Need heavy equipment advice.

[MK20]

Calling all heavy equipment experts.

I just bought a Bobcat s590. I want to get OTT tracks for it and a good quality root grapple. I don't mind buying used if it is in good condition.

Where should I be looking for these items?

Also might try to pick up a standard flow snowblower.

Thanks in advance guys.

Obligatory pic.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Will you hydraulic system support a snowblower? Check the flow rates before you buy

 

[Namekagon]

Looks like a nice machine. I have a bobcat and every time I sit in another brand machine I wonder how people can live like that lol. Especially the CATs I've sat in, I never felt like I could see nearly as well out the front as I can in my S250 or any of the newer bobcats Ive been in. Hand and foot control master race. I hate joysticks But I only have to sit in it for an hour at a time usually.

I do wonder if OTT tracks will work with those low profile tires?

 

[MK20]

Yeah. That is what I am trying to figure out. I would hate to have to change it.

 

[XP1K]

I picked up a barely used grapple at a farm auction for $2000. They had lots to choose from.

I can certainly see the need for tracks, but the ones on tires can be more maneuverable in tight areas. Given a talented operator. It just takes practice, and lots of seat time. Like this guy.

 

[chevy_man]

Looks like a nice machine. I have a bobcat and every time I sit in another brand machine I wonder how people can live like that lol. Especially the CATs I've sat in, I never felt like I could see nearly as well out the front as I can in my S250 or any of the newer bobcats Ive been in. Hand and foot control master race. I hate joysticks But I only have to sit in it for an hour at a time usually.

I do wonder if OTT tracks will work with those low profile tires?

I've never run the smaller chassis, but our 289 and 299 cats are kick ass.
Joysticks are the way to go. Everything is ISO control now (Yes, even bobcat has a switch to enable ISO).

OP: tracks suck unless it's a tracked machine. Angles are all wrong and when they get tossed they really suck. Not worth it.

I dunno what a root grapple is (assuming it's a regional term) but digging with skid steers sucks in general. They're good at moving material, ok at grade work, and miserable digging with.

 

[Emerson0311]

I've never run the smaller chassis, but our 289 and 299 cats are kick ass.
Joysticks are the way to go. Everything is ISO control now (Yes, even bobcat has a switch to enable ISO).

OP: tracks suck unless it's a tracked machine. Angles are all wrong and when they get tossed they really suck. Not worth it.

I dunno what a root grapple is (assuming it's a regional term) but digging with skid steers sucks in general. They're good at moving material, ok at grade work, and miserable digging with.

I’ve always said skid steers can do lots of things ok, but they are not good at anything. If lots of different attachments are in use, they shine though.

 

[MK20]

This is the root grapple. They excel in crowded thick pine forests where you need to move a bunch of brittle pokey stuff quickly. We have lots of that.

Slash piles, small tree removal, and snow removal are seemingly endless in my area, so that is how it will benefit me.

 

[LuckyLuke80]

Man, when you said heavy equipment I was thinking more along the lines of hitachi 450 and cat 395. Teasing. Looks like the resident experts already helped you out

 

[MK20]

I would love to have a cat 395. That is the dream but between the work I have to do on my place and all the work my neighbors need done, I think I can actually make a decent bit with just this machine at first. And I'll get my place cleaned up for much less wear and tear on the body.

 

[Modoc]

When my FIL bought his Bobcat, he wanted the tracked one, but the rep (not salesman) recommended against it. FIL had a ranch in the Black Hills wit’s plenty of steep slopes so the tires with chains works better for snow removal and transporting hay with the fork attachment.

I’d check with some local operators and see what they are using and why.

 

[Jscb1b]

Tracks give you lower ground pressure.

 

[mtrmn]

Root grapple on my tractor is the most used implement ever. Can pile huge amounts of logs, limbs storm damage etc.

 

[XP1K]

Root grapple on my tractor is the most used implement ever. Can pile huge amounts of logs, limbs storm damage etc.

Best money I ever spent on a tractor attachment.

 

[LuckyLuke80]

I would love to have a cat 395. That is the dream but between the work I have to do on my place and all the work my neighbors need done, I think I can actually make a decent bit with just this machine at first. And I'll get my place cleaned up for much less wear and tear on the body.

Skid steers are the bomb. It’s crazy the amount of attachments you can get. An old boss I had bought a brand new bobcat one year. First attachment he bought was a high flow grout pump. We did several jobs where we core drilled a 2” hole in the slab and then used that pump to float a slab. We leveled several slabs that way.

 

[458win]

I’ll take a compact wheel loader over a skidsteer almost any day.

That being said in response to the OP, run it without tracks for awhile. If your in snow, or ice, rubber tracks are worthless. You will be sliding all over the place. Stick with tires and chains.

Where tracks do better is in really soft ground but then the undercarriage fills up with shit. And you have more problems.

 

[chevy_man]

View attachment 8751892

This is the root grapple. They excel in crowded thick pine forests where you need to move a bunch of brittle pokey stuff quickly. We have lots of that.

Slash piles, small tree removal, and snow removal are seemingly endless in my area, so that is how it will benefit me.

Eh, that's what the grapple on the excavator is for. But, if you can only afford one...

I’ll take a compact wheel loader over a skidsteer almost any day.

That being said in response to the OP, run it without tracks for awhile. If your in snow, or ice, rubber tracks are worthless. You will be sliding all over the place. Stick with tires and chains.

Where tracks do better is in really soft ground but then the undercarriage fills up with shit. And you have more problems.

Tracks ride way nicer. You don't get bucked all over, crank it up and let it run all day in rabbit cruising.

After running both for thousands of hours I'd take the tracked unit all day every day even in the winter. If I needed to do a steep driveway all winter I'd stud a set of tracks.

Never fails to amaze me I spend the first 20 minutes in a wheeled machine testing the seat belt and swearing at it while remembering I have to slow way down.

 

[Aussie Joe]

I would love to have a cat 395. That is the dream but between the work I have to do on my place and all the work my neighbors need done, I think I can actually make a decent bit with just this machine at first. And I'll get my place cleaned up for much less wear and tear on the body.

Komatsu 1250 for my dream digger

 

[remaction]

I have had an Anbo grapple rake for several years. No complaints, well built.
Make sure the OTT tracks will clear your boom arm when the bucket is lowered.

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