CUT vs Skid Steer

[PJSprog]

Does anyone here use a skid steer in lieu of a compact tractor?

We're looking at new tractors for light loader work and brush hogging. Someone my wife works with (construction company) today suggested we look at skid loaders. I was immediately put off by it, but started to wonder if there's any merit to the idea.

 

[Deere Dude]

I considered a skid steer but chose a CUT. Here is why.

Just for putzing around the homesite and small acreage and doing a little digging and carrying things a CUT works great. It has a 3pt hitch for many attachments like blades, discs etc.

I did rent a skid steer for a couple day of hauling dirt, but after that my mind was made up. They are hard to get into and hard to get out of.

A skid steer is good for digging and hauling dirt and gravel, but if used on a lawn it will rut it all up with one or two passes. A used SS will be maybe cheaper that a CC but for a homeowner a CC would be the way to go.

 

[TripleR]

Only way I'd have a skid loader is in addition to a CUT not in lieu of. We've had access to and used two very nice ones and just didn't find them near as useful as a tractor. We rent one every few years as the ones we had spent 95% of the time taking up space.

 

[jeff9366]

Tons in the T-B-N archive on Tractor Vs. Skid Steer:

tractor Vs Skid steer site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search


NOTE: There are multiple pages of archived threads.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

Your on a tractor forum, so there will be some bias I went with skid steer instead of CUT, hands down smart move. There is things I was able to build do with the skid steer i would never have been able to do with a tractor. The loader on a skid steer will out pace a CUT big time. Also at the time when I purchased my skid steer CUT seemed over priced. I plow snow use it for everything. As for the lawn, put over the tire tracks on and be-careful on how you turn and you will do less damage than a CUT. As for getting in and out of don't see the big difference. Keep in mind, this is a tractor forum and there will be few if any that will agree.

 

[holeycow]

two different machines for different purposes. For moving dirt an agricultural tractor is really pretty sad. Compromises have to made for most of us.

 

[/pine]

Having both...and other than the fact they both have loaders it's comparing apples to oranges...no real comparison...sure either can accomplish some tasks but they are two different animals entirely...IMO...

 

[TripleR]

Your on a tractor forum, so there will be some bias I went with skid steer instead of CUT, hands down smart move. There is things I was able to build do with the skid steer i would never have been able to do with a tractor. The loader on a skid steer will out pace a CUT big time. Also at the time when I purchased my skid steer CUT seemed over priced. I plow snow use it for everything. As for the lawn, put over the tire tracks on and be-careful on how you turn and you will do less damage than a CUT. As for getting in and out of don't see the big difference. Keep in mind, this is a tractor forum and there will be few if any that will agree.

Valid points, best to go rent one of each to really know for sure. We own several hundred acres of combination hills and flat land and were going to buy one until we used one for several months.

I'm sure they are great for some, just not us.

 

[sd455dan]

Does anyone here use a skid steer in lieu of a compact tractor?

We're looking at new tractors for light loader work and brush hogging. Someone my wife works with (construction company) today suggested we look at skid loaders. I was immediately put off by it, but started to wonder if there's any merit to the idea.

I had both- and sold the skid steer, Bouncy, no 3 point or PTO and the only place it had any advantage was in tight quarters- like cleaning barn stalls and construction site cleanup. but this is jmo
YMMV -and to each their own

 

[Tomtint]

I have both. A Cat 246 with tracks and a L3700 SU TLB. I actually using both of them now on a barn project. The Cat is a far ..far more capable machine. It's faster, stronger and easier to maneuver. Downside is that it is brutal on a finished lawn. And for small chores like mulch or digging a ditch or stump, it's overkill. .. I like having both but if I had to pick one over the other, I would keep the Cat.

 

[TSO]

I have both... A 50+ HP CUT HST tractor, and a 71 HP track loader (tracked skid steer). There are virtually no comparisons. My track loader is way way stronger than my tractor.

But as already mentioned, they are completely different machines. Tractors are more versatile, cheaper to buy, cheaper implements, cheaper to maintain.

If you're doing serious bucket work or need hydraulic power, get a SS... Otherwise, go with a tractor

 

[MossRoad]

Does anyone here use a skid steer in lieu of a compact tractor?

We're looking at new tractors for light loader work and brush hogging. Someone my wife works with (construction company) today suggested we look at skid loaders. I was immediately put off by it, but started to wonder if there's any merit to the idea.

The two key usages you mention are LIGHT LOADER WORK and BRUSH HOGGING.

How light of loader work are you thinking, and by brush hogging, are you talking field mowing, tall weeds, like that? or clearing intense, thick brush and small trees?

 

[rd_macgregor]

I think the maneuverability, lift capacity and hydraulic power are the main advantages of a skid steer. The CUT has a 3PH and PTO. If you are going to plow a field or bale hay a SS isn't the right tool. Nearly every other task (loader, PHD, mower, snowblower...) can be done with a SS using front-mounted hydraulic attachments.
Before I bought my CUT, I was tempted by a ToolCat,which is neither SS nor tractor...we also have a member here with a telehandler who might comment.

 

[PJSprog]

Tons in the T-B-N archive on Tractor Vs. Skid Steer:

tractor Vs Skid steer site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search


NOTE: There are multiple pages of archived threads.

Yeah, I did a search in this particular forum, but came up with a bajillion threads all containing some mention of a skid loader. I guess I should have been more specific to the title. After rolling through several pages of threads, I just gave up and posted this. Thanks for the link.

The two key usages you mention are LIGHT LOADER WORK and BRUSH HOGGING.

How light of loader work are you thinking, and by brush hogging, are you talking field mowing, tall weeds, like that? or clearing intense, thick brush and small trees?

By light loader work, I mean moving fire wood, some moderate landscaping/leveling, snow removal, and just miscellaneous lifting and moving around the property. Brush hogging would be maintaining a small pasture of around 2-1/2 to 3 acres. It has been getting too tall over the last few years, as my wife's uncle could not keep it cut with the problems he's had with his Deere. Currently, it has weeds and grass at about 5-6 feet, but not much in the way of thicker stuff like small trees or saplings. Yet. Now that it's ours to maintain, I'd like to keep a better handle on it.

 

[Grandad4]

By light loader work, I mean moving fire wood, some moderate landscaping/leveling, snow removal, and just miscellaneous lifting and moving around the property. Brush hogging would be maintaining a small pasture of around 2-1/2 to 3 acres. It has been getting too tall over the last few years, as my wife's uncle could not keep it cut with the problems he's had with his Deere. Currently, it has weeds and grass at about 5-6 feet, but not much in the way of thicker stuff like small trees or saplings. Yet. Now that it's ours to maintain, I'd like to keep a better handle on it.

For every person who chooses a SS for that type of work, there are probably dozens who use a tractor effectively to do those same jobs. It isn't a right vs. wrong thing; as noted they are totally different animals... many times the SS is hands-down the way to go, but there are other situations where the tractor has the advantage (has anyone taken their kids on a hayride behind their SS or driven their SS 3 miles down the highway to do some work at the church ? ), and the implements are usually more affordable for a tractor (SS 6 ft cutters seem to run in the $ 5k and up range; you can get a decent 3 pt cutter in that size for half that or less, for example).

I'd think you''d get that kind of work done very well with the right tractor, and likely spend less $$ as well. But it's your place and you will be doing the work, so you get to decide.

 

[roadhunter]

No offense to CUT owners but a skid steer is simply in a different class of equipment.

CUT's are built inexpensively and designed for homeowner type use IMO. Most of these "dang dong" imports wouldn't make it very long on a construction site.

That being said for many people a CUT makes sense but as far as capability a Skid Steer is simply able to do more things and with the availability of rental attachments they can make sense for a lot of people. I also believe they hold thier value better and are easier to get rid of when the time comes especially when you consider how some brands of tractors come and go like Cabelas, Bobcat, etc..

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, I did a search in this particular forum, but came up with a bajillion threads all containing some mention of a skid loader. I guess I should have been more specific to the title. After rolling through several pages of threads, I just gave up and posted this. Thanks for the link.



By light loader work, I mean moving fire wood, some moderate landscaping/leveling, snow removal, and just miscellaneous lifting and moving around the property. Brush hogging would be maintaining a small pasture of around 2-1/2 to 3 acres. It has been getting too tall over the last few years, as my wife's uncle could not keep it cut with the problems he's had with his Deere. Currently, it has weeds and grass at about 5-6 feet, but not much in the way of thicker stuff like small trees or saplings. Yet. Now that it's ours to maintain, I'd like to keep a better handle on it.

With that description of the intended chores, and if you only want one machine to maintain, I'd get the tractor.

 

[Xfaxman]

I think the maneuverability, lift capacity and hydraulic power are the main advantages of a skid steer. The CUT has a 3PH and PTO. If you are going to plow a field or bale hay a SS isn't the right tool. Nearly every other task (loader, PHD, mower, snowblower...) can be done with a SS using front-mounted hydraulic attachments.
Before I bought my CUT, I was tempted by a ToolCat,which is neither SS nor tractor...we also have a member here with a telehandler who might comment.

Yep, saw the original post right after it was posted, but didn't comment because he said CUT.

My machine is a Compact Telehandler, it replaced a MF240D Utility Tractor.

It has a SSQA and Aux Hydraulics on the front.

Easy to get in (air conditioned) cab and a 6' wide one cubic yard bucket, it will out dig a skid steer.

And it is unstuckable : http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...t/160568-compact-telehandler.html#post3526054

 

[PJSprog]

CUT's are built inexpensively and designed for homeowner type use IMO. Most of these "dang dong" imports wouldn't make it very long on a construction site.

I cannot disagree with that. As you said, different class of equipment with different expectations. I'm not asking about commercial construction work, though. I was just wondering if there are people who use SSs in place of a CUT for general farm/homeowner work. I figured there would be some people who would, but was wondering how widespread the application might be.

Good conversation, guys. Appreciate all the input.

 

[roadhunter]

I cannot disagree with that. As you said, different class of equipment with different expectations. I'm not asking about commercial construction work, though. I was just wondering if there are people who use SSs in place of a CUT for general farm/homeowner work. I figured there would be some people who would, but was wondering how widespread the application might be.

Good conversation, guys. Appreciate all the input.

I was in a similar position when I bought my JCB. I had a 45 HP bobcat CUT but needed something that would lift more. By the time you take the bob tach assembly and the weight of the forks/bucket it just really would not lift much. Even on loads within the capacity of the machine the rear eld felt really light and I hated that nearly the entire weight of the machine and the load were on the little front axle when I was moving around and only being 5 ft wide it was quite tippy. I really liked how a skid steer performed compared to the CUT but I despise the front entry skid steers as they are a PITA when you are working alone and need to get out while holding a load. I also liked having a 3 point and a PTO to utilize. I looked at my options including the 5610 bobcat but found that the 212SU gave me essentially the best of both worlds with 4 wheel steering for getting into tight places without tearing up the ground like a skid steer will, along with a heavy lift capacity for the loader, and the bonus of a PTO and 3 point with TnT as wells as down pressure.

Can you tell us more about what you plan to do as far as loader work?