Tractor vs skid loader lift comparison?

[ishiboo]

I currently have a tractor and skid loader, but find myself much preferring the tractor for everything... it's simply much more ergonomic for me to get in/out, have loads in the air and get in/out, and most of what I do should be done with 3-point attachments.

I'm strongly considering replacing both with a Kioti DK55. The Kioti KL1595 loader it comes with is rated to 2600 lbs at full height of lift, whereas my 773 which is a sufficiently powerful loader for me is rated to 1700 lbs operating. How do these truly compare? I know the skid loader is faster for loader work, but I only do some of that and do a lot more things with the loader. It just seems like given the same weight rating, the skid loader arms are much stronger, the cylinders are much larger, and there's something I'm missing in the comparison.

Both the 773 and L3650 are really sufficient for what I do. The 55 would give me a slight edge to consider future growth. My biggest issue is that the Kioti is available for about what I could sell both my units for, but it's brand new and under warranty. It's also one less piece to store/maintain, and outside of not having a cab in winter, I prefer the tractor 99% of the time.

 

[TSO]

On your skid loader, you are probably used to using something like the hydrostatic transmission. The DK55 comes as a gear model, and hydrostatic trans is not an option. However, there are many tractor models with HST that have a healthy loader lift rating. Now, nearly every manufacturer has a tractor with a loader that will lift over 2,000 pounds, and some are even reaching the mid to high 2k's.

If you find that you don't need HST trans, then you can find a gear tractor with even higher lift capacities, nearing 3000 or higher.



I have to agree with you, while I would find a skid steer very useful at times, if I had to choose just one machine, it would be a tractor., due to its versatility.

 

[Verticaltrx]

One thing you are neglecting is the fact that your 773 may have a ROC of 1700lbs, but the actual lift capacity is probably 3000lbs or more, with lots of breakout force. A couple other things a skid steer has going for it is extremely good visibility and better excavating/digging ability than a tractor due to the loader geometry.

That said, the tractor is probably more versatile, and much easier to get on and off of. On the farm if I could only choose one it would be the tractor, on the job site it would be the skid steer.

 

[TomSeller]

That said, the tractor is probably more versatile, and much easier to get on and off of. On the farm if I could only choose one it would be the tractor, on the job site it would be the skid steer.

Exactly

 

[grm61]

The Kioti DK 40/45/50, use the KL401 Loader, 2764lbs of lift to full height, and come Hydrostatic or gear.

 

[jenkinsph]

ishiboo,
Why not move to a tractor with cab and hst? I would agree the skidsteer loader is heavier built but the flexibility of the tractor with 3ph may be a better deal for you. It would seem to me that the larger compacts 50 to 66 hp with cabs would be the way to go.

 

[hhsco]

I pretty much agree with the previous comments. A new tractor with cab and hst would seem to combine most everything you want. One place you might miss your skid loader that I don't think has been addressed is your hydraulics- I assume your skid steer has MUCH higher gpm ratings that your tractor. A new tractor may get close but probably still not as high-flow as the industrial machine. Might not make a difference for your usage but it can come in handy for certain implements (backhoes, hydraulic snowblowers, etc).

 

[art]

I currently have a tractor and skid loader, but find myself much preferring the tractor for everything... it's simply much more ergonomic for me to get in/out, have loads in the air and get in/out, and most of what I do should be done with 3-point attachments.

I'm strongly considering replacing both with a Kioti DK55. The Kioti KL1595 loader it comes with is rated to 2600 lbs at full height of lift, whereas my 773 which is a sufficiently powerful loader for me is rated to 1700 lbs operating. How do these truly compare? I know the skid loader is faster for loader work, but I only do some of that and do a lot more things with the loader. It just seems like given the same weight rating, the skid loader arms are much stronger, the cylinders are much larger, and there's something I'm missing in the comparison.

Both the 773 and L3650 are really sufficient for what I do. The 55 would give me a slight edge to consider future growth. My biggest issue is that the Kioti is available for about what I could sell both my units for, but it's brand new and under warranty. It's also one less piece to store/maintain, and outside of not having a cab in winter, I prefer the tractor 99% of the time.

I'd go with your 99%! Why worry about a second battery, fuel system and I can go on!

 

[ishiboo]

ishiboo,
Why not move to a tractor with cab and hst? I would agree the skidsteer loader is heavier built but the flexibility of the tractor with 3ph may be a better deal for you. It would seem to me that the larger compacts 50 to 66 hp with cabs would be the way to go.

My tractor is a GST and I'd actually prefer that to HST, though I could go with a HST if necessary.

The cab adds unnecessary cost - I think I'll buy a plow truck so I can do my other properties for next winter, so a cab is not necessary right now but would be nice

The Kioti DK 40/45/50, use the KL401 Loader, 2764lbs of lift to full height, and come Hydrostatic or gear.

Ooops! It's actually a DK55 with a KL551 loader. Similar ratings.

One thing you are neglecting is the fact that your 773 may have a ROC of 1700lbs, but the actual lift capacity is probably 3000lbs or more, with lots of breakout force. A couple other things a skid steer has going for it is extremely good visibility and better excavating/digging ability than a tractor due to the loader geometry.

That said, the tractor is probably more versatile, and much easier to get on and off of. On the farm if I could only choose one it would be the tractor, on the job site it would be the skid steer.

That's very true, but part of that is also stability... that tractor has a much larger wheelbase than my skid loader, and ballasted that weight is much further from the lift point.

The skid loader for me has worse visibility... it's very difficult to see/monitor whats behind you, which makes it very nervous for me to work around people/pets. I might miss a small part of the leading edge of the bucket, but I can see the rest.

Only thing in the specs I don't like on the DK55 is the fact the lift at 24" is only 2600 lbs, where as my L3650 is over 2000. 600 lbs seems like somewhat on the low end of an increase between the two models, but I guess it's all relative. I've never been really disappointed in the L3650's 3-point lift so far.

 

[ishiboo]

I pretty much agree with the previous comments. A new tractor with cab and hst would seem to combine most everything you want. One place you might miss your skid loader that I don't think has been addressed is your hydraulics- I assume your skid steer has MUCH higher gpm ratings that your tractor. A new tractor may get close but probably still not as high-flow as the industrial machine. Might not make a difference for your usage but it can come in handy for certain implements (backhoes, hydraulic snowblowers, etc).

That's a good point, but it seems that any higher flow attachments could be solved with a PTO pump on the back end, if that need ever arose. The only hydraulic attachment I have is the angling cylinders on the snow plow, which anything could run I'm fine with my cheap 3-point auger, so I'm not sure what else I'd need it for. The post pounder runs off the L3650s hydraulics with room to spare.

 

[TSO]

My tractor is a GST and I'd actually prefer that to HST, though I could go with a HST if necessary.

The cab adds unnecessary cost - I think I'll buy a plow truck so I can do my other properties for next winter, so a cab is not necessary right now but would be nice



Ooops! It's actually a DK55 with a KL551 loader. Similar ratings.



That's very true, but part of that is also stability... that tractor has a much larger wheelbase than my skid loader, and ballasted that weight is much further from the lift point.

The skid loader for me has worse visibility... it's very difficult to see/monitor whats behind you, which makes it very nervous for me to work around people/pets. I might miss a small part of the leading edge of the bucket, but I can see the rest.

Only thing in the specs I don't like on the DK55 is the fact the lift at 24" is only 2600 lbs, where as my L3650 is over 2000. 600 lbs seems like somewhat on the low end of an increase between the two models, but I guess it's all relative. I've never been really disappointed in the L3650's 3-point lift so far.

Have you checked out the LS U5030 ? It's a Synchro-Shuttle. 55hp with 48hp @ the PTO. Rear 3pt lift is 4,079 lbs. Loader lifts 2900 lbs to full height. You can probably pickup the open-station version for around $26k. There's also the new Tier4 version of that, the XU5065, which has a hydraulic Shuttle and 65HP... not sure what they're selling for tho.

Loader specs:
Maximum Lift Height, in. 115.5
Clearance with Attachment Dump, in. 84.9
Reach at Maximum Height, in. 27.1
Maximum Dump Angle, deg. 46
Maximum Rollback Angle, deg. 46
Digging Depth, in. 4.9
Overall Height in Carry Position, in. 66.6
Lift Capacity (@ Pivot Pin), lbs. 2900
Breakout Force (@ Pivot pin), lbs. 4790
Approx. Weight (Loader w/o Bucket), lbs. 1276

U5030 « LS Tractor USA

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If that tractor came in HST, it would be sitting in my barn now instead of this Massey.

 

[OrangeGuy]

I own both an 863 Bobcat skid loader and a Kubota Grand L3430 tractor with loader. Both units have their pluses and minuses. For loader work the Bobcat is the hands-down winner. For light loader work and 3pt capabilities, the tractor wins out. The Bobcat is also great for attachments I have rented such as; heavy duty brush mower, stump grinder, heavy duty rototiller, landplane, Harley power rake, and heavy duty auger w/36" bit. The Bobcat also handles much larger pallet fork lifting and an extra large snowbucket. I also just ordered a heavy duty tree/post puller from Post and Tree Puller to remove those pesky 1" to 3" saplings and buckthorn. It will fit on both rigs, but the Bobcat will be the superior machine for this attachment.

All this said, I won't give up my cabbed Kubota. It's an all-around machine that earns it's keep. I vote to keep what you have. The resale is great on both of the machines you own. If you must get rid of them for something new, sell both of them yourself. You'll probably end up with enough extra money to purchase much more in a new tractor.

 

[Fallon]

A tractor makes for a very poor loader platform. Look at every other lifting platform out there... Forklift, engine on the back with a counterweight & a beefy front axle. Same with an articulating loader, skidsteer, excavator or any other number of lifting machines. Now look at a tractor... Small steering axle & engine up front where the loader is, no counterweight & the beefy axle in back.

The tractor as a platform is made for pulling, not lifting or digging. The utility tractor ends up being a compromise to fulfill many rolls because it makes for a decent platform.

If you want something as a digger or loader go with something designed primarily for that. I'm happy with my little utility tractor & its loader, but I recognize its a compromise to accomplish a lot of different tasks with 1 machine.

 

[Rustyiron]

I have both a SS & tractor and would not want to have to make a decision on what one to keep, In other words, I think as much as you'll love that new shiny tractor, you will miss the SS. And as mentioned, the "official" r.o.c. of skid steers is 50% of the tipping load. unless one (or both) of your machines are giving you serious trouble, I'd keep 'em.

 

[ishiboo]

A tractor makes for a very poor loader platform. Look at every other lifting platform out there... Forklift, engine on the back with a counterweight & a beefy front axle. Same with an articulating loader, skidsteer, excavator or any other number of lifting machines. Now look at a tractor... Small steering axle & engine up front where the loader is, no counterweight & the beefy axle in back.

The tractor as a platform is made for pulling, not lifting or digging. The utility tractor ends up being a compromise to fulfill many rolls because it makes for a decent platform.

If you want something as a digger or loader go with something designed primarily for that. I'm happy with my little utility tractor & its loader, but I recognize its a compromise to accomplish a lot of different tasks with 1 machine.

Great points, but I wouldn't say a very poor loader platform, it's just designed for ground-engaging first and lifting was added on. Remember a skid steer is also designed to be highly manuervable in small spaces, and the counterweight's size and position makes up for the fact the wheelbase is SHORT. This is also a big negative when running ground-engaging attachments, towing, snow plowing, etc. It's also very low to the ground compared to a tractor, and of course has much smaller wheels/tires.

My L3650 is almost enough loader for me for loader work (the bucket is small, so an increase in bucket size with additional lift capacity will be a big improvement), except for the occasional heavy lift. I realize that the skid loader is going to be a much stronger loader alone, which is why I'm looking at replacing a 1700 lb lift skid loader with a 2600-2800+ lb lift tractor to get reasonably close to the functionality I have.

Loader work is a small part of what I do, and to be honest the L3650 is almost always sufficient. The skid loader is very lacking however when I am lifting something on a trailer, off the ground, etc. as I want to be able to get on/off which I can do on the tractor. While a tractor makes an okay loader, a skid loader makes a TERRIBLE tractor... so that's why I think it makes sense to upgrade.

I think for this summer, I'll keep both... and save for a new tractor with cab next year. Once I have that for a while, I'll figure out whether or not I can toss the skid loader or not I have some projects where it'll be nice to hook the dump trailer up to the tractor, load with the skid loader and move/dump with the tractor. LS/TYM will also be on my list going forward.

Thanks all for the great help and info to all!