Would you give up a tractor for a skid steer (CTL)?

[Jarrett]

I have a 2003 Kubota L3130 tractor, MFWD with FEL that I bought brand new. It has served me well. It only has ~520 hrs on it. I only use it for personal use around my 5 acre home place plus occasionally doing small projects for family. I've been thinking that a tracked skid steer would suit me better for the tasks that I use my tractor for. I use it for grading the driveway, moving material & debris, lifting things with the loader, and a little bit of bush hogging once or twice a year. I have a rear blade, box blade, grademaster grader, landscape rake, bush hog, and pallet forks. I'm in the middle of a big project of regrading my yard to address some drainage issues that I've put off far too long. One of the things driving me to consider something different is I'm wanting something with a cab and AC. Although I'm still "young" (43), I live in south Louisiana and I can't handle the heat like I used to. I first thought about upgrading to a cab tractor, but in doing this project I keep thinking that a skid steer would work so much better than the tractor. If I did mostly mowing, I think the tractor would be better. In order to get a skid steer, I would have to sell the tractor. Am I crazy for considering a skid steer over a tractor for around the home use? If I was in the grading and excavating business the skid steer would be a no brainer.

 

[4570Man]

I have a CTL. A CTL is far stronger and more durable than a tractor. The biggest downside is a tractor can work on grass without tearing it up where the CTL is quite destructive even if you’re being careful.

 

[workinonit]

I would love to have a SS but most of what I do if on turf and you cannot run a SS on turf or anywhere you care about being torn up. It absolutely demolishes what it runs on just like an excavator. They are some expensive machines as well.

 

[Rustyiron]

Although there's a tiny overlap of abilities, they are really very different tools, like an adjustable wrench is to an actual wrench.
The closest you can get (in terms of lawn or "terrain damage" would be on of Bobcats all wheel steer models and this of course does not get you the tracks - if you need them. That's a different discussion.

 

[sea2summit]

Damage is something you’ll have to consider when driving anything with a pivot steer but it can be done, tracks may have an advantage. For most of the jobs you’re talking about a skid steer does have the advantage…except for cost. Both initial investment and attachments are going to be very high. Also consider if you plan to mow with it you’ll not only need the mower but hi flow hydraulics.

Over all between bigger cabbed tractor or CTL for those jobs CTL is probably the winner aside from cost. Versatility down the road may also tip to the tractor which is something else to consider (put a good plot in on the hunting lease, till mom’s garden, etc.).

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a 2003 Kubota L3130 tractor, MFWD with FEL that I bought brand new. It has served me well. It only has ~520 hrs on it. I only use it for personal use around my 5 acre home place plus occasionally doing small projects for family. I've been thinking that a tracked skid steer would suit me better for the tasks that I use my tractor for. I use it for grading the driveway, moving material & debris, lifting things with the loader, and a little bit of bush hogging once or twice a year. I have a rear blade, box blade, grademaster grader, landscape rake, bush hog, and pallet forks. I'm in the middle of a big project of regrading my yard to address some drainage issues that I've put off far too long. One of the things driving me to consider something different is I'm wanting something with a cab and AC. Although I'm still "young" (43), I live in south Louisiana and I can't handle the heat like I used to. I first thought about upgrading to a cab tractor, but in doing this project I keep thinking that a skid steer would work so much better than the tractor. If I did mostly mowing, I think the tractor would be better. In order to get a skid steer, I would have to sell the tractor. Am I crazy for considering a skid steer over a tractor for around the home use? If I was in the grading and excavating business the skid steer would be a no brainer.

No, not crazy at all. That’s a lot of attachments you have to replace, though. Outside of a bucket or pallet forks or bale spear, everything on a skiddy will be pushed that your tractor now pulls.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Maybe you should consider renting a skid steer for this project. Used equipment prices are pretty high right now.

Or you could go ahead and buy a skid steer, use if for this project, then sell it when you are done.

For an example of prices of used equipment, I bought a skid steer last fall for $17,500 from a rental company in Lafayette.

About 2 weeks ago, a very similar skid steer sold at an auction in Jennings for $18,000. It was from the same rental company and had about the same hours as mine had. Today that same skid steer is listed on Facebook Marketplace for $25,000.

 

[LouNY]

One big thing to consider is access to the cab and getting out of the cab while any attachment is lifted.
Also many times a cab door doesn't have the clearance to open with many attachments if lifted just a couple of inches.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

One big thing to consider is access to the cab and getting out of the cab while any attachment is lifted.
Also many times a cab door doesn't have the clearance to open with many attachments if lifted just a couple of inches.

This is very true. It is very difficult to get in or out of a skid steer, if the attachment is not all the way down on the ground.

 

[blacktruck]

I have a 2003 Kubota L3130 tractor, MFWD with FEL that I bought brand new. It has served me well. It only has ~520 hrs on it. I only use it for personal use around my 5 acre home place plus occasionally doing small projects for family. I've been thinking that a tracked skid steer would suit me better for the tasks that I use my tractor for. I use it for grading the driveway, moving material & debris, lifting things with the loader, and a little bit of bush hogging once or twice a year. I have a rear blade, box blade, grademaster grader, landscape rake, bush hog, and pallet forks. I'm in the middle of a big project of regrading my yard to address some drainage issues that I've put off far too long. One of the things driving me to consider something different is I'm wanting something with a cab and AC. Although I'm still "young" (43), I live in south Louisiana and I can't handle the heat like I used to. I first thought about upgrading to a cab tractor, but in doing this project I keep thinking that a skid steer would work so much better than the tractor. If I did mostly mowing, I think the tractor would be better. In order to get a skid steer, I would have to sell the tractor. Am I crazy for considering a skid steer over a tractor for around the home use? If I was in the grading and excavating business the skid steer would be a no brainer.

You asked.
My opinion is there is very little overlap of tasks that can be equally performed by either piece of equipment. Choose carefully the tasks you anticipate doing and let that decide what piece of equipment you need. The tasks aside, as mentioned above the access to the cab with almost anything attached to the arms of a CTL is non-existent on everything with a standard front door. I think Volvo and JCB make a side door model. I've spent many hours in a skid steer or CTL and have found that to be just a pain. They aren't easy to get in the operator seat and once you raise the arms, for the most you are locked in place. CTLs and skid steers have a place in the world but for homeowner type of tasks, I would prefer a tractor. A cab model might be better choice for you. Easy to access and it keeps you cool on your tractor.

 

[LouNY]

Where are the tool cat guys,
that would be a much better choice then a skid steer ever thought to be.
Or lots of money for the side door type from JCB or Volvo

 

[mikester]

I hate operating SS because they are brutal for operator comfort and you are riding a pogo stick. CTL's are high maintenance and costly to repair. Operator access is limited and I don't like the idea of having to exit a machine under a load.
Both machines are great for moving heavy loads in restricted spaces.

If space wasn't a concern I would take a full sized construction TLB over a CTL. Do the jobs, then sell it.

If you are grading and building roadways rent a 6-way dozer or hire a guy with one.

A machine that does a little of everything does nothing particularly well.

 

[shooterdon]

Looks like what you have works well except for this one project.

So you need to determine if whatever you "upgrade" to will do your regular duties just as well or better. And if this one project is worth the investment.

My gut tells me you will be getter off with a cabbed tractor, but I am not you. But I was you, I would at least get a quote on what it would cost to have the work done by someone who knows what they are doing and has the right equipment. You may need both an excavator and dozer to do the job right.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

One big thing to consider is access to the cab and getting out of the cab while any attachment is lifted.
Also many times a cab door doesn't have the clearance to open with many attachments if lifted just a couple of inches.

We have two Kubota skid steers. The doors raise like a garage door. Both are high flow. Mulcher, grapple, bucket, hay spear and Bush Hog for both. Both high flow. We use them for a lot of general work. Also set up with FEMA and go clean the roads immediately after a hurricane. That means chain saws too. Plus we have 3,000 plus head of cows. And we have tractors. But, if I could only have one thing it would be a tractor. Skid steer with a tractor, but not just a skid steer. I've seen the SS stuck in places that if we didn't have another one we would have had to get a helicopter.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Last job I was on we took two ss and a large trac hoe. Another guy we know well brought a track hoe and ss, case dozer. We tore down 6 chicken houses full of water and dead chickens. Foot deep black mess water. You would think as high as lumber was... Thousands of 20' 2x4 and 2x6 trusses. But folks so hard to deal with, didnt show up when they said. We dug a couple big holes and lit it up. Burned every bit of it. Called a scrap yard and they left a couple of trailers there and we mashed the roof tin down in them. Got rid of them houses. Pulled concrete footings up too and threw in the burnt out holes. We talking six 600' houses. All them feed lines, water lines, cables run the full length. We had to pull footings up because new houses would be wider. We didnt have a tractor on that job. But if I didnt have that type of job I wouldnt need a skid steer.

 

[TractorGuy]

The short answer is NO WAY!

Track machines metal OR rubber will destroy a lawn.

 

[Xfaxman]

Where are the tool cat guys,
that would be a much better choice then a skid steer ever thought to be.
Or lots of money for the side door type from JCB or Volvo

I am a Toolcat Guy.

A Toolcat 5610 has the 3 point that will handle your 3 point implements.
But I recommend selling your brush hog and getting a front mount like our 7':

It also handles the 6', 1 cubic yard bucket:

More pictures here: Toolcat 5610 F and 5610 G Series Pictures

 

[Hay Dude]

JCB skiddys have side door.

 

[4570Man]

I am a Toolcat Guy.

A Toolcat 5610 has the 3 point that will handle your 3 point implements.
But I recommend selling your brush hog and getting a front mount like our 7':

View attachment 709326View attachment 709327

It also handles the 6', 1 cubic yard bucket:

View attachment 709328View attachment 709329View attachment 709330View attachment 709331

More pictures here: Toolcat 5610 F and 5610 G Series Pictures

So does Volvo. That would definitely be an advantage IMO.

 

[Rustyiron]

Volvo re brands the JCB.