skidsteer versus tractor

[tmc2318]

I recently purchased a Bobcat S130 due to auction fever and had a chance last weekend to put it to work. I've never really had a good chance to operate a skidsteer before but am now in the process of building a house and thought it might come in handy. Loading it on my trailer proved the first trial; any unequal movement on the hand controls would promptly kick out the coresponding ramp half way up causing the back tire to drop and I almost tipped in the parking lot. Add that to the fact you can't see the rear tires and it was a lot of fun.
Finally got to my property and unloaded and started moving dirt. The controls are very different as compared to my tractor as I move with my foot and operate the loader with my hand. The opposite is true for the bobcat so it was a lot of concentration to do anything. The one thing I do like about the bobcat is the ability to see the bucket edge which I can't with my tractor. Backing up is also fun because you can't see behind you and driving over anything bigger that a cigarette butt makes you feel like you going to tip it over. Being that low to the ground and bouncing around is also not that great. The bucket is too close to the front tires so piling dirt is tough.
After that it was great to climb into my L3540 cab, crank the radio and relax.

Anyone else prefer their tractor to a skidsteer?

 

[kevinj]

Anyone else prefer their tractor to a skidsteer?

Yep !

 

[Doug Sinjem]

I recently purchased a Bobcat S130 due to auction fever and had a chance last weekend to put it to work. I've never really had a good chance to operate a skidsteer before but am now in the process of building a house and thought it might come in handy. Loading it on my trailer proved the first trial; any unequal movement on the hand controls would promptly kick out the coresponding ramp half way up causing the back tire to drop and I almost tipped in the parking lot. Add that to the fact you can't see the rear tires and it was a lot of fun.
Finally got to my property and unloaded and started moving dirt. The controls are very different as compared to my tractor as I move with my foot and operate the loader with my hand. The opposite is true for the bobcat so it was a lot of concentration to do anything. The one thing I do like about the bobcat is the ability to see the bucket edge which I can't with my tractor. Backing up is also fun because you can't see behind you and driving over anything bigger that a cigarette butt makes you feel like you going to tip it over. Being that low to the ground and bouncing around is also not that great. The bucket is too close to the front tires so piling dirt is tough.
After that it was great to climb into my L3540 cab, crank the radio and relax.

Anyone else prefer their tractor to a skidsteer?

I have a L3130 with FEL, BH and 3 way gannon and it's great for what it's for. I have ran skid steers before with the same problems you have spoke about...but they do have their place. They are great for loading dirt(they have good size buckets) in tight quarters. They are excellent for demo etc. I am looking at a skid steer track loader. They are smoother than a traditional skid steer and have better traction in certain conditions. Most of them have all the controls in the handles instead of foot pedals...i hate those.

Doug

 

[bandit67]

Anyone else prefer their tractor to a skidsteer?

Yep, I do. There are a few guys in my neighborhood with skid steers, but their properties are much flatter than mine. I think a skid steer on my property would be more like a roll steer. I have a neighbor that has a skid steer and an L3010, because the more specialized skid steer isn't as well suited to a lot of the typical tractor tasks. I'd need a track model skid steer on my property.

However, they are good at what they are designed for. A powerful loader in a compact package, can take a lot of abuse, and can move a large amount of material in a short period of time.

 

[LBrown59]

Anyone else prefer their tractor to a skidsteer?

ME 4 1 L B

 

[Danno1]

.

So many years went by between the last time I drove a ss and buying my tractor that I can't really remember. I can say this though; I prefer the tractor bec it's not a rental !!!

.

 

[dfkrug]

I recently purchased a Bobcat S130 due to auction fever and had a chance last weekend to put it to work. I've never really had a good chance to operate a skidsteer before but am now in the process of building a house and thought it might come in handy. Loading it on my trailer proved the first trial; any unequal movement on the hand controls would promptly kick out the coresponding ramp half way up causing the back tire to drop and I almost tipped in the parking lot. Add that to the fact you can't see the rear tires and it was a lot of fun.
Finally got to my property and unloaded and started moving dirt. The controls are very different as compared to my tractor as I move with my foot and operate the loader with my hand. The opposite is true for the bobcat so it was a lot of concentration to do anything. The one thing I do like about the bobcat is the ability to see the bucket edge which I can't with my tractor. Backing up is also fun because you can't see behind you and driving over anything bigger that a cigarette butt makes you feel like you going to tip it over. Being that low to the ground and bouncing around is also not that great. The bucket is too close to the front tires so piling dirt is tough.
After that it was great to climb into my L3540 cab, crank the radio and relax.

Anyone else prefer their tractor to a skidsteer?

That is a very good list of pros & cons, TMC.

I have lots of experience on CUTs (owning, renting, operating, etc), but
just a few hours on skids. Building contractors seem to prefer SS's, prob
cuz they can maneuver in tight spaces very well. These are very compact
and powerful packages.

A couple of other cons I see with SS's:
> you can't really tow anything, like a trailer
> they tear the crap out of your land and unpaved roads, if you do any
turning
> if your surfaces are paved, tires get worn out FAST
> a PITA to repeatedly get in and out, esp when using a backhoe

...and more SS pros:
> greater hyd flow & pressure for implements
> fairly standard QA for implements

 

[nh DRAGON]

Con: Don't for get the fact that you can get trapped in one. Last year we were hauling fill to a leach field behind a lake and the guy that hired me has a skid steer on track made by Cat. He was working on a side hill and it slid into a tree. It was stuck, Just digging a hole, and because he was pinned to the tree he couldn't get the cadge open. It was a good thing he had a cell phone! Oh yeah, Skid steers are not good a finishing a slope either, We had to bring in our dozer for that. then the Bota rakes it out and it's good to go..