Mini Skidsteer loader recommendations

[Koa Man]

I am seriously considering getting a mini skidsteer loader, like a Toro Dingo or a Kanga. Do any of you have experience with these things? I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

[TPCDrafting]

My wife's family has two Vermeer's The newest called the "Mustang". The newer one belongs to my brother-in-law who is a contractor. He uses that thing very hard and has had minimal trouble with it. The old one is a gas engine and it's very old but still runs and is usefull. These are MUCH cheaper than the Bobcat brand and are pretty much the same thing. Bro-in-law bought his as a demo and saved a lot of dough.

 

[Koa Man]

A Bobcat sit on type skidsteer is too big for what I am looking for. I need something real tiny to get to the backyards etc. I need something that will go through a 36" gate. I know the Toro Dingo and Kanga also has a model that will do that. I probably should have made that known in my first post. Just wanted to know if anyone used or owned these things and if they really worked well or are just junk.

 

[rob10858]

the dingo is the best for the money, easy to work with lots of uses. all of the rest of the stand up type of power units are imitations. before toro bought dingo out, they were a small co with a great product. we have serial # 18 from the original line, and it's still the best money we've ever spent. IMHO

 

[Redneck Toadstomper]

I have several tractors and full size skid steers and have been around and used construction/ landscape equipment nearly all my life. Any equipment can and will hurt and/or kill you in short order. I watched a landscape contractor in N. W. Arkansas use a Toro that was being demo'd. This thing looked like an accident in waiting to me as I watched them use a tiller, bucket, and pallet forks. The salesman was on site and watched as this guy picked up a B&B tree that weighed about 200# with pallet forks. These small units become more unstable as the load is raised higher. At about 4-5 feet the unit tipped and and threw operator about 5-6 feet over the front. No one got hurt but salesman and operator were both shaken as to how easy it tipped. After that it got loaded up and sent home. These are LIGHT DUTY units that are meant for lighter work. Just my opinion.

 

[Cooker]

The Dingo is a great unit for light duty work. JMHO

 

[Koa Man]

The primary attachments I would use with this is the stump grinder and 4/1 bucket. I would sell my present backyard stumper if the one with the Dingo works good. I could then haul out the logs with the bucket instead of a wheelbarrow. Just looking to make my work less labor intensive. Not getting any younger. Would especially like to hear from someone who has used the stumper attachment for the Dingo.