Skid Steer or Utility Tractor

[Dargo]

I would think that from what you say you want to do, a 4x4 tractor is your best bet ,just my 2 cents worth. good luck!!

Having both machines (and really pleased with both), I would agree with your assessment.

 

[VTSasquatch]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will stick to the tractor idea. I sold one of my boats today and have $6k in my pocket. If possible I will try to keep the price to about that much. I am now leaning toward a small, used kubota with a loader if I can find one.

I found one that I may be interested in. One that I found online and want to look at is a 1983 Kubota L305 with 900 hours and 4wd. It is a 30 hp (25 pto hp). The asking price is $6300. Do you guys know if these are reliable tractors?

 

[Redgoatea]

You're best bet would be to hit up the kubota forum and ask them. Happy Hunting and good luck. 7

 

[RobertN]

I have used some of both. My previous Kubota was a 19hp CUT, my current NH is a 40HP CUT. Used a Kubota L35, and a couple others.

Have used a couple tracked loaders, and a couple skid steers. Like the track loaders best out of that group., especially with a clamshell bucket. Those ranged from a small Bobcat, to large 60hp Bobcats and Cat's.

I found:

SS/CTL will outload and dig a similar size tractor.
SS/CTL will do a LOT of stuff; there is a myriad of attachments
CUT/UT tractor implements are a lot cheaper
CUT/UT tractors are less expensive
In my area, you can rent attachments for a SS/CTL
Never seen rentals for 3-point attachments
A SS/CTL can do anything a CUT/UT can do, usually faster
A CUT/UT can work tillage, plows ect. ASV used to make a CTL with a 3point setup.

Overall, a CUT/UT will be a better home owner tractor, simply because less expensive. Also, generally easy to use. My buddies Bobcat S185 is a great SS. But, it was $27k new. 56HP, hi-flow hydraulics, but expensive.

For the acreage you are talking about, I wouldn't go smaller than 40-50HP in a tractor. I would also consider hiring a dozer for big work, then cleanup/finish with your tractor. And, be open to renting a SS/CTL for some projects, cause they can do stuff faster than a CUT/UT.

 

[RobertN]

Forgot one thing... skidsteers have TONS of implements available for them... splitters, mowers, back hoes(well, they go on the front), trenchers, various buckets. Just look at the small list at the Bobcat site as example

All Attachments - Bobcat Company

 

[Dargo]

Forgot one thing... skidsteers have TONS of implements available for them... splitters, mowers, back hoes(well, they go on the front), trenchers, various buckets. Just look at the small list at the Bobcat site as example

All Attachments - Bobcat Company

My only addition would be to go for plenty of hp with a tracked skid steer. My Takeuchi (invented tracked skid steers BTW) has right at 100 hp and it feels about right. I had a 60 hp skid steer and it really lacked for power at times when digging or moving things. I have the 72" extreme duty bucket on my Takeuchi from these guys Skid Steer 4 in 1 bucket I have beaten it as hard as I'm going to use my machine and it hasn't bent or failed in any way. I know that when I use it on my tractor it feels like it weighs more than the normal 84" HD Worksite skid steer bucket I normally run on it. If I had much lower than 100 hp on either machine I think it would hurt productivity.

 

[jesnic]

I would agree that a track skid steer is the ticket, if you can afford to feed it. I had a Case 1840, then an 1845, both rubber tire. They simply would work all day long and do what ever I asked of them,but at a cost. Each machine would run for about 4-5 hous on 10 gallons of fuel. My tractors can run for days on less fuel. Time is something I have, so I use it and enjoy the seat tie in the tractor. When I am working for clients, I now rent the skid steers or track loader and save the fun time for myself on my tractors. Also, a friend of mine has a Bobcat TL-190. It doesn't have much ground clearance. It got stuck crossing the creek that my tractor rolled through with the bush hog attached. But the Bobcat was so heavy, my tractor could not pluck it from the creek bottom. He rented a very large track loader to pull it out. It still had trouble getting it out. I then used the tractor and box blade to clean the bank and lawn due to the damage from the tracks.

 

[Redgoatea]

I would agree that a track skid steer is the ticket, if you can afford to feed it. I had a Case 1840, then an 1845, both rubber tire. They simply would work all day long and do what ever I asked of them,but at a cost. Each machine would run for about 4-5 hous on 10 gallons of fuel.

A very valid point that I left out of my post my skid does go through fuel about three times faster if not more than either of the tractors. 7

 

[flusher]

Thanks for the advice on the Ford tractor.

The more I think about things I am now wondering if I should be looking at a skid steer instead of a tractor. Here is my situatuation: I bought a 130-acre property in the mountains. It is mostly forested but has a powerline right of way that cuts through it that is brush and weeds. I am looking to create wildlife openings and foodplots, maintain the gravel driveway, move dirt and gravel, clear some stumps, big rocks, brush and small trees and possibly clear some snow. I would also like to clear an area of young woods (logged about 10 years ago) to plant a small orchard of maybe 10-12 standard apple trees. While the property is fairly big, only an acre or two will be worked. There are some pretty steep places on the land in case that makes a difference. This is a forested plot, not a farm.

I already have a 4x4 atv (Brute Force 750i) with a trail-behind roughcut mower and a disc harrow. The atv is capable of mowing what little I do mow but I imagine a bush hog on a compact tractor would work better. The tractors I am looking at are from about 20 hp - 30 hp diesels weighing about 2,000 - 2,500 lbs. I don't want to spend more than about $7,000 since I will leave this at the camp (several hours away) and already have too many "work implements" (since we aren't supposed to call them toys). I noticed that some New Holland skid-steer loaders can be bought used in my price range that have 40+ hp and weigh over 4000 lbs. I imagine these would do a better job clearing woods/brush into fields. They are probably considerably less versitile though, and you never know what attachments you might want (like a bush hog, a log splitter, box scraper, etc.) that are more readily available for a tractor. Also, I am going to have to find a big trailer to get a 4,000 lb machine to the property (right now I have a single axle rated for 3,000 lbs gross and 2500 lbs net - enough for some compact tractors).

I have operated small tractors before (wheel horse and old cub cadet) but never one with a loader or a skid steer. What are the benefits and drawbacks to each. What would you do? Thanks

I have a 2008 Mahindra 5525 diesel tractor (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD, gear tranny, power steering) with the ML250 FEL (6-ft wide bucket, 2950 lb lift to 10.5 ft) and a standard skid steer adapter on the FEL arms. Can't beat that setup for versatility. The only drawback compared to a large skid steer is the flow capability of the hydraulics (my 5525 has 10.5 gpm, large skid steers can be double this).



A nice advantage of this setup is how easy it is to build your own attachments that fit onto the skid steer adapter--like this bale squeeze I build several years ago. Saved about $4K by going the DIY route.



Good luck in your quest.

 

[international]

Personally, I think you would get more money out of a 40hp 4X4 diesel tractor. A skidsteer is vesitile but on steep slopes and rough terrain, it might not be the best choice. You might have to extend your budget by a couple grand for a tractor, loader, and a Bradco backhoe. The loader may not have the break-out force of a skid-loader, but the hoe can dig your saplings out and the loader comes in handy for clearing and piling brush. Also, most of the new loaders for tractors use a quick-disconnect like all the skidsteers. I would suggest buying a a grapple.

As for the skidsteer...To do what you want to do, a 4000lb machine isn't gonna do squat. To do what you want, you'll need at least 70hp. To run a brush-hog or backhoe off of one, you need a good bit of power. Plus, for the price you set, your looking at a pretty beat-up machine.

Overall, a skidsteer may be a little quicker, the tractor/backhoe combination would be the most efficient along with the most bang for your buck.