Small pivot steer for cleaning out - buying advice.

[Davy_g]

I am thinking of purchasing an old and small pivot steer - up to 4ft wide for cleaning out. It wont be used very often so as long as its not falling to bits and will last then that would be good enough.
Anything anyone recommends or thinks i should avoid?

 

[Bald Rick]

Just bought a Kramer (really a Wacker Neuson) of that sort ... see New Toy thread
Its fine for mucking out the calf unit but gutless compared to a skid steer.

And they are not cheap. Even old ones
Be very careful if trawling Facebook as full of scams on these sort of machines
Availability is much better in Europe as the Dutch, Danes etc use these all the time and have no idea what a skid steer is

 

[Davy_g]

Just bought a Kramer (really a Wacker Neuson) of that sort ... see New Toy thread
Its fine for mucking out the calf unit but gutless compared to a skid steer.

Tidy machine. Would you give an idea of fair market value?

 

[Bald Rick]

Tidy machine. Would you give an idea of fair market value?

Budget £20k for a tidy one and hope to find one for less.
If its very occasional use, there are cabless 2003 -10 things for around £10k or a bit less. Real dogs are £5k

An alternative would be the increasingly popular compact loadalls but these are over £30k but lift capacity is greater than mini pivots

 

[sjt01]

I am thinking of purchasing an old and small pivot steer - up to 4ft wide for cleaning out. It wont be used very often so as long as its not falling to bits and will last then that would be good enough.
Anything anyone recommends or thinks i should avoid?

I bought a cheapy Chinese electric machine from NNVM, it was the last electric they brought in. It works remarkably well for the price. They now do only diesels, which I have no experience of, but cheap. My machine did not have adequate documentation to get proper LOLER accreditation, so check before buying, but it might be an option.

 

[edessex]

I've also just bought a Kramer, just under 4ft.
I was looking for a skid steer, but they can tear ground up quite badly (if you need to go over grass/soil).

Only main issue so far is sorting out suitable brackets for implements.

 

[le bon paysan]

Budget is everything, can you go new. Avant mini loader at farols start at 15k.
I just googled mini loaders for sale.

 

[Wee Willy]

You're in NI. Check out Trillick Tractors. They're selling cheap imported telehandlers.

 

[Blue.]

After watching the professional struggler on YouTube I’d avoid any of the cheap Chinese pivot loaders,they’re pure shite.
My 1350 weidemann can have wheels set at just under 4’,old jcb 403s the same but I wouldn’t buy an older 403 on wheel motors unless you’re good with the spanners.

 

[Sheep]

You'll get better value in older skidsteers than pivots.

 

[Gerbert]

Eurotrac miniloaders seem to do well as a cheaper option. I have a mustang which also does well but I have only had for half a year.

 

[HarryB97]

I hire in an Avant off the local hire company 4-5 days a year, much more cost affective and reliable

 

[steveR]

NEW HERACLES H180 PIVOT STEER LOADER - J Bourne Tractors

NEW HERACLES H180 PIVOT STEER LOADER 800KG LIFT HYDROSTATIC DRIVE SYSTEM YANMAR 3CYLINDER ENGINE JOYSTICK OPERATION INCLUDING THE FORWARD / REVERSE EURO 8 HEADSTOCK ( QUICKE ) REMOVABLE CANOPY FOR LOW BUILDINGS FANTASTIC ALTERNATIVE TO A SCRAPER TRACTOR CHOICE OF BUCKETS , PALLET FORKS &...

www.jbournetractors.co.uk

He seems to have been selling these for several years now....

 

[Sharpy]

Just one thought, would it perhaps be more sensible to put the money into building a shed that would be suitable for cleaning out with existing kit?

 

[Gav]

Weidemann are probably one of the best known out there for compact pivot steer loaders with their Hofftrac models. If you’re looking at older ones then besides the usual wear areas for any loader, make sure you check the pivot point carefully as if it’s been neglected you could end up with two halves of a machine and a large bill. Parts are still easily available so there will be no issues in that respect.

 

[manfromhill]

Think Blaney still make a mini pivot in ireland thought I seen a you tube video of a farmers guardian test with mini pivots

 

[edessex]

...check the pivot point carefully as if it’s been neglected you could end up with two halves of a machine and a large bill.

This was my biggest concern. A nursery I contract for have 2x Weidemanns, a 2008 1240, and a new electric one.
The 1240 has constant issues with grease nipples on the pivot pin, and does have some play. You just know that when it does go, there will be sufficient damage to both chassis sections as well as the pin.

I was looking at old machines, due to budget. Skid steer was the main focus, but a little Kramer came up cheap.

 

[Davy_g]

I hire in an Avant off the local hire company 4-5 days a year, much more cost affective and reliable

thats exactly what i do at present. I could use it more if i had one of my own - hence my OP. Good machine for my job.

 

[Davy_g]

Just one thought, would it perhaps be more sensible to put the money into building a shed that would be suitable for cleaning out with existing kit?

Good answer. I have just built the shed though. Its bull and calving pens. All posts are galvanised and in galvanised sleeves for pulling. Problem is the horrendous ballache to remove all the 3 way closing gates and then re-installing them to let the tractor have full access. Prefer to clean out with a smaller vehicle.

 

[ollie989898]

Good answer. I have just built the shed though. Its bull and calving pens. All posts are galvanised and in galvanised sleeves for pulling. Problem is the horrendous ballache to remove all the 3 way closing gates and then re-installing them to let the tractor have full access. Prefer to clean out with a smaller vehicle.

Is it worth hiring a mini-digger for the few times a year you need to clean out? Drag the muck out to somewhere more accessible for a larger machine i.e. tractor and loader?