skid steers

[Destroked 450]

You don t want to use one of those mowers on a tractor with front loader
With a skid steer to mower is sucked up next the the machine and any flying debris are thrown back under the skid steer
Most tractors don t have the hydraulic flow needed to run those mowers and there is no protection from flying debris impelling the tractor s radiator or the operator
A heavy wire door guard or thick non breakable door window is a safety requirement to use those mowers on skid steers

 

[Hoenes]

I vote track machine. Rubber tire bobcats are worthless with any moisture on the ground, unless you're always on concrete.

 

[Levi81]

I vote track machine. Rubber tire bobcats are worthless with any moisture on the ground, unless you're always on concrete.

Or if you know what your doing….

 

[redtom]

I don't own one, never have. But I did work as a mechanic for a landscape company. This guy was all Bobcat. He had three rubber track machines and on a lark bought one wheel machine because he got a good deal on it. That wheel machine ate those tires in couple months. Those guys could run in and out of back yards with those track machines all day and not plow out ruts. Now, I will say, they had to do a fair bit of unloading etc on pavement and that is hard on rubber tracks. There was never an issue of them coming off unless I neglected my job of inspection and maintenance. Aftermarket tracks were cheaper than oem. If it was me it would be rubber tracks hands down.

 

[waugh621]

Hi I wanted to know what people think about skid steers around grain farm. We are thinking about getting one. Basically I need to lift ~2500 lbs and be able to help around the yard with yard work. We will be making new bin pads, digging out a lot of yard and replacing with new sand/clay mix, clean up old yard sites and probably snow removal.

1. What do I need?
2. What size would work?
3. What are the best brands? Have all options local Kubota (friend, JD, Bobcat, Case or New Holland. What about chinese units? Good deal on TS-100.
4. Tracks obviously better but do I need them? How long do tracks last?
5. What controls are best or is it preference?

Open to suggestions. Never owned or operated one.

Skid steeres are extreamly hand and im sure you wont regret getting one. As far as capacity you can look the model up on line to find the working load. Tracks are better for dirt work where traction is important most farmers around me use wheeled machines because they stay on the yard and are a fair bit cheaper. Brand is you get what you pay for also is buying used watch out a lot of these loaders are run hard and put away wet.
Also for future refrence you may be better off making a new post rather than bringing up an old one on a topic.
Nate

 

[Frank(Mi.)]

I'm looking to buy a skid steer. It will only be used for occasional hobby use. I'm trying to decide whether to buy a track machine or over the rubber tire machine or even just a tire machine. It would be used for dirt use. What's everybody thoughts? Thank you.

Tractors are easier to get onto/into than skidsteers....something to consider if you're as old as some of us. If your work will have you traveling long distances, tractors are way better for that...

 

[Roger in Iowa]

Type of controls is important. Mine has hand and foot controls. I find them much more useful and controllable and sensitive
Hate just hand controls only. Too many things to control.
I do not have a cab so fair weather only. I can get in and out if boom is partially or full raised. I have solid tires so no flats.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

Tracks are great until they are not. My favorite ones were the grease tension style they came off pretty easy there were others that were a bear to work on one of the guys I worked with always said he’d rather put tracks on a D8 it would be easier. A landscaper going across someone else’s grass all day or if you have to work in the mud tracks are great although need to be cleaned out. For all other uses I would stick with tires cheap and simple. If you are traveling across snow tracks are better but pushing snow they are only slightly better and on ice worse. I worked on caterpillar models for a decade or so and have a 276d grew up with bobcats with foot controls I like those for operating at different times but being able to drive with 1 hand vs case has gotten me spoiled as you can be controlling functions with the other hand as you go. Most do also have electronic switches to swap between iso and case controls. Gehl I believe is also iso

 

[Tony in SD]

I have owned & used all your choices as well as utility tractors with FWD FEL & hydro that were mentioned by others. My vote is for a tracked skid steer. Either rubber or steel tracks over tires. Since dirt is your only specification, you will be much happier with tracks in the event of soft dirt. Better flotation, less getting stuck. Both important with a hobby in my opinion. I don’t personally know anyone who has gone back to tires only after using a tracked skid steer. Torn up yards are a result of the operator not necessarily the machine. Besides yard work was not mentioned in your post. A skid steer can turn in very small places that an utility tractor can not.