FEL or Skid Steer Loader?

[Coyote]

Can tractor FEL's in the 30-40 HP range compare to the power of SSL's? I am considering clearing small patches of 9 year old pines and making trails through the woods. I don't have an FEL on my CT, and I have seen a Bobcat working and was impressed! I could buy a used Bobcat for less than an upgraded tractor with an FEL. I feel like a SSL would have more wood/brush eating ability that a tractor FEL. Anybody have experience with both?

 

[Donman]

The agility of a skid steer is partly what makes them so productive - especially if you don't have to worry about tearing up the landscape while turning. I have a Bobcat skidsteer loader and a compact tractor without a loader, and don't plan to put one on as long as the Bobcat is around.
For loader work on and around lawns and landscaped areas you can't beat FEL's on CUT's.

 

[jmc]

I think the big advantages of SSLs are maneuverablity and direct visibility of the bucket lip. Disadvantages are 1) limited lift capacity due to the odd weight distribution, 2) HORRIBLE visibility in any other direction than forward, 3) short wheel base makes grading difficult going forward on rough ground. Usually people just float the blade and backdrag with a SSL. Parts and maintanence is probably higher on the SSL too. So it depends on your job. The tractor/fel with a boxblade would be nice for clearing trails and bush hogging what you can. But if you have limited room to turn the long rig around and use the other end, then the SSL makes sense. Also the SSL is more fun.

John

 

[jeffinsgf]

Don touched on an important issue...skid steers tear up the turf brutally. Sometimes that doesn't matter. I have both 35 HP CUT and a 46 HP Bobcat. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The Bobcat's manueuverability is a great asset. The tractor feels like you're walking in clown shoes when you are working in a tight space compared to the Bobcat. On the other hand, the Bobcat seems to be all or nothing when digging. With a toothbar, I can dig an impressive amount of dirt, but if you're trying to take a little bit, it just seems to bounce on top of the ground. If you increase your angle, now you're twice as deep as you want to be. I find "skimming" cuts much easier with the box blade on my tractor.

While buckets and blades for the skid steer will be comparable in price (or less expensive than) tractor equivalents, all other attachments seems to be much more expensive. Brush cutters, for example. You can get a top of the line PTO driven brush cutter for a couple thousand dollars. You won't touch a hydro drive SS brush cutter for under 5K.

I think you will find, as I have, that the skid steer will do the heavy work faster, but at the expensive of long term flexibility. If I had to give up one or the other, the Bobcat would go. I feel about my 4410 like Charlton Heston does about his guns. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Nat]

Can't beat a skid steer, Will do more work than anyone can imagine. I have dug pools for years with them, some in the rock patch we call Silver Valley. Cliff Loflin down on 49 south of Denton always has some used ones for sale, you may want to check with him. Later, Nat

 

[40Kchicks]

A skid steer will do an amazing job in the brush especially if it has tracks over the tires. I don’t have a loader on my tractor because I just can’t justify the cost when I have such a good loader on the skid steer. For me I need the two tractors because I hook up the manure spreader to the tractor and load it with the skid steer. If I only had one I would have to unhook the manure spreader to load it. That just wouldn’t work.

Jeff is right on when he wrote that implements are much more expensive than for the skid steer. Just another thing to think about.

Eric

 

[tcb]

i have both, when i want to get job done quick and dirty and dig a big hole or clear a large area ssl is the way to go. but, when it is time to finess and feather tractor is best. and with a fel on the tractor, i do not have to take two pieces of equipment to the farm, hunting camp et al.

tim

 

[Coyote]

Thanks for the input. I really want to buy a SSL after hiring a guy to clear for me for the day. I couldn't imagine doing what he did with a FEL. He pushed brush and dirt around like it was nothing! It would have taken me several passes with the bush hog, then the BB, and he did it in 15 minutes!

 

[EddieWalker]

Why don't you rent a SSL for a day or weekend and see if you like it. Operating one and seeing it done is like night and day, especially on them.

I would take the CUT over the SSL anyday. An hour on a SSL and I'm all beat up, spending a day on one is something I refuse to do. And thinking of you out clearing brush on one is just more pain then I want to endure.

If you check the price on the SSL with attachments, the go to your local CUT dealer and see what you can get for the same money, I think you'll realize why so many of us have CUT's.

Good luck with your choice,
Eddie

 

[Varmintmist]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Can tractor FEL's in the 30-40 HP range compare to the power of SSL's? )</font>

No, a tractor loader is a attachment, the SSL is a purpose built machine.

A tractor can do more than a skidsteer though with more attachments at a better price, but a skidsteer will clean a tractor loaders clock at loader work.

NOW the real questions. Do you want to support 2 machines? After the ground is cleared will you still have a use for a SSL? What kind of machine are you going to get for less than a tractor with a loader?? From what I saw when I was looking, you wont touch a decent used skidsteer for the price of a fairly decent sized new tractor with a loader. Your milage may vary.