turned into jobs. The machine would be paid for the first month.

If the Ramrod 915 can really operate at 930 lbs versus the MT55's 550lbs we would pick up that unit. A little shorter, built in work platform, lighter weight. The majority of time will be boring holes.
It would be nice to offset some down time with other work, ie snow clearing, maybe offer to move soil / mulch to a clients back yard. We don't want to get into landscaping/hardscaping.

Anyone have feedback out there on the newer Ramrods for reliability, and service?

 

I have a Ditch Witch. It was the most expensive but I really liked it. I have a friend with a Ramrod, and he loves it. He has discovered that a lot of the components are available off the shelf at Princess Auto. That's sure not the case with my Ditch Witch. If you want to try a Boxer, they are available through United Rentals. I think its the Surrey store that has a couple, or there is a dealer in Alberta. You can get the Toro from Oak Creek something or other in Surrey. They weren't interested enough to let me demo one, so I wrote them off.

 

Thank you for the info Bearmtnmartin.

United Rentals are difficult at times, they don't know where their stuff is or how to get it. I'll definitely give the Surrey store a call though and see about the Boxer. Perhaps they even want to sell of a used one?

The Ramrod is priced well but they don't have a demo unit to try. Their all just neatly bundled up on their pallets.

I'll try that Oak Creek as well. Matbe they have a 425 or 525 they would like to demo in these slower times now.

Thanks again.