What to look for in a Skid Steer.

[jk96]

A little over 5 acres

If 5 acres have you considered renting a machine with mulching head.

 

[airbiscuit]

Chainsaw and a grapple to get the trees down and burned. A forestry mulcher to "civilize" the woods.
Connected to a Compact Track Loader?

 

[jk96]

If 5 acres have you considered renting a machine with mulching head.

Or contracting it out. 5 acres would be a 1 to 2 day job depending on the site and type/number of trees for someone with a mulchine head.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I would do some pricing a 100 HP CTL if bought new is going to run you around $100k, a brand name mulching head a minimum of $25k, add stump buckets, forestry brushcutters, grapples etc, you see where I'm going. I have a 75 HP CTL and do a lot of work with it for other people as a retirement side gig but I don't jump on jobs to remove lots of 20" trees, I consider myself proficient at lot clearing, property clean-up, underbrushing, forestry mowing, tree and debris removal with a grapple and chainsaw but a 5 acre land clearing job with 20" trees is better left to someone with a track hoe, wheel loader and dozer IMHO. Good luck with whatever you decide but look at what all your options are before you spend a dime. Charlie.

 

[CyberCop]

Tracks, grapple, stump grinder, and possibly a stump bucket. Got it.

@jk96 said "For clearing, the larger you can afford the better.". What would be the minimum I should consider?

What would be the minimum hours I should consider if I do not buy new? (never owned a skid steer before).

would a Kubota SVL75-2 work?

More info. Going to clear about 5 acres of land trying to keep the big hardwoods. Also demo of 2 trailers on the property.

Will be creating a pasture for mini cows and mini horses/shetlands. Also creating a small area for breeding.

Will be using the Skidsteer and my L3540 for general maintenance afterwards.

 

[5030]

My only comment on skid steers is not a Kubota, even though I own Kubota tractors and hay tools, I've read Kubota skids have issues and they are difficult to service as well.

 

[CyberCop]

thanks for all the replies. Was looking at a SVL75-2 since the long term will be maintenance. I've seen that model take trailers down, so I can actually do that. Contractors want $10k per trailer for removal so will pay for some of the skid steer. Plus, it would be a great toy to play with and learn on. (kinda a Kubota fan boy, but not locked in if it makes financial sense)

What is the maximum hours I should consider.

Will probably consider contracting a dozer for the major work and cleanup with a skid steer, just worried about a dozer being able to be nimble enough for working between the larger trees I want to keep. Also worried about hurting the root system of the bigger trees so maybe a skid steer with a stump grinder is a good option.

Once again, thanks for the replies.

 

[CyberCop]

My only comment on skid steers is not a Kubota, even though I own Kubota tractors and hay tools, I've read Kubota skids have issues and they are difficult to service as well.

Good info to know. What would you/all recommend?

 

[4570Man]

My only comment on skid steers is not a Kubota, even though I own Kubota tractors and hay tools, I've read Kubota skids have issues and they are difficult to service as well.

Skid steers have a lot of parts crammed in a small package. Which ones aren’t hard to work on? I’d like to know so I can go buy one.

 

[airbiscuit]

It helps if you can dislocate your shoulder like Houdini,