Kubota 2920 (maybe 3030) vs ASV RC30? need help deciding!

[bw_wis]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to buy my first tractor. I'm looking at the Kubota 2920 (or 2630/3030 if good used one comes along) or an ASV RC30 tracked skid steer. I'm currently leaning to the RC30.

I've rent a JCB mini cx TLB a few times that has given me a baseline for size. 58" bucket and 14'-10" in total length. I found it very workable, but found it to be little big.

Some of the projects on my list are replacing my drive way, sidewalk and front steps(all are concrete). Replacing a paver patio. And landscaping. My parents have about an acre of finished grass and landscape I'd like to help mantaining and updating. Grandparents same, but 3 acres. I also have some need for forks and can't get enough lift capacity. In addition I work at some outdoor festivals for which having material handling ablities would nice. Oh, I live in Wisconsin, snow removal!

My job keeps me traveling. I expect to be home about 50 days this years. So I have to make the most of my time at home. Also I plan to buy some land (5-100 acres) this year or next.

Thanks

[Northland]

I had considered buying an ASV as well but chose a tractor because:

1-lower up-front cost
2-lower operating cost- a track machine costs $10/hr or more (this from a CAT dealer ppt) in track wear alone.
3-cheaper implements
4-can use two implements at once- I have a FEL/ bucket grapple and a rear implement on at all times
5- I can drive my tractor on the road/highway with no problem.

Still, the ASV or another track loader would be way better in the snow, have better floatation in all conditions and be way better for my firewood and trail work.

If you don't need a backhoe and can afford the extra up-front and on-going costs of the ASV I say buy the RC30.

[amigauser]

Originally Posted by bw_wis

Some of the projects on my list are replacing my drive way, sidewalk and front steps(all are concrete). Replacing a paver patio. And landscaping. My parents have about an acre of finished grass and landscape I'd like to help mantaining and updating. Grandparents same, but 3 acres. I also have some need for forks and can't get enough lift capacity. In addition I work at some outdoor festivals for which having material handling ablities would nice. Oh, I live in Wisconsin, snow removal!

For the concrete work you can't beat the size and lifting ability of a skid steer. I have heard though that tracked skidsteers are not very good at snow removal do to their low ground PSI causing the tracks to actually spin/slip on snow. The skid steers I have seen being used for snow removal in my area are of the wheeled type not tracked. The tracked skid steers are also very expensive vs. a wheeled skid steer or compact tractor to both buy and hourly to run. Certainly would be a fun toy I mean tool though ;-).

I actually thought about getting a skid steer myself before purchasing my compact tractor but for my uses the tractor made more sense.
1) More ground clearance
2) 3 pt attachment ability
3) Faster ground speed
4) Cheaper to both purchase and maintain
5) Drive foward with most attachments vs. reverse for many skid steer ones

Good luck with your decision.

[bw_wis]

Thanks guys.

I appreciate the input.

If it makes any difference. The biggest skid advantage I can see the availability of rental attachment.

[Charlesaf3]

different tools for different jobs.

Tractor will be better for land work. SS will be better for loader work, especially in tight places.

Skidsteers aren't hugely stable if you have slopes by accounts.

For my usage the tractor is clearly better. I can deal with the weaker loader, though I'd like a better one. If I were 80% loader work I'd get a skidsteer