Skid Steer Attachments...HELP PLEASE!

[QwikDraw]

I am looking in to a few attachments for my skid steer but I need some opnions.

1 - Chipper - Valby, Alitec and Bearcat all make skid steer mounted chippers.  Anyone use one? I am a one man operation doing smaller jobs.

2 - Stump Grinder - How do the skid steer mounted stack up against other stump grinders?  Also how do you guys price stumps for grinding?

3- Loftness Timber AX - I am bidding some right of way work and don't know if this would be better (faster or better finish product) and worth the extra $$.

Background...I have done residential site work/landscape/tree clearing for many years.  Last 2 years did hardscapes (walls, patios) but around here suddenly it is the rage and everyone who owns a mowing company is installing pavers (poorly, but they are cutting my prices in half).  I am looking for a new direction and hope that a bigger skid steer and a few attachments is the way to go.  Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Ted

[beenthere]

Whoaa......der.
A big welcome to the Forum. Missed that on first response. 


Do you have rental places with these attachments with the option to buy?

We have them here (WI) and seems it would be a good way check out equipment capability for the work you want to do (I was wondering if you are needing to do the work 'right away', or if you are going to work on 'right-of-ways'  , but figure the latter of the two  ).

[QwikDraw]

Yes sir, you are right...that's "right of ways"...

I have found Fecon Bull Hogs for rent in the area and stump grinders too, but not the chipper (or Loftness Timber AX).  I probably think about thing for too long before I put my plans in to action but feedback sure would help.
I do plan on renting before I (can) purchase but am wondering if these attachments are worth the $$ before I start advertising and put more money in to this equipment.
Thanks,
Ted

[floorboy]

if you contact the dealers of the attachments you are looking at most times they will bring them out for you to try out. I find this is very helpful in making my final decision.

[Raider Bill]

Well I certianly don't know nothing about any of this but I did watch that lofton tinber ax clip, I WANT ONE!

[QwikDraw]

Thanks for the replies...

but I am looking for someone (anyone) who has owned or worked with these attachments...I know i can demo them, just looking for some opninions.

[ScottAR]

There's 2-3 guys with a couple brands of brush heads on Tractorbynet.com.

[QwikDraw]

Thank you Scott...I will check it out.  Didn't know about that site.

[Craig]

I've used both the Loftness mower and the Fecon mower. The Loftness was not the newest model but it didn't come close to the Fecon. That said I know the Loftness is less expensive but the Fecon did a far superior job.

As far as the other attachments I can't help you there, I have a Morbark Model 16 chipper.

I had an 873h bobcat with a Dymax shear head, that is an awesome attachment.

Craig

[earthharvester]

Stay away from the Timberax and go with the Fecon we have one and they are bulit proff.
 We have tried Loftness,FAE,Fecon and Seppi and fecon I think is the best. They are the easiest to work on and maintain.

[QwikDraw]

Thanks for the replies. 

Craig & Earthharvester...did you use the Loftness timber ax or carbide cutter?  Does the Fecon have as nice a finished job (small chips) as the timber ax?


Ted

[earthharvester]

Sorry it took so long to get back. We tried both Loftness mowers and we HATED them. The fecon grinds nice and leaves a nice looking product. If you get it with the front door it grinds better. We have one with and one without the front door. I like the one with the door better.

[Sawyerfortyish]

I had a sheer on my skidsteer and you can cut a lot of trees fast. But one problem we had was after a few trees were cut you had to start running over them to get to the next tree. Then you still need someone with a saw to top the trees. Then the trees that were to big to be sheered were in the way to move around along with the trees you just cut and the next thing you know you back over a stump and blow a tire off the rim. For us a sheer on a skidsteer just didn't work out the ground was rough and it was always hung up on something or stuck in the mud. If it were on a frontend loader that would have been better. We had to cut the big trees with a saw so it was just as quick to lop down the small trees as we went instead of climbing over everything