Loader Skid Steer or Euro loader attachments?

[Sid Post]

I'm looking at loaders for a 70~90Hp tractor. Different strong opinions suggest one is drastically better than the other?

I see Euro loaders being more frequently found on big tractors and large buckets. I assume this is an artifact of the bucket widths more than anything.

Is the Euro bucket mount really a lot stronger or better than a Skid Steer? Modern Skid Steers have some lift capacities that are astounding so, I'm wondering if I should deal with a Euro to Skid Steer converter for the items I already have, with the pallet forks being the only one I wouldn't be able to convert to Euro without excessive cost or effort.

TIA,
Sid

 

[nybirdman]

I would bet SS attachments are a lot easier to find and just as strong as Euro.

 

[Xfaxman]

No experience with Euro Mount.

My 6" wide 1 cubic yard bucket is SSQA:

 

[Thunder chicken]

I’ve got euro (ALO). I can’t say if it’s stronger, but being the only guy in town means no one can borrow my stuff. But that also means I can’t borrow theirs! I though about making an adapter but it’s just not worth the effort at the moment. Until I need my buddies 30” auger....

 

[Farmer495]

Euro is used on the largest farm tractors....not skidsteer, that should tell you what is strongest.

Locally anything over a Compact will have Euro/Global. I've rarely seen a utility size with a skidsteer coupler.

Euro normally one lever instead of two and generally auto latching (roll bucket back to trip latch)

I have Euro and love it, I've used skidsteer (on a skidsteer) and an OEM NH coupler that is like skidsteer and the engagement pins are the weak link. I've had bucket pop off skidsteer loader.

Euro is positive latch. I've never lost an attachment. When those pins go it, they are locked on.

You can get euro pallet forks, should be easy to trade skidsteer ones for a Euro set. Adaptor would work for lesser used items.

Your $$$ and what is available to you should be your best guide. Here I can get both Euro and Skidsteer attachments in stock at most dealers.

 

[ptsg]

Euro is used on the largest farm tractors....not skidsteer, that should tell you what is strongest.

Locally anything over a Compact will have Euro/Global. I've rarely seen a utility size with a skidsteer coupler.

Euro normally one lever instead of two and generally auto latching (roll bucket back to trip latch)

I have Euro and love it, I've used skidsteer (on a skidsteer) and an OEM NH coupler that is like skidsteer and the engagement pins are the weak link. I've had bucket pop off skidsteer loader.

Euro is positive latch. I've never lost an attachment. When those pins go it, they are locked on.

You can get euro pallet forks, should be easy to trade skidsteer ones for a Euro set. Adaptor would work for lesser used items.

Your $$$ and what is available to you should be your best guide. Here I can get both Euro and Skidsteer attachments in stock at most dealers.

I second this 110%.

Great post with a great explanation of the Euro style.

 

[BRMyers]

This is from the standard:

1. Scope —This SAE Standard sets forth standard dimension requirements for the
loader attachment bracket and attachment interface to allow interchangeability of
attachments on skid steer loaders whose operating mass (see SAE J/ISO 6165) is
4,500 kg or less.

 

[RickB]

Euro is used on the largest farm tractors....not skidsteer, that should tell you what is strongest.

Locally anything over a Compact will have Euro/Global. I've rarely seen a utility size with a skidsteer coupler.

Euro normally one lever instead of two and generally auto latching (roll bucket back to trip latch)

I have Euro and love it, I've used skidsteer (on a skidsteer) and an OEM NH coupler that is like skidsteer and the engagement pins are the weak link. I've had bucket pop off skidsteer loader.

Euro is positive latch. I've never lost an attachment. When those pins go it, they are locked on.

You can get euro pallet forks, should be easy to trade skidsteer ones for a Euro set. Adaptor would work for lesser used items.

Your $$$ and what is available to you should be your best guide. Here I can get both Euro and Skidsteer attachments in stock at most dealers.

I find Euro attachments easier to align and attach when visibility is poor.

 

[52wej]

Another vote for euro hitch. I have tractors with both the euro and the skid steer. It is far easier to line up a euro connection than a skid steer and as others have said it is a positive latch. W Jones

 

[Sid Post]

Around where I live, I don't see Euro mount loader attachments. Skid Steer stuff is plentiful and generally reasonably cheap with good quality.

I totally agree with Skid Steer attachment issues and being a bit difficult. With my tractor and something on the ground, the approach is blind for me so, I generally get close and then end up 'manhandling it'. The Euro to Skid Steer conversion mount from John Deere runs ~$750 so, that would go a long way to 'upgrading' my pallet forks.

The bucket is a non-issue because the old tractor will have its bucket married to the loader and the new tractor with the new loader will have its own bucket. Anything I add at this point could go either way but, Euro mounts seem to cost more in general but they are generally built for higher capacity tractor loaders too.

 

[RickB]

You won't see a Euro attachment come disconnected by applying too much downpressure to a coupling device with pin wear or a short line attachment with sloppy build specs.

 

[4570Man]

It’s hard to get away from skid steer unless you have really deep pockets but Euro is far better IMO. SSQA doesn’t work very good even when it works. After it inevitably gets bent it’s a real pain to use.

 

[4570Man]

Euro is used on the largest farm tractors....not skidsteer, that should tell you what is strongest.

.

Euro is far better no doubt about that but no tractor will out muscle a 100 HP tracked skid steer.

 

[RickB]

Euro is far better no doubt about that but no tractor will out muscle a 100 HP tracked skid steer.

That's the dumbest thing I've read in i don't know how long. You do understand they're hanging loaders on tractors with 2-3 times that hp and 4-6 times the weight, right?

 

[4570Man]

That's the dumbest thing I've read in i don't know how long. You do understand they're hanging loaders on tractors with 2-3 times that hp and 4-6 times the weight, right?

Tractor loaders aren’t made for strength. They’re made for loading and moving hay and silage. Even if a few did top the hydraulic strength of the biggest skids they can’t take the beating a CTL will. And I’ve not seen any tractor loaders on 48,000-72,000 pound tractors.

 

[4570Man]

This claims to be the biggest tractor loader in the world which is in line with the biggest I’ve seen which claims 7,000 pound lift capacity which is in line with the biggest CTLs. Considering the skid is 1/4 the machine size I’d call that a win for the skid. STOLL FZ 100 ? The biggest front loader in the world (EN) - YouTube

 

[MHarryE]

My M7-171 has Euro and I managed to bend one of the latching hubs so the pin will no longer align. Heating, trying to drive back into alignment, can’t quite get it perfect so I need to lock it with a long bolt. One of my Euro attachments is an adapter so I can use my heavier skid steer attachments. But I have also managed to rip out one of the latch holes on my skid steer snow blade back dragging snow away from my garage door (using my CTL, not the M7), so I find it none to stout either. I have 10,000 pound capacity forks with SSQL mount that I use on the M7 using the SSQL adapter. My CUT and CTL will hardly lift the heavy forks let alone a load on them. I purchased the heavy forks for my M135GX when I had it - it was equipped with a SSQL loader connection but the M7 only is available with Euro.

 

[RickB]

Lets look at a Deere 8295R.
https://www.loaders.com/userdocs/products/580.pdf
8295R base weight is just under 28000 lbs less loader and ballast. It develops over 31000 lbs of drawbar pull. I think Westendorf knew that when they built the 580. Is there a CTL that will lift 4.5 tons at the pins?

 

[mikester]

I'd prefer the euro style over SSQA but in NA attachments will be more expensive and harder to find.

Beta vs VHS

 

[LouNY]

I've used both frequently, the Euro/Global is easier and safer to hookup and disconnect.
If a Euro is disconnected while in a dumped position it will just swing on the hooks,
a ssqa will swing and fall off.
The Euro is much easier and faster to line up and connect to.