Buying Skid Loader Tips $10k Or Less

Tips on buying a $10,000 or less skid steer for your small farm.
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[@cbuc6316]

Got my subscription. Smart man, can tell from the way you present yourself. Your ability to explain and make quality content is clearly there. Thank you sir.

[@toadabc]

Great video. I got my 753 at an auction 10 years ago, and learned a lot from you. At the auction I couldn't do much of what you suggest, but then I only paid 4k, and it worked for years. Just now I had to pay the shop a 7k for a new hydraulic pump and as soon as I got it out of the shop I got a major coolant lean into the oil. I just put on a new head for a total of just less than 1k. I came to you channel hoping to learn how to fill the unit with coolant, so I haven't started it to see if I did good or not.

[@H20-town610]

I did notice all the filters and starter are there as you open that rear door. A very serviceable machine.

[@gregbannish8423]

I'm a big fan if older bobcats, I have 2 743s. I have limited mechanical abilities, but have been able to fix them when needed, including valve adjustment, replacing seals. My hardest repair was a rear wheel bearing gone bad, which requires access from the chaincase, and was difficult for me. So one might want to check that too. Fyi, KZbin and repair forums have been invaluable for repair and maintenance tips...

[@SweetBriarFarmMichigan]

Good advice. I just purchased an 2003 bobcat S185. 1850 hours I looked for all the potential issues you pointed out!

[@dexterranch]

Nice! That’s a little newer machine then what I’ve got. The hay bales are about 1300lbs this year so I’m maxing this thing out with them, but it has came in very handy so far.

[@joshuasundberg9172]

Awesome video! Thank you!

[@garrettvallis9688]

Amazing video. Saving it.

[@KenMrKLC]

You can have the drive motors rebuilt and there are many places to buy rebuilt ones. I’ve had a few of these machines and they are good ole reliable basic skid steers. I suggest you be handy and learn about anything that needs repairs. They aren’t that difficult to fix and not really that expensive for what they can do. Newer machines have many electronic components and emissions etc that can be impossible to repair yourself and VERY expensive

[@dexterranch]

So this particular drive motor had a cracked case. Rebuilding wasn’t an option because of that. Paid a guy 200 to try to weld it up. Held for about 3 min lol. Other than that I really like the machine. Little uncomfortable to work on. Standing on your head all the time.

[@Piotrek.P]

Thanks ❤

[@dexterranch]

Thanks for watching!

[@StuKlomann]

Bobcats have terrible wiring harnesses too, ive had two machine's a 2007 s175 and a 2018 s70 and both had intermitent wiring gremlins so bad i just bit the bullet and installed new harnesses. Cool to learn about myself since i dont feel like paying the dealer outrageous money and also the satisfaction of doing it myself. You can lose your butt quick buying a lemon machine

[@anessawhiteeagle609]

So it's best that we have our own welding tools to fix most yourself by hand

[@435thblackeagle8]

How do you determine parts availability?

[@ajoshmiller]

Thanks for sharing this - good info. Have you already covered why you bought a skid steer instead of a tractor, or in addition to? Also, any advice on where the best place to buy one might be?

[@dexterranch]

Hi Josh. I haven’t. I’m sure I will in a video to come but the main reason was just the fact that I can only really justify having one or the other right now. A skid steer can fit a lot of places that a comparable horsepower tractor can not. Now if I was trying to make my own hay or run a plow it would be a no brainer and I would have had to get a tractor, but on a farm this small and all the tasks I need to do there is nothing a tractor can do that a skid steer can’t. It also barely takes a little corner of my shop when I need to park it inside. As far as a place to buy one I would just suggest Facebook marketplace or Craigslist. Sometimes the dealers will have them but they usually want a bunch more money. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@ajoshmiller]

@@dexterranch I've thought about that as well. I have a 38 HP JD tractor and it's all right, but I always struggle lifting heavy things like round bales, gravel, etc.. and I think I skid steer would work much better in that area. The big question for me has always been around field mowing. I have 14 acres of pasture and like to mow it after the cows move off to keep the weeds down and make sure the less desirable forage doesnt get too far ahead of the desirable forage.

[@dexterranch]

Well I can’t speak from experience, but I will be buying a brush hog for the front of the skid steer. I think if a property was any bigger than 20-30 acres this would not make as much sense, but the paddocks are so small that I hoping it will work out. I will definitely let you know my thoughts after giving it a shot.

[@ajoshmiller]

@@dexterranch Great, I look forward to your review.

[@ecophage]

me: watching this after buying one

[@adamr8628]

thanks my Mustang 342 is very similar to a Mustang 940, Bobcat 642? mine runs great.. cost me $1800, with attachments. will probably selll 2 of them and have less than $1000 invested. I always buy used, and am very grateful for getting a good deal on things.

[@dexterranch]

Wow that was sweet deal. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any skid steer priced that low. Even the ones that have bad engines lol. Good job! Thanks for watching!

[@craigwiess1656]

Just bought a small Rounder L700 with 3 attachments and a trailer for $4000. Similar machines not running were going for 2,000+

[@cannontaylor97]

How do you guys find deals?

[@adamr8628]

@@cannontaylor97 Patience mostly. Waiting for a deal. A lot of times its a farmer in a small town area. If you can drop everything and get there first, you can get the deals.

[@MikeSmith-nu9wt]

I know of one just like that , the hour meter is gone though and it's stuck in and , 6500 ..ive been gonna jump on it , haven't yet though , motor area looks clean , to clean actually ??

[@gjebox]

Can you shed some light on how to run check theft check if the equipment was reporyed stolen...

[@dexterranch]

I would have no idea how that is done. Sorry.

[@johnscott2600]

The blow by pressure is the main thing to look for some smoke is ok but excessive smoke isn’t good

[@dexterranch]

It’s a big one. Drive motors in my case were a big one as they aren’t made anymore for the bobcat 753. They are rebuildable but mine just happened to have a cracked case. Got lucky and found a used one. Thanks for watching.

[@misterbulger]

I just found a good deal on this same model 1995 i believe. I want to demo driveways with it. Will it reach into a tandem dump truck with a full bucket of concrete? Will it push a small hydraulic breaker?

[@dexterranch]

It would be hard for me to say for certain on the dump truck. I think you will be ok. It goes pretty high. It will definitely push the breaker. Good luck with it!

[@4G63Tpower]

Have prices gone up a lot because 1997 units are still $26,000 ??

[@JohnSuchman]

It's insane

[@charlesflaco7976]

Can you finance a unit for 10k??and who??

[@dexterranch]

You can finance just about anything you want at most banks. As long as it’s worth what they are loaning you and your credit score is sufficient.

[@SaddamAnsari-jf2yw]

Rsaas