Hi Flow or low flow

[Tom of Markdale]

I'm in the market for a skid steer. One of the main quesitons I have to address is whether go for a hi flow machine. We get a good amount of snow and drifting, and I intend to get a blower. That would be my major thought behind the hi-flow. Or for grass cutting, and I had considered a flail mower. I had also considered giving up my Vermeer 665 stump grinder in favour of a skid mounted version. I would hate to spend the extra money if I didn't have to, but always hate when one should have spent the extra money, and one is stuck with things as they are, unless you are willing to take a s--t kicking. I intend to keep the machine a while, so it's not a matter of just waiting til next time around. I have talked to dealers, and I get the impression that most don't want to quote with hi-flow because it may put them out of the ball-park as far as the competition. But none would cheerfully refund your money, if things don't work out. To make matters worse, I kind of would like to buy a blower at auction, and may end up with something that isn't perfectly matched to the machine.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Lawngodfather]

There are a few attachments you really need the hi flow for, but as techknowlagy rolls on by, the need for the hi flow lessens.

A plane, and trencher are about the only things I would drop the extra money on the hi flow for, and that is if you are using them as the main toll on the machine.

Also many dealer have rental programs for the attachments.

Why don't you demo several machines and see if with those attachments on them do what you want them to do, and perfom to your expectations.

Also some MFG's have higher GPM's than others, so some may not need to get the hi flow options.

I would look more for the biggest machine you can afford before looking at hi flow options. HP and lift cap. is the main stream of the skid steers uses.

Stump grinders.........

I have used both skid steer and several different tow units, most of the tow units are much better and safer to use.

You might also have to get a cab enclosure to use the stump grinder (I haven't used one without an enclosure)

[MikeGamb]

tillers,power rakes,stump grinders,wood chippers,soil prep and breakers work best with a hi flow unit.there are skid steers out there that have both regular and hi flow like bobcat.my skid has an 11 GPM which is plenty for what i need.only thing i can't run is a stump grinder.they need between 16 and 18 GPM. get a unit with a high GPM hydro system and you should be fine

[Matt]

I think that you would be better off with the machine you have now for grinding stumps. I don't know if it is a tow behind, or a self propelled machine, but the odds are that whatever it is will do MUCH less damage to the yards than a skid steer. If you are just grinding stumps on clearing jobs, then you might as well get it for the skid steer... but that's JMHO

[Tom of Markdale]

Thanks for the input. I wish I could rent more stuff, but the cost is nuts if you figure in the trucking charges. I had a JD 270 skid steer in here a few weeks ago, and along with a stone fork, the unit would have cost around $600CDN for the day. The salesman and I worked out some creative agreement, but that was a one time thing.

It's always nice to end up with something that exceeds ones expectations and requirments, rather then just barely doing the job. Especially with what things cost these days.

I looked through Bobcats attachment literature. I wonder, how many of these things work as well as dedicated units. I went through that with a Gravely walk behind, and found the attachments somewhat not up to snuff. Not to mention that my 12 HP pro tractor was just too awkward, for shall we say a roto-tiller. I was kind of hoping to save storage space for a skid steer mounted stump grinder over my behemoth 65 HP Vermeer tow behind. I guess nothing is perfect!

I do tend to agree that maybe std flow is sufficient, if as was pointed out, the std flow is at the higher end. I have also become somewhat intigued by the tracked skid steer loaders. I will post a seperate thread, asking for input on these machines, as some predict will kill the traditional skid steer machines.

Thanks

Tom

[Randy]

If a salesman is afraid of quoting a machine with high-flow because it will take them out of the picture, then that salesman is an idiot. You're then comparing apples to oranges and you should be able to figure that into the equation. What an idiot.

Anyways, you just need to do your homework. See what attachments you plan to buy in the future. Simply look at the specs of the machine GPM flow and what the attachment requires. It's really that simple. If they are close or borderline, go with a high flow machine. High flow on a machine only adds about $1800 extra. When you're dropping 30K or more for a new machine, what's a little more.

Both machines we've owned were high-flow and we wouldn't do without. We use it for our tree auger and a power broom. You can turn the high-flow off and just run the standard flow with this equipment and it's no comparison. Definitely underpowered. Aside from possible damage because of not having the proper flow. We did it to see the difference.

It's always hard when purchasing equipment. You never know where to draw the line, but the line has to be drawn. Good luck with it.

[Tom of Markdale]

I became a little more frustrated, when I realized that the high flow option (and I'm really only considering a Bobcat) is another pump on top of the original. This seems like a real waste and expensive. Before I say too much though, I am probably in the dark as to the technical aspects. But it seems to me that I would end up using one pump or the other. Any more actual experience and input in this matter would be appreciated. Can I use a high flow (circuit?) on a standard flow implement, but at slower RPMs? Can ond control flow aside from RPM? These are all things that the glossy brochures and videos don't begin to explain.

Also, it seems that no one can demo a snow blower around here, especially in trying conditions. So here again, I would love to hear of someone that can tell me that these things can really hold their own, compared to a PTO driven blower.

I was using my JD 6200 with rear blower the other day, helping a neighbor, and withour much thought, back dragged the snow away from his garage, drove over it and blew it away. The ugly thought crossed my mind, that diespite being warm and dry in a proposed skid steer, how would I accomplish the same thing, being only on-site with a blower? Can one back drag with a blower to any degree?

Thanks for all the wonderful input