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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Tractor / skid steer help??

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cwby

01-15-2007 08:22:18




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Just was seeking a little input. I am looking for either a tractor or a skid steer to meet my current needs. I feed about 1300#+ bales (about 50/year) & plowing snow. Any recommendations on what I should get & why. Can you please list make & model. Your help is greatly appreciated.




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alex-41JDb

01-17-2007 18:00:30




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 Re: Tractor / skid steer help?? in reply to cwby, 01-15-2007 08:22:18  
My family runs a general contracting business and have a mustang that we use to load/grade with and plow snow. We have a set of tracks and have got it stuck but everything was getting stuck that day. It works great but our concrete contractors have a cat on rubber tracks and that thing is bad to the bone. If you got the dollas I would go with one of those. It doesnt sink, has good traction, and is stable. good luck

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Robert Searcy

01-16-2007 21:38:39




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 Re: Tractor / skid steer help?? in reply to cwby, 01-15-2007 08:22:18  
Hey Fellas, I have both. The skid steer is much more handy than a loader tractor for many reasons. Visibility, stability, ease of use, hydrostat, etc..... .....but as with anything there are down falls. They are useless in mud or thawing frozen ground. IF you live in the northern states and have ruts that stay frozen all winter, they would beat a fella to death. I finally purchased tracks, a must for a skid steer!!! Much smoother, go anywhere traction, never been stuck with my tracks yet!!!

I have a Scat Trak that was bought out by Volvo in 2003 I believe. You can find them used and they are terrific units. They were made in Wisconsin so parts are american. You can get the pumps serviced at any local hydraulic shop, they have all standard hose fitting you can get made most anywhere. The larger units use Perkins diesel engines, mine has a 1004 series 86hp 4 cyl engine in it and its TOUGH!!! I have a set of pallet forks/bale spikes, tooth bucket, smooth bucket, post hole digger, and have used other items on it. They are handy as a pocket on a shirt. If you arent mowing acerage and only using for grading, feeding, cleaning barns, manure piles etc..... ...go with the skid steer, they spin on a dime.

Tractors are much better for pulling things, mowing, general farm work but for strictly a loader tractor, a skid steer will run circles around one.

If I have any challengers let me know!!!

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RodInNS

01-15-2007 18:40:46




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 Re: Tractor / skid steer help?? in reply to cwby, 01-15-2007 08:22:18  
I've got a NewHolland LS170 skid steer and it's the handiest machine we've ever had, bar none. It gets more hours by twice than any tractor on the place. As has been stated, the attachments you can buy or build are nearly unlimited, you've got a hydrostatic drive on most of them, and they're quick and manuverable. For a hard surface, yard loader, you can't beat them. If you get into the mud, you'll curse them till you die, although I think I'd still take this LS170 over most any 2 wheel drive loader tractor. You can also get combi tracks for the skid steer that will help in wet conditions.
I like the NH's because of the boom linkage. They reach forward as they lift and balance their loads well. Also have good rearward visibility from the seat, which many makes do not. I think their stability is hard to beat, although we could argue that till the cows come home. The NH is also probably a bit lighter machine than some of it's competitors, but I wouldn't hold that against it. One feature I would suggest you get, regardless of the color, is boom hydraulics. The Lx and LS series NH's have this as standard equipment. One thing I wish I had is high flow as well..... but can't have it all. Closed in cab's are nice too.... wish I had one. For the money you're talking, that should get you into a moderately used LS170, but it'll be touchy.

On the other hand, if you're dealing with a lot of mud.... deep mud, get a front wheel assist tractor. That would make life so much easier. Again, each has their place, but I sure love the skid steer. They are just so fast and efficient to work with compared to a loader tractor.

Rod

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n8terry

01-15-2007 15:21:42




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 Re: Tractor / skid steer help?? in reply to cwby, 01-15-2007 08:22:18  
I have a small acreage with a drive way about 1/4 mile long. I have owned both a skidsteer and a utility tractor with a loader. I can get a lot more done with the skidsteer, this is the third one that I have owned. I decided to upgrade about a year ago. I said that if I couldn't find a good used one for $12000, I was going to get a new one. I ended up buying a new Gehl year old model for 15,700 plus tax. I enclosed the cab myself and bought a Gehl heater to put in it. I sold my old Gehl for $2000 more than I gave for it, and used it for 5 years.

Problem is, we haven't got any snow yet this winter! I live in SD, so I know this will change.

They do ride rough, so if you are in one a lot, invest in the deluxe seat which most models offer.

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Lou

01-15-2007 13:03:31




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 Re: Tractor / skid steer help?? in reply to cwby, 01-15-2007 08:22:18  
Just befor I read your question I was reading the local swap sheet, I saw a Massey Ferguson 165 diesel , with a front loader and 3 pt hitch. You can do a lot of different jobs with a tractor like that.



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Jim WJ

01-15-2007 12:51:42




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 Re: Tractor / skid steer help?? in reply to cwby, 01-15-2007 08:22:18  
On the farm here we have 2 bobcats a 753 diesel and a 632 gas, would not be without them.
You can buy or build so many different attachments
that these machines can handle most any small job.
post hole drilling, sweeping, etc.
Just make sure the lifting cap. is in the range of your chores.
Jim WJ



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cwby

01-15-2007 10:59:59




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 Re: Tractor / skid steer help?? in reply to cwby, 01-15-2007 08:22:18  
I would be in the "used" market, with a budget of no more than $15k.



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Tim Shaw

01-15-2007 10:38:07




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 Re: Tractor / skid steer help?? in reply to cwby, 01-15-2007 08:22:18  
Don't exactly know your needs and budget but a skidsteer is one usefull piece of equipment. We've got a lot of iron around here and the skidsteer loader is the handiest thing on the place.



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glennster

01-15-2007 10:18:16




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 Re: Tractor / skid steer help?? in reply to cwby, 01-15-2007 08:22:18  
kinda hard to say with the information given. what kind of budget do you have to spend? new, used ect? any other chores you need done? how about future needs? i agree a tractor with a loader may be your best choice, add a three pint hitch and you got a pretty handy helper. the skidsteer is kind of limited as to what you can do, and attachments are pretty pricey. but, if all you will ever do is lift and move snow, the skidder with a bale spear and a bucket may be all you need

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Uncle

01-15-2007 09:59:25




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 Re: Tractor / skid steer help?? in reply to cwby, 01-15-2007 08:22:18  
Just my 2 cents but a skidsteer will beat you to death unless you are on good solid foundation.
If you are going through or across ruts, I would go with the tractor front end loader route.



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