Have you compared this to a ditch witch? We run Sk800’s at my rental place. I like the tip sensor lockout, and swinging fuel tanks on the Barretto, but that platform switch means nobody will be properly warming up engines in winter, the 3 speed sounds good but being computer controlled sucks, if this has the D1105 kubota like the ditch witch, that engine will be the last thing to wear out or give you trouble!
I did look into the SK800 and I've heard nothing but good things about them. As far as the winter goes, we don't really rent them out much in the winter anyways so I don't see that being a problem, do you? Yeah you can tell there is a slight lag in the drive control being computer operated, but its a split second and its so nice to control. However, the entire top of the unit flips open to expose the entire engine making it easy to work on.
We have several other pieces of Barreto equipment that we love. Barreto has excellent customer service and they always are fast on parts supply. They also are very helpful with service/repair and they make a lot of their own parts in house. Plus, I hate working on Bobcat MT's...
I've never heard that or had that happen with any of my Barreto equipment. They actually have covered things that weren't even under warranty still. I'm not saying they would always do that, but they have more than once. Barreto is an amazing company and they make most of their parts on their machines. Everything they do is top notch, nothing cheap.
