Looks like a skid steer for the homestead is the answer for our needs. I’m looking for advice on which brand/s to get and which to avoid. I’m going to need to buy used and budget is around 40k. I understand John Deere makes repairs and maintenance a pain so if that’s true, not going with Deere. Other than that I’m open. Been out of that type of work for many decades so I could use some sound advice. TIA

Bobcats are not generally well thought of by the pros. Personally, if I were looking I'd be doing my best to find a Takeuchi, based both on research and (limited) personal experience.

Cat would probably be next, followed by CaseIH, Kubota and New Holland in no particular order.

Case, Caterpillar, and Bobcat all make great machines that I have personal experience with operating and maintaining. It's not a complicated machine and I would guess most manufacturers put out a solid unit. I would shop based on specs and price.

Thank you! That’s what I was looking for. Any further advice is welcome.

Check with your local tool rentals, see what they are renting. They also sell used units that could be beat up some but they will have all the maintenence records.

Service history should be available for whatever used equipment you buy, sometimes more important than the brand.

I have been using a Takeuchi TL10 V2 for three years now. Bought it used with 2200 hrs. for $27K. It is powerful and maintenance is not too high. This is a track loader (skid steer with tracks) and is a little more forgiving on tearing up ground just moving from place to place. Attachments are universal. Also has a 14-pin electrical connection for attachments like dozer blades.
It has an economy mode which I use most of the time. This particular model weighs 10k lbs. Has the Kubota 3700 series engine. Kubota and Takeuchi are in the same league.
Concur with checking at tool rental business. This one spent some time with United Rentals.
PHPaul's advise is wise. Since Bobcat was sold their quality has suffered. I was ready to pull the plug on a new Bobcat when this one showed up. I didn't hesitate to buy it. A good one for sale doesn't last long on the market.

Depending on exactly what you need it for a small tractor may work for you as well. I bought a 25 hp 2021 LS tractor, used, 4 years ago. It has a loader on the front and a backhoe on the rear. It also has connections for a mid mount mower deck. I bought pallet forks that attach to the front as well. Very handy, low maintenance and I think I paid 13k for it. It will only lift about 1100 lbs so that may be too low for your needs.

We have considered a tractor. The PTO and implements are attractive. I think the skid steer is more of what we need now. We’re also getting a midi-excavator. Well, our son is. He’s building next to us. We’ll share equipment.

to me this is more a game of parts and service than base machine type.
i have cat deere and kubota personally. cat is far and away better than
deere and deere is way better than kubota.my neighbor has a new holland and his experience seems to
be similar to mine with kubota.

Nephew bought a 65hp Takeuchi last summer.
Said it was little bit better priced than bobcat or Kubota. So far he likes it and would rebuy again.
My friend runs 3 Kubota sv97, loves them but has had a good bit of emission issues that were taken care of by warranty

We’ve had multiple Deeres, New Hollands and Bobcats at work, we just got a new Takeuchi, the size I’m not sure of but it is a beast, hands down the best and smoothest skid loader I’ve ever ran. I’d take it over one of our smaller dozers any day.

This isall excellent info

Also you really didn't talk too much about what you want the machine to do. And what size you need, because that also matters. I have personally gone to tracked machines as they fit my needs better.
On these the type of track system matters as well as the track type. But they are a zillion times better in 'off road/forestry' type work that I do. And in snow if that matters. You can get steel tracks for tired machines and those are amazing in some types of terrain. Again all this has to be matched to the terrain and type of work intended.

I have worked on Construction/Mining equipment for 45 years.
I've retired from big, heavy Junk and now work for the Largest Rental Co. in America.
We buy Takeuchi almost exclusively and 11 years into fixing them, I'd buy one if I needed/wanted one.

I run a Takeuchi TL12V2 every day, 5 days a week for 8 years.
I get a new machine every 2 years at most and keep one spare.
I dig up the street doing repairs for utility companies and I absolutely
brutalize my machine. I can buy any machine I want and Takeuchi is the best I’ve ever used.

Before I used Bobcat and Cat. The visibility from the cab is one of the best aspects of the Takeuchi. You sit up high and have good glass all around. The Bobcat has you sunken down in the
cab with very poor lateral and rear visibility. I would never recommend Bobcat to a novice for that reason alone.

I found the Cat to have hydraulic lines in a vulnerable position between the tracks and frame.
I ripped up the lines twice in a week and gave the machine back.

12 years in Bobcats, T300 then T870. And 8 years Takeuchi.
There’s no comparison.

quote:

Takeuchi

I don't know what the OP wants but do they even offer a wheeled machine if that's what he wants?
As for your Cat issues I have no idea how you might be ripping hydraulic lines. I use mine in forestry which normally rips everything off everything with branches and the only lines exposed are the steel ones on the interior of the arms. Maybe those are enclosed in the arms on the Takeuchi. I haven't ever hurt those. The hoses to implements are seriously fair game but everyone no matter the brand has those. I have not hurt the lines to the hydralic drive motors. Assume those are the ones you hurt. How do those get routed in the Takeuchi. In any case I'm curious about the failure mode you have had on CAT machines. Not relevant to the OP at this point.

I’ve had skid steers for over 30 years and before I go into which brand let me offer a couple of important points to consider.

The first one is support. Is there a good dealer near you that has parts ON HAND and doesn’t have to order everything… Also, do they offer mobile service?

The second one is where do you intend to use it? If there are any hills in your future than I will strongly recommend getting a tracked machine versus a wheeled one. They are much more stable.

Based on the above criteria and my love for all things yellow We bought several CAT machines. Most of the ones we bought were used as well and I never had any surprises. You can go to your local CAT rental dealer and find out when they take their machines off their rental program and pick one up for a good price. You can also go to online construction auctions like www.ironplanet.com and find some good deals. Also check out Richie Brothers auction sites.

Good luck! They are a blast to operate and you’ll find many uses for them.

Thanks again! Yes we’re looking for a tracked skid steer. In college I worked for an equipment rental company. Those machines were very well maintained so assuming they still are, that could be a good source. Takeuchi has a hub in Atlanta which isn’t too far from where I am. No matter which brand I get, there’s not likely to be service close. We’re kind of rural.