Skidsteer, Mini Skidsteer or Tractor

[jnjnlc]

Ok guys, I am soon going to be needing a piece of equipment to help with Landscaping and irrigation installation. I have a question for all of the pros out there. Which is best and why, Skidsteer, mini Skidsteer or Tractor? I currently do not have any of the above. I have rented a tractor with front loader and backhoe. The next time I need one I am renting the skidsteer. I know this question lends to personal preference, but I think I will get some objective answers.

Also, has anyone had experience with the Bobcat all wheel steer/skidsteer?

Thanks.

PS:(Yes I did a search on this subject first)

[We kick grass]

Hi Guys,

That is not even a debate hands down the skidsteer is the ultimate machine for anything you need done. You can grade with it yes that means finish grade to. Haul sod with it that includes moving it off trailer and etc. lets see a tractor do that. You can set rock walls ,you will bust the front end right out of a tractor trying that. Been there!!! The manuvability is unmatched in tight spots and in landscape it happens alot. Don't even waste your money on the mini versions. If you are going to do strickly finish grading then a nice tractor with a viking box is probably the way to go. Case and Cat are my favorites not to sold on Bobcat. Happy buying they don't give those machines away:p

[Rody]

Ok I currently do some ladscaping and feel there is no doubt in my mind in you regreting buying a skidsteer. They do ALL !!I have a tractor that i use too and there is never a time that i use the tractor that i couldnt have used the skidsteer.

Go with a skidsteer!!!!!! & goodluck with all!!!

Josh

[morturf]

Yes a Skidsteer is a very valuable tool. There are alternatives to them that are just a versatile. Have a look at this site. I have used one and it is an amazing piece of machinery. The Prices are very attractive. Just another alternative.

www.power-trac.com

Look at the trailer specials.

Mike

[stslawncare]

in my opinion it all depends on the jobs u will be doing. if u will be working in very confined spaces, and/or small duty work why spend thousands of dollars on a skid? if u are doing nothing but landscaping and heavy duty then go with a skid, i fu have large areas to mow, the need for towing various stuff, and other tractor uses, then go with a tractor.

[jnjnlc]

Thanks guys.

I looked at the power trac and a couple of expos and was impressed. I like the articulating steering. I do agree that the skidsteer would be best. I will wait for more input though before I go buy.

Thanks

[morturf]

Just one quick note. You are not too far from where Power Tracs are made (about 2hrs). You should take some time, go up there and look at them. They will let you use all the implements and mess around on them in the dirt to see if it will fit your needs unlike at an expo. I know a landscaper that has 3 of them and not a single Skidsteer in his stable. He swears by them because he got a whole landscapers setup from them for what he would have paid just for a skid steer. Just trying to help.

[Henry]

I had to make the same decision 2 yrs ago and do not regret going with the skid. One of the main reasons for choosing it was the ability to load a truck. With the attachments that are available you could use them for almost anything in landscaping.

[paul]

With out knowing the size of your jobs or what your main line of work is I can't give you a choice. We use both, tractors and skid steers. the Minis don't cut it for us our jobs are too big or the material is too large. Tractors make grading large areas easy and skids steers move everything.

[steveair]

Hello,

My philosophies on the matter are this.

You've decided you need a machine, but in the past, have never used one.

What this says to me is that you've never needed one before and that maybe, you don't necesarily 'have to have' one now.

I would strongly suggest renting/leasing a machine for the time being. There are many 'rent to own options' out there where you could get a long term rental on tractors, skidsteers, etc. and then walk away from the deal if its not the right thing without getting buried in payments.

Once you have experience with the equipment, you will see which direction you want to go.

As for others helping you, that is tough. I know guys who love tractors, guys who love rubber tire hoes, guys who love bobcats, guys who love mini-x's, etc. The choice will only be able to be made by you.

I would think that if you aren't sure what you need, then you may not be ready to buy a machine at all yet.

Just a different answer I'm throwing out here:)

steve

[jnjnlc]

Thanks Steve. You make a great point about leasing possibilities.

I basically grew up on a tractor. My dad put me on one when I was six. Until I left home I used one all of the time on the farm. I see now that there are other options.

I will most likely rent a skidsteer before I buy.

As far as what I am going to do with it. I plan on everything from small to large landscaping projects. This would include hardscapes as well. And a few irrigation installations.

Thanks for the input. I think this has been the best response I have gotten on any post I have made.

Thanks

[Shawn Burns]

Jeff,
I'm in the same boat. I have run all of them in the past and they all have their place. You really need all of them! Without the budget to do all that, i say rent for awhile. After seeing what you rent most, buy that. You will still have to rent some, but you will have bought what you use the most. As bad as i want a skid steer its looking like a Dingo is in my future!

[JML]

I have a New Holland LS170 skidsteer, i love the thing. I would def. purchase one asap. My friend just financed one for like $550 a month w/ a trailer, even if you only rent the machine two or three times a month it pretty much paid for itself. It really comes in handy on jobs where you could use one, but can't justify the cost of renting it...

[darryl gesner]

For new work on established lawns, wouldn't a skid steer rip up the turf when turning?

[SCL]

Yep, but you're a landscaper, you can fix it.:D Seriously skids do tear but tractors will to, depends upon what you need to do. Use what works and bid in the repairs.

[SCAPEASAURUSREX]

SKID STEERS RULE !!!!!!!


I think the dingos and such are neat machines, but I cant justify spending 14 or 15 grand on a machine that can pick up 500 lbs... That's what the wheel barrow and ball cart are for.....

Skid s tear up lawns and dirt etc, the only way to limit that is with floatation tires, Look into McCord.. Very reasonable... Tht's gonna be my next purchase...

Even lawn mowers tear up lawns if your not carefull...

[paul]

The biggest question you have to ask yourself is what will do the most work in the least amount of time. If I needed to move large amounts of mulch across lawns every day I would own a blower unit, if I needed to move bricks or wall units across a lawn I would own a a large skid steer, the grass can be replaced that labor to move 6 units at a time can't.

[strickdad]

Originally posted by We kick grass
Hi Guys,

That is not even a debate hands down the skidsteer is the ultimate machine for anything you need done. You can grade with it yes that means finish grade to. Haul sod with it that includes moving it off trailer and etc. lets see a tractor do that. You can set rock walls ,you will bust the front end right out of a tractor trying that. Been there!!! The manuvability is unmatched in tight spots and in landscape it happens alot. Don't even waste your money on the mini versions. If you are going to do strickly finish grading then a nice tractor with a viking box is probably the way to go. Case and Cat are my favorites not to sold on Bobcat. Happy buying they don't give those machines away:p mmmm can you pull a finish mower with it? a bushhog? can you hook a wood spliter to it? the bottom line is this for affordable versatillaty a tractor is the only way to go..

[paul]

strickdad said.........

"mmmm can you pull a finish mower with it? a bushhog? can you hook a wood spliter to it? the bottom line is this for affordable versatillaty a tractor is the only way to go.."


Yes you can put a finish mower on a skid steer now, and they have had brush mowers for a few years, as far as a wood splitter goes most times it's much easier to hook up to skid steer than a tractor.
Now I'm not saying I'd mow with one, but for a single piece of equipment you can do more with a skid steer and the 50 to 60 attachment they make for them than you can with a tractor.

For the record I own a few (skid steer and tractor)of each!

[strickdad]

with all due respect paul , i stand corrected... but you are forgetting a KEY word i had in my previous post. the term affordabillity does not come to mind when purchaseing impiliments for a skid steer.... granted a skid steer is a awsome machine to own ... but to me it is a very expensive piece to make it versatile... just my thoughts...

[paul]

Not really, just like a tractor you can rent most if not all attachments, some of which you can't get for a tractor! Now remember I own both and use both thru out the year.

It all depends on how much use you need from each machine and the size and type of work you do, I'd rather grade a large lot or park with a tractor than a bobcat, but moving stone or brick with a tractor is a waste of effort and labor.

Affordability thats an interesting word, if your just talking about the price of the attachment then tractor implments are cheaper to a point, better attachments are very close in price to each other. The laser box scraper we bought last fall was $11k for the tractor and $11.5K for the skid steer. Not alot of differance.

Prices for a skid steer are close too, a bare tractor we bought two years ago was $16K and the last skid steer was $19K, tractor was 45 hp and the skid steer was 65 hp so $$ to horse power wise its even closer.

[Shawn Burns]

I agree with Paul. Dollar for dollar the machines are about the same. I am still looking at what i NEED to buy myself. I think it all comes down to individual preferances and type of work to be done ( work to be done most of the time). Like i said earlier, ultimatly you need both!

BTW, Paul where did you buy your skid for $19,000? I think i remember you run a NH right? That machine here is about $24,000.

[paul]

Last year we bought a LS170 High flow, with all suspension seat, warning lights, and a few other goodies for $19K

[strickdad]

i agree on the type of work for the machines in quetion each has its own strong points and weakness. for our op. the tractor works best. i do however see more skids running around here than tractors. a side note to this my wifes cousin just bought a new skid form john deere. he got the top of the line with the tracks, enclosed cab, air cond. heat etc. price of the unit alone was 42,000 ....

[Shawn Burns]

Paul, if i could buy that machine for that price i would definatly do so. That machine here sells for $25,000 give or take a little. Nice machine though! If i buy one i have narrowed it down to NH or JD.Both dealers are within 6 miles of me.

[paul]

Around here a LS180 runs $24K it also depends what you want with it, jumping up the ladder LS-190 really get higher running $34K but with tires running $300 a peice I do understand it some

[Loosestrife]

I've always said that each of these machines has its place, and that when making a purchase decision, one must look at the type of use they will need from each machine. What works for someone in CA may not work for someone in Maine.

That being said, one more thing that needs to be thrown into the equation. Just about every rental outlet in the area rents skid steers. They are very redily available. Tractors on the other hand are more rare, but are available.

What I am saying is that you will always be able to rent a skid steer, but renting a tractor may be a little more difficult.

Perhaps this makes the vote for the tractor a little stronger for some?

[DEERETEE]

skid steers are not an expensive purchase when compared to a tractor. tractors with loader and rear hydra scv will exceed 20,000. u.s. skid steers start at 20,000. and go up. a skid steer may attach to a finish mower but does not make sense due to the weight of the machine. even with flotation tires the machine weight is over 6,000#. the interesting thing is attachments for skid steers is growing quickly. versatility is the issue. and you dont have to own ever attachment. check local rental yard for availability. skid steers are getting very popular at your rental yard:blush:

[DaddyRabbit]

Hmmm, here's my thought's. I think that the skid steer is an awesome piece of Eq. w/a lot of lift capacity. It is however going through some growing pains at the present. People detest the way it tears up a yard hence the skidsteer operation. Bobcat had addressed this issue w/the A 220, I'm not sure about the #s but nonetheless it has the ability to articulate over a yard and not rip it to shreads, it only rips your wallet to shreads. You also have the T190 and T200 which are on tracks and they offer the ability to work in very moist conditions but they still lack yard friendliness. You can lift a full pallet of sod w/them. You also get beat and banged all over the place so the ride leaves a lot to be desired, something to think about if you earn your living in one. Now, onto tractors. I prefer the tractors for my landscaping work where yard prep is concerned as well as bush hoggin. You also can work on established grass and not do as much damage to it as the skid steer. As far as sod goes I get the delivery man to put it at various places for me so that's not an issue. The tractors don't create such a vacuum in your wallet when you open it up as well. I guess make a list out of pro's and con's and the one w/the more pro's on it get's the nod. Happy hunting.

[LawnLad]

Only because no one stuck up for the the "mini skid" in this thread will I put my $.02 in. We have a Dingo with multiple attachments. We like it for the work we do, though it has huge limitations. It was our first piece of earth moving equipment we bought.

I elected the Dingo since the spaces we work in are confined, had multiple attachements for a reasonable price and I could store in doors at my current location, where I could not do this with a skid.

As our installation jobs have grown and our snow operations could make use of a skid - I'm looking at buying a skid in the next year or two.

Many guys have both skids and Dingo like machines. It all depends on the job you have to get done. We rent skids and excavators when we need 'em. If you're not going to be using the equipment frequenty (you've got to define your own cost basis), then rent when you need it. Buy for the majority of your needs and fill in on the other jobs with rental equipment.

[paul]

Ok, Heres a question what does your tractor weight vs skid steer?
My lightest tractor TC45 without a bucket weighs in at 3500 lbs less attachments, so add another 700 to 1000 lbs, now my lightest skid steer weighs in at 5600 lbs. not too much diffierance! If you added a bucket to the tractor you'd be real close in weight. Add in that the skid steer can handle 1700 lbs vs 1000 lbs on the tractor.

[David Gretzmier]

I'm right there with the dingo. it actually tips at 1000lbs with a 250lb operator, and we use it everyday all day on all yards. it hauls gravel through gates, tills, mulches, carry's 4"b&b trees, trenches, rips out small trees and shrubs and goes behind our hd 1ton dump. It won't lift a pallet of sod or stone, but it will carry 16 rolls right to the people laying it. It will go around pools, and drive over stone pathways and yards with minimal damage. It will level yards and crusher base.we got ours with trailer and 16 attatchments for 25 large. Our employees fight over it. why have a machine you can't use on all properties and only saves you money 2 days a week?
anybody that has one of these uses it EVERYDAY.It save labor and time everyday. the skidsteer can only work in areas it can get to and where you need big stuff moved. most of our jobs are in the $3-10k range and it doesn't make sense.
I want another hd dingo/trailer setup to use everyday and I'll take a used beat up skid for $5000 to use 5 days a month for the heavy stuff.

Dave g