I generally agree with your original post.
I NEVER said the Skidsteer was superior to a CUT on the FARM. My point was/is, Skidsteers can do LOTS of stuff. Ie, the implement selection is amazing. In MY experience, a SS can do more. Easier. Not all of that is geared towards a farm though.
I would not, label Skidsteers as specialized, is my point. They are about as specialized as a CUT is.
"Generally", I would say, based on my use of a number of CUT's/Utilities and a number of skidsteers, that a Skidsteer can do more stuff. Is all that stuff geared towards the farm? No. So no, you will not plow the field with a SS. And, you will not run a baler. You can however, speer a round bale. Or, just use a hay squeeze(both available from Bobcat). They even have TnT. I mean, just looking at the Bobcat site, they have tons of tools. That does not even factor in the aftermarket.
All Attachments - Bobcat Company
With my CUT though, I can not do many of the things a SS can do. I can not run a stump grinder. I can not run surface planer. I can not run a breaker. I can not run a forestry cutter. I don't know of any utility tractors that can either. Now, my CUT is a Kubota "B" series; I can not pull a 10' plow/disc, nor run a baler. But, I can do a nice job keeping my road up and working ditches with my scraper on the 3pt, especially with tip/tilt.
Another thing that I like, is I can rent lots of tools for a skidsteer. We just did concrete at my house. My CUT sat parked while I used a rented breaker on my buddies Bobcat. Had to bust out a bunch of rock. The local rental places rent attachments, as does the local Bobcat dealer. Some other brand dealers do to.
I can not find any place to rent CUT/3pt attachments in the greater Sacramento area; that is a big market with all major tractor manufacturers represented.
In regards to 3pt equipment, ASV did make a rear 3pt setup and hydraulic driven PTO for their track type "skidsteers".
A skid steer can do lots of stuff. A CUT/Utility can do lots of stuff. Both do some things that the other can not. Both overlap too.
In regards to being GP, they ARE on in the general construction field, where they are more flexible than a CUT.
In my case, sitting on 5 acres, mowing, scraping, loading, and ASV RC30 could do all of that. The hard part is, at about 2x the price of my CUT. So, I use my CUT, and borrow my buddies $30,000 skidsteer when I need to, and rent attachments he does not have..
And Joe, In regards to being inane or having a stroke, that was plain rude and uncalled for.
"I wouldn't go that far...
Skidsteers and tracked loaders have tons of implements, and can do tons of tasks. Probably more than a CUT or Utility tractor. Having used both, the SS can do a lot more than a CUT...."
I am going that far and will go even further. Saying that a SS can do "a lot more" than a CUT is a load of horse-apples.
Hitch the sickle mower up to the SS and cut some Bermuda....oh, wait, you can't. Hitch the SS up to the square baler and bale that bermuda.....oh, wait, you can't.
Hitch the SS up to the 10' disc and plow that Bermuda field....oh, wait, you can't.
Hitch the bucket and 3-pt spears up and haul a couple of round bales down the road to the lease.....oh, wait, can't do that with the SS.
To say the SS is superior on the farm for all general duties to the tractor is ludicrous. I like SS's fine and they are GREAT for some things. They are not a GP tractor, werent' meant to be, and simply can't by virtue of their design.
Sorry, RobertN, I don't know whether you're being inane or simply having a stroke, but your argument is ridiculous. Ridiculous.