Skid Steer vs Tractor?

[ovrszd]

I gotta say the diesel engined and tracked S225 is the cats meow compared with the older gas powered and (tired) in more ways than 1 - ford and new Holland versions we had over the years-

It is quieter, air conditioned, smoother- track drive seems much, Much less bouncy to me ...

Yep, I like you started with an underpowered wheeled SS. My Brother bought a T300 Bobcat which is turbo diesel tracked. It does not have the suspension rail system but still rides sooooo much better than a wheeled version. And it doesn't do the jump up and down thing when pivoting on solid ground. A friend of mine has a T250 with suspension rails. It rides very, very well.

 

[Roadbuilder6]

Another thing guys is, I won't be mowing with this machine, This machine will be used for mainly dirt and rock moving, and york raking.

 

[sd455dan]

Yep, I like you started with an underpowered wheeled SS. My Brother bought a T300 Bobcat which is turbo diesel tracked. It does not have the suspension rail system but still rides sooooo much better than a wheeled version. And it doesn't do the jump up and down thing when pivoting on solid ground. A friend of mine has a T250 with suspension rails. It rides very, very well.

They sure do , it was hard to believe how much nicer the bobcat track drive was to use in every measurable way after using the older wheeled skid steers for so many years.

You got me thinking about just how bad the old Ford cl -40 was. Many years ago dad bought it from Kaiser aluminum for cheap because it jerked so badly that it launched a worker out the front and then proceeded to finish the job by running over him... It was not all kaisers fault because the guy did not use the seat belt. We put in a safety harness- but still had to be very careful with that machine

I forgot to mention another very nice feature of most of these CTLs- high flow hydraulics that can power many front mounted implements- not something that generally comes with a CUT or even utility tractor.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Another thing guys is, I won't be mowing with this machine, This machine will be used for mainly dirt and rock moving, and york raking.

It sounds like the compact track loader might be the way to go then. No doubt it will be great for loader work in and around the barns. The size to power ratio is one thing I really like about a skid steer, my Case 1845C has about the same lift capacity as our M9540 Kubota, but in a much smaller package. If you got another utility tractor with a 3pt and PTO that would take care of most of your needs.

 

[Xfaxman]

I paid $26,000 for the used V518, sold it for $25,000.

$52,000 for the V417. I can't buy a tractor and a skid steer that will go where and do what the V417 does at any price.

-----------------

I paid $43K for the Kubota new. I paid $9K for the JD used with 115 hrs. Together they perform tasks from mowing the lawn to pulling ground tillage equipment.

You'll never hear me say anything about how great a choice I've made. They suit me.

Your comment about not being able to buy a tractor and SS that will go where and do what your V417 does at any price is a bit silly. We've had this discussion before. You have a great variable reach that shines in it's World. A SS it's not. A tractor it's not.

It's just that when you post a lengthy description along with various reasons and pictures of your V417 as the greatest single tool to own, you should include the price. After all, that is a huge part of buying the right machine for the job at hand.

My comment is not silly, it is a true statement. Show me a tractor that will drive through a 6.5' wide, 80" high door, with a FEL lift rating of 5,000 pounds.

Show me a skid steer that will do this, with the operator standing next to the cab, reaching in to the joystick.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...our-technique-removing-trees.html#post3356253

I know it won't do some things a tractor will do unless I add a 3 point hitch. It won't turn around like a skid steer, but it's 11' turning radius is small enough for me.

My reason for posting is to let people that have never seen one (like me about 5 years ago) know it might work for them.

As for posting price, what I paid has nothing to do with what it will cost someone else. There are several companies that make compact telehandlers, so prices vary.

Out of the 10 or 15 machines that I have owned, this one is the best GADA.

(go anywhere do anything)

 

[Verticaltrx]

I understand why Xfaxman likes his telehandler for what he does. I've used large ones on job sites and for their intended purpose they can't be beat. That said, I also agree with ovrszd on their cost vs benefits for most folks. Buying used, one could buy a decent skid steer, mini-excavator, standard rough terrain forklift, and a utility tractor and have machines that are purpose built for the tasks they preform. I've found things that are made to do to many things end up being a compromise at a lot of them.

 

[ovrszd]

I understand why Xfaxman likes his telehandler for what he does. I've used large ones on job sites and for their intended purpose they can't be beat. That said, I also agree with ovrszd on their cost vs benefits for most folks. Buying used, one could buy a decent skid steer, mini-excavator, standard rough terrain forklift, and a utility tractor and have machines that are purpose built for the tasks they preform. I've found things that are made to do to many things end up being a compromise at a lot of them.

I too understand why he likes it. I'm happy for him. I hope he never feels the need to buy/have any other piece of equipment.

That has nothing to do with most buyer's needs and uses. And it certainly doesn't mean it's the "do-all" piece of equipment that he claims. We've had this discussion before. When we get down to specific tasks, things get quiet. But he does have a cool back-up camera. Which he needs.

The only thing wrong with your last sentence is that I didn't think to say that. Very well stated.

 

[Roadbuilder6]

Xfaxman your telehandler does look like a very nice/useful piece of equipment. As also I am a huge bobcat fan (335 mini excavator). But the moral of this is "To each his own". A telehandler is much to big and bulky for any of the work I need it for. And to everyone else Thanks for the advice is it greatly appreciated!

 

[Xfaxman]

I too understand why he likes it. I'm happy for him. I hope he never feels the need to buy/have any other piece of equipment. In the 5 years of owning Versahandlers, I have been able to do everything that needed to be done on our 80 acres without needing to rent or buy another machine. I just bought the attachment that I needed to do the job.

That has nothing to do with most buyer's needs and uses. And it certainly doesn't mean it's the "do-all" piece of equipment that he claims. It is for me and the pictures prove it. We've had this discussion before. When we get down to specific tasks, things get quiet. That is because you said "All of your answers in blue evaded the issue" I realized it was pointless to continue the thread. But he does have a cool back-up camera. Which he needs. Yes, I need it because I am 73 years old and can't look over my shoulder like I used to.

The only thing wrong with your last sentence is that I didn't think to say that. Very well stated.

This is the tractor that I sold after I got the V518. I have never needed it or wished that I would have kept it.


This shows the size comparison to the V518, the V417 is smaller.

 

[sd455dan]

This is the tractor that I sold after I got the V518. I have never needed it or wished that I would have kept it.


So the Massey had a backhoe... 3 point , pto but no FEL A very desirable tractor in my book

i see how the telehandler can take care of FEL duties but- what about all the things most people use the 3 point and PTO for, i can't imagine not having those two things available for all of the other jobs that come up around our place...

including but not limited to: loss of a backhoe function that was covered by the Massey
tilling
box blading
rough cut mowing
post hole digging
discing
york raking
plowing- field- not snow
seeder/ fertilizer spreading

i'm sure that some things I have missed but those were just off the top of my head... Do you have some other equipment or just don't need to use any of these implements...?
these seem to me to be things most hobby-farm/ranch- homestead owners might use...

not trying to offend , but i am curious

 

[Xfaxman]

This is the tractor that I sold after I got the V518. I have never needed it or wished that I would have kept it.


So the Massey had a backhoe... 3 point , pto but no FEL A very desirable tractor in my book

i see how the telehandler can take care of FEL duties but- what about all the things most people use the 3 point and PTO for, i can't imagine not having those two things available for all of the other jobs that come up around our place...

including but not limited to: loss of a backhoe function that was covered by the Massey Didn't lose the backhoe function.
tilling
box blading 6' with a Tilt-Tach


rough cut mowing 7'


post hole digging
discing
york raking
plowing- field- not snow
seeder/ fertilizer spreading

i'm sure that some things I have missed but those were just off the top of my head... Do you have some other equipment or just don't need to use any of these implements...? Right, don't need them yet but can get them if I do.
these seem to me to be things most hobby-farm/ranch- homestead owners might use...

not trying to offend , but i am curious

Thanks for asking, it will help people understand why I like this machine so much.

The V417 has a SSQA and 22gpm Hydraulics on the boom. There are attachments for everything in your list except the plow, but it would handle a drawbar plow, however many bottoms you can pull with 7,000 pounds that it is rated for. Rear hydraulic remotes can be added to lift the plow and a disc. I think a drawbar disc would be better than a front mount skid steer disc.

This is what I use instead of a skid steer back hoe.


Pushed over this 40' tall dead Oak, didn't need to dig any roots on this one, some of the big roots broke off at ground level.


Had to pull the rest of the root ball out of the ground.

 

[Xfaxman]

Xfaxman your telehandler does look like a very nice/useful piece of equipment. As also I am a huge bobcat fan (335 mini excavator). But the moral of this is "To each his own". A telehandler is much to big and bulky for any of the work I need it for. And to everyone else Thanks for the advice is it greatly appreciated!

Yep, it is a about a foot shorter in height, a foot wider, and four feet longer than the Takeuchi TL8.

I guess it depends on your definition of "much".

Here is one that is about the same size as the TL8, at five feet wide.

It has a SSQA and can use the same attachments as the TL8.

 

[Roadbuilder6]

I see what your saying, but height isn't the issue, its width, length. Also I don't have a huge trailer sizewize. And I will be towing this machine a lot. I have experience with skid steers/tractors while I have none with telehandlers. I want to get a machine that I have experience with. As I said to each his own.

 

[sd455dan]

Thanks for the reply Xfaxman-

It does look like the telehandler is very versatile and is very hard to match for anything to do with trees or where high lifting power and or a long reach is required.
I would have loved having a telehandler when we were puting up our barn and shop!

I see why you like it and it looks like you are getting plenty of use out of it- for a lot of other uses.

Variety is a great thing- even in the equipment to get jobs done

here's to whatever works for each of us:thumbsup:

 

[Xfaxman]

Thanks for the reply Xfaxman-

It does look like the telehandler is very versatile and is very hard to match for anything to do with trees or where high lifting power and or a long reach is required.
I would have loved having a telehandler when we were puting up our barn and shop!

I see why you like it and it looks like you are getting plenty of use out of it- for a lot of other uses.

Variety is a great thing- even in the equipment to get jobs done

here's to whatever works for each of us:thumbsup:

That reminds me, hauled it over to a friend's place to put the trusses up on is 40' by 60' equipment shed.

 

[sd455dan]

I see what your saying, but height isn't the issue, its width, length. Also I don't have a huge trailer sizewize. And I will be towing this machine a lot. I have experience with skid steers/tractors while I have none with telehandlers. I want to get a machine that I have experience with. As I said to each his own.

I can't believe it- I posted about the New Holland L778 (it has been held by the family trust for sometime and now that the other ranch has the S225) , they want me to come pick -up the 778 and do some repair work (exhaust, fluid leak, engine miss)- but it looks like no one needs it .

So I will get paid to repair it AND get to keep it at least through the next year.
Although it is wheeled it will be much handier in the barn for stall clean-up. I am already thinking about modifiying my tined grapple to fit...

It will be neat to have the skid steer- hope the tractors don't get jealous

 

[ovrszd]

It will be neat to have the skid steer- hope the tractors don't get jealous

I started the day on the Backhoe for a couple hours. Then on the M9540 for an hour. Then 6 hours on the T300 Bobcat. All on the same project of building a waterway. I observed no animosity amongst them. They are all three sharing the machine shed as we speak. Each knew it's place and was appreciative of the other's work.

 

[sd455dan]

Glad to hear it- The backhoe is the one piece of equipment that we need to get some things done that we just don't have - maybe someday.

 

[Xfaxman]

Glad to hear it- The backhoe is the one piece of equipment that we need to get some things done that we just don't have - maybe someday.

How about one of these for the New Holland L778.


Or if you need a deeper hole.

This is what I would get for the V417 if I ever need to go deeper than the stump bucket will dig.

 

[terryknight]

what about a skid steer with a side door? JCB makes a one armed skid steer with a side door very similar to thy on in post 32. comes both wheeled and tracked