SKID STEER QUESTIONS

[Bootstrap]

Interested in a skid steer for ranch work. Brush clearing, post holes, dirt work, loading round bales of hay will be what its used for. I want a cab for protection from Bees when clearing brush and tracks. Our property is sandy, I assume tracks would be better. Any advice as to what models to look for? Horsepower? Brand of skid steer? How many hours on a machine like are considered rebuild time? My Uncle just bought a new John Deere and it works very nice. Other than that I have no experience with Skid Steers.

 

[dumbarky]

I wouldn't want a tracked machine on my farm. I have slip on tracks for muddy situations. They work great. Stumps and rocks are **** on full time tracks. I have a mini-ex with rubber tracks at work and you have to be real careful where you go with it. Just my 2 pennys.

 

[Ken45101]

A rubber tracked machine (CTL) is higher priced and costs more to maintain (most people say about $10 PER HOUR operating-maintenance) cost. The undercarriage usually needs major maintenance at 2-3000 hours ($10-15K), plus the cost of replacing tracks every 1000-1500 hours. A regular skid steer with over the tires (OTT) tracks is a more economical solution.

You might want to browse the skid steer forum at heavyequipmentforums.com for opinions of different brands.

If you are going to be loading round bales, lift capacity- tipping load is probably more important than horsepower (but the two are related.)

The other thing to consider is dealer support, either for maintenance work, or for parts.

I bought a JD325 for use on the farm. That was the smallest one I could find with the joystick controls I needed. I've been very happy with it but I can't really do any comparison since it's the only one I've operated other than a demo JCB. I would not recommend a JCB.

 

[Tomtint]

I have a cat 246. It started life as a tire machine and using it plowing snow, gravel road grading and other general use chores. I get about 300 hours out of a set of tires. (1000.00) The tires are useless in mud and forget about loose sandy conditions. This past spring I bought a set of 18" Loegering bolt on tracks. Basically remove the tires and bolt on a entire track system to the lugs. The ride is noticeably harder, but the stability and traction is 100x better. The cat 247 has a ASV track system that actually works like suspension and is the best ride quality in the market. Bobcat,Kubota,Deere, all have a rigid undercarrage that tend to beat you up on hard ground. If properly maintained, skid steers can go several thousands of hours.

 

[Xfaxman]

Interested in a skid steer for ranch work. Brush clearing, post holes, dirt work, loading round bales of hay will be what its used for. I want a cab for protection from Bees when clearing brush and tracks. Our property is sandy, I assume tracks would be better. Any advice as to what models to look for? Horsepower? Brand of skid steer? How many hours on a machine like are considered rebuild time? My Uncle just bought a new John Deere and it works very nice. Other than that I have no experience with Skid Steers.

I recommend a compact telehandler. 4WD 4W steer. It is a GADA machine (go anywhere do anything).

A 5x6 round bale.


The out front 7' brush hog.


The out front 6' box blade on a tilt-tach.


Installing a cattle guard.


More in this thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...t/160568-compact-telehandler.html#post3243370

 

[two_bit_score]

I do like the telehandler and your threads out line all the pros and cons very well.