Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/489028
EquipmentWorld.com | April 2015 25 reader reviews | by Equipment World staff F ace to face most contractors are brutally honest when they talk about equipment. But it has always been a challenge for us to get an objective consensus. So this year we set out to get our readers to tell us, on a scale of 1 to 10, what they liked and disliked about specifi c machines. The machines we chose for this inititial round of reviews – the Bobcat S650 skid steer, Case 580 Super N backhoe, and Caterpillar 336E L excavator – were identifi ed by our Equipment Data Associates database as some of the top selling (fi nanced) machines in the country. We also used this database to identify owners of these machines to survey. Two machines – the S650 and Case 580 Super N – are current models. The Cat 336E L was just replaced by the Cat 336F L. All reviewers bought their machines between January 2013 and January 2014. While our reviewers were conserva- tive with their numerical ratings, in their comments, given either anono- mously or by name, they seemed satisfi ed with their purchases. Most indicated they would buy these machines again. Interestingly, our reviewers consistently gave dealer sales, support and service, some of the highest ratings. This is the fi rst of a series showcas- ing reviews of heavy equipment. We'd like this to become a dialogue, and to hear what you think as an operator or owner. Let's keep the conversation going. If you have experience with any of these three machines, tell us at equipmentworld.com/reviews. –The editors CONTRACTORS SHARE THE PROS AND CONS ABOUT THREE OF THE MOST POPULAR MACHINES IN THE MARKETPLACE