Tractor vs Skid Steer Loader Specs

[AaronD81]

Found some great info with a lot more detail on the L47 owners manual. Also seems like Kubotas breakout definition is similar to what jb1390 described because they have different specs for bucket rollback.

 

[timbatrader]

I use to own a bobcat skid steer and use to load logs on a trailer and sawmill I have moved to a pivot steer machine lots of reasons but the main one being on the bobcat you could not get out of the seat with a load on the forks I were forever wanting to position the forks over a load and then hook a chain on or load a trailer and need to reposition a bearer to so I could get my forks out and a dozen other things if you always have a helper not a problem but if you are going to use it by your self get a machine that you can hop off the seat and reposition sling without having to move the load to somewhere where you can get on the ground first

 

[MHarryE]

I don’t think you can compare by specs alone. When I added a CTL to my fleet, I found it go to in place of my compact tractor for much of the utility work I do around my farm, so I replaced the compact tractor with a 105 HP utility tractor. CTL has no PTO, no 3 point so it couldn’t be a complete replacement. My M7-171 can run things like my roto-tiller but is complete overkill.

 

[Hay Dude]

The skid was a Case 1845, I had to put tracks on it to get any traction in any ground that wasn't dry or hard.

Any 50hp or bigger FARM tractor with a GOOD loader like an ALO brand would out do it for pulling, lifting or just being able to go through snow, mud or pull loads, especially down the road.

These are the jobs that are for woods use, and around the sawmill use...

I don't have any use for a compact tractor for heavy work, I've not had them hold up for me for that kind of use. I'm slowly getting rid of compacts and have replaced them with small FARM tractors. They have been a HUGE improvement.

I'm buying tractors that are tougher, last longer and are cheaper to buy, and if needed, easier to work on...

BTW, my loader tractor does 22mph on the road...

SR

I have to agree here somewhat. I like having a cab with AC, but after that all these bundles of wires and modules and sensors stuffed in every square inch of space is a sign of future downtime.
There’s nothing like a large farm tractor for lifting in open spaces, but 4570 is right that a skid loader is a compact, but very powerful source of lifting power in tight spots, like around foundations on construction sites. But they aren’t good in fields when you have to cover ground fast or need a lot of ground clearance.

IMO, it all gets down to WHERE you operate. If it’s a construction site, a skid steer or even better, a telehandler. The JCB teleskid should always be considered. Its a skid & small tele in one.

If it’s in the fields or woods, a 4WD farm tractor with strong closed center hydraulics and a heavy built loader, like a Quicke or an Alo and 4 big Ag tires.

Telehandlers with tall tires are always gaining popularity because of the loader having a boom, and their traction.

Don’t forget the venerable 4wd full sized backhoe. The dipperstick on a backhoe can drag & curl very heavy weight and the loaders are very strong. About the only downside it you need bigger truck & trailer for a large backhoe. But they are cheap and plentiful. If staying in one spot long term, a backhoe is a great choice.

The OP needs to identify his main tasks, then pick a machine.

Construction site short term- skid steer or teleskid
Construction site deep mud and need to reach high- telehandler
Woods & fields- farm tractor or large tracked skid steer
All around work long term-backhoe.

 

[nch77]

I have Bobcat T870, the lifting capacity is massive, it has a 11,000 lb tipping load. I have a tractor loader which I still use occasionally because I have better visibility and travel speed but that's it. I doubt even a 150 hp tractor could compete with a T870 for loader work. The problem is the CTL is very heavy, can't move it without a double dually trailer and a large dually truck. But there is no comparison, its lifting and pushing power is far greater than a tractor loader.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have Bobcat T870, the lifting capacity is massive, it has a 11,000 lb tipping load. I have a tractor loader which I still use occasionally because I have better visibility and travel speed but that's it. I doubt even a 150 hp tractor could compete with a T870 for loader work. The problem is the CTL is very heavy, can't move it without a double dually trailer and a large dually truck. But there is no comparison, its lifting and pushing power is far greater than a tractor loader.

Agree on loader lift capacity, but Pushing? I would think a 150HP ag tractor would push more than a big skid steer. Especially when the ground gets muddy.
A few years ago, my neighbor was taking down trees and got his chipper truck stuck. They tried to get him out with their big skid steer. The skid steer tires instantly balled-up and that was it. I pulled him out easily with a small 4WD farm tractor. The ag tire paddles are unmatched for traction. Only metal tracks are better in most cases.

 

[nch77]

Agree on loader lift capacity, but Pushing? I would think a 150HP ag tractor would push more than a big skid steer. Especially when the ground gets muddy.
A few years ago, my neighbor was taking down trees and got his chipper truck stuck. They tried to get him out with their big skid steer. The skid steer tires instantly balled-up and that was it. I pulled him out easily with a small 4WD farm tractor. The ag tire paddles are unmatched for traction. Only metal tracks are better in most cases.

You said wheels on their skid steer. I've used the wheeled and tracked versions, they are very different. The wheeled aren't very good for traction but the tracked are great. A T870 would easily push more than a 150 hp tractor in most cases, I've used mine to pull concrete trucks out of mud holes.

 

[Hay Dude]

You said wheels on their skid steer. I've used the wheeled and tracked versions, they are very different. The wheeled aren't very good for traction but the tracked are great. A T870 would easily push more than a 150 hp tractor in most cases, I've used mine to pull concrete trucks out of mud holes.

Yeah tracks are better, but eventually the skid steers bottom out. They have lower ground clearance.
It would be a fun contest to see if my 135HP Challenger @15,000lbs with Ag tires and both axles locked could push more across mud than a tracked skid steer. I think the weight of the tractor would really help. If the mud was 12” deep or more, I’d lean tractor.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A skid dealer had a big, tracked skid on his lot, he swore that with a blade a skid would push more dirt than a small dozer. I told him, I have a small dozer, bring the skid over and we will have a timed event, cutting out topsoil and pushing it into a pile.

Whoever wins, owns both machines free and clear!

He wouldn't do it! THAT took care of the BS bragging!

SR

 

[AaronD81]

I have to agree here somewhat. I like having a cab with AC, but after that all these bundles of wires and modules and sensors stuffed in every square inch of space is a sign of future downtime.
There’s nothing like a large farm tractor for lifting in open spaces, but 4570 is right that a skid loader is a compact, but very powerful source of lifting power in tight spots, like around foundations on construction sites. But they aren’t good in fields when you have to cover ground fast or need a lot of ground clearance.

IMO, it all gets down to WHERE you operate. If it’s a construction site, a skid steer or even better, a telehandler. The JCB teleskid should always be considered. Its a skid & small tele in one.

If it’s in the fields or woods, a 4WD farm tractor with strong closed center hydraulics and a heavy built loader, like a Quicke or an Alo and 4 big Ag tires.

Telehandlers with tall tires are always gaining popularity because of the loader having a boom, and their traction.

Don’t forget the venerable 4wd full sized backhoe. The dipperstick on a backhoe can drag & curl very heavy weight and the loaders are very strong. About the only downside it you need bigger truck & trailer for a large backhoe. But they are cheap and plentiful. If staying in one spot long term, a backhoe is a great choice.

The OP needs to identify his main tasks, then pick a machine.

Construction site short term- skid steer or teleskid
Construction site deep mud and need to reach high- telehandler
Woods & fields- farm tractor or large tracked skid steer
All around work long term-backhoe.

For my uses a tractor or TLB is was more useful, but looks like with equal weight machines a skid steer will lift more. As others have said, there's no perfect machine for everything. My main problem is finding something that I can haul without buying a new truck and trailer, so it needs to weigh less than 7,500 lbs.