skidsteer. Need your Help

[Ground effects NH]

This last spring I purchased a Cat 216, with tire chains and an 8’ snowolf power angel plow. I would like to plow with it this winter. My question is does any body have some ideas as to the production rate I could expect from this machine? I asked around and locally nobody uses them, its all front-end loaders or backhoes with large snow boxes. I know there is a lot of different factor involved. I have never plowed with it. Looking for its strengths and weaknesses, and time, compared to a ¾ ton / 8’plow so that I can get a price for this machine.:noidea:
The jobs that I have in mind 1 is a 50-unit condo. 2nd is a small strip mall with numerous islands.
Thanks …. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[CaptainsLS]

I would expect you to be in the 50 unit condo for 4-5 hrs minimum, that’s if they each have a small drive. Try to avoid doing the whole driveway with the skid IMO. We would have the 3/4 ton back in a far as possible and push out, then the skid would clean near the garage doors and any further cleanup. This is with use of the bucket, not the plow. I found the skid to be more efficient with the bucket than the plow.

[Ground effects NH]

:confused:
I would expect you to be in the 50 unit condo for 4-5 hrs minimum, that’s if they each have a small drive. Try to avoid doing the whole driveway with the skid IMO. We would have the 3/4 ton back in a far as possible and push out, then the skid would clean near the garage doors and any further cleanup. This is with use of the bucket, not the plow. I found the skid to be more efficient with the bucket than the plow.

Really,:confused: Now I was thinking the plow would be twice as efficient over the bucket. Ok, Now in a parking lot scenario, bucket? Plow? Again I was thinking the skid being around twice as fast do to the return pass I would be plowing compared to the 3/4 backing up. Any thoughts?

[Colonial]

Bill,

in a parking lot the skid would be my preference. It may not plow as fast as some truck jockeys do:) but you can turn on a dime to head the other way. the other thing is you are looking at less maintenance expense for the Skid then the truck. IMO the Skid is a tougher peice of equipment then the truck. Also with the skid you can plow and then switch to the bucket to clean curbs stack and move snow if you have to.

[CaptainsLS]

Like colonial said, in an open area parking lot you will increase performance with the skids superior turning and optional attachments. In the parking lot the plow attachment will be more productive than the bucket for sure. If you were comparing a ¾ ton with a plow and a skid with a plow, I think the truck would be faster.

[Pro Cut]

I too agree with the bucket being more efficient. Way faster on driveways, and it complements, I guess you could say, with a plow on lots. You can be messy with a plow and come behind with the skid and clean up, push piles back, etc.

We have a 22 unit condo complex that we can get done in an hour and a half alone with the skid.

[Colonial]

Another thing to look at is Blade size. We have a 10' blade on our skid so it more then makes up for any less speed. We also welded flip down sides on it so we can turn it into a "box" quite quickly, which helps tons with clean up.

[Ground effects NH]

Thanks Guys, I got the answers that I was looking for. Defiantly not what I thought. Hopefully I can get this machine booked.

[-EGLC-]

A pusher (box) blade would work best for the parking lot, but since you're only doing 1 the plow will be fine.....