Ken45101
Elite Member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2009
- Messages
- 3,655
- Location
- southern Ohio
- Tractor
- Kubota M5040, M9540, B21 TLB, B2710, RTV900, JD 325 Skid steer, KX-121-3 mini excavator
IMO most of the comments about skidsteers are way of base.
A skidloader with steel over the tire tracks is very stable and will go many more places than a tractor will.
Can't beat a skidloader for handling bales unless you have to run over very long distances like picking up bales in the field.
Not exactly sure what dragging fields means but a reckon a tractor will work better for that but most likely can be done with a skidloader.
Yeah, you are definitely right: the skid steer will go places the tractor will not go, like tumbling down the hill through the trees.
When working downhill, I've had the rear end lift off the ground of the ss when I picked up a load of dirt. Never had that happen (or even thought about it happening) with the tractor. The short wheelbase of a ss really shifts the center of gravity of a ss when it's on a hill.
Yes, I have steel over the tire tracks. They are a tremendous help, but they still don't make a ss as stable as a tractor.
I have a road in the woods that I have to back up the hill with the ss. The tractor can go up and down it without problems.
I've had another ss demo unit (without tracks), tip back on it's rear end on a slight grade that I wouldn't have even been noticeable with the tractor.
Take a 1000# round bale down a steep hill with a ss? Good luck!
Oh, another point regarding round bales: I love the skid steer for the visibility of where the bucket edge or forks are at, it's so much better than the FEL on the tractor. But a 5' round bale held a foot off the ground (6' high) would pretty much block the visibility from the seat in a ss. The tractor wins hands down here, IMO.