CUT vs Skid Steer

[oldpilgrim]

Yup..

 

[PJSprog]

Seems to be turning into a "which is better" thread. Let's remember the ops uses, light FEL work.

Yeah, it is, but that's OK. This thread is less about me and more about what you guys are doing. That's what I really wanted to know. I think we're getting that just fine. It's a good conversation.

 

[Piston]

Yeah, it is, but that's OK. This thread is less about me and more about what you guys are doing. That's what I really wanted to know. I think we're getting that just fine. It's a good conversation.

Sweet! Well in that case, my answer is completely different, definitely get the Skidsteer, WAY more capable.

 

[oldpilgrim]

whatever machine you get should be appropriate for the work you need to do with it. You description of your needs point to a tractor.

 

[PJSprog]

I agree, oldpilgrim, and a CUT is the direction I'm headed. But since the subject came up, I thought I'd toss it around here to see what others are doing.

Since my wife works in the heavy construction industry (as a project analyst, not a constructor), we have access to all manner of earth-moving equipment should we need it. For our own personal everyday use, though, a tractor just seems to make the most sense.

 

[Deere Dude]

I don't know if you are into this or not, but it is easier socializing with the neighbors when you are putzing around on a CUT. Just road gear it over to his house in the neighborhood and have a little bro-time. Much nicer than running a tank over.

 

[motownbrowne]

I don't know if you are into this or not, but it is easier socializing with the neighbors when you are putzing around on a CUT. Just road gear it over to his house in the neighborhood and have a little bro-time. Much nicer than running a tank over.

True Dat. I've had many good conversations either from my tractor seat, or with someone on a tractor. Occasionally even both. Never have really chatted with anyone in a skid steer.

 

[MossRoad]

I don't know if you are into this or not, but it is easier socializing with the neighbors when you are putzing around on a CUT. Just road gear it over to his house in the neighborhood and have a little bro-time. Much nicer than running a tank over.

Oh, you know pretty much every person here would drop their bromance with the tractor guy next door for the tank guy down the street in a heartbeat! :laughing:

 

[Fallon]

The loader on a tractor is a bass awkwards impliment. In a real machine, you have the heavy engine in back for ballast & the weak complex expensive steering axle away from the heavy lifting. Exactly the opposite of how a tractor is setup. Which kills lift capacity as you don't have the ballast & the steering axle is the weak link. It's only up there for the flexibility & visibility. Would make a lot more sense to mount em with the bucket over the 3pt (there are a few bidirectional tractors out there like this). But a tractor is primarily a pulling machine, not a digging machine. So the loader is an afterthought.

On a SS, the loader is the only use able impliment, so the whole machine is properly designed to maximize it's abilities & effectiveness.

Personally I own a tractor with an afterthought loader & am looking at replacing it with another cabbed tractor with afterthought loader. I like the flexibility of the machine, the roading & ride comfort. I don't do enough digging to justify a SS.

 

[Xfaxman]

The loader on a tractor is a bass awkwards impliment. In a real machine, you have the heavy engine in back for ballast & the weak complex expensive steering axle away from the heavy lifting. Exactly the opposite of how a tractor is setup. Which kills lift capacity as you don't have the ballast & the steering axle is the weak link. It's only up there for the flexibility & visibility. Would make a lot more sense to mount em with the bucket over the 3pt (there are a few bidirectional tractors out there like this). But a tractor is primarily a pulling machine, not a digging machine. So the loader is an afterthought.
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I guess that means my put together is a real machine

The front axle does not pivot, the rear steering axle does.

 

[PJSprog]

I guess that means my put together is a real machine

The front axle does not pivot, the rear steering axle does.

Fascinating. Am I to assume you built this, Xfaxman? Is there a thread here somewhere that shows/explains this beast?

(edit: Duh ... bozo here just found the link in your signature line)

 

[stlbill]

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.

Please post photos of your freshly mowed yard after mowing it with your SS. Please include acres per hour best guess.

 

[Xfaxman]

Fascinating. Am I to assume you built this, Xfaxman? Is there a thread here somewhere that shows/explains this beast?

Yep and the thread is in my signature.

 

[PJSprog]

Yep and the thread is in my signature.

Yeah, saw that after I'd already posted. A very entertaining read.

 

[rjkobbeman]

A tractor is kind of a "Jack of all trades", whereas a SS is a specific purpose machine.

There is a huge price difference too.

Other than digging and running high-volume hydraulic SS attachments, everything else on a SS is a jury-rig trying to do what a tractor does well (3ph attachments on the front, etc.)

I use a grading scraper to groom my drive. Don't see a SS doing that. At least not very well.

I can dig. I can run hydraulic SS attachments on my tractor. Just not as fast as SS.

 

[Xfaxman]

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I use a grading scraper to groom my drive. Don't see a SS doing that. At least not very well.

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I guess you haven't seen the Grading scrapers made for skid steers:

And the laser controlled precision type:

 

[Fallon]

I guess that means my put together is a real machine

The front axle does not pivot, the rear steering axle does.

Yup. Your little home brew machine is noticeably less machine than my factory L3200 & loader, but has almost the same lift capacity.

Better designed for the task of lifting. Mine will plow & grade circles around yours though. I'd say mine would mow circles around yours too, but I have a suspicion that wasn't the case in a previous life.

 

[4570Man]

Yup. Your little home brew machine is noticeably less machine than my factory L3200 & loader, but has almost the same lift capacity. Better designed for the task of lifting. Mine will plow & grade circles around yours though. I'd say mine would mow circles around yours too, but I have a suspicion that wasn't the case in a previous life.

In its previous life it had a 72" deck. In a mowing contest you'll be begging for mercy and go home with your tail between your legs.

 

[Xfaxman]

Yup. Your little home brew machine is noticeably less machine than my factory L3200 & loader, but has almost the same lift capacity.

Better designed for the task of lifting. Mine will plow & grade circles around yours though. I'd say mine would mow circles around yours too, but I have a suspicion that wasn't the case in a previous life.

In its previous live it had a 72" deck. In a mowing contest you'll be begging for mercy and go home with your tail between your legs.

Yep, this 72" side discharge deck is just one of the many front mount attachments made for the 300 series Groundsmaster.

 

[rjkobbeman]

I guess you haven't seen the Grading scrapers made for skid steers:

View attachment 475776

View attachment 475777

View attachment 475778

View attachment 475779

And the laser controlled precision type:

View attachment 475781

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Yeah, those are all priced for a home/property owner! Plus, I think dragging works better than pushing.