Best brand or model of tracked skid steers

We just got a new Kubota 75-3 this year for our lease and so far it's been a great machine. I like the design of the door on the Kubota compared to other brands. It is a strong machine and the cab layout is user-friendly. Make sure to get the Bullet-proof glass from the start if you plan on running a cutter. Our glass only lasted about 10hrs before it was shattered.

Kubota

What will you be running with it?

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Our glass only lasted about 10hrs before it was shattered.

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Mine lasted about the same on my excavator with the cutter on it.

Another vote for Kubota

Not sure if it is all Cats but the one we had was a PITA to work on. The lines were WAY back under the cab. Nightmare to do anything by yourself.

Had a Takeuchi that we beat the hell out of and it had little problems.

All yall saying no problems and better knock on some wood.

I'm assuming you want high flow to not be limited on attachments, especially cutter head/mulching attachments? Not all cutters are the same, some are far more demanding on the machine than others. It really comes down to your applications and what the bulk of its workload is going to be. Also, mainly and most importantly, how far and how good are the available dealers.

All I run is bobcat, and there's a reason you see alot of full time guys run them. They all have trade offs, but up until a few years ago, bobcat's forestry + a91 package was industry best. Their rear visibility is also best without needing a backup camera, which is important, especially in the woods.

But Kubota has upped their game with their guarding, and have kept getting better and better. The SV97 is a nice machine. They were still fairly untested when I bought my last batch for forestry applications, but I'm looking hard at the new 97 high flow. They are on the slower side, so if you're doing alot of running back and forth with buckets full of material, consider that as an extremely important factor. I also do a good bit of trail building after the clearing, and the bobcats speed is a welcome addition when making long runs. I wouldn't snub my nose at Takeuchi. They're pretty no frills, but they are absolute tanks. I'd probably already own one if I had a dealer closer to me.

One thing to consider is do you want pilot controls or electric-over-hydraulic, and radial lift or vertical lift? Those are very important distinctions, and can affect which attachments you can run and how well you can perform a task. Also, if you don't absolutely need tracks, I wouldn't get them.

I demoed a Case Minotaur DL550 and will probably go with it. It's an absolute beast with full dozer controls, rubber and steel track packages, full dozer blade attachments, rippers, etc. The rep with Case told me they've already got wind that other manufacturers are copying this setup, and being in the business, all I can say is it's about damn time somebody got serious about making more capable machines for these type high flow applications.

Just be aware if you are mulching/grubbing/clearing with a CTL, to take it easy at first, and even then, you're going to tear some shite up. It's inevitable. Other than production, that's difference between a novice and pro: getting the job done without destroying the machine in the process. There's not a machine man can build that he can't frick up if he's doing something he has no business trying to do (not saying this is you).

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Had a Takeuchi that we beat the hell out of and it had little problems.

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I just rented one of these last weekend. I was impressed.

If it was me I'd lease one for a year or two and if something happened to it just pick up the phone and have them deliver a replacement.