It's Official....

Greg Di

I just pulled the trigger on an 07 Ditch Witch SK350 mini skid loader with a 15" auger setup.




http://www.ditchwitch.com/compact-ut...d-steers/SK350

With a monthly payment lower than what I pay my carpenter for one day of digging, I can own the damn thing and have it at my disposal.

What sealed the deal was watching this thing just tear through the aggravating rocks that kill me when we hand dig. This sucker was spitting out the rocks like they weren't even there. Check out all the rocks laying next to the holes. If you've ever dug a hole, you know those size are the killers.

http://picasaweb.google.com/FineHomeImprovements/SK350#

Unfortunately, during the demo, we hit a rock ledge that needed jackhammering nonetheless, but no machine aside from a massive excavator would've penetrated that mess. I couldn't fault the machine.

The other bonus is the utility of having a machine that can easily lift heavy crap around the jobsite. I moved all the concrete in 80# bags from my truck parked in the street into the backyard in two quick trips with the loader. The alternative, well, would have sucked. I probably could've carried them in one load with a fork setup rather than the bucket.

I think that this purchase will save me money, save my back and make me money as it enables me to do some things I'd pass on doing due to the labor aspect.

While I'm sitting here typing, I have the usual "Did I do the right thing" BS running through my head, but I think with the direction I am headed, it was the logical and rational decision to do.

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kevjob

sweet set up Greg, You absolutley did the right thing, This will save your back, legs, etc.. and keep you fresh for bids after work. I have yet to buy a tool even a truck for business and regretted it. Have fun with the new toy.

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redwood

Greg, did you demo or investigate any of the other mini skidsteer machines. What sold you on Ditchwitch?

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rbsremodeling

Greg I can't believe you let Mike talk you into buying that machine.

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jeffaah

yup...I'm still jealous

Mike Finley

He He!

I just wanted him to get one in case I needed to borrow it.

neolitic

Congrats!
Did you get the decorative slipcover,
to keep Mrs Greg happy?

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Greg Di

Mark,

I did a fair amount of online investigating. Most of the online info in forums is very biased in terms of Ford vs. Chevy so I had to sift through a lot of crap to get reliable info.

There are many brands of minis out there right now. The problem is actually finding a local dealer that can sell you one AND service one. That fact alone eliminated many of the brands for me.

My choices were Bobcat MT52 (diesel), DW SK350, or a Boxxer 3x series.

My take on the Bobcat was that it's a good machine designed for heavy use (and abuse). It is what is most prevalently rented in my area over other models. The general consensus online was it was a great machine in theory, but had some major flaws in the design that made it not so great to operate. Mainly, the standing platform was terribly designed almost as an afterthought and even guys that owned the machine said the riding platform was nothing but problems long term. The Bobcat requires a lot more maintenance than other brands and also uses proprietary Bobcat attachments. Other brands use a universal mount which makes finding attachments easier.

The Bobcat has a higher tip capacity on paper, but the machine weighs 1000 lbs more than the SK350 which has roughly the same hydraulic power. Transport and trailering become more cumbersome (for me). They are more expensive being a diesel and seem to be better only because it says "Bobcat" on the side of it. They make nice full size skids, but kind of missed the boat on the minis and are a little late to the game.

The Boxxer came HIGHLY recommended to me by Matt Breyer, whose input I took seriously. The problem was that I didn't like the dealer's style or location to me. He wouldn't sell me a used machine and he wouldn't demo anything for me. I would have had to buy a new machine at a considerably higher cost. Matt has the big diesel machine. I was looking at a smaller gas machine and the sales guy didn't even know what the specs were or what a Ditch Witch was when I asked for a comparison. Not confidence inspiring.

Toro Dingo 42x series was almost in the running, but lack of dealer support had me wondering. I couldn't find one bad review of a Dingo, but I also couldn't find one to buy either. That's a problem.

What sold me on the DW was the fact that the sales guy was extremely responsive and there is a very good dealer network in the mid-Atlantic area. Granted the closest dealership is about an hour away, but they offer onsite service if need be. The machine itself is built simply enough where I can do the maintenance on 95% of it.

Work-wise, the SK350 has a ton of power in a very small package. I will not be running this 8 hours a day, but I want a reliable machine that works when I turn the key and doesn't stall out hydraulically. The Ditch Witch line of minis has phenomenal reviews by all and are the machines used to benchmark others. I also really like the controls. Within 30 seconds, I had it down pat.

Honestly, nearly any machine would do the limited work I need to get done, so I went with price and performance. I figured I couldn't go wrong with an '07 machine with a complete (new) warranty, 255 hours, new tracks, and a dealer I could rely on. I didn't think I'd be able to find a deal close to that with the other brands. Remarkably, Bobcat called me minutes after I gave the go ahead to DW with an offer of an 07 MT52 for $1000 more and no warranty.

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Stone Mountain

Would you be upset if I asked what you paid for that? I am looking at a mini skid steer here in Canada, and the price for what I want is in the $20's

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Greg Di

I will tell you this:

I spoke to Matt Breyer and Sal Donato before and during this decision to get their take on it. Mike Finley (whom I've never met, but respect because I think he is Colorado's verson of Greg Di) put in his two cents and I took it to heart.

Chris (Bone Saw) has a machine too. A while back there was thread where he said he dug 12 holes in an hour or something and I almost got into a pissing match with him saying it was impossible not knowing he had a mini too (ie, a secret weapon). When I found out he was using a mini, it put the tickle in my mind.

Add to this, all of the reading I did online. I couldn't find one person who regretted a purchase like this whether they were landscapers, GC's, fence guys, you name it.

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Greg Di

Check your PM.

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redwood

Greg, can you email me that same info? I also can't find anything reasonable for anything with less then 2000 hours.

I have a landscaping friend that has a Toro Dingo. He drilled some holes for me, it was fantastic. A mini skid was the only type of machine other then post hole diggers that could have accessed this site. He has said that I could borrow/rent it from him, but I feel guilty doing that, plus he lives a 1/2 hour away.

One issue that I have with his machine is it's ability to drill on even slight slopes and I live in the mountains. Do you know what the DW's capabilites are on slopes.

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mickeyco

Sweet, you ever think about loaning that out to other members to get their opinion, I think it's a great idea, I'll go first.




.

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rbsremodeling

Greg I was teasing after you said you had a bit of buyers remorse. I did the same when i brought home my bobcat and after a week of using it and my guys production and not needing laborers I was sold. afety and Maintence on them are the key

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Snow Man

congrats , welcome to the big time

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DecksEtc

Greg, I seriously doubt you'll ever regret getting it. I know I thank my lucky stars every time I have to dig and watch my MT52 take about 5 min. to dig and clean out a 12" hole.

I understand your decision process for getting the machine you did. For me and my partner, the MT52 made more sense for our business model and I couldn't be happier with the MT52's performance.

Enjoy!

Bone Saw

best tool purchase gaurentee'd
get ready to lay off your guys as you will no lomger need them

other uses besides drilling holes:
curbside to deck tool shuttle
railpost scaffold
stair setter
rim bender
beam lifter
trailer mover
trash pile mover (with grapple)

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Dan_Watson

Whats the tipping capacity? and why is it rated at 35%?

BreyerConstruct

Tipping is what it should take to tip the machine over- the max load it could carry. the 35% number is the "safety" number...


Greg, Welcome to the club. I doubt you'll ever regret the decision.
~Matt

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Greg Di

Bone,

Can you elaborate on "railpost scaffold" and "stair setter" for me? Now I am intrigued!

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