jjp8182
Platinum Member
Personally I'd look at the turn radii for each, the heights that need to be reached (and weight capacity for lift height), and if the maximum speeds of each would make a difference for your operation.
If you're operating in a small area where you're continually turning and rarely driving any straight-line distances, then a skid steer/CTL might make the most sense. Though you'll want to be sure it has sufficient lift height/dump clearance for your uses.
If you need maneuverability, high lift/high weight, and higher top speeds for driving distances, then a compact telehandler might be the better option for a dedicated loader.
If you need the higher speeds, and general utility of a tractor, then the other's aren't likely to be helpful. Though you'll likely be buying a lot more tractor to get the same lifting capacity of either a compact telehandler or a skid steer/CTL, ant which point you'd also be gaining more machine height through increased ground clearance.
The other option might be a compact wheel loader - though I'm not sure that it's benefits would really shine that much in rolling terrain.
Of the four the tractor will provide the most challenging visibility for loader applications, as the other three are pretty much optimized for loader work (of slightly different kinds). Which also means that to get tractor with similar lift heights/weights as the smallest compact telehandler/loadall the cost of the tractor will likely be around 1.5x of the smallest compact telehandlers, or largest skid steers/CTLs (unless you find some really good tractor deals).
The way I see things is that all of these machines have their uses and strengths, and it's really just a matter of matching the right type of machine to specific application(S) and budget of the user/buyer. While I admittedly don't have a lot of experience operating every type of machine, I've spent a fair (almost embarrassing) amount of time looking at & comparing each for future purchase(s).
If you're operating in a small area where you're continually turning and rarely driving any straight-line distances, then a skid steer/CTL might make the most sense. Though you'll want to be sure it has sufficient lift height/dump clearance for your uses.
If you need maneuverability, high lift/high weight, and higher top speeds for driving distances, then a compact telehandler might be the better option for a dedicated loader.
If you need the higher speeds, and general utility of a tractor, then the other's aren't likely to be helpful. Though you'll likely be buying a lot more tractor to get the same lifting capacity of either a compact telehandler or a skid steer/CTL, ant which point you'd also be gaining more machine height through increased ground clearance.
The other option might be a compact wheel loader - though I'm not sure that it's benefits would really shine that much in rolling terrain.
Of the four the tractor will provide the most challenging visibility for loader applications, as the other three are pretty much optimized for loader work (of slightly different kinds). Which also means that to get tractor with similar lift heights/weights as the smallest compact telehandler/loadall the cost of the tractor will likely be around 1.5x of the smallest compact telehandlers, or largest skid steers/CTLs (unless you find some really good tractor deals).
The way I see things is that all of these machines have their uses and strengths, and it's really just a matter of matching the right type of machine to specific application(S) and budget of the user/buyer. While I admittedly don't have a lot of experience operating every type of machine, I've spent a fair (almost embarrassing) amount of time looking at & comparing each for future purchase(s).
