Can't believe no one has suggested an ASV. Have two RC100's & they will out push allmost any other skid steer I've ever been on. Also Very stable even workin on a slope with a 3k pound Fecon mulch head on the front lifted all the way up. Have tried Bobcat 300's & 320's which are really more comfortable to run but just don't have the power or flow rate to run our heads.

 

The original posted said $5-8K, your not getting an ASV for that money.
DS79

 

I have a 96 model bobcat 773 with a kubota diesel. Love that little machine, the controls are simple, and trouble free, it handles weight well, and if something goes wrong, you can always get parts for it. I picked mine up freshly rebuilt, all new hoses wiring etc etc. for under 10k...

 

Anyone ever dealt with Thomas skid steers? My friend nieghbor is selling 3 of them all with quick change brackets and aux hydralics. They appear to have a Kubota engine.

 

I love Thomas equipment, they are reliable & easy to work on. Only thing about them is parts availability, very dificult getting parts.

 

For what you are describing your usage, you should consider a "mini skid steer" the kind you stand on the back of. If you are by yourself you can just step off to see or do something and if drilling holes you have a great view of the target. I recently bought a Ramrod, wheeled, 20HP gas from the factory. I went with gas because of starting in the cold, I went with wheels because I have a large tracked blower and when you damage a track you have to fix it where it is even if it's minus 40. A flat tire you can just drive on to somewhere out of the elements. Tracks are OK if going in a straight line but it's hard on them if you are always turning. My machine can go from 42 inches down to 36 and even down to 32 just by changing wheel size and bucket size if using a bucket. Most have at least one set of axillary hyd, mine has two sets. There is a ton of attachments for them even a back hoe that attaches to the front.

There are quite a few manufacturers of mini skids out there.