Skidder or Tractor? If you could only have one.

[Jstpssng]

Alright, with a small tractor and a more capable skid steer that makes sense.

In my case, the M6040 can lift much more than the NH L218 can. It's not 10 times the machine, but maybe about twice.

Although it does circumvent the OP's question "If you could only have one".

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Although it does circumvent the OP's question "If you could only have one".

I'm not good at having only one...not at all.

Maybe some day somebody will invent a machine that can do most everything well, but until then I'll have multiples of several things.

Heck, with four backhoes I still don't have one that's great once outside its particular strengths.

 

[bcp]

Like asking:

"If you could have only one screwdriver..."

"If you could have only one size socket..."

Bruce

 

[Xfaxman]

My cutter throws debris out the rear when I cut brush. I don’t want that thing in front of me.

This one is designed to throw it out the front:

 

[scootr]

I have a tractor, a skid steer, and a forklift. It takes all 3 to have the best tool for the job. In my option aka experience, a tractor with PTO and 45-50 hp is the closest you will come to one machine that does it all for a small place.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I have a tractor, a skid steer, and a forklift. It takes all 3 to have the best tool for the job.

You're missing a very useful part there. A crane.

It takes at least four to have the best tool. Okay, three if you get rid of the skid steer.

 

[Tomtint]

Hmm. Mine sure couldn't.

On the other hand, my tractor seems to be able to do anything the skid steer can. Except to run the snow blower.

I guess it depends what your chores are.. If you are running rear implements , like hay work.. Maybe a skid steer won't do that, But front loader work or front attachment work on a skid... It will run circles around a tractor.

 

[Tomtint]

I have a tractor, a skid steer, and a forklift. It takes all 3 to have the best tool for the job. In my option aka experience, a tractor with PTO and 45-50 hp is the closest you will come to one machine that does it all for a small place.

We have those 3 as well.. My forklift I have had about 4 years... Just filled the propane tank for the first time a month or so ago ..lol... But Id rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I guess it depends what your chores are.. If you are running rear implements , like hay work.. Maybe a skid steer won't do that, But front loader work or front attachment work on a skid... It will run circles around a tractor.

I try to not even turn with the skid steer, to keep it from tearing up the driveway, grass, whatever it's on, let alone run circles with it.

For basic loader work I find the tractor far more user friendly. Loading a dump trailer, for example, I can see where to put the next bucket load in the trailer.

The longer reach of the tractor's loader is also very helpful a lot of times, and especially when using pallet forks.

But my main complaint about the skid steer is the procedure required to get in and out of it. Gotta do the seatbelt and turn the hydraulics back on every time. Loading something on a flatbed can be quite complicated since if I want to get out and see exactly where things are, either the loader must by high enough or all the way down to be able to open the door.

With the tractor I can simply hop out and take a look, then get back in the seat without having to do anything special to continue. Plus, for the most part I can stay seated since I can see what's going on anyway.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Skid steers are nice especially for having all the attachment in front not that is not possible with a tractor, if Id have one it would have to be with tracks but I haven't seen a skid steer being able to hook up hay equipment like a rake or a baler so it would have to be a tractor.