Give Robby a call for used skid steers, great guy, good ag.

https://m.facebook.com/constructionedgerobinsontx

Has anyone used a circular saw attachment for a skid steer? Specifically for cutting cedar and mesquite.

If not, what is the best option for cedars and small mesquites?

It seems like there's some great insight on this thread. Mulchers look amazing but it also sounds like they have a ton of problems and required maintenance

86Pilot said:

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Na Zdrav 87 - you sound a whole lot like myself. I've been researching CTL with mulching heads for several years now. I would use it primarily for my place (still yet to buy but I'm looking in Bastrop County as well) but I may do some contract work on the side to write off the machine.

After extensive research on both CTL machines and mulching heads, the hands down winner is the Kubota 95 SVL for a personal use dude (you and me). Unless you're an extremely wealthy land owner, the CAT 299D is awesome but it'll cost $25 - $30,000 more than the Kubota.

I found a brand new Kubota for $68,500 including the ROPS (Roll Over Protection System). You would have to buy an aftermarket front lexan door for an additional $1,000. Ewald Kubota in Austin offers an SVL 95 special for $67,000 but it doesn't have an enclosed cab so it's not an option.

You need to look at the type ground you will mulch. Rocky? - you'll need carbide teeth. Carbide teeth are way less efficient and won't make as small a mulch as the alternative. But, Carbide teeth will eat rocks and keep on mulching.

If you have a more sandy loam type soil, then you'll want knives (steel teeth) instead of carbide teeth. The knives are 100% more efficient and create a much finer mulch but they will dull every time you hit a rock. They also make heads with interchangeable teeth (switch back and forth between the two depending upon the job).

The two best heads are Denis Cimaf and FAE. They both make a $35,000 mulching head that has an internal hydraulic cooler so you won't need the auxiliary cooler on top of the CTL. Another option instead of getting the cooler is to get a bite-limiter head. These type heads limit the depth of the bite thus allowing the head to stay at high speeds all times (won't get bogged down in deep wood which slows the head and creates enormous heat).

Contact me anytime at Jnnyberg at Hotmail dot com. I would be happy to talk anytime or share whatever info I have.

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Thanks! I will contact you soon.

Much appreciated input form all! I've decided against a new machine for now. I want to buy a clean used one for now and possibly upgrade to a new/newer machine later.

I bought some acreage that needed a lot of clearing/thinning. My plan is to mostly thin and maintain about 160 acres of woods with a ton of undergrowth, sapling pecan, hackberry, and elm and any cedars I come across. I looked at many makes and models and came back to the Cat product line.

I went with the Cat 259D high flow, the BRX318 cutter, and a Jenkins grapple. I chose to stay away from a mulching head and use the cutter to fall and grapple to pull out and stack to burn piles.

The combo has worked perfectly. The cutter has plenty of power to cut down up to 8" trees. For larger trees I want to knock down, I drop them with a chain saw and pull out with the grapple. Big stumps are easily shaved off with the cutter.

The 259D high flow has plenty of power to load the grapple and drag and stack material. The heat and AC are very good. On the hottest and humid days the AC lacks a little if out in full sun all day, but i'm mostly under the trees so no issues really. The cab is a little too small (Im 6'3") so after a couple hours inside its time to get out and stretch.

Downside with the big cutter on this unit is tougher to work on sloping grounds. It is pretty heavy so a little learning curve not to get too high. Main thing is to go slow.

I've been doing ranch work for almost 25 years now . . . took 2 years off from A&M while doing ranch work back then--Class of 96 but graduated in 99.

Ton of good info in this thread, I've owned a CAT 279 now for about 8 years and I don't know how I ever got anything done without it. Like others, I caution you against owning a mulcher. I've rented one for my machine few times over the years and it's worked well but I wouldn't want to own and maintain one. You have to get out and check/clean off the machine regularly--which is a good practice anyway.

Most important thing to buying anything that needs service is can you get support? If you have a Kubota dealer/service closer I'd buy that . . . which ever is closest, most convenient to you.

I've used Warren CAT since around 2000--they were West Texas CAT when I started doing business with them. There are 2 locations within hour to hour and half of where I do most of my work--Rolling Plains area.

Yes, lots of good info here and it has made me rethink my game plan. Not going to get a mulcher. The cutter that bob posted above looks like it will work for my needs. I've ready too many bad things on here and elsewhere about the mulcher being hard on these units.
Gonna go with either Cat or Kubota. I have a Kubota dealer about 25 miles from my house. Austin Cat dealer is around 35 miles from my house.

The cab is a little too small (Im 6'3") so after a couple hours inside its time to get out and stretch.

You'll be pleased to know the new "D3" series of Cat machines have more cab room and a few other nice improvements.

https://www.cat.com/en_US/news/machine-press-releases/caterpillar-rolls-out-new-cat-d3-series-skid-steer-and-compact-track-loaders.html

My unit is only 10 months old so I cant get a new one yet

Na Zdrav 87 said:

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Not going to get a mulcher. I've read too many bad things on here and elsewhere about the mulcher being hard on these units.

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Your machine will probably thank you. But, don't write off mulching on your place altogether. Hire it out to a pro when you need it.

With the money you'll save on not buying a battle-hardened CTL plus an expensive mulching head, you can easily pay somebody else to do that part for you and still have dinner money left over.

I realized a long time ago that a pro who knows what the hell he's doing can mulch down more trees and brush in a single hour of machine time than I can with my ham-handed technique in an entire morning.

I completely agree with this.

Op- this may be worth checking out and making an offer on.

https://collegestation.craigslist.org/grd/d/devers-2016-cat-299d2-xhp/7027861684.html

Thanks for the heads up.

If you buy it, I might have a small project for you to do.

rwv2055 said:

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RMV2055, I am in the market for an ASV 120 with mulcher. How do I contact you?



The ASV Rt120 has the highest flow to the head. If you want to mulch, you need all the flow you can get. They also have a great cooling package, and I've never heard of one running hot on the hydraulics. They can be had for under 100k. The only undercarriage problem I have seen is with the axles, and I've never seen ASV not cover them even when the machine is out of warranty. Starting 9/1 they have 2 years of warranty.

Note:. I do work at an ASV dealer so take that as you will.

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Finally pulling the trigger. Kubota SVL75. Now to decide what attachments I want.
Bucket - included
Grapple - yep
Rotary cutter - yep
Danuser tree puller- ?

Auger if you do any kind of fence work. Dozer blade is also pretty handy.

I have 2 augers for tractors. I'm intrigued by the dozer blade. Does it work well for certain jobs? Better than the bucket or the rake on the grappler?

We used it primarily for smoothing roads and leveling small areas of pasture.

I purchased a 2020 CAT 259D3w/ Pro Plus cab package in June. Honestly, this machine has more features than expected.

Cab is really nice with plenty of room ( I am 6'3)! Air ride heated seat, speed sensitive ride control, display with backup camera. The speed sensitive ride control makes a huge difference.

As of right now, I just have the bucket, pallet forks and 72" brush mower. About to pull the trigger on a grading attachment, finish mower and angle dozer blade.

I live in FBG if you want to take it for a spin.

936-563-4174

If you have high flow machine for your brushcutter, make sure you have the jumper plug from CAT to turn on the high flow. I learned about jumper plug way after the fact.

I think you made a great choice. I own a lot of Kubota equipment including a skid steer. I have a tree shear that I use for clearing cedar that works great. Ewald Kubota is a dealer for the S Houle brand and it is a beast.