Replying to JRR's question----regarding skid steers. I'll tell you what my opinion is----- but you already expected that----don't I always? :-/
My first Bobcat was the first of the 800 series - an 825. It was worn out when I got it and I used it for 15 years - it had one engine change - an overhaul would have worked. It will go to work again after my buddy gets it and repairs the fire damage. He takes care of me as far as watching out for deals and wants it so he will get it.
When shopping for a new one I didn't consider a brand new one. Too much immediate depreciation as soon as you sit in the seat -- like a car. There are some very reputable dealers in equipment - ask around. We have a magazine here called Ag Source. Lots of good places to look. Rental companies sell used ones - some very used but pretty well maintained -- some still rather high priced. I went to a high volume dealer who has been around a while about 200 miles away. He didn't sidestep any questions - he maintained eye contact and wasn't shifty eyed. I'm a pretty scary guy and if he could do that - that was worth something in itself. They did a complete overhaul on the engine - I asked him if his mechanics were good-- He said -- "Some good --some bad-- a good mix." To me that was a good answer -- I trusted the guy --and still do. It had oil in the belly pan but the drain holes were plugged and a check of hoses etc didn't reveal leaks. He noted in the contract that they would pay for repairs or materials if I didn't bring it in so I took it.
Other machines are copycats and may not have fit my attachments - many do weird things with controls to be different than Bobcat. It is the original - I knew how to operate it intuitively and didn't want to learn a new system. The new monster Bobcat operates every bit as easy or easier than the old one - much smoother - runs like a sewing machine.
You probably will not need something as big as the one I got. It is not as popular since it is so big so the price is a bit lower comparatively though. New overhaul - 105 turbo charged horse power and 11000 lbs with tracks -- I wanted all the brute strength I could get as I do things to my machines that most people wouldn't think they could do. Our conditions here are some of the harshest that machines will ever come across. We have fractured green andesite protruding through -mixed in with and under clay soil that gets to over 100 psi strength in the summer when dry. 105 horse power would shred the tires on a Bobcat within a few hours on this type of rock. It is so easy to spin each time the bucket is dug into the hill side that it would be impossible to try to watch the tires and keep from damaging them.
The dealer I bought the Bobcat from recommended McLaren tracks. I researched them thoroughly on the internet and found every type of track you could imagine. The rest were anything from fair to --why did they bother. The McLaren's were the only one I saw with Manganese steel castings and chrome steel pins and links. ---Others were pressed mild steel ---cast iron --- tire chain looking things on a bit grander scale --- I'd have shredded all of them in about 2 minutes.
Are the McLaren's invincible? Not totally, but then again- a combination of me and the 963 could tear up anything. I got stuck on a pile of rocks and I assume rolled one between the frame and the track. It bent the track tire guard in about 1 1/2 inches on one track section. I bent it back out with a 4' pipe wrench and while it didn't break it did crack about an inch. I called McLaren - told them of the problem and how I did it. They mentioned that it may have been use rather than a warranty problem and asked for pictures. I immediately sent digital pictures to them along with a note explaining that I had no idea that their tracks were not invincible. They immediately sent out a replacement track section at no charge. Their tracks are easily rebuildable also - a complete kit is around $300 and service part kits are about $20 for small packs of pins and a couple extra links (dog bones). So while --yes -- I did tear up one section, I would say it was a combination of extreme bad conditions and the most available horsepower I know of in a skid steer loader. I am satisfied that they will stand behind their product even under questionable conditions and highly recommend their tracks over any others. The next parts will be on me as I realize I use everything to the max. Their people are a pleasure to deal with and promptly got my tracks to me on the original order also. The tracks make all the difference in the world for working on side hills - 1000 lbs added to the bottom of the machine along with widening out the wheel spacing a bit for clearance makes the Bobcat useable on sidehills.
My Bobcat 963 has about 30 gpm aux hydraulics - enough for nearly anything and too much for some. When buying a machine you will find that most are in the 15 gpm range except the high flow. I wouldn't recommend the high flow except for special applications as the work capacities --loads --are reduced -- more volume but less capacity for lifting and digging etc. With the big engine mine has the flow and the power. The 963 has a 3000 lb working capacity (about 1 cu. yd. heaped) and a 6000 lb tipping capacity. I often have rocks so big in the bucket that I have to back down the hill with the bucket low so I don't tip over forward.
to be continued
The new Bobcats have a weird new articulating loading mechanism to get them to do the same thing the old ones already do. Some have articulating steering - in both cases, more parts to wear. The old attachments which are numerous and plentiful - not always cheap -- may not fit them. The dealer mentioned that the new machines were having tightness problems in these areas.
I didn't consider a dedicated track layer machine after another dealer mentioned that they could go up to 1500 or 2000 hours but he had one that needed new tracks at 500 hours. There goes about $3000 to 4000. I didn't trust this dealer too much either -- had a cheap machine but it was sold would I like a newer one at double the price? No thanks. Over-the-tire tracks are versatile and can be used both ways after about 30 minutes to install or remove them for the McLarens.
I don't care for the centered cylinder on some models that will be the first thing up in your line of view.
I think most people would want a bit smaller Bobcat as they are not looking for brute strength to doze roads on mountainsides with, or large capacity and horsepower as I sometimes need to run heavy rocks and loads of clay up 30 to 40% slopes.
My original Bobcat had 38 horsepower. I would shoot for something in the 50 or so horsepower range and about 15 gpm hydraulics to run jack hammers etc. Lots of backyard work-- probably something in the 700 series --larger work --probably the 800 series -- used but not real old for serviceability. Check engne hours - oil level and cleanliness - blow by - (smoke from the crankcase is a no-no) coolant level and cleanliness- smoothness of the engine at idle and power ranges - rough idle indicates possible cylinder weakness or fuel system problems. Leaks can be fixed but a good dealer should have fixed them. Check for pivot point wear, overall tightness and good operation of the machine.
Since I have used Bobcat for so long, I didn't even consider any of the other similar machines.
Note that Ebay has Bobcats listed - prices are usually more than you can get them for locally and you probably will have no recourse if you have problems.
I tried an Ebay angle blade a man wanted to sell me, but took it off as it was nearly bending at 1/4 throttle on the 963. It may have been OK on a smaller machine but I could have folded it up.
Thanks for all the insight.
Are you happier adding tracks to a skid-steer model ... as opposed to starting off with a "track-loader" model?
I would have ripped several thousand dollars worth of tracks --rubber -- off in a few weeks in this ground. The McLaren tracks are bars over the tires and it will protect the tires in most situations. Each link has 3/4" slack adjustment and wear parts are replaceable at relatively low cost. I will probably still lose an occasional tire from a rock in the tracks but if I rip the tracks off a dedicated tracklayer there is no other option but to break out the wallet. The tracklayers are much more expensive and don't have the capacity of the 963 either.
Doing it again, I would do the same - even if cost was not an option.