HayDR
Veteran Member, Approved Advertiser
A Bobcat with tracks on it is like going from a 2 WD tractor to a 4 WD tractor.
Tractor vs. Skid Steer
- Thread starter kch
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RobertN
Super Member
3pt hitches and pto drive are available aftermarket. I looked a while back; I think it was $1500 or there.
ASVi has thier own 3pt setup for one of thier track loaders, but the machine is a big one(80hp or so I think).
Since using the track loader, especially with suspension, I have been impressed, as can be seen in my posts. I'm just not in posistion to spend right now.
ASVi has thier own 3pt setup for one of thier track loaders, but the machine is a big one(80hp or so I think).
Since using the track loader, especially with suspension, I have been impressed, as can be seen in my posts. I'm just not in posistion to spend right now.
grandad
Platinum Member
Those tracked units sure look to be the way to go in a skidsteer. But either type seems best suited for job site, commercial and farm/ranch situations where there is no concern about tearing up the lawn, pasture, driveway, etc. every time you make a turn.
Have you ever compared cost figures for a skidsteer implement vs. the equivalent 3pt type? I don't know but would guess the skidsteer stuff would be quite a bit more costly since it would run from hydraulics vs. PTO and may be designed more for commercial-duty than most small tractor implements.
Some of the newer skidsteers have full climate controlled cabs, but every one of the good 'ol boys I know that have one picks the grit from their teeth at quittin' time. They are the only people on the planet that can make me feel downright genteel after a day on the tractor!
Have you ever compared cost figures for a skidsteer implement vs. the equivalent 3pt type? I don't know but would guess the skidsteer stuff would be quite a bit more costly since it would run from hydraulics vs. PTO and may be designed more for commercial-duty than most small tractor implements.
Some of the newer skidsteers have full climate controlled cabs, but every one of the good 'ol boys I know that have one picks the grit from their teeth at quittin' time. They are the only people on the planet that can make me feel downright genteel after a day on the tractor!
I would agree from observing the various professionals work on my construction project, the skid-steers with tracks (track loaders) are the way to go for off-road use. There does not appear to be very many skid steer products in the "estate" or sub-compact range of size, cost, or heavy-dutiness.
The ASV comes close, but still it appears to be designed and marketed to the rental industry. Anything else?
I am working on putting the hydraulics and mount adapter on my CUT so I can take Skid-Steer and mini-loader attachments that are much easier to rent.
Also, the hydraulic drive on many of the attachments gives you more control and reverse! Where the PTO version of the same thing probably uses the PTO clutch which is either engaged or not and probably has no reverse.
So, in a perfect world, you would have four machines in your garage/shed:
1. A ZTR or front-mount mower dedicated for finish mowing. Might be useful for snowblowing as well if it has that option and a cab.
2. A smaller skid steer / track-loader with a bucket, forks, and maybe a 6-way mini dozer blade. Add a snow blade and delete the snowblower above if you like to plow instead of blow.
3. A mini track-hoe for any excavating.
4. A CUT for brush-cutting and any pulled-behind light-ground engaging and actual cultivating. Things like a harrow, rake, seeder, aerator come to mind.
Many "estate" size CUT's try and combine functions 1,2, and 4. Add a BH for 3. They tend to be a compromise on any given task, or optimized for tassks 1 or 4 and marginal on the others.
Machines like the John Deere 110 TLB try and combine functions 2,3, and 4 and give up on finish mowing, but since finish mowing is a primary chore for many "estate" owners, its a poor choice of machine for them.
Maybe a "kit" machine that can be configured for each use:
A power plant with hydraulics: 20, 50, or 100 HP options.
A cab and control system.
A swappable under-carriage: tracks, tracks with a rotating platform (like a mini-hoe), skid-wheels, or 4-wheel steering wheels.
Loader arms on the front with a skid-steer style quick attach.
A 3-point on the back.
A hard-mount backhoe on the front, but with the operator remaining in the main cab/seat so they can also drive around like a mini-track-hoe can.
All pieces quick-attach. Worst case configuration change on level, hard ground: 10 minutes.
- Rick
The ASV comes close, but still it appears to be designed and marketed to the rental industry. Anything else?
I am working on putting the hydraulics and mount adapter on my CUT so I can take Skid-Steer and mini-loader attachments that are much easier to rent.
Also, the hydraulic drive on many of the attachments gives you more control and reverse! Where the PTO version of the same thing probably uses the PTO clutch which is either engaged or not and probably has no reverse.
So, in a perfect world, you would have four machines in your garage/shed:
1. A ZTR or front-mount mower dedicated for finish mowing. Might be useful for snowblowing as well if it has that option and a cab.
2. A smaller skid steer / track-loader with a bucket, forks, and maybe a 6-way mini dozer blade. Add a snow blade and delete the snowblower above if you like to plow instead of blow.
3. A mini track-hoe for any excavating.
4. A CUT for brush-cutting and any pulled-behind light-ground engaging and actual cultivating. Things like a harrow, rake, seeder, aerator come to mind.
Many "estate" size CUT's try and combine functions 1,2, and 4. Add a BH for 3. They tend to be a compromise on any given task, or optimized for tassks 1 or 4 and marginal on the others.
Machines like the John Deere 110 TLB try and combine functions 2,3, and 4 and give up on finish mowing, but since finish mowing is a primary chore for many "estate" owners, its a poor choice of machine for them.
Maybe a "kit" machine that can be configured for each use:
A power plant with hydraulics: 20, 50, or 100 HP options.
A cab and control system.
A swappable under-carriage: tracks, tracks with a rotating platform (like a mini-hoe), skid-wheels, or 4-wheel steering wheels.
Loader arms on the front with a skid-steer style quick attach.
A 3-point on the back.
A hard-mount backhoe on the front, but with the operator remaining in the main cab/seat so they can also drive around like a mini-track-hoe can.
All pieces quick-attach. Worst case configuration change on level, hard ground: 10 minutes.
- Rick
BigAl
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2003
- Messages
- 579
- Tractor
- Kioti DK45TLB
For a easy answer to your question , drive by your local rental yard . You will find 10 CUT's and 2 Skid Steers at the one here in my town . They are in business to make money and know what seems to rent best , for a person's needs . The CUT's just have more ability to do different jobs than the Skid Steers for the average homeowner . I know that statement will make a few Skid Steer owners mad ,but it is not intended to . Confined area's = skid steer , hills and rougher ground = CUT
Big Al
Big Al
BigAl
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2003
- Messages
- 579
- Tractor
- Kioti DK45TLB
My Bother is a concrete contractor and has a skid steer .I do not think they dig better . He uses them for the tight cornering and ability to get where CUT's would have a problem getting .
Big Al
Big Al
grandad
Platinum Member
That will be one BIG garage!
RobertN
Super Member
I've used skidsteers and track-loaders. Of note, you can see what you are loading. Most skid steers are bigger than CUT's, with more loader capacity. They also tend towards more hydraulic system capacity, since they run hydraulic implments.
The Bobcat 463 I used is more comparable to my B8200 for hp and lift capacity. It could do loader operations faster, and seemed to dig better, but it had a toothbar bucket. Mostly it manuevered faster, even though top ground sped was slower. Oh, and at 36" wide, it fit in REAL tight places...
The Bobcat 463 I used is more comparable to my B8200 for hp and lift capacity. It could do loader operations faster, and seemed to dig better, but it had a toothbar bucket. Mostly it manuevered faster, even though top ground sped was slower. Oh, and at 36" wide, it fit in REAL tight places...
RobertN
Super Member
There are not many "CUT" sized skid steers and/or track loaders. Bobcat's 463 comes to mind, as does the ASVi RC30. There is also a New Holland and a Mustang that is small, but with gas engines???
For cost, skid steers are more expensive, and rubber track-loaders even more.
Out here, I have not found anywhere to rent 3pt equipment. But, "skidsteer" type implemnets are available.
I could see the track-loader doing most things, except for pulling; that is why Farmall's were invented /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
In a perfect world, for me at least, imho, fwiw, A track-loader could do most work. For finish mowing and pulling, cultivating ect an Farmall-Super-A or AC-B(or maybe an so ugly it's cool AC-G) is the ticket. 'Course, my Farmall has won parades while towing Cub Scout floats, so I'm kinda partial.
Most of your post is right on the mark though. Of importance I think front quick attach with hydrualics, and back quick attach is important. I wish 3pt attach was as simple as the "universal skisteer attach". Some aftermarket hitches come close, but I have not fessed up the $$$ for them /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
For cost, skid steers are more expensive, and rubber track-loaders even more.
Out here, I have not found anywhere to rent 3pt equipment. But, "skidsteer" type implemnets are available.
I could see the track-loader doing most things, except for pulling; that is why Farmall's were invented /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
In a perfect world, for me at least, imho, fwiw, A track-loader could do most work. For finish mowing and pulling, cultivating ect an Farmall-Super-A or AC-B(or maybe an so ugly it's cool AC-G) is the ticket. 'Course, my Farmall has won parades while towing Cub Scout floats, so I'm kinda partial.
Most of your post is right on the mark though. Of importance I think front quick attach with hydrualics, and back quick attach is important. I wish 3pt attach was as simple as the "universal skisteer attach". Some aftermarket hitches come close, but I have not fessed up the $$$ for them /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif