Skid Steer vs Tractor?

[Xfaxman]

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

There is a machine that will do what you need done. It is a Compact Telehandler. there are several companies that make them. Mine is a Bobcat V417, it is 6' wide, 6.5' high and 13' long. Tire size is 14x17.5. Top speed is 15.5 mph, drawbar pull is 7,000 pounds, boom breakout force is 6700 lbf, bucket breakout force is 4700 lbf and it will lift over 5,000 pounds, 17 feet high.

It has a skid steer quick attach plate on the boom.


Great for moving round bales.


It is much easier to get in and out of than a tractor or skid steer. I sold my MF240D tractor soon after I bought my first Compact Telehandler.

We live on 80 acres and have 4 horses.

More pictures and what it will do: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...t/160568-compact-telehandler.html#post3243370

 

[ovrszd]

Xfaxman, when you throw this additional option into the conversation, you should also include the price with your detailed description of your machine.

 

[Xfaxman]

Xfaxman, when you throw this additional option into the conversation, you should also include the price with your detailed description of your machine.

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.

How much did you pay for your two tractors?

 

[ovrszd]

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.

How much did you pay for your two tractors?

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.

 

[Bob Rooks]

EDUCATE ME: What does CTL stand for?

Track loader:


Compact track loader:

 

[sd455dan]

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.

Yeah me and some of my siblings are split on this one - my sister place keeps a bobcat S225 and uses it for her horses stalls ,barn work and even snow plowing. but once it comes time for brush cutter mowing , i get the call for one of my tractors...

i would love the bobcat ss for the in barn work It is much easier to maneuver a ss around in a very tight environment-but every where else -give me a tractor... love having a 3 point and pto...

Actually sister and her husband are making noises about a new or newer Jd cut or utility tractor..., the bobcat will also be staying

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I used a Bobcat skidsteer this past summer on my property. I loved the power, maneuverability and, most of all, the visibility. When I'm on my tractor, I can't see much of what's really going on with the FEL bucket or my stump grapple. With the skidsteer, you are sitting right there and looking down on the bucket. The visibility gives you greater control and allows more finesse.

One thing I learned with the skidsteer, however. It will absolutely beat you to death driving it across rough ground due to the small tires and short wheel base. My property is quite rough and the Bobcat sure gave my kidneys a workout. A CTL might not be as bad, but I've never driven one of them.

And, yes, I'd much rather climb on and off of a tractor than a skidsteer. There is no comparison.

 

[sd455dan]

I used a Bobcat skidsteer this past summer on my property. I loved the power, maneuverability and, most of all, the visibility. When I'm on my tractor, I can't see much of what's really going on with the FEL bucket or my stump grapple. With the skidsteer, you are sitting right there and looking down on the bucket. The visibility gives you greater control and allows more finesse.

One thing I learned with the skidsteer, however. It will absolutely beat you to death driving it across rough ground due to the small tires and short wheel base. My property is quite rough and the Bobcat sure gave my kidneys a workout. A CTL might not be as bad, but I've never driven one of them.

And, yes, I'd much rather climb on and off of a tractor than a skidsteer. There is no comparison.

yeah the 225 is a tracked version - i should probably be calling it a ctl.
but the family has been through an early wheeled cl-40 ford and then many years with a New Holland L778 skid steer with much wider tires and i just stuck with calling them all skid steers.

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 ...

 

[newbury]

The skid steer is twice the cost of the tractor,

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.

How much did you pay for your two tractors?

I paid about $18K for my two used tractors, brand new they would be about $30 to $35K. I dare write it should be easy to find two used tractors for the cost of one new skidsteer, one "small" one to do the stall work, one larger one to do the rest of the work (maybe 4 for the cost of a V417). And then you have one to get the other one out of stuck situations

 

[Roadbuilder6]

Thanks for the reply, I know and agree with what you are saying. I also do a bit of construction work, so thats another reason for the CTL. The thing why I really like the CTL is the TL8 takes up less room than a tractor with all of the attachments, and almost all of the barn is dedicated to horses. I see the advantage of the front and back attachments, and The Farmall as of now is a project tractor but will become a parade tractor. I may buy a Farmall Cub with a 3point. But I appreciate the advice