Buying Advice Skid steer vs loader tractor vs telehandler

[Peter 315]

Wacker seems to be gaining some popularity locally. What is your impression (for free, of course)?

I like them , They are all close basically all the same machines one might lift a little more or less, But does it really matter what's one or two extra trips View attachment 642691

 

[crashz]

OP - Some wheeled skidsteers are inherently unstable, but the track loaders are typically very stable. One big draw back to me is that you cannot get out of the machine (typically) when the bucket is raised. Its a major safety hazard if you try, and most have so many lockouts and preventive measures, that its nearly impossible on modern machines. This is a big drag when you work solo.

The exception is the JCB and Volvo SS loaders. Who now have a telescoping boom which looks really interesting. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, buy a track version of that!

For the record, my old Bobcat 753 was unstable side to side, but even more so front to back. The tractor is probably no better side to side, but infinitely better front to back. And I can get off the machine to hook and unhook items when working solo. Service is easier, implements are cheaper, WAY better visibility, better speed, and I don't feel that I gave up much other than ease of grading.

 

[Xfaxman]

Got a small farm in Devon, England so land is not flat in the slightest. At the moment we are just running an old IH 454 with a front loader but looking for something a bit bigger and 4wd. Currently moving silage on a rear bale handler. Main uses would be moving straw and silage around for Feeding and bedding in the winter.
Current options we are looking at is an old JCB loadall, a small ish loader tractor or a skid loader.
Loader tractor would be handy in the summer for odd bits of field work but not essential.
Downside of skid steers I遏･ told they豎*e not particularly stable on hills?

I遏･ just curious to hear anyone else逞ｴ thoughts on what may be suitable? Particular things to look out for/avoid?

Any and all advice will be welcomed!

My recommendation is a Compact Telehandler. Very stable on hills and easy to step in and out of the cab.

The JCB Loadall would work but is a lot bigger than the compact JCBs. Some of the older full size telehandlers didn't have 4 wheel steering.

I sold my tractor soon after I got my first Compact Telehandler in 2009: Compact telehandler

And the second one, the smaller V417 a year later:

 

[MossRoad]

Can't do field work with any skid steer, tracked or wheeled. Pull a trailer? Field mowing? Pull a sprayer? Efficiently move round bales across fields. Stuff like that. Wheeled skid steers are notorious for tearing up the ground, so your fields, paddocks, grass around a barn or house, etc... will be toast. For the uses you mentioned, a tractor loader with a 3pt hitch would seem the prudent choice.

 

[LouNY]

Tractor first choice for me,
a Telehandler coming in second,
third would be an articulating wheel loader,
in a distant 4th would be a skid steer.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Got a small farm in Devon, England so land is not flat in the slightest. At the moment we are just running an old IH 454 with a front loader but looking for something a bit bigger and 4wd. Currently moving silage on a rear bale handler. Main uses would be moving straw and silage around for Feeding and bedding in the winter.
Current options we are looking at is an old JCB loadall, a small ish loader tractor or a skid loader.
Loader tractor would be handy in the summer for odd bits of field work but not essential.
Downside of skid steers I知 told theyæ±*e not particularly stable on hills?

I知 just curious to hear anyone else痴 thoughts on what may be suitable? Particular things to look out for/avoid?

Any and all advice will be welcomed!

If you really arent doing plowing, discing type work with the equipment a good choice may be an articulated, telescopic wheel loader. Im not really sure whats available in your market (or budget) but I added a couple of youtube links for you

New Avant 8 Series compact articulated loader performing on the farm - YouTube

JCB TM32S Telemaster Telescopic Wheel Loader Working on the Farm - YouTube

Comparison test: Dieci, Schaffer, Weidemann, JCB (Part 6, conclusion) - YouTube

 

[finn1]

I was somewhat surprised at the popularity of the small telehandlers when traveling through rural Germany, France, Italy, and Austria a couple of years ago. They were a common fixture on small farms, and seemed fairly versatile, much to my surprise.

 

[Xfaxman]

I was somewhat surprised at the popularity of the small telehandlers when traveling through rural Germany, France, Italy, and Austria a couple of years ago. They were a common fixture on small farms, and seemed fairly versatile, much to my surprise.

You would not have surprised if you had seen the pictures in this thread: Compact telehandler

And this one: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/277824-tree-puller-post3284102.html#post3284102

 

[PROFarms]

contest? A tractor loader can move 2 bales, one front, one (or more, size dependent) on rear. Of course, you could use just a trailer.

The moving of bales is only to take them from a stack to feed out so trailer like that wouldn’t really be suitable

 

[Bavarian]

Did you look at Merlo? A combination of Telehandler at the front and tractor at the back. Low center of gravity compared to a tractor and more lift capacity of a tractor, four wheel steering for tight turns but not as aggressive as a skid steer.

 

[4570Man]

contest? A tractor loader can move 2 bales, one front, one (or more, size dependent) on rear. Of course, you could use just a trailer.

If you feel so inclined to move bales 2 at a time build a double fork for the CTL. The rear of the tractor can’t put bales in a bale ring, load/unload wagons or stack them in a barn so you’re pretty limited with that option.

 

[Peter 315]

If you feel so inclined to move bales 2 at a time build a double fork for the CTL. The rear of the tractor can稚 put bales in a bale ring, load/unload wagons or stack them in a barn so you?*e pretty limited with that option.

TWO BALES easy peasy...

 

[metalbender]

The small Merlo with pto and three point has me salivating. Hi flo hydraulics on the boom would be great for a front blower. The possibilities and versatility seem endless.

 

[Bavarian]

The small Merlo with pto and three point has me salivating. Hi flo hydraulics on the boom would be great for a front blower. The possibilities and versatility seem endless.

A used one popped up today in our area. Tried to gather a few specs. It's a bit difficult to get them. The 30.6 weighs around 14000 lbs, lifts about 6600, reaches out horizontal around 10ft with about 3000lbs. Reaches around 18 ft high at 3000lbs.
3 pt lift is around 8000 lbs.
Can't remember the hydraulic flow. But it seems like they are not designed to operate machinery with continuous flow at the boom. The long lines are killing flow rates on top.

 

[metalbender]

Guess that's why I've only seen them doing snow control with a blade or pusher. Did see a pic of one with a conventional rear blower. Has the lift capacity for a healthy self powered blower. Visions dancing in my head.

 

[finn1]

Yes, I would still be surprised. In my travels throughout the US, the telehandler is rarely seen here in non-construction use., relatively speaking. In Europe, they seem to be more mainstream. Here it痴 more of a niche application, again, solely from my observations, with, obviously, some strong devotees!

You would not have surprised if you had seen the pictures in this thread: Compact telehandler

And this one: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/277824-tree-puller-post3284102.html#post3284102

 

[Jchonline]

How large is the farm? How many livestock and what types?

The issue still is do you get the best machine for the main task you have, or do you compromise with one that can do a bunch of things but not as well. The tractor will be the most versatile. The CTL will be the best at moving things with the loader (bales, silage, etc). It is also a rough ride. The treads offer no cushion for bumps, rocks, etc. You feel them all on hard ground. The Telehandler is also great at moving but it isnt as maneuverable as a CTL in tight places and often more expensive.

Just based on what you have said I would consider Tractor, Telehandler, CTL in that order.

 

[metalbender]

The Merlo is just a pipe dream for me. 160 acres, of that 100 is rented out. So just the home site, quite a bit of bush and slough, no livestock or hay. Lots of open space to romp around with a fun toy.

 

[Bavarian]

60 acres would be more than enough room for a Merlo to life a happy live.

 

[Farmer495]

Compact telehandler would be an all purpose dedicated loader for farm use.

I've run skidsteer loaders, great in small barns and tight places, useless in the mud, I would not have one as an "only loader" on a farm.

4x4 farm tractor with front end loader most versatile. Utility open station for ease of getting on and off.

The OP has a 444 IH, a 50 HP hydro 4x4 with loader would do the same work and still be usable in the field. I'd settle for any 4x4 shuttle tractor compared to a crash box 8F 2R 2wd 444.