Small horse/hobby farm

PolarExpress · Nov 20, 2014

For a small, personal hobby farm including a few horses and other general utility work, would a compact tractor or skid steer/track loader work better? I know the long wheel base and cheaper initial cost of a tractor are better, but you also can store a small loader much more easily, maneuver much better, and probably some other things I'm not remembering right now.

If you could get a slightly used skid/track loader or a tractor on a small farm for general all around work (snow removal, moving gravel/dirt, mowing, etc), what would you get and why?

Obviously the tractor would have to have a loader to compare.

MoMower · Nov 20, 2014

Depends on land size, we have 2.5 acres and have 2 horses and raise rabbits, chickens and quail. I went with a SCUT Massey GC 1710 TLB and added a belly mower. It does the chores I need it to with ease. For Massey, equine savings. Com will offer some size able discounts to horse owners. Ours was $16,500 all in.

vulcancowboy · Nov 20, 2014

I would go with the tractor, the 3-point hitch is invaluable.

Roadbuilder6 · Nov 20, 2014

Depends on your task. I would personally want CTL like a Takeuchi tL240 or Cat 247 etc, and an old farmall cub, and then a zero turn mower with a 2500 sized pickup

HarryN · Nov 20, 2014

I have a skid steer, a tractor, and horses too! Tractor by far....
Let us know what you choose.

motownbrowne · Nov 20, 2014

Skids are more expensive, and more difficult/expensive to work on. You also can't drive them on the lawn without tearing it up. A tractor can wear two implements at once, one in front, one behind.

I'd go for a tractor. Not a sub compact. Ask your question on a skid steer forum, you'll get a different answer.

Poopdeck Pappy · Nov 22, 2014

One other thing to consider is that the visibility to the rear of a skid steer is terrible. At least the ones I've driven. Skids can maneuver in tight spaces, but being able to see behind you (to keep from running over something) is a challenge.

jaydee325 · Nov 22, 2014

The popular opinion on this site is to always go bigger. In general, I agree. However, if you are planning to use the tractor in the barn for stall maintenance etc, the SCUT may be a better choice. This of course depends on how big your barn is.

For example, I've got 5 acres and had horses in the past. Barn is 32'X32'. The stalls are gone now and I keep my LS R3039H CUT in it now. Just visualizing where the stalls were and how much space the tractor takes up would have meant the tractor would have had to stay outside because there would not be enough room to maneuver in the aisle.

jaydee325 · Nov 22, 2014

The popular opinion on this site is to always go bigger. In general, I agree. However, if you are planning to use the tractor in the barn for stall maintenance etc, the SCUT may be a better choice. This of course depends on how big your barn is.

For example, I've got 5 acres and had horses in the past. Barn is 32'X32'. The stalls are gone now and I keep my LS R3039H CUT in it now. Just visualizing where the stalls were and how much space the tractor takes up would have meant the tractor would have had to stay outside because there would not be enough room to maneuver in the aisle.

WM75Guy · Nov 22, 2014

We have 14 acres and 3 horses so we are in similar circumstances. If you are only going to have one the tractor is cheaper and more useful. While both will have a loader only the tractor will have a 3PT hitch. Don't focus so much on HP as capability. Think of all the things you will have to do and what you might want to do. Then look ratings such as FEL lift capacity and weight.

My TC40DA will lift 1500 lbs at the pins. It's OK for round bales but just barely as the load gets further out. I have to split pallets of shavings and sawdust pellets as I cannot lift a full one at 2000 lbs off the trailer that the feed store loaded with a forklift. What attachments will you need? Will they need remotes to operate and how many? How much PTO HP is needed to operate the 3PT attachment such as a cutter, tiller, or baler?

At the time I thought my TC40DA 40 HP would be enough, I was wrong. I bought the Boomer 8N 50 HP just to mow with a 6' cutter and had to add 200 lbs of front weights to stop it from lifting the front wheels off the ground from the weight of the lifted cutter. My next tractor will be in the 80-100 HP range just to get the FEL lift capacity and weight to do routine tasks. As I get older I am compensating for my loss of ability with more tractor capability.