Excavator v. Skid Steer for Hobby Farmer?

[Paystar]

I like the JCB Telehandler but I really like the 1CX.

 

[Xfaxman]

I see a tracked tele skid, maybe a little bigger than the JCB as a GREAT all around machine. 74HP is a little small and the lift capacity fully reached is a little light. Would prefer a 90+ HP machine with a 2000lb lift capacity fully extended. It would give the ability to handle an 8’ HF brush mower, then be able to stack square bales like Xfaxman’s machine. The issue with bigger than 74HP is DEF fluid, but I guess we are all stuck with that.

Check out the Bobcat TL723: https://www.bobcat.com/na/en/equipment/telehandlers/tl723

The engine:

The TL723 is too big and heavy for me .

This is their newest compact telehandler, the TL619:

The engine:
_______________________________________________
Powered by a 74-hp Bobcat turbocharged engine, the TL619 delivers powerful, high-torque performance, high efficiency and convenient service. The engine meets Tier 4 regulations without a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or selective catalyst reduction, reducing downtime that occurs for DPF regeneration and long-term DPF maintenance costs.

 

[4570Man]

Then you could argue back & forth all day long. A skid steer can’t stack bales as high, can’t be used for higher reach construction work and doesn’t have the ground clearance and may not have the lifting capacity of the telehandler.
It also doesn’t have the reach of the telehandler when you need to push a brush mower under low tree branches, etc.

The extra 1700lbs of the tele also helps with stability.

I can see where the compact tele would be more advantageous for the farmer, roofer, framing carpenter and the skid more advantageous for the excavator, landscaper.

I see a tracked tele skid, maybe a little bigger than the JCB as a GREAT all around machine. 74HP is a little small and the lift capacity fully reached is a little light. Would prefer a 90+ HP machine with a 2000lb lift capacity fully extended. It would give the ability to handle an 8’ HF brush mower, then be able to stack square bales like Xfaxman’s machine. The issue with bigger than 74HP is DEF fluid, but I guess we are all stuck with that.

Skid steers especially ones with tracks grade better than a telhandler. Telhandlers lift stuff better than skid steers. Dozers move dirt better than either one. Cranes lift stuff better than telhandlers or skid steers. There’s a reason they make all 4 tools and people buy them. There is a dedicated tool designed to be the best at its job but it’s usually worthless for anything else. There are multi purpose machines that do multiple jobs but not as good as something else. Since most homeowners and small construction guys don’t have the funds to buy 10 machines they’re usually going to buy something that can do multiple jobs just not as good as something else. Compact tractors and skid steers both fall into that category. I’d like to have that JCB telescope skid steer. It has the obvious benefit of higher reach but I’d use it more for dumping material behind walls and getting more distance from burn piles. You could also build a taller pile and taller piles burn a lot better than wider ones.

 

[Hay Dude]

no kiddin

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

Someone was asking if I had decided what I want. Right now I am busy in the turmoil of planning a trip with my wife, so everything else takes a back seat. I believe a backhoe (not a TLB) is the best choice for me. Along with the tractor, it will do pretty much everything I need.