I switched from bobcat to ditch witch also and HUGE difference. I have a sk650 now and want to upgrade to the 850"plus" or 1050. Glad I found your video because the weight kit I've heard about but have never seen it and that shorter function joy stick was terrible on units I demoed. Nice machine!
Awesome video, mate. I just got a SK755 and loving it. Used machines need some work, but totally worthwhile. I'll be taking your advice on upgrades soon :)
Congrats on the 850. Used to have one too. Loved it. Didn't have any of the issues that you had even with the old idlers except the crunching on the tracks with a big load. I would have definitely made that upgrade if I kept it though. Dual lever with the handle bar can be challenging if youre on rough/steep ground, but I have a Vermeer CTX 100 now and I miss my dual lever for sure. More of a handful but more precise allowing softer turns on turf. Convenient for track maintenance too.
Thanks for your very helpful post. I purchased my SK850 last month, its an awesome machine. I installed the single joystick after losing many bronco battles(joystick part#150-3654. I replaced all those factory Chinese track bearings/races with all USA made Timkin bearing(part# LM67048,LM67010). I also installed the new style forged triple grooved rollers on the front and rear too (Ditch Witch part#140-1452).
I need to post an update to this video, we ended up going back to the single roller in the front because we run in a lot of clear Stone and breaker Rock it gets packed in there and the Rocks can't get out So eventually it started to been the shaft of the spindle it never broke it just started to walk like a duck as far as the front rollers are concerned I think you could have a single roller in the rear and a triple roller up front and that would be fine or if you run on grass a lot and soft Services you never noticed it but doing what we do I eventually found the weak point
@@treadlightlyservicesllc.1930 Thanks, I'll pay attention to that and keep those old single front rollers in case I want to switch back on the fronts. I can definitely see a potential rock problem with triple rollers in front.
GREAT VIDEO ! LOVE THE UPGRADES ! WILL USE A FEW OF THEM ! I HAVE 3 DITCH WITCH MACHINES 2013 SK 755/ 2017 SK 752 AND A 2021 SK 800 WITH WEIGHT KIT ! I TRIED THEM ALL AND I THINK DITCH WITCH SK'S ARE THE BEST DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR . MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK !
we love our sk800 .I will tell u we bought the machine new had the double stick controller and it never threw a track.6 months after owning the machine we decided to go with the 1 stick joystick, big mistake.Since using the 1 stick joystick we have thrown the track multiple times.And not only that with the 2 stick u could turn on a dime a lot better than the 1 stick.The machine works more like a bobcat mt85 since we changed it .With the 2 stick one track moves forward and the other reverse.Thats not how the 1 stick works,Only one track moves.This spring we are converting back to the 2 stick handles
It all comes down to personal choice, yes you can get both tracks to move with a single joystick you just have to know where to locate the joystick handle it's very intuitive for us I can do a zero turn on a piece of plywood one track forward and One Track reverse no problem I got it just comes down to personal preference you couldn't give me a twin stick
Yes much better. I swapped my sk750 cushion out. Well worth it. It is a pain in the butt though. I had to remove my whole platform to get it. Use car Jack under the platform to help lift and manipulate it to make it easier.
If you pull the dust cap off of the center of each roller the wheel bearings can be repacked like a trailer I'm not sure if there is a actual grease zerk underneath that
@@treadlightlyservicesllc.1930 definitely, this will be my first machine and ditch witch is the best for me. What’s a good price for a unit with 2k hrs?
The Bobcat Harley rake or power rake is an excellent tool it is great for cutting and filling grade, getting giant rocks out of Lawns that are about to be landscaped, and the best part or use for it is for regrading gravel driveways
How is it holding up after a few months with the roller setup? I've always thought the same thing. My sk750 always gets a little branch or stump under track and throws them so fast. I upgraded my cushion about 9 months ago and it's night and day better. Check out pentom supply . Com for better priced undercarriage
Have you tried these new hub and idlers out? I am interested in trying these out next time. Definitly like the screw on idler caps more then friction fit.
I switched from bobcat to ditch witch also and HUGE difference. I have a sk650 now and want to upgrade to the 850"plus" or 1050. Glad I found your video because the weight kit I've heard about but have never seen it and that shorter function joy stick was terrible on units I demoed. Nice machine!
Awesome video, mate. I just got a SK755 and loving it. Used machines need some work, but totally worthwhile. I'll be taking your advice on upgrades soon :)
Congrats on the 850. Used to have one too. Loved it. Didn't have any of the issues that you had even with the old idlers except the crunching on the tracks with a big load. I would have definitely made that upgrade if I kept it though. Dual lever with the handle bar can be challenging if youre on rough/steep ground, but I have a Vermeer CTX 100 now and I miss my dual lever for sure. More of a handful but more precise allowing softer turns on turf. Convenient for track maintenance too.
Thanks for your very helpful post. I purchased my SK850 last month, its an awesome machine. I installed the single joystick after losing many bronco battles(joystick part#150-3654. I replaced all those factory Chinese track bearings/races with all USA made Timkin bearing(part# LM67048,LM67010). I also installed the new style forged triple grooved rollers on the front and rear too (Ditch Witch part#140-1452).
I need to post an update to this video, we ended up going back to the single roller in the front because we run in a lot of clear Stone and breaker Rock it gets packed in there and the Rocks can't get out So eventually it started to been the shaft of the spindle it never broke it just started to walk like a duck as far as the front rollers are concerned I think you could have a single roller in the rear and a triple roller up front and that would be fine or if you run on grass a lot and soft Services you never noticed it but doing what we do I eventually found the weak point
@@treadlightlyservicesllc.1930 Thanks, I'll pay attention to that and keep those old single front rollers in case I want to switch back on the fronts. I can definitely see a potential rock problem with triple rollers in front.
Thanks for posting I usually watch just for entertainment but this was useful info Kyle sk755 looking to upgrade
GREAT VIDEO ! LOVE THE UPGRADES ! WILL USE A FEW OF THEM ! I HAVE 3 DITCH WITCH MACHINES 2013 SK 755/ 2017 SK 752 AND A 2021 SK 800 WITH WEIGHT KIT ! I TRIED THEM ALL AND I THINK DITCH WITCH SK'S ARE THE BEST DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR . MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK !
Awesome post and VERY helpful thanks so very much just ordered a brand new 800 and negotiated a weight kit as part of the sales agreement
we love our sk800 .I will tell u we bought the machine new had the double stick controller and it never threw a track.6 months after owning the machine we decided to go with the 1 stick joystick, big mistake.Since using the 1 stick joystick we have thrown the track multiple times.And not only that with the 2 stick u could turn on a dime a lot better than the 1 stick.The machine works more like a bobcat mt85 since we changed it .With the 2 stick one track moves forward and the other reverse.Thats not how the 1 stick works,Only one track moves.This spring we are converting back to the 2 stick handles
It all comes down to personal choice, yes you can get both tracks to move with a single joystick you just have to know where to locate the joystick handle it's very intuitive for us I can do a zero turn on a piece of plywood one track forward and One Track reverse no problem I got it just comes down to personal preference you couldn't give me a twin stick
Great upgrades. Esp the pilot controls.
Where did you get the tracks with light tred on them??!and joystick
Thanks for the post - what type of hydraulic fluid do you use? Any THF you recommend specific to Ditch Witch?
how are the upgrades doing? Interesting in putting these in my ditchwitch sk750. I really like the idea of adding the triple rollers front and back
Got an Sk750 and i'm looking to change the rollers on it, i just go to the dealer and ask for the recessed roller?
Whats the part number on the front and rear rollers? I cant seem to find them.. or at least the diagram looks like the single roller.? tks
Weights will they fit on sk750?
What joystick kit did you get?
Is the new rubber spring more comfortable?
Yes much better. I swapped my sk750 cushion out. Well worth it. It is a pain in the butt though. I had to remove my whole platform to get it. Use car Jack under the platform to help lift and manipulate it to make it easier.
Where are the grease points on the rollers?
If you pull the dust cap off of the center of each roller the wheel bearings can be repacked like a trailer I'm not sure if there is a actual grease zerk underneath that
They're sealed so you'd have to redo them manually. I found spindle complete assemblies now for $85 shipped so no longer mess with that
Great Video! Is 2k hrs a lot on sk850, I’m looking at one now?
No I don't think 2K hours is a lot just checked for undercarriage issues and hydraulic leaks
@@treadlightlyservicesllc.1930 definitely, this will be my first machine and ditch witch is the best for me. What’s a good price for a unit with 2k hrs?
I see a power rake, what’s your review ?
The Bobcat Harley rake or power rake is an excellent tool it is great for cutting and filling grade, getting giant rocks out of Lawns that are about to be landscaped, and the best part or use for it is for regrading gravel driveways
How is it holding up after a few months with the roller setup? I've always thought the same thing. My sk750 always gets a little branch or stump under track and throws them so fast. I upgraded my cushion about 9 months ago and it's night and day better. Check out pentom supply . Com for better priced undercarriage
Have you tried these new hub and idlers out? I am interested in trying these out next time. Definitly like the screw on idler caps more then friction fit.