Mini track loader

[Mustang]

I am considering purchasing a mini track loader; more for landscaping than for snow. I am not familiar with these machines at all. The one I am looking at is a Bobcat MT50. Any comments, pro or con on what the machine can and cannot do would be appreciated.

[DeVries]

Hey Mustang

I rented a bobcat mt52 about four years ago. My buddy was the salesman at the time and they just got it in and he wanted me to try it. I rented it for a day and never returned it.

My guy's use this machine more than our larger skidsteers. The machine is reliable and has never let us down. I'm not familiar with the mt50 but there is a 52 and 55 available. The only difference with the 55 is that it will lift about 50lbs more.

Like any track machine you need to grease daily and also make sure the track gets cleaned out regularly and also check for tension. We also use ours for clearing sidewalks in the winter with a blade and oversize bucket.

Allard

[MrBobcat]

Hey Mustang

I rented a bobcat mt52 about four years ago. My buddy was the salesman at the time and they just got it in and he wanted me to try it. I rented it for a day and never returned it.

My guy's use this machine more than our larger skidsteers. The machine is reliable and has never let us down. I'm not familiar with the mt50 but there is a 52 and 55 available. The only difference with the 55 is that it will lift about 50lbs more.

Like any track machine you need to grease daily and also make sure the track gets cleaned out regularly and also check for tension. We also use ours for clearing sidewalks in the winter with a blade and oversize bucket.

Allard

Good advice above.

MT50 was the first "series" , the MT52 is the second. Some good improvments on the 52. The sterring controll is the biggest. Taking there size into consideration , they can get alot of work done. The array of attacments makes alot eaiser to justify the cost.

[MCV]

There is a guy around here that dominates the post hole business and that's what he uses. I think he has up to a 16" auger.

[Kentucky]

There is a guy around here that dominates the post hole business and that's what he uses. I think he has up to a 16" auger.

we use the 36" auger for planting trees and it works great. Looks a little awkward, but the hydrolics on the ones weve used handle it fine.

I have used the large dingo track models and the bobcat models.
#1- get one with a plate to stand on... The extra body weight makes a world of difference when digging and lifting. In my opinion you really limit these machines capabilities if you cant add the weight on the back.

#2- If you get forks weld a bracket to keep the forks from dangling around. I get frustrated with this when moving boulders and stuff. (the pneumatic ones are nice but probably high in price.)

#3- Go with the diesel. In my opinion they are way more powerful.

#4- These things are great for small jobs and delicate work around tight areas, but they are very slow at digging. We live in a clay and rock area. If your dealing with hard dirt it will be very slow going. tooth bucket helps.


I have seen the Vermeer mini skid loader in action, and from what I saw this machine do it looked more powerful and better built than the toro or the bobcat. I have never used it to know. Just seen it in action lifting some big skids of rock. Seemed alot faster too, but maybe thats cause I was watching not working:wink

[snocrete]

A good friend of mine in the lanscape bus. has a MT52.....I have hired him on several occasions to help us on limited access jobs. The machine is a life saver when you can't fit anything else and you need to "demo 100+ ft of sidewalk, dig out the sub soil and bring in fresh fill"("first experience that came to mind")..We went in and plucked the sidewalk sections out with the forks and then threw the bucket on for the rest...the guys really loved that machine that day:wink......I haven't ran any of the other brands other than a wheeled toro, and If your gonna go with wheels, just get a 463/s70 or something similar cause they will work circles around anything walk behind with wheels and fit in the same places. I'll say that I really like the controls on the bobcat, and that it had plenty of power...I found running out of traction or weight, came long before power loss. The 2 times I've used the hydraulics were with a 4ft soil conditioner, which it did a great job with that. The other is with his 4ft snow plow, and if the snow is light enough I would rather have my dakota snowblade(basically a push
shovel). Now a 4ft blower or hyd broom I think would be awsome on one of these for snow, but they aren't worth much for "plowing" snow IMO......my biggest complaint is that it's not as turf friendly as I had expected. We also got it into a muddy situation on one job and it became almost helpless....I think these 2 problems wouldn't be as big of deal with the wider track MT55, or other brands that have a lower psi/wider track???