What do you think?

We are planning on expanding our Landscape division and are in need of another truck and skid steer. This truck would also double in the winter as a salt/plow truck. The skid steer would double loading bulk salt. <br>It seems to me that our money is better spent on a F650/F700 class truck rather then an F350/F450. <br>Also would need a skid steer big enough to load this truck, but small enough we can cross sidewalks in the summer without the fear of breaking them.<br>We are not bias in regards to Ford, Chevy, GMC. <br>As far as sid steers: John Deere, Cat, New Holland, Case, etc..<p>Any other ideas or thoughts would be great. <br>Thanks<br>Andy

 

I guess it somewhat depends on the type of plowing you do. Most of our sites need a 4x4. We do have 2 GMC 7000's but they only work well in certain situations.<p>I would look at a Ford 550 4x4.

 

I guess it somewhat depends on the type of plowing you do. Most of our sites need a 4x4. We do have 2 GMC 7000's but they only work well in certain situations.<p>I would look at a Ford 550 4x4.

 

4x4 not required. If in fact the truck was slipping around we would just add ballast.<br>This truck would be used for plowing larger lots.

 

I just bought a f 650 in december. It is a great truck for plowing and sanding. I have used it for summer work yet. It has a pick up truck inside, which is great. My suggestion is to use a under the tailgate spreader, then your not stuck with a big v-box. I do have a v-box and i view it as a mistake but who knows.<p>My F 650 has the cat diesel and the auto trans.<br>Geoff

 

How many yards of material can you fit in your V box spreader??<p>I think I would go with the under the tailgate spreader. Takes up less yard space, and costs less. I also want to outfit it with a Western 10' pro plow.<p>Was the Cat motor an upgrade? <p>Your truck sounds great.

 

I would also recomed a low profile dump body, with shorter sides.. This would work better for landscaping and you can always use sides. I myself am not in the landscaping business and used a high side body. The 650 is a great truck, i own a 650 and a 550, for big lots the 650 even in 2wd will out plow the 550. <p>The base price for a 650 is around 32,000. I have spent enough money this season. I won't buy anything this season that has to do with snow removal, unless we get snow. That even includes a SIMA measurement. Most years we have 5 storms by mid January.<p>As for the skid steer, you have a tough call to make. A small skid stear won't load the 650, and a big one will crush walks. I think the bobcat 874 will load the 650.<p>Geoff

 

The 650 offers 4 motors, a cummings 5.9 right out of a dodge, a ford 7.3, same motor in my 550, and a cat. I went with cat for the long life. <p>On a truck that size, don't use a western plow. I know a guy that did, then after one storm he bought a fisher for it. I have a fisher, and you don't want anything else. That f 650 will drive right over a western or meyer blade. The fisher has a split trip edge which is a lot better than a solid 9 foot edge. This split edge, takes care of a lot of the problems people have with trip edges. <p>My v-box holds about 6 yards, i guess you could cram 7 or 8 in it. <p>If you get the under the tailgate you will save a lot. Just get the body with high sides for a better amount of salt. Meyer is owned by swenson, and they make a great under the tailgate spreader.<p>Hope this helps.<p>Geoff

 

If you do decide to get a f 450 don't waste your time. There is much of a cost difference between the 450 and 550. The extra 1,000 for the 550 will be money well spent.<p>Geoff

 

It's a close call on the F-550 Ford or the F-650 You can get a longer bed with the 650 up to 14'or 16' f-550 dump is limited to 12' It all depends on the landscapeing that your doing (large work or smaller jobs.) For real large jobs just have matierial trucked in it's cheaper in the long run. <br>Skid loaders Case XT 75 will not ruin walks, I use New Hollands (old style) 555, and 783 haven't broken a walk yet. If worried just plank the walk. The new style New Hollands I don't like because you lose your side vision with the loader arms raised. We are looking at the new Case models I like the XT90 for its lifting cap.<p>paul