Putting The Avant Wheel Loader To The Test! Which One Is Better?

[@Zogg1281]

That small Avant would probably be great for someone who specialises in fruit trees or small urban areas with smaller trees. They're both great machines though, I'm guessing you went for the bigger one due to the size of a lot of the trees you work on. We just have to wait and see 😊

[@VeteranTreeService]

Wait and see indeed! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@havespurswillclimb]

Enjoyed the video. Nice comparison of the two machines. I see the difference in the nature of the company buying the tractor. Big company = big jobs = more heavy equipment (dumper, chipper, etc.) = big machine. Smaller company, like two man crew = smaller jobs = less equipment (trailers, small chipper, etc.) = smaller machine. You are on the big side and growing, so, it's the big machine. Just remember, the more and bigger equipment means bigger nut to crack (heavy overhead).

[@VeteranTreeService]

Good breakdown.

[@Wannabearborist]

@@havespurswillclimb i love your profile picture, that silhouette picture is so cool.

[@TreeManagementofOklahoma]

You should have your Vermeer dealers show you an AX17 with a winch on it because they flip upwards really quick and out of the way

[@VeteranTreeService]

I'm sure he would love to sell me one. 🙂

[@PuskwaskaOutdoors]

So wich one followed you home? I’m in the “no replacement for displacement” camp…. Bigger is almost always better.

[@troyerthedestroyer]

That was interesting to see the little 225, honestly you can't go wrong with any articulated loader. Avant makes the best loaders hands down, from the quick couplers, handling, and durability they are just great machines. Free spinning grapples are 100% better, branch manager makes the best one.

[@evanbondoc2661]

I disagree, we run Ryan’s grapples that have a rotator they are much better for us being able to manipulate logs and brush especially when dealing with large pieces in tighter areas, free spinning grapples have their place too and I agree with you about branch manager being the best for those.

[@troyerthedestroyer]

@@evanbondoc2661 I have ran both and the free spinning is way faster and smoother. It's pretty easy to just cradle whatever you are moving if you need it to be fixed.

[@VeteranTreeService]

I have a lot to learn still.

[@troyerthedestroyer]

@@VeteranTreeService Which one did you get?

[@ClimberinChrist]

Free spinning grapples are for guys that don’t know how to use the powered ones. Why have a free spinning grapple when you can have one that does both? I’ve ran both many times and free spinning is trash in my opinion.

[@woodworker3122]

That was a fun video to watch. I think the big one is best. Tough choice though. You’ll make the best choice. Good video, interesting. Thanks.

[@VeteranTreeService]

Thanks! Ya, it was a tough decision.

[@IsaacPrice-ux1yn]

I would go for the bigger one long-term plan future jobs, bigger wood it can also lift smaller wood much faster and quicker safer more control.

[@h.i.m.dishonmaurice2599]

I think I'm going to see the 528 in future videos, Tim. 😁

[@VeteranTreeService]

Thanks for the comment. I like getting everyone's feedback.

[@jameshancock18]

I was looking at a 635 recently but ended up with a 755i and the bigger machine has been the best decision

[@VeteranTreeService]

Dang, the 700 series is a beast!

[@jameshancock18]

@ sure is, will lift 1400kg which is a huge log!

[@paradise6399]

I would take the bigger avant pick up the smaller avant and send it down the hill!

[@TheArborMonkey]

😂😂😂😂😂 that’s hilarious

[@VeteranTreeService]

haha

[@SidonianTree]

Bobcat L28 is also a beast. I’ve used both and would buy either one

[@VeteranTreeService]

I haven't seen that one live.

[@SidonianTree]

@ every bit as good as Avant 528. I used to own a 2015 Avant 528, if I bought another one I would buy the bobcat. That’s just me though

[@VeteranTreeService]

@SidonianTree good to know. 👍

[@SidonianTree]

@@VeteranTreeService before I started KZbin I owned a tree service in Kansas City, MO. I also owned a spider lift (CMC). Sold out of my company to finish a masters in theology and now I’m just doing KZbin for a hobby and I still like to climb. I know sometimes it’s hard to know where people are coming from but that’s just a bit more about me. someday I’ll make it up to the west coast and climb one of those big evergreens with you 🌲 🤙🏼 from one vet to another 🍻

[@br-dj2ti]

Just my opinion buddy I would get like a little Vermeer dingo them things are great they come out with a new one I believe a year or two maybe more it's a 160 I believe it's super nice it's amazing what it can pick up they're expensive though has anything as you know I'm sure they're smaller sizes as well I love the Vermeer dingoes

[@VeteranTreeService]

Vermeer makes nice machines. I do like them.

[@br-dj2ti]

Maybe try them out buddy too before you make a final decision

[@julianalderson3938]

Most times its the width just gettin thro. So yer like the baby better than liften stuff out.

[@VeteranTreeService]

Good point!

[@eq4175]

Which one did you pick?

[@In-The-Trees]

The 200 gang loved the video! 😎

[@VeteranTreeService]

Thanks for helping me decide.

[@markroper9269]

Like the video.....tough decision!

[@VeteranTreeService]

ya, I agree.

[@stokermeister3]

I would go with the bigger one with it being able to pick up bigger pieces without tipping but the smaller one was struggling with one big piece of wood 🤔😩

[@Wannabearborist]

Honestly I don’t see any reason except price to go for the smaller one: You can lift waaaay less so you’ll use more fuel and oil for the chainsaws because you have to cut stuff smaller, also you’ll spend more time because of making more cuts and sharpening the chains more often. Indeed you can drag but a lot of costumers won’t like their gardening to be all ruined from dragging the logs, if you then use wooden boards to drag logs you’ll be waisting more time of putting them good again. Yes, you can manoeuvre it a little easier but that’s not a benefit that outweighs all the disadvantages. That small one is useless as a main option, you could use it if you have a real big tree service with a huge budget to do some small jobs as secondary machinery, also the grapple takes away a third of its lifting capacity. Also seeing how easy it tips that’s a safety hazard when lifting close to the max capacity, if for some reason you have to go on the breaks it might tip and hurt the operator I’d go with the 528

[@VeteranTreeService]

The grapple weight taking away from the lifting capacity was definitely a factor we considered. Good point.

[@jeffschroeder9089]

Is there a mid size one?

[@YourOutdoorOasis]

There is the Avant 423. Price is about in the middle between the 225 and the 500 series.

[@VeteranTreeService]

They didn't have the 400 local. But its more similar to the 500 than the 200.

[@nilsgreibich2104]

Hi Tim, i think you would always push the little machine to its limits and reduce its lifetime...

[@VeteranTreeService]

Good point.

[@BenjaminMetcalf-g8z]

What happened to your Vermeer skid steer

[@VeteranTreeService]

It wasn't my machine. It was nice though. Very powerful. Putting the mats down sucked which is why I started looking at wheel loaders.

[@julianalderson3938]

Nice cant be roolin wood into gullies in sydney. Haha big probs cheers i like it'

[@VeteranTreeService]

What's the deal with that? Why don't they allow it?

[@henrycripps5937]

Buy once, cry once. You’ll outgrow the 225 before you know it the way you’re going 👍

[@nicolaisvlog8701]

America!!!!!!! 🤣

[@VeteranTreeService]

haha. Thanks for that. I thought it was funny too.

[@julianalderson3938]

An these machines not cheap. But save ya body do the job enjoy lot longer easier. Shit yer!

[@billyshumate853]

Get a vermeer or a bobcat

[@ChoppingBlockTree]

Please don't become a Jake who will spend 1/2 hr unloading the Avant so he doesn't have to pick up four limbs off the ground. . .

[@axesandthings483]

Personal opinion, but I find avants are hot garbage compared to mini skids. Getting in and out is way slower, and they don’t turn as well. They are better on grass, but it’s not enough to justify spending more to accomplish less. Hopefully this comment kicks off a religious war, cheers! 🙂

[@VeteranTreeService]

No war yet.. dang it.

[@axesandthings483]

@@VeteranTreeService aww, you people are no fun. I had my outfit picked out and everything!

[@jelinektreeservice]

If you can afford it one of each is the way to go. We have a Vermeer 925 mini skid with Ryan’s grapple. Awesome for small spaces just takes some practice and job site planning to avoid turf damage. Also have a wacker neuson wl32 loader with a bigger Ryan’s grapple. We use the Vermeer most of the time but the wacker is handy for those large logs and moving debris long distances.

[@ClimberinChrist]

Don’t buy the smaller avant

[@andrevermeulen4365]

Nope, not ideal