2012 I found my self busy with building walls in residential neighbors. With limited space on a few of the job sites I wondered how handy a small walk behind skid steer would be? I had seen two other dry laid masons, Russ Beardsley and DeanMcLellanwho used this type of machine all the time. I had talked to both and they loved them!
Having a skid steer I never even gave it any thought. I had used a mini walk behind once for installing fence posts with a auger. I honestly thought the machine was a JOKE! Until the logistics of minimal space for a large machine on the job site came into play.
I began doing my homework about a year earlier. I had read great things about the Ditch Witch, Toro and Bobcat. From what I understand Toro was the creator of the concept. Of course you can find pro's and con's on just about any thing made by man. I decide to look at the Toro for couple reasons - easy to get parts locally. Many of the rental shops in my area used them which says something right there- the love them. Affordability! You can find a nice machine with low hours and in a price any one could justify. I didn't want to spend over $7000.
So I began my search! I had my eyes on a Toro with tires - the price seemed right ($6500, 400 hours with 2 buckets and set of forks add $400 +/- per attachment). After returning from a summer vacation I followed up with the one I had my eye on - only to find out it had been sold.
In no time I found another one with tracks for $5500 with 800 hours. I was surprised since most track machines normally run in the $8000-$15000 range used. Heck that's nothing if you think thatsa lot! Price out a new one!! Ya this iswhy I own a skid loader. Who intheirright mind would spend that kind of moneywhen a skid steer really gets the job done? Those who work in tight areas. You can't fit skid loader throw a gateway.
I called the fellow selling a Dingo TX 420 on a holiday Sunday. He said sure I'm not doing anything I can meet you and show you the machine - Heck ya now what I didn't tell you was I had cash in hand when I was coming back from my vacation I stopped at my bank - so I could buy the tire machine. Funny how things work out...in life. Road trip with the dump truck and trailer. After a little loud exhaust leak. I figured I this would be a smart investment. So I bought it.
For the next several months it sat at my buddies shop waiting in line for service. Only to need a front wheel replacement $300 and a exhaust weld. $500 later I was cleared for take off.
After purchasing my new/used machine and it sat in the shop, I had the opportunity in September 2012 to see Dean McLellan in action in Canada with his Bobcat MT55 at StoneWURX. We worked that machine around the jobsite like he was the incredible hulk. Moving piles of stone from one side of the building to the other.
Some great benefits of these types of machines are:
- Lifting on average is500 pounds with some that can lift as much as 1000 but you'll be paying the $$$ for one of those.
- Easy to store on the job-site
- Easy to move from job-site to job-site with just about any kind of truck. One average theyweighabout 2000+ pounds
- Attachments. - galore...!
- Gas or Diesel engines
- Tire or track choice - Wide or Narrow? YES choices.
- An employeewithoutthe payroll or workman's comp. I say this because truly what youwould pay to have a employee in a year doing the work this machine can do - YOU CAN BUY A NEW ONE! Yes it pays foritselfin one year!
- Gate size widths on average 34 inch wide some with tracks that can move in and out. Other machines have wide tracks.
- Great material mover such asaggregate-loose dirt - mulch
- You can step away from the machine and make adjustments - for example if you need to lift a stone to make adjustments with a strap or forks you can. If you had a full size skid loader you'd have tounbucklethe seat belt get out of a cab - Owait you don't want to crawl under the boom-no no no safety first. With a mini you just walk around and can easily make adjustments from the side of the machinewithoutall the extra hassles. The controls are easy to reachwithoutagreatdeal of complications.
Cons;
- Does OK with digging dirt and stone - but not like a skid loader will - but hey what would you expect its just a smaller machine.
- The cost to buy a Mini Skid Steer is about the same as a full size machine?!
- Not great for excavating / dirt grading with the bucket like a skid loader can but will get the job done in little more time.
- Can't lift as much as skid loader can - requiring a little more time movingmaterial.
- Not as fast as a skid loader. Some units will move fasterthanothers average speedis about 4.5 mph (safe speed) some can move as fast as 7 mph ( Yesincreasedproductivityof courseat what cost? One wrong move andyou'regoing to feel like a rag doll - not to mention try standing andmoving 7 mph all day - yes you will feel like you went to the gym - sore! Or just think about those days on rollerskates once you taken them off you still feel like your roller skating? Youdecidewhat works the best for you)
Cliff notes - a motorizedwheelbarrow!
I wouldn't changed anything about my buyingchoices. A full size skid loader first and amini if I needed it! Now I need it. This little machine rocks. Every day I use it I learn that much more as to what I can do.
The Toro TX-420 is a gas machine with aKohler®Command Pro®Series 20 hp engine. Looking at the market place you have a lot ofchoices.
If you need a machine like this be sure you have a local dealer. That the machine fits your day to day needs, then your budget. I've seen the TX-420 selling from $4000- $10000. Ifyou'relooking to spend the higher amount try somemachines before you buy. Such as having a demo brought to your job site or just rent one or two.
Some might ask why not rent? For me renting never makes sense for a couple reasons. I work part time with stone. To pay for a rental would cost me more then owning. The time picking up and returning the machine is billable labor you can't bill and wasted time. My machine rented locally would cost me $230 a day.
$6200 -:- $230 = 27 days. YOU DO THE MATH.
TORO DINGO TX TRACKED MODELS Spec Sheet
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Looking for a used machine. Check with your local rental shop first, dealer, Machine Trader, Rock and Dirt, Ebay,Craigslist.... etc.... happy hunting
Every Manneeds his machines! I just like my back...
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