Skid Steer vs Tractor?

[Roadbuilder6]

Hey guys. I have a small horse farm. I am looking at buying a Takeuchi TL8 (tier 4 version of a tl130). The other machine I'm looking at is a New Holland Boomer 35 tractor. I have experience driving both tractors (currently I have a 1952 Farmall M, and a 2008 Deere 2320) and have friends that have skid steers. So that isn't as much of an issue. But I wanted to know what you guys think. The skid steer is twice the cost of the tractor, but I will also be plowing my own property and my parking lot at a shop. So any opinions or advice is welcome. Thanks, John Gibson

 

[Verticaltrx]

Aside from snow removal, what other tasks would you be using it for? I have both a skid steer and a compact tractor with loader and they each have their strong points, depending on what you are doing.

 

[RDrancher]

You're talking about two completely different animals here. Some of the tasks they perform can overlap, but each can do things the other can't do or struggles to accomplish. When it comes to grading a ctl can't be beat, but a tractor will kick butt when it comes to tasks like pasture mowing and such.

Everyday operating costs and upkeep vary significantly. I own a TC35D and ran a Kubota SVL75 a bunch before purchasing a CASE TR320 track loader. The tractor will run wide-open all day on less than 10 gallons of fuel. The track loader will burn through 25 gallons easily. Case in point...yesterday I graded out and re-graveled two separate driveways for neighboring properties. I could have done them with the ctl and the grading portion would have been faster, but I chose to use my tractor. I burned less than a half a tank of fuel.

Tracks are superior in mud, but some tasks can take there toll on them...like gravel, rock and paved surfaces. They're not too cheap to purchase either. If you're still set on a skid steer, maybe a traditional skid would be better for you.

Check out my photo thread link below. Maybe it will help with your decision.

 

[Roadbuilder6]

Thanks for the replys guys. Since I have the horse farm I will be moving A LOT of manure, thats one of the main reasons I'm looking at a CTL. I still would have the farmall, even though it doesn't have a 3 point hitch, It will still serve its purpose. I really love the CTL's maneuverability, and power. I have paddocks so the CTL will be better than a tractor in them. I do have a bit of mud, so I think that the CTL will be better in it. Thanks, John Gibson

 

[Rustyiron]

You won't be happy with the CTL in a wet manure loading situation or plowing snow. The rubber tracks just do not "hook up" in either of those conditions. Get a 60+ HP tractor with 4wd, ag tires, hyd "shuttle" trans and the SS quick hitch for the loader and take your savings and get a nice lineup of attachments for your operation. Also I find that for general farm chores, it is soooo much easier to hop on & off a tractor than it is to climb in and out of a SS/CTL. I would at least rent or demo the CTL and make sure the conditions are wet, I think you'll see.

 

[Roadbuilder6]

I love tractors trust me, but I don't have the room for a 60hp+ tractor Thats the thing I love about the CTL. Also the getting in and out isn't as much of a problem.

 

[jeff9366]

EDUCATE ME: What does CTL stand for?

 

[brain55]

EDUCATE ME: What does CTL stand for?

Compact Track Loader

 

[Verticaltrx]

Also the getting in and out isn't as much of a problem.

You think that now, but get in and out of one many times throughout a work day and you'll probably change your mind. I'm 29 years old and consider my self to be in very good shape, I'd much rather get on and off a tractor many times a day than a skid steer. You also have the issue of trying to get out of the skid steer with the arms part way up (like if you wanted to throw something in the bucket or on the forks by hand), or getting in and out with the arms all the way up (dangerous.) When I have work like that to do with the skid steer I try to always have a helper so I'm not climbing in and out of the thing all day.

Since your tasks are mostly farm related I give my experience on a skid steer vs tractor in a farming application. A skid steer is a much more production oriented machine. Whether loading trucks, cleaning pens, stacking round bales, drilling post holes, moving materials on pallets, etc, the skid steer is going to be much faster and easier. It's also going to tear up the ground more. I really like mine for loading manure, loading dump trucks, and stacking round bales in the barn. Also there is no comparison on using forks on a skid steer vs a tractor since the skid steer has such superior visibility.

The tractor, on the other hand, will be a bit slower and more clumsy than the skid steer at the same tasks, but more versatile. The ability to have two attachments on the tractor is in it's favor as well. Say a bucket on the front and a blade or box blade on the rear, or forks on the front and post hole digger on the back. Also, as mentioned before, the tractor is much easier to get on and off of, which if you'll be doing at lot of little tasks will be important.

The main reason I have a skid steer is for my construction business. It does come in very handy on the farm, but unless you are running a large farming operation I would definitely choose a 4wd tractor with a loader over a skid steer. That said, a skid steer/2wd larger tractor combo is a good setup (I use my Case 1845C and International 454 together a lot), but there are somethings on the farm having both of those in one unit is best for. I guess your decision really comes down to what you want, neither would be a 'bad' option.

 

[graysonver24]

It really just depend on what you want I own a 17 acre farm and have had a kubota l3010 tractor and only used it about 4 times out of the year and it just wasn't worth the money to keep it longer so I just went out and bought a kubota svl75 on a trade in the reason is one I move allot of manure and shavings and that works great cause I have barrowed a friends skid steer before so I could try it out also another reason I need it is you never know when you might need it a tractor you can only do a couple things with one it doesn't have allot of lift with the bucket unless you get a real big one and two if you ends to grade maybe a piece of your property or somthing you would be able to do that allot easier in my opinion but it just really depend on what your doing