just used my 3520 for the first time yesterday.moved 9600lbs concrete across a lawn to street.Took alot of trips and did alittle damage to the lawn(was hoping to get away with zero damage)large r4s. Tractor is powerful and will probably do everything i need it to but im second guessing myself on my decision to go across the grain and purchase the tractor instead of the skid steer loader for my business.Several friends insisted i get the skid steer. Qoute "they call it a farm tractor cause: ITS SUPPOSSED TO BE ON A FARM). Needless to say coments like that after spending $$$ dont make me to happy. Any landscapers have any input ?Or are all the landscapers in the construction forum? On a good note the machine is a beauty and has plenty of power. Trying to decide on backhoe purchase but(opting to use machine for a while to make sure im gona keep it before shelling out another $8000 for the 448). And buy the way this forum is fantastic !!!!
new 3520 for landscape company
- Thread starter qhorin
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turbo36
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2004
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- Michigan
- Tractor
- JD X739 AWS (3), 2016 Toolcat, JD 2038R
Tell your friends it's not a "farm" tractor it's a Compact "Utility" Tractor :grin. Around our area the landscapers use tracked skid Steers to do all the rough work and heavy dirt moving . The finish work is done by either a tracked Skid steer or a tractor like yours. As far as avoiding damage to finished lawns it's a toss up, the SS is very low impact until you turn and then what a mess, the tractor will leave slight impressions in wet turf but is better turning in tight areas. If you only have money for one piece of equipment then I think you made the right choice, if your business grows then I would look for a tracked skid steer to really shorten the time to do the heavy stuff.
Sometimes I wonder why express my self. Anyways the idea of using a skid steer to mow my lawn doesn't thrill me.
A compact tractor can do a lot of jobs, maybe sometime you need a skid steer to do a particular job. It's just not the tool to drive all day. Maybe the Toolcat will prove itself someday, but pricey. I guess consumers will decide that one.
I'm just throwing this out there, but the high ground clearance of a tractor keeps you going. I've gotten my ATV stuck while I usually can get the tractor out, maybe cheatng by using the bucket, to get me out of a jam.
And the final thing I have to say is you can always rent a skid steer when you need it badly and not have the headaches of owning one.
If it's a tool you use everyday or regularly own it, otherwise rent the tool you need for a job and forget about it.
And if just want a toy to mess with and can afford it that's your choice too enjoy.
Sorry guys, I have the I want atractor thing too since I was a kid, and maybe I am dealing with my obsessions too.
A compact tractor can do a lot of jobs, maybe sometime you need a skid steer to do a particular job. It's just not the tool to drive all day. Maybe the Toolcat will prove itself someday, but pricey. I guess consumers will decide that one.
I'm just throwing this out there, but the high ground clearance of a tractor keeps you going. I've gotten my ATV stuck while I usually can get the tractor out, maybe cheatng by using the bucket, to get me out of a jam.
And the final thing I have to say is you can always rent a skid steer when you need it badly and not have the headaches of owning one.
If it's a tool you use everyday or regularly own it, otherwise rent the tool you need for a job and forget about it.
And if just want a toy to mess with and can afford it that's your choice too enjoy.
Sorry guys, I have the I want atractor thing too since I was a kid, and maybe I am dealing with my obsessions too.
JasonMac
Gold Member
It sounds like to me, that your friends are just jealous. But remember, when they want to use it for something, just say no, it's a farm tractor... I think I'll keep it on the Farm.. If it were just a farm tractor then why do so many of the landscapers in my area, (very successful ones too) have so many Compact Utility Tractors... and in my area, most of them are deere. Don't listen to them... A Skid Steer has it place, but a Tractor has more places and more uses to use it in.... I think you made a wise choice... Jason.
I never have figured out what the hype is about a skid tear loader. I think they are easier for your general flunky to operate. I rock and roll with my bx-22 and 3120. I wouldent have a skid tear loader. over rated.
Having lots of ss hours under my belt for lanscaping/nursery purposes, I can attest that they are indestructible and very time efficient for heavy earth moving jobs; they scrape, load and move gravel extremely easy and their hydraulics are fast and very sturdy for continuous heavy operation. The main drawbacks are ground scaring, stability (w or w/out load), rear visibility and noise. IMHO, would pick a SS since I am familiar and proficient with them. My next pick would be a B-21 kubota or CUT since 99.9% of landscapers need to dig holes and trenches. Depends on your means and and activities, but I would rather own a SS and rent the rest as needed.
I owned a Case 1840 Skid Steer that I used to plow a runway, taxiway, roads, and driveways. I also used this machine for general purposes.
The plus on a skid steer is that they will turn in a tight surface. Something like this is great to dig out a foundation. But the machine has its limitations. Because it sits low to the ground, it is easy to get stuck in the snow with this machine or stuck in tne mud.
I sold the Skid Steer and bought a JD 4110. I put about 400 hours on this tractor. I have yet to get the tractor stuck in snow or mud. Not only can I plow snow with the tractor, I have mowed lawns, used a sweeper to sweep up airport ramp areas, and moved some rocks. I will say the Skid Steer was better suited for moving heavy rocks, etc.
Don't listen to other people. My neighbor wanted me to buy a new pickup truck instead of the tractor and he told me by tractor was a "toy". He hasn't said anything to me after he has seen the tractor in action.
I am moving up to a 3320. At the time, the 4110 was all I could afford, and I needed the different attachments.
Have fun with your new tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif <font color="blue"> </font>
The plus on a skid steer is that they will turn in a tight surface. Something like this is great to dig out a foundation. But the machine has its limitations. Because it sits low to the ground, it is easy to get stuck in the snow with this machine or stuck in tne mud.
I sold the Skid Steer and bought a JD 4110. I put about 400 hours on this tractor. I have yet to get the tractor stuck in snow or mud. Not only can I plow snow with the tractor, I have mowed lawns, used a sweeper to sweep up airport ramp areas, and moved some rocks. I will say the Skid Steer was better suited for moving heavy rocks, etc.
Don't listen to other people. My neighbor wanted me to buy a new pickup truck instead of the tractor and he told me by tractor was a "toy". He hasn't said anything to me after he has seen the tractor in action.
I am moving up to a 3320. At the time, the 4110 was all I could afford, and I needed the different attachments.
Have fun with your new tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif <font color="blue"> </font>
On a finished lawn, you will want the lightest compact or sub-compact tractor you can find that will get the job done in a reasonable amount of time while not producing damage which will take time to repair.
On raw dirt, a higher-powered, heavier machine will be more productive in dirt or material moving. Most tracked ss's are heavier and higher powered than the typical small CUT or sub-CUT.
For mowing, both are out-performed by a dedicated zero-turn or front-mount mowing machine. The tractor with a mid-mower will get the job done, but will be slower. A brush mower on a skid-steer can be productive.
For plowing snow, I would rate the tractor and skid steer about the same (for similar HP / weight machines). A skid steer with tires may be easy becasue the tires will always be worn down and its low ground clearance. Both are out-performed for residential driveways by a 3/4 ton plow truck simply because it can drive to the next house a lot quicker.
The other poster is correct that a lot of land-scaping involves drainage work which means a trencher or back-hoe. Both the tractor and skid-steer are going to be about the same for this. The back-hoe is expensive on either, and so is a trencher attachment.
Irrigation install typically uses a small trencher and/or vibratory plow. Probably a toss-up on this, but a dedicated machine or maybe a walk-behind mini-loader with these attachments might be a better choice for smaller areas.
Small tree planting goes quick with a 30" tree auger - the skid steer will have more hydraulic capacity to run this, but can they can also be fitted to a CUT or a mini-loader.
For sod install prep, a skid steer with a grading bar does a good job, but so does a CUT with the right box blade or the CUT can also use a grading bar, but not as efficiently.
Initial cost is related to profits as well. A lower cost machine that can do a bunch of jobs so-so may be a better investment for a small business when first starting out. As the business grows, specialized machines for each task will be more competitive.
- Rick
On raw dirt, a higher-powered, heavier machine will be more productive in dirt or material moving. Most tracked ss's are heavier and higher powered than the typical small CUT or sub-CUT.
For mowing, both are out-performed by a dedicated zero-turn or front-mount mowing machine. The tractor with a mid-mower will get the job done, but will be slower. A brush mower on a skid-steer can be productive.
For plowing snow, I would rate the tractor and skid steer about the same (for similar HP / weight machines). A skid steer with tires may be easy becasue the tires will always be worn down and its low ground clearance. Both are out-performed for residential driveways by a 3/4 ton plow truck simply because it can drive to the next house a lot quicker.
The other poster is correct that a lot of land-scaping involves drainage work which means a trencher or back-hoe. Both the tractor and skid-steer are going to be about the same for this. The back-hoe is expensive on either, and so is a trencher attachment.
Irrigation install typically uses a small trencher and/or vibratory plow. Probably a toss-up on this, but a dedicated machine or maybe a walk-behind mini-loader with these attachments might be a better choice for smaller areas.
Small tree planting goes quick with a 30" tree auger - the skid steer will have more hydraulic capacity to run this, but can they can also be fitted to a CUT or a mini-loader.
For sod install prep, a skid steer with a grading bar does a good job, but so does a CUT with the right box blade or the CUT can also use a grading bar, but not as efficiently.
Initial cost is related to profits as well. A lower cost machine that can do a bunch of jobs so-so may be a better investment for a small business when first starting out. As the business grows, specialized machines for each task will be more competitive.
- Rick
