Grading a Hill with Bobcats E26 & T66 

Thanks!

Thanks! Yeah, can be tricky with those bigger boulders with no real counter weight.

Definitely could have gotten away with just the skid steer! However, since we didn't have a tooth bucket or grapple at the time, it would have made getting through some of those stumps, trees, rocks more tedious. So since we could bring/use both, we chose to. This was job was also for a close family friend.

Alright that makes more sense.

I own a residential dirt company too and for dirt work on slope and a good excavator operator you can get a cleaner, more precise cut the first time with a mini. Then just have a clean up guy following you. Darn seem less operation other than I’m just a fan of bobcat anymore. Too many issues with equipment, tracks, and bad service. Moved over to cat and ASV now.

I was thinking the exact same thing. It was a huge waste of time even having the mini excavator on the site. It accomplished nothing. 🤷‍♂️

I disagree with those who claim he only needed the track loader. Just as I could spread butter on toast with a spoon, but would I? No! And neither would you. We wouldn’t do that because it’s not the right tool for the job! With access to both those machines and the means to transport them safely, why not utilize both? By using the digging machine for digging and the loader for loading, he ensures that both machines remain in good condition and continue to generate income for years to come. I truly commend this man for his efforts.

Thanks! Yeah the E26 is an awesome little machine. I have never run the earlier series bobcats so I can't speak to being worth the upgrade, but the R Series track loaders are super nice. I pretty much do all my topsoil these days with the T66 bucket and power rake. Gets a good level while also prepping for seed.

Wheels are good where the can be used but I’ve graded slopes at work that you would never touch without a track machine. Definitely less expensive.

@@waynejohnson9855 Please explain how a track machine is less expensive than a over the wheel track machine Oh by the way I am glad I came back and clicked the subscribe button

@@alphonsotate2982 sorry it was confusing I was agreeing a tire machine was less expensive, one of those where I knew what I meant.

@@waynejohnson9855 Thank you Wayne🤩🤩🤩

Yup! That is one of the next attachments on my list. Currently just renting it when I need it.

Other than that small clamp issue my T66 has been running phenomenally. It's about at ~350 hours and I've done all types of work with it.

@@CarlsonSonLandscapingLLC I can’t remember what model he bought but my buddy bought a new bobcat skid steer about a year ago and the exact same thing happened to him with a hydraulic clamp dumping fluid. Only had 8 hours

It was a saturday afternoon, they are only open during the weekdays and I didn't have time in the schedule to wait for that.

We figured it wouldnt be worth it, since sediment from the driveway/hill would just run into it and result in weeds anyways (now with fabric you have to mangle around)

Yeah, we are going to keep the BX. There are still a lot of small jobs I do with it where I dont want to completely ruin a lawn, landscaped area or are just too physically limiting to use a bigger machine.

Oh good! I’m glad you’re keeping it. I also have a bx23s and I love it. I actually bought mine because of your early videos show case what they can do. I’ve been using it for landscaping my yard.

Thats awesome, glad my videos were of help! They are pretty great machines for their size.

I do load it backwards now, that was the first time loading it since I had brought it home.

I have still been gauging and working out the best quoting practices through my own trial as well as talking to others in the business. In general, I quote for the whole job and provide that to the customer. It takes overhead, operation, maintenance, material, insurance and transport costs all into consideration. Generally the bulk of the pricing comes from what machines I have to run and how many hours I expect to run them for and what operational and maintenence costs will that incur. Every job is different so there is never a fit all formula but I am at least able to get a baseline cost for say a day of general single operator excavator work and extrapolate from that.

@@CarlsonSonLandscapingLLC What's your "average" cost per hour that you've figured for your Bobcat T66 and Bobcat E26. In that cost per hour have figured maintenance costs (fluids, filters, grease, etc.), undercarriage costs (tracks, sprocket/idler, etc.), fuel consumption costs into that "number"? I understand that it will very depending on what kind of work your doing as well as the surface you are working on. Would you also have a recommendation on a percentage of increase on cost per hour for lets say the t66 working on a hard surface, only, where the tracks are being wore quicker. I'm just like you. I'm trying to gather as much information from other people who are more experienced with costs, etc. in this industry to help get a better idea on the numbers. Thank you for responding to my last comment! 👍

At the current time, the E26 is around $25-30/hr and the T66 is around $35-40. Those are the numbers for just the equipment, not including operator, transport and other attachments that may be required.

@@CarlsonSonLandscapingLLC 👍, much appreciated!

Yeah, had similar issues with my backhoe unit on our BX23s when we first got it. Loose fittings come standard with new equipment haha!

@@CarlsonSonLandscapingLLC The dealer is the one that assembles the equipment, if you have loose hydraulic lines then that is on your dealer. Time to find a new dealer.

Yeah, our local Kubota dealer is awful. Haven't dealt with them servicing anything on the tractor since we bought it. Even buy my parts thru messicks!

Yup!

Takeuchi was a top choice, just the dealer support is poor or very far away in my area.

It was around 16 working on-site hours, broken up over a few different days.

@@CarlsonSonLandscapingLLCwhat’s profit on this job?

I run Deere (Backhoe) Control Pattern. Mainly because I learned on a backhoe!

@@CarlsonSonLandscapingLLC ya same Have tried to learn cat but my brain can’t switch over Great content 👍

It is a planned cage for wildlife rehab!

5

Lmao! First thing I would have done was clip that edge six inches or so with either the 26 blade or the skid steer. Probably would have built the whole job with the skid steer. Freaking love those things

The equipment are diesel.