Should I get a skid steer or a tractor

[4570Man]

A CTL is a total different class machine than a tractor is. The major downside is they’re expensive and are hard on the grass.

 

[Xfaxman]

My compact telehandler fits through a standard garage door and the ROPS is up .

 

[Hay Dude]

Get both and be happy

 

[dnw64]

My wife has a Honda Cosmopolitan which is a wannabe Vespa. Its a hoot to ride!

My BIL recently bought 8 vehicles from an estate sale. Of which there is one Lambretta and two Vespas which have been suggested as being open for sale. My wife is like flies on rice for at least one, possibly two (so she can ride "with" me in my Porsche?!!).

 

[MoKelly]

My wife is like flies on rice for at least one, possibly two (so she can ride "with" me in my Porsche?!!).

I’ve heard “like white on rice” and “like flies on honey” but have never heard “like flies on rice”!

MoKelly

 

[bdog]

I have both. Aside from plowing, planting, and possibly shredding I prefer my skid steer. Shredding grass or weeds is better on the tractor. Shredding brush is better on the skid steer.

Anyrhing that requires a loader a skid steer is going to be way better. Digging post holes the skid steer is better. Running LPGS on roads skid steer is better. The visibility of the loader on a skid steer vs a tractor is night and day different.

Tractors can travel faster than a skid steer but on my place the terrain is rough so on a tractor I don’t go any faster than my skid steer is capable of any way.

Skid steers are way better in tight quarters.

If you work by yourself a tractor makes a much safer crane. With a skid steer you can’t get out with the loader raised without putting yourself in harms way.

 

[bcp]

All this talk of Harleys and Vespa, but no mention of comparing their loader capacity.

Bruce

 

[MoKelly]

All this talk of Harleys and Vespa, but no mention of comparing their loader capacity.

Bruce

Ha. Both can support a front windscreen and that is all.

MoKelly

 

[bdog]

My tractor loader is rated for 3384 lbs and my skid steer is 5868lbs at 50% tipping load.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Looking back, I can also say it would make sense to get the most expensive first. Then when you chew up too much turf and figure you really could use a tractor too, it's not so hard.

Having a CTL really is like having a small dozer. A tractor is NOT an earth moving machine.

 

[Xfaxman]

And my compact telehandler will out dig a CTL.
This is a 1 cubic yard bucket in clay:

 

[ruffdog]

I think the OP should be picking which attachments will be needed as those may dictate what equipment to use them on. Then, decide if the same attachments/equipment will be used for years to come. Being realistic about needs vs wants may make more sense to rent or hire it done. When I needed to clear 1800 trees and clean it up, I hired it done so it was finished in less than a week. Many variables here.

 

[ning]

All this talk of Harleys and Vespa, but no mention of comparing their loader capacity.

Bruce

idk I've seen some really heavy loads on harleys, and vespas seem to be enjoyed by the more ... ah shall we say "nimble" crowd

 

[tsherm]

I own a 743 and it is great! Also have a grapple, pallet forks and bucket that helps move trees and dig up or move whats needed...Have a Deere 630 with AG attachments thats needed to work soils--all depends on your needs. I needed both!

 

[Okiedog]

Don't have a skidsteer, but do have a 35 HP Mahindra with a FEL. Just added a double add-a-grapple for moving a lot of trees. Double Add-a-Grapple For Sale- Ask Tractor Mike

Best money I've spent in a long time.

 

[4570Man]

And my compact telehandler will out dig a CTL.
This is a 1 cubic yard bucket in clay:

View attachment 691781
View attachment 691782
View attachment 691783

You could put a yard bucket on the biggest CTLs if you wanted to. I’ve never been on a mini telehandler but I’ve been in mini loaders as in 5 tons or so and their dirt moving performance isn’t even close to a CTL.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Those are IMPRESSIVE Bobcat telehandler pictures. But if your telling me you got that bucket load in one efficient movement, then I gotta say you have some kind of ground, I have never seen before.

 

[Xfaxman]

You could put a yard bucket on the biggest CTLs if you wanted to. I’ve never been on a mini telehandler but I’ve been in mini loaders as in 5 tons or so and their dirt moving performance isn’t even close to a CTL.

I put that same bucket on a bobcat T300 in the same place that I used the V417 just days before and the CTL struggled to fill the bucket with the clay subsoil. You are not considering the extra force available to fill the bucket by extending the boom on the compact telehandler.

Those are IMPRESSIVE Bobcat telehandler pictures. But if your telling me you got that bucket load in one efficient movement, then I gotta say you have some kind of ground, I have never seen before.

It is hard red clay and some sandrock.
The teeth are very sharp and with 14,000 pounds of push, the bucket gets filled:

 

[4570Man]

I put that same bucket on a bobcat T300 in the same place that I used the V417 just days before and the CTL struggled to fill the bucket with the clay subsoil. You are not considering the extra force available to fill the bucket by extending the boom on the compact telehandler.


It is hard red clay and some sandrock.
The teeth are very sharp and with 14,000 pounds of push, the bucket gets filled:

View attachment 692354
View attachment 692356

A 300 is a ton lighter than other CTLs.

 

[Industrial Toys]

So, do you drive into the material, apply brakes and extend the boom? Does that net more breakout force than the wheels can provide? I mean, inability to get a bucket is usually about loss of traction, not lack of HP.