Looking for advice on snow removal equipment

[SNOW JW]

Looking to maybe buy a Skid steer and do some snow remove not in it to make a killing just looking for a little extra cash flow. I have the contacts to keep me semi busy just not sure what to buy as there are lots of options out there.

Looking to get a Cat 236B (don't tell me Bobcat I know they are a good unit but I can't do the foot controlls and the Cats have treated me real well in the past) with a plow, snow bucket and maybe a blower later on.

Some of the local guys are doing less and less with there pickups because of the tight curbing and how fast a skid can move around and plow these areas.

So do you think a 236B is big enough??? What brand or style of attachments do you prefer?? Any thoughts are welcome.

 

[Dam Dave]

I prefer the Cat but fyi, Bobcat has had hand controls for 5 years or so

 

[GODEEP]

Get something like this. you can pickup these smaller loaders for about the same price and they work 10 times better imo. plus most of them have aux. hyd. like skidsteers.

 

[SNOW JW]

Ya I ran a 300 track series this year for a few days loved it but Cat treats us very well. But I will keep that in mind. Is there a good forum as well to get some more info on this as well???

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

justin we have 5 cases....they are one of the best out there I think(but they use foot controls), ours are abused beyond belief and other then a bath and service they are untouched ...snow blower is the way to go...we use buckets and blowers...blower is way faster and easier on the rig....

 

[SNOW JW]

I have given the smaler loaders some thought but I think for just snow removal they are great but my problem is

1. To small to load trucks in the summer if I were to use it for dirt.

2. To big to do yard work or hook the rockhound up to.

3. heavy and large mob to job sites in some steep country with the pickup and trailer.

 

[inverted99]

Whatever you end up with, get the widest thrower you can and more importantly, make sure both skid steer and thrower are high flow. Studded tracks are also a good thing to consider, not sure what you are clearing, as there are many variables. Good luck...Jeff

 

[Blu Du]

bobcat has had hand controls for a while. but they just come out with the electronic hand controls identical to the cat.

 

[Supplicate]

skid steer with a blower is the only way to fly. If you are trying to move high volume of snow with a bucket or blade, you'll be hating life come january.

We have a farm tractor rigged up with a 96" (IIRC) blower on it, makes quick work of the approach and parking lot (what my dad calls a driveway) on my parents place.

edit:

something like this on a 236B wouldn't be bad IMO

click picture...

 

[Mainer]

i would forget snow removal if you like to ride! i only get to ride about half the weekends i should because im always plowing snow.

 

[copter6]

We use a Case Skidder w/ hand controls. Have a broom, and blower for it. use the broom when not much snow.

Also have a truck with blade and a sander in the box.

 

[Supplicate]

use the broom when not much snow.

Personally, I don't like the broom at all. If the snow has had any time to set up, or adhere to the pavement a broom won't do anything but knock off the top layer. If I'm doing snow removal I like to see bare pavement everywhere.

 

[Nodak221]

Go with a Bobcat S205 with the SJC(hand) controls, You will not be dissapointed. It is physically the same size as the Cat you are looking at but has more HP, more ROC, more speed, and you can get High Flow if you decide to add a blower in the future.

The Bobcat hand controls have been out for over five years and have always been electric over hydraulic. Cat just copied them last year when they introduced the C series machines. E/H controls offer some big advantages in skid steers, no warm up process and speed managment are two huge benefits.

Try the Bobcat, and I seriously doubt that you will be dissapointed.

 

[Rubberdown!]

I'll sell ya this one for what I have into it......4.2 hours!

 

[GODEEP]

What I was getting at was, not to just use a bucket. Get a smaller loader with Aux. hydraulics and hook up a snowblower or just put a plow on it. They are way more comfortable, better visibility, quieter and faster to name a few advantages.

They dont weight much either bro. you can haul them with a pickup. They hold their value better as well.

We use a John deere 244J sometimes and it loads our triaxle fine. good high lift. but I really like the Volvo L20B and the gehl pictured above.

here is the volvo and the deere.

 

[Camden]

I do commercial snow removal here in Minnesota. I sent you a PM but one thing I neglected to mention is that you should get a general liability insurance policy.

Most companies require it but for your own benefit I would suggest getting at least a $1M policy.

 

[SNOW JW]

Thanks guys!!!

Lots of research before I pull the trigger I don't want to go about it half *** for sure.

 

[GODEEP]

Check this site out.. www.machinerytrader.com

everyone ponder this little guy. The in between option.