Bobcat vs kubota Skid loader

[Jesse6869]

Looking into skid loaders has anyone had any experience with these 2 machines. Long term, I’m looking into purchasing one. I bought couple acres, not much but getting a garage built and looking into doing some land clearing myself to save cost. And maybe in the future renting it out.

 

[Don Frelier]

My son isn't a fan of Bobcat stuff.
We do like Kubota.

 

[Jesse6869]

What’s the reason? Just want to get all my info before the big purchase. Thank you

 

[Don Frelier]

Bobcat stuff doesn't seem to be very heavy duty.
They had a brand new one with repeated leaks that needed parts replaced.
(If I remember correctly)

 

[hunt2elk]

I've been looking for a decent Cat 247 or 257 track machine. About as rare as hens teeth around here. And when they do come up for sale they go for stupid money imo.

 

[Jesse6869]

Yes I was looking at bobcat t595 but before I spend the money Iv read reviews over both just wanted your guys opinion.

 

[diesel_lv]

No experience w skid steer, but the Kubota tractors are 2nd to none. Don't use proprietary parts like JD and last forever.

 

[bandit67]

No experience with skid steers of any kind, but I, too, want one. My good friend, who makes his living working with heavy equipment, offered me some advice, not the Bobcat. He said because it has foot controls and as you get older you begin to dislike those controls. I have seen folks selling their Bobcat and getting other makes as they have knee and hip problems..

 

[Jesse6869]

Good info, I’ll have to look into that as well.

 

[Ironbuilt]

I have operated and hauled all makes and models. Nothing beats a Caterpillar.
You get what you pay for.

 

[pnora]

Kubota is a good machine. I would take that over a Bobcat. However if I was looking for a Skidsteer I would seriously look at a Case. I had a 1845B and a 1845C both good machines. The C series has the Cummins. Finding a 1845C would be my choice. They have a lot less electronic controlled functions.

 

[493 Mike]

A very good friend (busy 1 man excavation company, 3rd generation) recently purchased a Gehl skid steer (a couple years after buying one of their mini excavators) and really likes them both. SS is like 125 HP. He already owns a Big John Deere excavator, 2 front end loaders, 2 dump trucks, and a medium sized dozer. Oh, and a Harley cruiser bike. Too busy to ride the bike!
Mike

 

[Curiousyellow71]

I have never been around a kubota skid loader... the kubota engines are good.. older Bobcats used Kubota engines.

Our Bobcat T300 burned up. It was terrible to work on. I put a turbo on it and that was NOT fun, the belt drive we did not have to work on but I wouldn't want too either. We replaced the Bobcat with a Deere 329D. Deere is about the easiest machine to work on. The down side is lots of electronics...but It also out pushes many of the other machines largely because the weight is centered on the track vs Bobcat is all on its ***. The Bobcat steered easier but pushing was sad. When you lift the boom and cab up on the Deere its all out of the way to work on. New Holland are pretty crude, Case skid loaders are decent. I have worked on quite a few cases, not much fun either, never worked on a tracked model, but replaced several wheel bearings on wheel models.
Cat generally is a premium skid loader and generally you will have less trouble then other brands, pretty hard to work on when you do. But, they typically are built tough enough for everyday use, not sure I could say that about most of the others.

 

[Jesse6869]

Thanks for the response guys so ill dig into CAT little more see what other reviews up.

 

[tlt23]

My friend friend had a Case for years. He has put it through the ringer and moved a lot of earth and cleared a lot of woods. He has ran it hard and only had to replace one seal, and the seat.

 

[3sloppydogs]

Having worked on all of this stuff for years i have come to the conclusion that they are basically the same. All of them will last for years if you do a couple things.
1 maintain the thing by that i mean grease it every 8 to 10 hours on the joints and remove the old grease that has the dirt stuck to it.
2 Change the oil and filters often, by filters i mean all of them air both inner and outer (do not blow them out) fuel, hydraulic etc.
3 operate the machine within its designed parameters, do not try to use it as a 100 HP machine when you have only 75. if you need a bigger machine get a bigger machine.
Having said that there a couple things you need to know ahead. If you plan on using some of the hydraulic attachments some of these require a highflow system and not all machines have this. so think ahead about how you really plan to use it.
some machines like Case throw more HP at the hydraulic system to make up for a lack of better pump. Over time this can create leaks or stressed areas of the loader frame.
Some machines use foot controls for the loader/bucket system which is a PITA.
get a machine with joystick controls for travel and operation, Cat and Bobcat both offer this as do others.
another thing to consider is how far is your nearest dealer. sure you get a deal on a Kubota but its no deal if you have to driver far and they do not stock the parts. You cannot beat Caterpillar's parts availability.
so having said all of this #1 is Cat but its pricey , you get what you pay for though especially in support.

 

[Jesse6869]

Well that’s all good info and some of those I have just been learning last couple of days. You tube has Been vary helpful as well. Thank you sir

Having worked on all of this stuff for years i have come to the conclusion that they are basically the same. All of them will last for years if you do a couple things.
1 maintain the thing by that i mean grease it every 8 to 10 hours on the joints and remove the old grease that has the dirt stuck to it.
2 Change the oil and filters often, by filters i mean all of them air both inner and outer (do not blow them out) fuel, hydraulic etc.
3 operate the machine within its designed parameters, do not try to use it as a 100 HP machine when you have only 75. if you need a bigger machine get a bigger machine.
Having said that there a couple things you need to know ahead. If you plan on using some of the hydraulic attachments some of these require a highflow system and not all machines have this. so think ahead about how you really plan to use it.
some machines like Case throw more HP at the hydraulic system to make up for a lack of better pump. Over time this can create leaks or stressed areas of the loader frame.
Some machines use foot controls for the loader/bucket system which is a PITA.
get a machine with joystick controls for travel and operation, Cat and Bobcat both offer this as do others.
another thing to consider is how far is your nearest dealer. sure you get a deal on a Kubota but its no deal if you have to driver far and they do not stock the parts. You cannot beat Caterpillar's parts availability.
so having said all of this #1 is Cat but its pricey , you get what you pay for though especially in support.

 

[FJ6AAR]

I always like New Holland loaders the best. But that was years ago. Before joy sticks.

 

[Curiousyellow71]

We looked at lots of different brands. We had a 2007 Bobcat T300 for about 5 years. It blew a hydraulic line with a mower on the front and burnt. We Replaced with a 2011 Deere 329D in 2015. We've put about 1500hrs on it since then. The Deere of similiar size makes the others look bad. The main reason though why we went with Deere is the ease of cleaning and servicing it. The reason the Bobcat burnt was it was too hard to clean the belly, once it was on fire it was gone, it's pretty similar in that respect to other brands. There are a bunch of good things about the Deere. The only down side is there is a lot of computers. It makes it nice to run, but you about got to call the dealer on electrical issues.

 

[gtx6970]

Having worked on all of this stuff for years i have come to the conclusion that they are basically the same. All of them will last for years if you do a couple things.
1 maintain the thing by that i mean grease it every 8 to 10 hours on the joints and remove the old grease that has the dirt stuck to it.
2 Change the oil and filters often, by filters i mean all of them air both inner and outer (do not blow them out) fuel, hydraulic etc.
3 operate the machine within its designed parameters, do not try to use it as a 100 HP machine when you have only 75. if you need a bigger machine get a bigger machine.
Having said that there a couple things you need to know ahead. If you plan on using some of the hydraulic attachments some of these require a highflow system and not all machines have this. so think ahead about how you really plan to use it.
some machines like Case throw more HP at the hydraulic system to make up for a lack of better pump. Over time this can create leaks or stressed areas of the loader frame.
Some machines use foot controls for the loader/bucket system which is a PITA.
get a machine with joystick controls for travel and operation, Cat and Bobcat both offer this as do others.
another thing to consider is how far is your nearest dealer. sure you get a deal on a Kubota but its no deal if you have to driver far and they do not stock the parts. You cannot beat Caterpillar's parts availability.
so having said all of this #1 is Cat but its pricey , you get what you pay for though especially in support.

Ill second the joystick controls.