Skidder or Tractor? If you could only have one.

[fidowanttobe]

G'mornin.
I get asked when I will buy a skidder, usually by skidder folk. I say never and that I don't need one cuz of my tractor w/FEL and they look confused. Or wounded?
While I realize that seeing the cutting edge would be a huge advantage, I feel that a tractor is far better for rural living.
Your opinions??

 

[WranglerX]

THought a "skidder" was a logging machine (by definition) for dragging logs out of forrest.... Why would you need one for "ranch" work.... For any skidding work on my property my "tractor" does just fine....

 

[Too many Kubotas]

My skid steer is lowest on the usefulness list of the machinery I have.

It was bought to run the snowblower, because that's what the 'blower was made for, but there's very little I like about it.

 

[Locoweed]

Tractor, far more practical for me.

 

[tacticalturnip]

For the price I couldn't beat the versatility of a tractor with a skidsteer. Not for the mild work I do.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I skid with my tractor all the time.

 

[ssgp2]

Skid steer will do everything a tractor will do. It just costs three or four times as much to do it.
Really though, there are things the skid steer is better suited for. But the ones that always say "you should get a skid steer" are either very well off and can afford the extra cost or they can't afford to pay attention and just want you to think they have all the answers.

 

[MattB4]

Hard to beat a tractor for number of uses you can put it too. Especially if you have skid steer type quick attach FEL (able to change out attachments) and auxiliary hydraulic setup front and back. This assuming a 40hp and larger tractor though.

 

[jyoutz]

Two different purposes. A skidder is specialized logging equipment and is the best choice for skidding logs, but it has few other uses. A tractor is multi purpose equipment and can be used to skid logs, but a skidder is much better for that purpose.

 

[hayden]

Right, which are we talking about? A Skidder or a Skidsteer? They are two vary different machines.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Skid steer will do everything a tractor will do.

Hmm. Mine sure couldn't.

On the other hand, my tractor seems to be able to do anything the skid steer can. Except to run the snow blower.

 

[Xfaxman]

G'mornin.

Skidder or Tractor? If you could only have one.​

Your opinions??

Neither.

This is better:Compact telehandler

 

[tradosaurus]

Right, which are we talking about? A Skidder or a Skidsteer? They are two vary different machines.

I think he was trying to be cute with the terminology.

 

[ruffdog]

My Toolcat is a great compromise between a SS and tractor.

 

[Tomtint]

I have a Cat track machine and a L3700SU Kubota.
The skidsteer is 10x the machine over the tractor.
It’s faster, stronger, and just far more capable with the front bucket. However.. it’s brutal on the lawn.
There are chores I do with the skid that the tractor just would struggle to do. And chores I do with the tractor that the skid would just make more of a mess than I would want to deal with. .But if I had to pick just 1.. it would be the skidsteer. .. it can do it all if need be.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I have a Cat track machine and a L3700SU Kubota.
The skidsteer is 10x the machine over the tractor.

There are chores I do with the skid that the tractor just would struggle to do.

Alright, with a small tractor and a more capable skid steer that makes sense.

In my case, the M6040 can lift much more than the NH L218 can. It's not 10 times the machine, but maybe about twice.

 

[bcp]

Anyone got a photo of a skid steer being used for row crop cultivation? Maybe AI?



Bruce

 

[jyoutz]

Anyone got a photo of a skid steer being used for row crop cultivation? Maybe AI?



Bruce

And those front mounted rotary cutters on skid steers are scary for operators.

 

[Xfaxman]

And those front mounted rotary cutters on skid steers are scary for operators.

Why?
Mine is 7' wide and has never scared me on the compact telehandler:

 

[jyoutz]

Why?
Mine is 7' wide and has never scared me on the compact telehandler:
View attachment 3577063View attachment 3577064

My cutter throws debris out the rear when I cut brush. I don’t want that thing in front of me.