New skid steer and brush cutter

[Fallow Farm]

I pulled the trigger on a new high flow CAT 259D3 skid steer (ok, compact track loader) and a used Vail 77” brush cutter.

The brush cutter should be able to handle any sized juniper (cedar) I throw at it. Up to 8”, although I see that they have done 12-14” trees.

I’m pretty excited to see what I can get done with this setup.

 

[Fallow Farm]

Merry Christmas to me!

 

[hillrunner]

I pulled the trigger on a new high flow CAT 259D3 skid steer (ok, compact track loader) and a used Vail 77” brush cutter.

The brush cutter should be able to handle any sized juniper (cedar) I throw at it. Up to 8”, although I see that they have done 12-14” trees.

I’m pretty excited to see what I can get done with this setup.

Sweet! Is this a for hire venture or only for use on your own property?

 

[Catscratch]

That's going to be great for you. Congrats!

 

[Fallow Farm]

Sweet! Is this a for hire venture or only for use on your own property?

Probably just for use on my own property. If it was for hire, I would have gotten a 289 or 299 but the price difference was significant. $20k and $40k respectively.

If someone wanted to make money with these machines the 289 or 299 would probably be necessary paired with this cutter.

If I had the time, it would financially be worth it to get the bigger machines and hire out 2 days/month.

 

[omicron1792]

If I could do over I think I would have gotten that instead of tractor. Can do most anything you do with a tractor, plus a lot more.

I rent one every year or two for a month and get so much stuff done

Congrats and I’m jelly

 

[Fallow Farm]

If I could do over I think I would have gotten that instead of tractor. Can do most anything you do with a tractor, plus a lot more.

I rent one every year or two for a month and get so much stuff done

Congrats and I’m jelly

100% my thoughts as well. I have a JD 7800 and it is a great machine, but all I do is pick up stuff w it. Hay, dirt, gravel, pallet fork work etc. It pulls a plow and drill sometimes, but that’s it.

I’m selling it to pay for this machine. Skid steer > tractor for 95% of farm work.

I bought a smaller 8’ plow. The plan is to weld a hitch on the CAT and weld an axle w hydraulic cylinder to lift/lower it and I’ll be set to do smaller plots of 1-2 acres … in theory.

The ride isn’t as nice as a tractor, so we will see how this plays out.

 

[Turkey Creek]

If I could do over I think I would have gotten that instead of tractor. Can do most anything you do with a tractor, plus a lot more.

I rent one every year or two for a month and get so much stuff done

Congrats and I’m jelly

My wife actually threw out the idea of buying one when I finish paying off the tractor in a few more months. I think renting for a week a year will be better in the long run. Alot of money to spend on something I wont use that much and I have heard getting timely repairs at a reasonable cost is unheard of with these machines now a days.

 

[T-Max]

Very nice! Looks like it will handle that cutter nicely! We got a 242D a couple years ago and a Skid Pro 72” HD cutter. It is probably a little too big for our machine. Very front heavy. So much so that I almost don’t use it. Yours looks like the right setup. Congrats!


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[Catscratch]

You went with a brushhog. I've considered a brushhog but am strongly leaning towards a flail mower. What factored into you decision to go with the brushhog?

I've used both tractors and skids for a long time. If I had to pick just one to have on the place it would be a skid by a long shot.

 

[Fallow Farm]

Very nice! Looks like it will handle that cutter nicely! We got a 242D a couple years ago and a Skid Pro 72” HD cutter. It is probably a little too big for our machine. Very front heavy. So much so that I almost don’t use it. Yours looks like the right setup. Congrats!


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I talked to the Skid Pro guys. Very reasonable cost and solid machines. They were on my list until I found this used one.

Mine is a bit heavy for this machine at 2300 lbs, but the price was right. $14k new, I paid $5500. I could probably sell it for more right now. Vails are high priced units.

 

[Fallow Farm]

You went with a brushhog. I've considered a brushhog but am strongly leaning towards a flail mower. What factored into you decision to go with the brushhog?

Price. These are 1/2 the price of a forestry mulcher but can still do what I need.

It would be cool and I’d get more done, but at $20k (+/- $5k) I couldn’t justify it if I’m not running it 15-20 days a month.

 

[ruskbucks]

That's a awesome machine. Love the cat skidsteers. They are built like a tank. That thing should make work on your farm alot more enjoyable.

 

[Catscratch]

Price. These are 1/2 the price of a forestry mulcher but can still do what I need.

It would be cool and I’d get more done, but at $20k (+/- $5k) I couldn’t justify it if I’m not running it 15-20 days a month.

I meant a flail mower with hammer blades, not a forestry multcher. Those multcher are awesome but like you said EXPENSIVE, way out of my wallet range.

 

[Fallow Farm]

I meant a flail mower with hammer blades, not a forestry multcher. Those multcher are awesome but like you said EXPENSIVE, way out of my wallet range.

Every brand and style I saw was either the flat style or the forestry mulcher style. But, I also don’t a lot about these brush cutters. I just googled “best brush cutter” and wound up with a list of 5 or so that I would consider.

CAT was $18k, Vail $14k, Virnig $13k, Skid Pro $8-$10k and some other good ones were $7500-$8500. Under that price I’m sure great ones exist, I just didn’t find one.

 

[Fallow Farm]

That's a awesome machine. Love the cat skidsteers. They are built like a tank. That thing should make work on your farm alot more enjoyable.

I’m using it a lot and haven’t even hooked up the cutter yet! The best machine for a farm and ranch, hands down. Almost any heavy work can be done by one of the dozens of attachments.

 

[T-Max]

And the precision on the hydraulics is clutch. Dang near surgical. We can clean pens and such with the JD 3010, buuuuut it leaves a bit to be desired.


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[Howboutthemdawgs]

I’m using it a lot and haven’t even hooked up the cutter yet! The best machine for a farm and ranch, hands down. Almost any heavy work can be done by one of the dozens of attachments.

100% agree on most useful all around tool for a farm. Great buy!

 

[omicron1792]

Get one of these

https://www.truaxcomp.com/multi-task-twins/

 

[Fallow Farm]

II used the brush cutter to clear out the brush on the sides of the roads on the ranch. Got about 3 miles done. Was pretty pleased with it! But, I couldn’t help but think it was a little sluggish. But, I had no frame of reference so I just kept destroying trees.

Called the CAT dealer and he did some research. Turns out, I was given the wrong jumper plug and high flow was never engaged.

That is an incredible testament to the ability of this Vail cutter. I can’t wait to try it on high flow.