How to run a bobcat (skidsteer)......

[JR2]

So I have a deck to build and I need to break up some concrete and move some dirt around. I also need to dig (auger) some holes for sauna tubes to support the deck. I have been trying to find a contractor to do this for me, but its summer and most of them will not even call me back. So I was thinking that I could rent a skidsteer and some attachments and (in the immortal words of Larry the cable guy) Git er done. Do you think this is a good idea?? I have never run a skidsteer or a back hoe. I have driven multiple types of forklifts and I stayed at a holiday in express once.



John

 

[FordCummins]

I have driven multiple types of forklifts and I stayed at a holiday in express once.



John

:-laf Now thats funny. As long as you arent working in very confined areas, it shouldnt take too long to learn the ropes on driving a skidsteer. Luckily, most rental places only rent out relatively new equipment, so all the controls will be very repsonsive. Using an auger is very easy, you just pick where you want the hole, and essentially let the machine do the work. Depending on how perfectly level of a grade you are trying to make, it will take some time, but at least you will have fun doing it. I'd say go for it, if you are only concerned about how hard it will be to drive the machine, you will be fine, they are very easy to learn how to run with just a little practice.

 

[bmoeller]

Skid steers are pretty easy to run. Usually don't need to run the engine wide open most of the time, either. On some machines I've run, the hydraulics act very fast and a litle jerky, because it can be more difficult to "feather" the controls. Don't drive fast of uneven ground, they can get a little squirrelly.



Drilling post holes. A few things to do. While drilling you need to occassionally raise the auger out of the ground, with it turning, to lift dirt out and toss it. Also, since the loader arm move in an arc, going up and down (Unless you are using a New Holland, newer JD or Bobcat 7753 type machine. They lift mostly straight up. ), you will need to creep backwards as the screw goes farther in, to keep the hole straight.



Difference between the "lifting path"-

Vertical lift vs. radius lift skidloader vid



Safety video

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

I rented one to move a bunch of gravel into my backyard. I have never driven one before and got pretty good with it by the time I was done. The rental cost was pretty reasonable too... I was actually surprised how reasonable it was. Well worth it and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again should the need arise.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

JR2, before you dig any holes, you might want to make sure there aren't any underground utilities. If you hit anything, it's going to cost you a bundle. Running the equipment is fairly simple. A lot of good advice was given above. Just be careful and have fun!

 

[JR2]

The only thing holding me back now is the cost of the implements. . holy cow the impact hammer thing to break up concrete is more than the vechicle to hang it on. I have to check into some other places, but look at this:

http://www.craigtaylorequipment.com/howtoorder/



Maybe I will rent a jack hammer and do the concrete and then clean and drill holes with the skidsteer. .



Utilities are not a problem, the only thing in the way is the wires to my well, and I know where they are.







Thanks guys.

 

[daveshoe]

Breaking Concrete

If the concrete you are breaking is a slab and does not have footers associated with it, ,get a set of forks and just use the skidsteer. Once you get ''air'' under the slab,not a problem to pop the slab with a sledge and break it up. I have removed slabs of concrete this way and as a bonus,it is much cleaner to do. The largest piece I ever got out this way was 6'x6' and 7'' thick. Once I levered it out ,I slid it alond the soft earth to a gravel driveway. [Too heavy to lift as it would tip the machine ]I then lifted one edge up and it broke by flipping it on to another slab edge put there first. The trick is that the slab's own weight does the work for you.

What to you intend to do with the broken concrete?

 

[daveshoe]

Chev Impala disc brake problem.

I have an '01 Impala with front and rear discs. This car has developed pulsing that you can feel thru the pedal and noise accompanies this,but the pulsing is almost non-existent thru the steering wheel. I put new rotors and pads and the problem was no different. A previous rear alignment problem was repaired last fall and I recently moved the front tires to the rear and put new tires on the front. The rear alignment problem had scrubbed the inside edge of the rear tires previous to the repair. The front pads were worn thinner on the front of the caliper than the rear prior to my replacing them. I need to get a troubleshooting plan to fix this. My logic tells me it could possibly include ABS,or rear brake problems, but the tires are ruled out at this point. Any Ideas on how to diagnose this?