Bobcat with forklift mast, or without, vs Hummerbee!!!!!!!!

[BoTBees]

What's your opinion?
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages?
Likes and Dislikes?
mobility and visibility?
Thanks, Bo.

[BMAC]

It all what you are used to and what you can afford. I have used skidsteers with forks only, Bobcats with forklift mast and HummerBees. The one true advantage of a machine with forklift mast is the sideways movement for loading and unloading on semis, however if you buy a skidsteer without you will be just fine and figure out how to compensate for it.

[beeware10]

depends on how much you want to spend. a skid steer is low end vs hummerbee upper end. a used skid steer is with forks is 1/4 the cost. I would not put a mast on a skid steer. a skid steer is slower but will get the job done. we have a new holland and like it. It is rated at 1200 # but only weighs 4500 #. remember the loader and trailer takes away what you can haul. everything you buy should pay for itself. start low end and work up later if needed.

[Keith Jarrett]

start low end and work up later if needed.

Very well said!



P.S. and lets not forget SWINGER 1K the premium grade bee mover.

[sqkcrk]

All of my experience w/ loaders is w/ Bobcats w/ arms, not a mast. I have been around Bobcats w/ masts. They can more easily load a semi than I can w/ a larger machine, especially when they have a fifth wheel.

Can't say anything about other loaders. Except that they are easier to get into and out of than Bobcats.

[BMAC]

1 more thing I have to add is skidsteers DONT come with ag tires and are easily stuck and very frustrating when they become stuck with 2 pallets of bees on the forks. I do like Keith pointed out Swingers. Both Swingers and HummerBees have psuedo ag tires on them and both easily pass thru mud and slop where skidsteers get stuck. They too will eventually become stuck but less easy than skid steers. We have even used a HummerBee to pull out a 33K truck that was stuck.

[dback]

I started on a bobcat with arms.....tough way to go. We run several bobcats now but all with mast, 5th wheel and "floatation" tires. Works very well, don't need side shift and does not tear up your loading yard and as others have said......much cheaper if it is a sound machine. If you are going to be driving bees any distance from the trucks, the swinger/hummer are faster and safer for the bees. Hummer sure is a nice machine.......makes you look more professional

edit: visibility is much better on the hummer/swinger but never been a problem for us with the bobcat....all in what you're accustomed to.

[BoTBees]

Thanks all!!!!!
Are bobcats easier to turn when u have a fifth wheel on them? I've looked everywhere, out of curiosity, but where do u get the fifth wheel from?

[BMAC]

Bobcats are easier to turn and they are more precise when turning with the 5th wheel on. You can run pretty fast with that 5th wheel.

[sqkcrk]

but where do u get the fifth wheel from?

David Hackenberg or Dave Mendes. Build your own. You are in FL. Look around and find some commercial bkprs and see what U find.

[kokomodreamin]

All I own is bobcats, but after watching my mich buddies run swingers , I would consider one if the price wasn't so high. Anyone can climb on and figure it out , a bobcat takes some learning to be smooth.

[EastSideBuzz]

Do you think this kind of Bobcat would do the job? http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/grq/2977459962.html

[jim lyon]

Absolutely, I have moved a lot of bees with one almost identical to it. That seems really, really cheap. With so few hours seems like that with the trailer and the attachments should sell for a whole lot more. Bear in mind that equipment isn't titled though trailers are.

[Trevor Mansell]

That ad is a scam on craigslist, just a little friendly warning.

[jim lyon]

That setup really should be selling for 20,000 plus. Seems pretty suspicious for sure.

[odfrank]

That ad is a scam on craigslist, just a little friendly warning.

And has been running for years, other types of tractors also.

[Tim Stewart]

I'm running one of those sod lifts that mounts on the back of a truck, picked it up for 3K. They are lighter than a hummer and can handle more weight.

[jim lyon]

How much do they weigh Tim?

[acbz]

I'm running one of those sod lifts that mounts on the back of a truck, picked it up for 3K. They are lighter than a hummer and can handle more weight.

That like a Donkey lift? Does the extra wide wheelbase seem to be much of a problem?

[jim lyon]

Here is a nugget for you Keith. Acbz sent me this link to Donkey Lift for beekeeping. http://donkeyforklift.com/beekeeping.html