Vermeer S450TX: The Oppo Review

"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern) 02/16/2018 at 12:05 • Filed to: Vermeer, TheOppoReview, Oppo, opporeviewisbestreview, Embiggen this

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Saturday afternoon we rented the Vermeer S450TX, known by some as a Dingo(like Kleenex, the Dingo was first/is most popular, and thus gets all the credit). We had a large spot of dirt that needed flattening, mulch and sand that needed to get around, and finally an auger for some post holes and a few trees. Here are some points about it:

Design:

If it looks like a Dingo and works like a Dingo, it might be a Vermeer

Engine:

Packed with a 24.8-Horsepower Kubota diesel engine, it does everything you need. It is not fast but gets the job done faster then you, a couple buddies, some shovels, and a 12 pack would.

Weight:

Tipping the scale at just over 2400 pounds while running the standard bucket running over things or packing dirt is not a problem. The Tundra had no problem pulling it.

Controls:

As a 21 year old, the joystick felt natural and easy to maneuver. My father, not being used to the sensitivity of the controls, had a steeper learning curve.

Features:

Sporting a 12V cigarette lighter and a cup holder large enough to hold a Route 44 Sonic Cup, I was pleasantly surprised to find the “cabin” softly padded and spacious along with more features then a used Kia.

Other features:

These are the other features...

Price:

For $250, we got the Vermeer from Saturday at noon until Monday by 9 am. Not a bad deal for everything we got done.

The verdict:

On a scale of Corolla to LF-A I give it a GX460. Versatile and not the largest, but virtually the same. While a 475 is available, it could be too large to get through narrower areas. Also, since it is around $50 more, not justifying an extra 2-3" of bucket.

OPPOsaurus WRX > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2016 at 10:19

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I’ve been thinking about building a garage just so I could rent something like that and you know, have a garage. But definately to play with some equipment

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2016 at 10:20

1

This needs all of the stars

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! 04/03/2016 at 10:25

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Haha thank you. I wrote it on my phone in about 10 minutes.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > OPPOsaurus WRX 04/03/2016 at 10:26

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If you're building a garage I would recommend a bobcat just because of the size.

OPPOsaurus WRX > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2016 at 10:28

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Is thinking something more like an excavator with the bucket on the arm

shop-teacher > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2016 at 10:30

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My neighbor has one of these .... I am insanely jealous of him.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > OPPOsaurus WRX 04/03/2016 at 10:32

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That could work too. Bobcats tend to be great leveling earth that is flattish. If you have to dig way into something excavator is the way to go.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > shop-teacher 04/03/2016 at 10:33

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It's a lot of fun and gets work done quick. If we had more property it would be worth it for sure.

jimz > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2016 at 11:10

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What else can it flatten? I don’t have any dirt right now.

XJDano > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/03/2016 at 16:25

1

We rented a couple of these at work and beat the shit out of them, they are not ment for interior demo of buildings.

We ended up buying them.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > XJDano 04/03/2016 at 16:59

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I bet they'd be great for that! This biggest thing is ripping the grass up but if your demoting anyways why not. Just make sure you have good ventilation I guess.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > jimz 04/03/2016 at 16:59

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Minis

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/04/2016 at 22:32

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Interesting. Up here the name brand of choice is “Bobcat”. Although most people call it a skid-steer.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 04/05/2016 at 01:22

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Well a Bobcat for us are the bigger ones that you sit in. These are different enough for us to call them different names. Skid steer is also pretty common.

JKER > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/05/2016 at 10:57

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Had one of these when I did tree work for a few years, except ours had claws on it most of the time. ‘twas a wonderful machine which saved us a lot of work.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > JKER 04/05/2016 at 11:02

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They really are baller.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 04/05/2016 at 14:43

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Didn’t even realize it was just a small one. Mini-cat is what I’ve heard.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 04/05/2016 at 15:45

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yep. This one is a stand, no seat.

CalzoneGolem > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 02/16/2018 at 12:10

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I’d call this a ditch witch.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > CalzoneGolem 02/16/2018 at 12:11

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It would be a Ditch With if it was not a Vermeer.

CalzoneGolem > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 02/16/2018 at 12:16

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People round here don’t refer to this type of machine as a Dingo.

Party-vi > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 02/16/2018 at 12:23

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I need one of these when I put my patio in. Because I am a hard core patio person and will have 4" of CR-6 and 2" of sand under my pavers.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Party-vi 02/16/2018 at 12:26

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These things are the answer to life. if I had a property more than 5 acres I would probably have one of these or a bobcat.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > shop-teacher 02/16/2018 at 12:41

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That sounds like a neighbor about which you need to learn his preferred bottle of whisky/whiskey.

shop-teacher > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2018 at 13:01

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I really do. I never see the guy outside though, unless he’s on the machine, but I’m not the type to interrupt somebody who is working. I even know how to start the conversation. His grandson and my daughter were in daycare together for a while.