Skidsteer vs Compact tractor

[94BULLITT]

I don't think it's as simple as which can push more snow. Each has a place where it excels over the other. If I was going to be clearing a parking lot I probably would opt for the SS over a tractor. But for a driveway I would rather have a tractor. Attachments for tractors are usually cheaper and with a tractor you can have a plow or snow blower on the front and a pto driven sander on the rear. On wide open places like a parking lot it wouldn't matter but on a paved driveway where you'll be making tight turns and you need chains the skid steer will be more likely to cause damage. But since every driveway is different it's hard to make a general comparison.

Same weight and same tires, chances are they will push about the same amount of snow. Most likely the tractor will be lighter so it will have ballast in the rear to get the weight the same. That'll mean the weight distribution would be close to the SS. About the only read advantage one would have over the other is the tractor will be two wheel drive (one front and one back) unless you push the diff lock then it'll be 3 wheel drive. The SS will be 4 wheel drive until you try to turn.

I did not think about all 4 wheels on the ss will pull.

 

[Johndeere3720]

4wd on demand is a nice feature on a skid steer, it is only a minimum of 2 wheel drive when you turn or if not all 4 tires are on the ground. One advantage i have found in a tractor is you have a brake pedal where as a skid steer lacks that which can be odd if you want to slow yourself when sliding down a slick hill. However with chains you gain a lot of traction. Plus when you buy chains they are all the same size and I bet would cost less than chains for a similar weighted tractor due to it's larger rear tires.

 

[94BULLITT]

Do skid steers take special chains?

 

[Bee950]

Keep in mind this is a tractor forum, so you will get a lot of comments that lean towards tractors.

 

[crazyal]

Do skid steers take special chains?

I have seen some special ones but the specialness is that they are designed to try and prevent damage to pavement. If you're on gravel I bet you could find car or pickup chains that would work just fine for a fraction the cost of the set you'll need for the much larger rear tires on a tractor. My guess is either can be adapted to work just fine.

 

[Cat_Driver]

I started with tractors, then I got smart. I never disc or cut fields/grass so I don't need a tractor. Advantages of a skid steer - It's the Victorinox of the tractor family. For snow you have the maneuverability that no tractor can touch. For pushing snow they probably will both do the job, just like a car and a pickup truck will both take you to the grocery store. But with the pickup truck you can use the bed for endless tasks, over the car. The attachments once you get the skid steer are endless. You will find yourself using it for things you never imagined.
Think about the first pass you make tractor vs skid steer. You both push the snow equally then when you get to end of the lot/drive with the skid steer - you spin around and your going the other way. With the tractor you have to do a multi point turn OR do a large circle to go the other way. Advantage skid steer.
It's all about the bonus uses with the skid steer.

 

[20 20]

I noticed some post about using chains on a SS, I have to disagree. I found that my SS would push just fine without chains. I also found, like others in my area, that SS's love to eat chains, this would be on gravel drives. Not writing that I'm against chains but they were more of a headache then a help in my situation. I'll compare my 6800lb SS to my 10000lb tractor 1st, they both could push snow decent but it would take half the time to do the drive with the SS, reason being maneuverabilty. The SS compared to my compact tractor again both pushed fine but again the SS will still out maneuver. Now I have a comapct with a snow thower, SS would still be a better choice. I ended up getting rid of the SS because I needed something to get into the woods and it was just plain getting old and worn. As afr as the push factor goes they both push snow, but the speed and maneuverabilty of an SS will out do a tractor especially in a tight spot.

 

[LD1]

I'll throw out my :2cents: as I dont have a direct comparison, but have been plowing and been around all kinds of plowing equipment for years.

Everyone knows the SS is more maneuverable, this quicker in tight areas, but that isnt what you asked about.

For starters, a 6000-7000 tractor most likely isnt going to be in the form of a CUT. Rather a UT. But weight and tires being equal, in a straight out what will push/pull more, I vote the tractor. Larger rear tires = more traction surface. Plus higher ground clearence will allow them to get around better in the snow in general when you dont have the blade down clearing in front of you. On ice though, neither are worth a darn. That would probabally come down to which one has more rocks embedded in the tires:laughing:

All that said though, I'll take my truck any day for long drive or large lots like we plow. I believe it will push MORE than a 7000# SS or 7000# tractor. (But I do weigh about 11k in plow trim). And it is alot faster. One of lots we do, there is a vast variety of equip. A bobcat S200 SS with 8'box, a 580 case 4x4 hoe with 12' box, and a big wheel loader with 16' angle blade. This is on a paved lot that was just plowed, and I dont know the weight of a S200 and 8' box, but screwing off when the job was done, we had a "pushing" contest. Head to head and I could push the SS around.

 

[sdkubota]

That's what I was wanting to hear. I thought a ss had a better weight distribution than a tractor. Do you need chains most of the time on a ss? I never thought a CTL would be bad but it makes sense.

I was in construction for 10+ years and we used skid steers as part of our snow removal fleet. Never had chains on any of them but do not put a nut behind the wheel.

 

[94BULLITT]

I have seen some special ones but the specialness is that they are designed to try and prevent damage to pavement. If you're on gravel I bet you could find car or pickup chains that would work just fine for a fraction the cost of the set you'll need for the much larger rear tires on a tractor. My guess is either can be adapted to work just fine.

I did not know if you would have a hard time keeping them on when you turn.

I noticed some post about using chains on a SS, I have to disagree. I found that my SS would push just fine without chains. I also found, like others in my area, that SS's love to eat chains, this would be on gravel drives. Not writing that I'm against chains but they were more of a headache then a help in my situation. I'll compare my 6800lb SS to my 10000lb tractor 1st, they both could push snow decent but it would take half the time to do the drive with the SS, reason being maneuverabilty. The SS compared to my compact tractor again both pushed fine but again the SS will still out maneuver. Now I have a comapct with a snow thower, SS would still be a better choice. I ended up getting rid of the SS because I needed something to get into the woods and it was just plain getting old and worn. As afr as the push factor goes they both push snow, but the speed and maneuverabilty of an SS will out do a tractor especially in a tight spot.

I can see them being hard on chains because of the skidding when you turn.

I'll throw out my :2cents: as I dont have a direct comparison, but have been plowing and been around all kinds of plowing equipment for years.

Everyone knows the SS is more maneuverable, this quicker in tight areas, but that isnt what you asked about.

For starters, a 6000-7000 tractor most likely isnt going to be in the form of a CUT. Rather a UT. But weight and tires being equal, in a straight out what will push/pull more, I vote the tractor. Larger rear tires = more traction surface. Plus higher ground clearence will allow them to get around better in the snow in general when you dont have the blade down clearing in front of you. On ice though, neither are worth a darn. That would probabally come down to which one has more rocks embedded in the tires:laughing:

All that said though, I'll take my truck any day for long drive or large lots like we plow. I believe it will push MORE than a 7000# SS or 7000# tractor. (But I do weigh about 11k in plow trim). And it is alot faster. One of lots we do, there is a vast variety of equip. A bobcat S200 SS with 8'box, a 580 case 4x4 hoe with 12' box, and a big wheel loader with 16' angle blade. This is on a paved lot that was just plowed, and I dont know the weight of a S200 and 8' box, but screwing off when the job was done, we had a "pushing" contest. Head to head and I could push the SS around.

You are right I was not concerned about maneuverability. My L4240 weighs about 7000#. So you prefer a truck over a SS or tractor?

I was in construction for 10+ years and we used skid steers as part of our snow removal fleet. Never had chains on any of them but do not put a nut behind the wheel.

Were you primarily on pavement?