Excavator v. Skid Steer for Hobby Farmer?

[4570Man]

We have a 10,000lb mini excavator on our farm and a CAT 262 skid steer that weighs around 8,600lbs. They both have their place and do jobs the other machine isn't good at. As others have said, a purpose built TLB like Kubota makes is a pretty good compromise. Their M62 TLB really interested me, but I went with a MF 4707 with the upgraded loader (FL3615) so I could have decent 3pt hitch capability and a fairly stout loader. The M62 could get places on the farm much quicker and more easily, but the mini ex could out dig it by a large margin.

I really don't want to add any more equipment to the farm (we have quite a bit already, see sig), but I could see replacing something. If that something was the Jubilee TLB (which we still use on an almost weekly basis), I'd consider something along the lines of a JD 310 or 410 where the loader clearly outclasses the skid steer and the 4707 and also has a backhoe.

I’ve had 2 full size backhoes which I’ve since sold. Yes they out lift a skid steer by a lot. They also have a bigger bucket. If the goal was carry 20 yards of dirt 100 yards the backhoe would win. But the backhoe loader is crap for grading. The skid steer far surpasses it in that aspect. The lack of quick attach or hydraulics is an even bigger negative. Another negative for the backhoe is it’s heavy and gets stuck easily. The tracked skid is way better in that aspect. A wheeled skid not so much.

 

[Hay Dude]

Backhoes can get 3rd & 4th functions on their loaders. I won’t say they’re “crap” for grading, but the skid steer is better since you can see everything in front of you so easily and there’s better control. I got really good at grading with my backhoe.

Backhoes are great when you need a TLB that can be driven longer distances between tasks without the need of a truck & trailer.

If a backhoe gets stuck, the dipper can almost always pull itself out.

The combination of the backhoes weight, hydraulic stabilizers, dipperstick size & hydraulic strength make them excellent for pulling out big stumps and freeing stuck equipment, which is a frequent task around farms.

If it’s just ONE machine and you have a LOT of area to cover, a backhoe is still a solid, if not the best choice for a WIDE variety of tasks.

 

[4570Man]

Backhoes can get 3rd & 4th functions on their loaders. I won’t say they’re “crap” for grading, but the skid steer is better since you can see everything in front of you so easily and there’s better control. I got really good at grading with my backhoe.

Backhoes are great when you need a TLB that can be driven longer distances between tasks without the need of a truck & trailer.

If a backhoe gets stuck, the dipper can almost always pull itself out.

The combination of the backhoes weight, hydraulic stabilizers, dipperstick size & hydraulic strength make them excellent for pulling out big stumps and freeing stuck equipment, which is a frequent task around farms.

If it’s just ONE machine and you have a LOT of area to cover, a backhoe is still a solid, if not the best choice for a WIDE variety of tasks.

You can get 3rd function hydraulics and a quick attach loader bucket on a backhoe but be prepared to pay big. Once you’ve lost the cheap price of a backhoe you’ve lost the biggest appeal to having one IMO.

 

[Jchonline]

That telehandler is really something. Makes me wonder if they have dented the market appeal of skid steers.

1. They are harder to trailer
2. They are harder to maneuver in tighter spaces
3. The reason a skid steer is so valuable is because you can SEE exactly what and how you are engaging a material (ground, dirt pile, etc). Tractors and Telelhandlers are not designed for this, and make it much more difficult.

They will likely never replace a skid steer..in fact JCB has done the opposite. Just put a boom on the skid steer arms to give it some more reach. That creates other compromises for another discussion.

 

[Jchonline]

I don't want three machines. The Kubota is fine for moving logs, bush hogging, and doing little forklift jobs. It's no good for removing stumps and rocks, digging, and knocking trees over.

I guess those are the three jobs I would really like to do. I don't have to move machine tools every day.

Tractor TLB (with 3PT) is going to be your best bet. It will do just about everything. Nothing great, but it will do it. Try and plow a field with a telehandler...

 

[Jchonline]

My biggest complaints about skid steers is the poor vision and getting in or out of the operators seat.
If you work alone as I often do, you are sometimes tempted to exit under the boom to adjust/hook up chains for a lift. Bad idea!

I like the design of that tele handler as it eliminates those issues.

My little L47 TLB is kind of a do it all machine from mowing to digging. It has it's limitations but allows me to own just one piece of equipment.

JCB makes a side entry Skid steer.....take a look.

 

[Jchonline]

THe question you ask is one we hear a lot. Like a lot of TBNers we find ourself doing more land maintenance and landscaping and little traditional farming. For us, lifting and digging - and especially a hoe with a thumb - are what we want.
It might be a telehandler, excavator, or skid steer.... or it might be a mid-size TLB. The TLB is the solution several of us have come up with but they aren't as well known as tractors. A TLB is a purpose built machine and made much heavier than a tractor with BH & FEL accessories. On a TLB the 3pt hitch is the accessory, not the FEL or BH.

Construction companies are well aware of TLBs, it's the common yellow "backhoe" you see on every work site.

Kubota is the only company making a homeowner type mid-size TLB, but luckily they make a good one in 3 sizes.

rScotty

View attachment 754006View attachment 754007View attachment 754010

Now THAT is a culvert pipe!

 

[Hay Dude]

1. They are harder to trailer
2. They are harder to maneuver in tighter spaces
3. The reason a skid steer is so valuable is because you can SEE exactly what and how you are engaging a material (ground, dirt pile, etc). Tractors and Telelhandlers are not designed for this, and make it much more difficult.

They will likely never replace a skid steer..in fact JCB has done the opposite. Just put a boom on the skid steer arms to give it some more reach. That creates other compromises for another discussion.

A compact telehandler can do more than the JCB skid steer with a boom. It can lift more and the boom extends further. If it has crab steer, it can be more maneuverable. It’ll have larger tires, too.

I think this debate could go on forever. Here’s the main point. Whether its a skid steer, compact telehandler, backhoe or mini-ex one thing is certain:
EVERY user has a different and unique set of tasks. The end USER must determine which piece of equipment is best suited for the majority of HIS tasks, THEN decide which one best suits those tasks.

Everyone will be left with some task that’s less than ideal to do, whatever he chooses. Idea is to minimize that.

Transportation without trailer & heavy lift oriented, jack of all trades- backhoe
Mostly digging & traction oriented, low fuel consumption- mini ex
Mostly lifting, loading & reaching, some attachments- compact tele
Mostly pile & material lifting & easily transportable by trailer, attachment oriented- skid steer.

Still think a 4WD backhoe with aux hydraulics is best compromise UNLESS you have to transport long distances.

 

[M59]

I think this debate could go on forever. Here’s the main point. Whether its a skid steer, compact telehandler, backhoe or mini-ex one thing is certain:
EVERY user has a different and unique set of tasks. The end USER must determine which piece of equipment is best suited for the majority of HIS tasks, THEN decide which one best suits those tasks.

Everyone will be left with some task that’s less than ideal to do, whatever he chooses. Idea is to minimize that.

Everyone has their own set set of objectives, budget, and where they operate. Your post 118 and my posts 5, 48, 53, 58 and rScotty's #24 post all say pretty much the same thing. Examine your current and future needs and then based upon budget choose a machine or machines as appropriate.

I wonder how much longer we can flog this topic to death??

Oh, I forgot to include bull dozers in topic. I need one.

 

[Xfaxman]

That telehandler is really something. Makes me wonder if they have dented the market appeal of skid steers.

1. They are harder to trailer
2. They are harder to maneuver in tighter spaces
3. The reason a skid steer is so valuable is because you can SEE exactly what and how you are engaging a material (ground, dirt pile, etc). Tractors and Telelhandlers are not designed for this, and make it much more difficult.

They will likely never replace a skid steer..in fact JCB has done the opposite. Just put a boom on the skid steer arms to give it some more reach. That creates other compromises for another discussion.

Evidently you have never owned or operated a compact telehandler.

1. It is not harder to trailer. There are skid steers that are bigger and heavier than my V417.

2. With 4 wheel steer it is very easy to maneuver in tighter spaces.

3. I can see exactly what and how I am engaging a material (ground, dirt pile, trees, etc).

You are right, they will likely never replace a skid steer.
There will always be a market for skid steers. I have used a compact track loader.

For me a compact telehandler works better