Would you give up a tractor for a skid steer (CTL)?

[Jarrett]

I have a 2003 Kubota L3130 tractor, MFWD with FEL that I bought brand new. It has served me well. It only has ~520 hrs on it. I only use it for personal use around my 5 acre home place plus occasionally doing small projects for family. I've been thinking that a tracked skid steer would suit me better for the tasks that I use my tractor for. I use it for grading the driveway, moving material & debris, lifting things with the loader, and a little bit of bush hogging once or twice a year. I have a rear blade, box blade, grademaster grader, landscape rake, bush hog, and pallet forks. I'm in the middle of a big project of regrading my yard to address some drainage issues that I've put off far too long. One of the things driving me to consider something different is I'm wanting something with a cab and AC. Although I'm still "young" (43), I live in south Louisiana and I can't handle the heat like I used to. I first thought about upgrading to a cab tractor, but in doing this project I keep thinking that a skid steer would work so much better than the tractor. If I did mostly mowing, I think the tractor would be better. In order to get a skid steer, I would have to sell the tractor. Am I crazy for considering a skid steer over a tractor for around the home use? If I was in the grading and excavating business the skid steer would be a no brainer.

 

[4570Man]

I have a CTL. A CTL is far stronger and more durable than a tractor. The biggest downside is a tractor can work on grass without tearing it up where the CTL is quite destructive even if you’re being careful.

 

[workinonit]

I would love to have a SS but most of what I do if on turf and you cannot run a SS on turf or anywhere you care about being torn up. It absolutely demolishes what it runs on just like an excavator. They are some expensive machines as well.

 

[Rustyiron]

Although there's a tiny overlap of abilities, they are really very different tools, like an adjustable wrench is to an actual wrench.
The closest you can get (in terms of lawn or "terrain damage" would be on of Bobcats all wheel steer models and this of course does not get you the tracks - if you need them. That's a different discussion.

 

[sea2summit]

Damage is something you’ll have to consider when driving anything with a pivot steer but it can be done, tracks may have an advantage. For most of the jobs you’re talking about a skid steer does have the advantage…except for cost. Both initial investment and attachments are going to be very high. Also consider if you plan to mow with it you’ll not only need the mower but hi flow hydraulics.

Over all between bigger cabbed tractor or CTL for those jobs CTL is probably the winner aside from cost. Versatility down the road may also tip to the tractor which is something else to consider (put a good plot in on the hunting lease, till mom’s garden, etc.).

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a 2003 Kubota L3130 tractor, MFWD with FEL that I bought brand new. It has served me well. It only has ~520 hrs on it. I only use it for personal use around my 5 acre home place plus occasionally doing small projects for family. I've been thinking that a tracked skid steer would suit me better for the tasks that I use my tractor for. I use it for grading the driveway, moving material & debris, lifting things with the loader, and a little bit of bush hogging once or twice a year. I have a rear blade, box blade, grademaster grader, landscape rake, bush hog, and pallet forks. I'm in the middle of a big project of regrading my yard to address some drainage issues that I've put off far too long. One of the things driving me to consider something different is I'm wanting something with a cab and AC. Although I'm still "young" (43), I live in south Louisiana and I can't handle the heat like I used to. I first thought about upgrading to a cab tractor, but in doing this project I keep thinking that a skid steer would work so much better than the tractor. If I did mostly mowing, I think the tractor would be better. In order to get a skid steer, I would have to sell the tractor. Am I crazy for considering a skid steer over a tractor for around the home use? If I was in the grading and excavating business the skid steer would be a no brainer.

No, not crazy at all. That’s a lot of attachments you have to replace, though. Outside of a bucket or pallet forks or bale spear, everything on a skiddy will be pushed that your tractor now pulls.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Maybe you should consider renting a skid steer for this project. Used equipment prices are pretty high right now.

Or you could go ahead and buy a skid steer, use if for this project, then sell it when you are done.

For an example of prices of used equipment, I bought a skid steer last fall for $17,500 from a rental company in Lafayette.

About 2 weeks ago, a very similar skid steer sold at an auction in Jennings for $18,000. It was from the same rental company and had about the same hours as mine had. Today that same skid steer is listed on Facebook Marketplace for $25,000.

 

[LouNY]

One big thing to consider is access to the cab and getting out of the cab while any attachment is lifted.
Also many times a cab door doesn't have the clearance to open with many attachments if lifted just a couple of inches.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

One big thing to consider is access to the cab and getting out of the cab while any attachment is lifted.
Also many times a cab door doesn't have the clearance to open with many attachments if lifted just a couple of inches.

This is very true. It is very difficult to get in or out of a skid steer, if the attachment is not all the way down on the ground.

 

[blacktruck]

I have a 2003 Kubota L3130 tractor, MFWD with FEL that I bought brand new. It has served me well. It only has ~520 hrs on it. I only use it for personal use around my 5 acre home place plus occasionally doing small projects for family. I've been thinking that a tracked skid steer would suit me better for the tasks that I use my tractor for. I use it for grading the driveway, moving material & debris, lifting things with the loader, and a little bit of bush hogging once or twice a year. I have a rear blade, box blade, grademaster grader, landscape rake, bush hog, and pallet forks. I'm in the middle of a big project of regrading my yard to address some drainage issues that I've put off far too long. One of the things driving me to consider something different is I'm wanting something with a cab and AC. Although I'm still "young" (43), I live in south Louisiana and I can't handle the heat like I used to. I first thought about upgrading to a cab tractor, but in doing this project I keep thinking that a skid steer would work so much better than the tractor. If I did mostly mowing, I think the tractor would be better. In order to get a skid steer, I would have to sell the tractor. Am I crazy for considering a skid steer over a tractor for around the home use? If I was in the grading and excavating business the skid steer would be a no brainer.

You asked.
My opinion is there is very little overlap of tasks that can be equally performed by either piece of equipment. Choose carefully the tasks you anticipate doing and let that decide what piece of equipment you need. The tasks aside, as mentioned above the access to the cab with almost anything attached to the arms of a CTL is non-existent on everything with a standard front door. I think Volvo and JCB make a side door model. I've spent many hours in a skid steer or CTL and have found that to be just a pain. They aren't easy to get in the operator seat and once you raise the arms, for the most you are locked in place. CTLs and skid steers have a place in the world but for homeowner type of tasks, I would prefer a tractor. A cab model might be better choice for you. Easy to access and it keeps you cool on your tractor.