Off topic. Tractor vs. Skid Steer

[PopCharlie]

I just bought 30 acres. I've never owned a property of this size. I will need equipment to clear (some) and maintain the land. For the heavier work, what is recommended, a skid steer or a big tractor? Anybody with experience making this decision, please chime in.
I will be moving dirt, clearing brush, cutting in roads/trails and mowing 7 acres already cleared. I will also be building a shooting range.
Thanks,

PopCharlie

 

[jghoghunter]

Everything you are talking about is a big skid steer and a medium (35-40hp) 4wd tractor. Thats my opinion take it for what its worth. We have big to small tractors and used them all and when we bought the skid steer we used it all in conjunction with the all the tractors. Worked out very well and the skid steer was a godsend for some things a tractor just cant do.

 

[PopCharlie]

Everything you are talking about is a big skid steer and a medium (35-40hp) 4wd tractor. Thats my opinion take it for what its worth. We have big to small tractors and used them all and when we bought the skid steer we used it all in conjunction with the all the tractors. Worked out very well and the skid steer was a godsend for some things a tractor just cant do.

My brother-in-law owns 16 acres in Wyoming, he has both. His recommendation was to just get a skid steer. Since buying his, he doesn't use his 60 hp tractor much anymore. He bought a 75 hp skid steer and says the lifting capability is double what the tractor can lift. I really only want to buy one or the other.

What are some of the tasks the skid steer does that the tractor can't?

Thanks for your reply!

PopCharlie

 

[CJ6]

Lease for the heavy work. Rent D-5, D-3 dozer for cutting in the road and clearing. It'll be much faster than either other option. SIL has a JD tractor with bucket and mower deck (I believe about 35-40 hp not sure the model) that he uses for all his farm lot maintenance.

 

[OmegaRed]

I have mulled this over extensively. This assumes you are buying new:

Tractor:
Cheaper upfront
Cheaper implements
Possibly more comfortable depending on your size and stature
Many times people are more comfortable operating this since it's a wheel and joystick.
Longer form factor. Can be smoother over rough terrain

Skid steer:
Assuming wheeled since you didn't say track loader. If you are doing all the stuff you say, a wheel machine is a mistake. You'll be stuck and tearing everything up, all the time.
Shorter form factor
Usually better lifting capacity
Heavier - if moving will need beefier trailer/vehicle
standard quick coupler for implements
hydro implements. easier hookup, more expensive, more extensive

 

[338 Mollett]

Never owned a tractor , but had a fence company for 40 years and the skid steer is a godsend . With tracks you will have to try to hang one up. There are many attachments you can get to perform several jobs . I would also consider the cost of said attachments for both and let that have an influence .

 

[buckeye68]

I would rent the equipment for all the initial clearing, trial cutting and final grading. After that all you need is a tractor for general clean up and mowing. Tractor is way easier on the ground once you get grass established.

 

[jghoghunter]

My brother-in-law owns 16 acres in Wyoming, he has both. His recommendation was to just get a skid steer. Since buying his, he doesn't use his 60 hp tractor much anymore. He bought a 75 hp skid steer and says the lifting capability is double what the tractor can lift. I really only want to buy one or the other.

What are some of the tasks the skid steer does that the tractor can't?

Thanks for your reply!

PopCharlie

If I was only getting one, skid steer would be it.

 

[ebb]

What CJ6 says, do all the building, shaping work with a rented loader of some sort, maintenance like mowing and grading with a 50hp tractor. I mow mine with an older 2910 ford 3 cylinder diesel that is more than enough to do what needs to be done. Bush hog, box blade, and a boom to put on the 3 point hitch to pick stuff up and move it.

 

[OmegaRed]

My brother-in-law owns 16 acres in Wyoming, he has both. His recommendation was to just get a skid steer. Since buying his, he doesn't use his 60 hp tractor much anymore. He bought a 75 hp skid steer and says the lifting capability is double what the tractor can lift. I really only want to buy one or the other.

What are some of the tasks the skid steer does that the tractor can't?

Thanks for your reply!

PopCharlie

Big advantage of a skid steer is in lifting and material moving. A skid steer lifts the weight right in front of the tipping point, or the front tires. This is why outright a track machine can lift more, because its distributing that tipping point over the track rollers instead of just one set of wheels. It can also still move with all its traction in this instance because the back tires aren't lifted off of the ground.

With a tractor, you are lifting that weight ~10ft out in front of the front tires due to the loader arms being longer. Even worse when using forks. That coupled with a relatively light rear end, the tires lift off the ground. Of course, you can fill the back tires or use a heavy implement on the back to mitigate that. Ok in an open field, causes problems in the tight woods because now you're 25' long.

If more of your tasks are moving heavy things, material handling, creating new things (road, path, foundations) etc - skid steer.

if more of your tasks are mowing, maintenance of existing things (general road grading, moving lighter things, mulch, etc) - tractor.

 

[PopCharlie]

I have mulled this over extensively. This assumes you are buying new:

Tractor:
Cheaper upfront
Cheaper implements
Possibly more comfortable depending on your size and stature
Many times people are more comfortable operating this since it's a wheel and joystick.
Longer form factor. Can be smoother over rough terrain

Skid steer:
Assuming wheeled since you didn't say track loader. If you are doing all the stuff you say, a wheel machine is a mistake. You'll be stuck and tearing everything up, all the time.
Shorter form factor
Usually better lifting capacity
Heavier - if moving will need beefier trailer/vehicle
standard quick coupler for implements
hydro implements. easier hookup, more expensive, more extensive

I have looked at and am considering a track loader because we have a hilly area on the east side of the property. The cost difference between a tractor and a skid steer/ track loader is significant. I also do not want to have to buy a 3/4 ton or 1 ton pickup to tow a heavy skid steer or track loader. I have a 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup and a flat bed trailer that I can haul a tractor around.

Thanks!
PopCharlie

 

[DirtySteve]

Tractor… A 4WD as mentioned before. It is far more versatile than a skid steer.

 

[power55316]

Skidsteer all the way I have both and if I was told I could only have one it would be a skidsteer

 

[Preacher]

I was wondering the same thing a few years ago, bought a new 47 HP tractor and it will do all I needed done..A friend up the road has a tracked skid steer, he borrows the tractor a lot...

 

[Walt Krafft]

For maint buy a tractor. For construction rent or hire a dozer. A tracked skid steer is a compromise imo. The ss will not be ideal mowing and spraying for maintaining the place. It will be harder on the ground in light duty uses. A tractor is NOT a bulldozer and will get torn up using it like one. I have a 100hp JD tractor that pulls a 15' brushhog and a sprayer. I had a D6 for the heavy work.

 

[PopCharlie]

More general info:
There are 7 acres that have already been cleared.
We plan to build 2 homes on the land, 1 on the cleared acreage and 1 in the woods. The builder is going to do all the land clearing and prep for building the homes. So most of the heavy ground work will be done by our builder.

PopCharlie

 

[Downhill]

SKIDSTEER with tracks. The attachments for a skid steer will cover any task you described. Tilling, mowing, grubbing trees. More maneuverable and easier operation. Ability to get into tight spots. Only hinderance would be plowing large areas.

 

[gary0529]

I only have half the land that you are getting however, I have a medium size tractor for the record.
I have a 60 horse four-wheel-drive with a goodly size bucket on the front does most everything I need. I can’t really address the skid steer because I don’t have a lot of really rough territory to conquer, but I would think that a tractor is going to be a bit more useful unless you just have so much work to do on really really rough land that the skid steer with tracks is going to be preferential but as many have said, consider renting what you need and then getting a tractor to do the everyday maintenance like cutting pasture Bushhogging whatever

 

[okie]

I see you are in VA. What kind of maintenance? What' the widest cutter you are going to run? I bet you will need to spray.?? How about fertilizing and planting? discing? Aerating. Where I live if you dont spray or run a cutter in 3 years you will have 2 inch diameter sweet gums and persimmons-not to mention blackberries chest high.

My advice is to clean it up good first. Rent/buy whatever suits you. Dozers and skid steers excel here. A lot of times you can buy a piece of equip. at an auction and break even or make money when done with it. Then get a MFWD with a front end loader with a 3 pt and PTO for maintenance.

 

[okie]

I only have half the land that you are getting however, I have a medium size tractor for the record.
I have a 60 horse four-wheel-drive with a goodly size bucket on the front does most everything I need. I can’t really address the skid steer because I don’t have a lot of really rough territory to conquer, but I would think that a tractor is going to be a bit more useful unless you just have so much work to do on really really rough land that the skid steer with tracks is going to be preferential but as many have said, consider renting what you need and then getting a tractor to do the everyday maintenance like cutting pasture Bushhogging whatever

exactly. you beat me to it.