What to look for in a Skid Steer.

[CyberCop]

Looking to buy a Skid Steer.

Main purpose is to clear property. Going to leave the nice hard woods but have a couple of groves of smaller pines, some maybe 10 to 12 inches, then around some of my larger trees, some popular and pines 15 to 20 inches.

Want to push over as much as possible to burn. Don't mind digging up maybe a few.

Some of the property is sloped pretty good. More like a hill side.

I am thinking something with tracks, but have no idea beyond that. This will be my first skid steer.

What HP should I consider and any other options that may come in useful?

I know a auger for posts, but what else?

Thanks.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

15-20" trees you might be better off with a mini ex with a thumb

 

[4570Man]

An excavator is better suited for taking out trees. A skid steer with a stump bucket will work as long as it’s dry enough to get traction. If you proceed with that plan the bigger the better. But an excavator is by far the best option.

 

[CyberCop]

After some research, I think I was thinking too outrageous. Just really don't want to hire someone just to take down the bigger ones.

I do have a L3540 with a backhoe to help out with the bigger trees, but not really comparable with a excavator.

 

[5030]

15-20" trees you might be better off with a mini ex with a thumb

Or a stump grinder. They make them for mounting on a skid loader instead of PTO driven, they are hydraulic run.

A mini ex is gonna cost you appreciably more than a skid and the use is somewhat limited as well.

 

[4570Man]

Or a stump grinder. They make them for mounting on a skid loader instead of PTO driven, they are hydraulic run.

A mini ex is gonna cost you appreciably more than a skid and the use is somewhat limited as well.

Not true. I paid a notable amount less for my new KX040 than I did my 75-3. I wouldn’t buy a 40 for taking down 20” trees either. It would work especially for poplar trees but a 20-30k pound machine is more suited for that work.

 

[4570Man]

After some research, I think I was thinking too outrageous. Just really don't want to hire someone just to take down the bigger ones.

I do have a L3540 with a backhoe to help out with the bigger trees, but not really comparable with a excavator.

A skid steer with a stump bucket would beat the heck out of the tractor backhoe. A large frame CTL with a stump bucket actually works fairly well it’s just not what I would buy to do the work.

 

[airbiscuit]

How many acres?

 

[jk96]

Tracks for stability. For clearing, the larger you can afford the better. The zig zag pattern for tracks are amazing for traction in dirt, mud ,snow, and hills. Your going to want a stump bucket, grapple, and heavy duty brush cutter. High flow would be preferred for the brush cutter but you can still do some decent work with standard flow. There are a lot of times I'm running standard instead of high flow on mine unless tackling larger trees. Now with the larger machine I have I usually just use the tree puller for trees 5 to 8" and cut the smaller stuff. Stump bucket for for the large stuff.

 

[CyberCop]

How many acres?

A little over 5 acres

 

[jk96]

A little over 5 acres

If 5 acres have you considered renting a machine with mulching head.

 

[airbiscuit]

Chainsaw and a grapple to get the trees down and burned. A forestry mulcher to "civilize" the woods.
Connected to a Compact Track Loader?

 

[jk96]

If 5 acres have you considered renting a machine with mulching head.

Or contracting it out. 5 acres would be a 1 to 2 day job depending on the site and type/number of trees for someone with a mulchine head.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I would do some pricing a 100 HP CTL if bought new is going to run you around $100k, a brand name mulching head a minimum of $25k, add stump buckets, forestry brushcutters, grapples etc, you see where I'm going. I have a 75 HP CTL and do a lot of work with it for other people as a retirement side gig but I don't jump on jobs to remove lots of 20" trees, I consider myself proficient at lot clearing, property clean-up, underbrushing, forestry mowing, tree and debris removal with a grapple and chainsaw but a 5 acre land clearing job with 20" trees is better left to someone with a track hoe, wheel loader and dozer IMHO. Good luck with whatever you decide but look at what all your options are before you spend a dime. Charlie.

 

[CyberCop]

Tracks, grapple, stump grinder, and possibly a stump bucket. Got it.

@jk96 said "For clearing, the larger you can afford the better.". What would be the minimum I should consider?

What would be the minimum hours I should consider if I do not buy new? (never owned a skid steer before).

would a Kubota SVL75-2 work?

More info. Going to clear about 5 acres of land trying to keep the big hardwoods. Also demo of 2 trailers on the property.

Will be creating a pasture for mini cows and mini horses/shetlands. Also creating a small area for breeding.

Will be using the Skidsteer and my L3540 for general maintenance afterwards.

 

[5030]

My only comment on skid steers is not a Kubota, even though I own Kubota tractors and hay tools, I've read Kubota skids have issues and they are difficult to service as well.

 

[CyberCop]

thanks for all the replies. Was looking at a SVL75-2 since the long term will be maintenance. I've seen that model take trailers down, so I can actually do that. Contractors want $10k per trailer for removal so will pay for some of the skid steer. Plus, it would be a great toy to play with and learn on. (kinda a Kubota fan boy, but not locked in if it makes financial sense)

What is the maximum hours I should consider.

Will probably consider contracting a dozer for the major work and cleanup with a skid steer, just worried about a dozer being able to be nimble enough for working between the larger trees I want to keep. Also worried about hurting the root system of the bigger trees so maybe a skid steer with a stump grinder is a good option.

Once again, thanks for the replies.

 

[CyberCop]

My only comment on skid steers is not a Kubota, even though I own Kubota tractors and hay tools, I've read Kubota skids have issues and they are difficult to service as well.

Good info to know. What would you/all recommend?

 

[4570Man]

My only comment on skid steers is not a Kubota, even though I own Kubota tractors and hay tools, I've read Kubota skids have issues and they are difficult to service as well.

Skid steers have a lot of parts crammed in a small package. Which ones aren’t hard to work on? I’d like to know so I can go buy one.

 

[airbiscuit]

It helps if you can dislocate your shoulder like Houdini,