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Skid Steer Advice
Posted on 10/20/24 at 9:09 pm
Posted on 10/20/24 at 9:09 pm
I’m looking for a skid steer for my small farm of 5 acres in south louisiana. All I need it for is to move hay, dirt, rocks, etc and spread dirt every so often….about an hour of total work each month if I had to estimate. My budget is around 15k. What is a good brand to look for and is it feasible to find something decent around that price?
17
Posted on 10/20/24 at 9:15 pm to cryptkeeper
Why not a 4x4 tractor with a bucket?
Posted on 10/20/24 at 9:18 pm to cryptkeeper
One of my friends just sold a skid steer to buy a tractor. He says the tractor is much more useful.
Posted on 10/20/24 at 9:19 pm to Bawpaw
Not opposed to that either….skid steer just looks like it’s more fun to operate.
Posted on 10/20/24 at 9:21 pm to cryptkeeper
New skid steer costs about $60k.
Posted on 10/20/24 at 9:30 pm to mytigger
I’m looking for something older and used.
Posted on 10/20/24 at 9:54 pm to cryptkeeper
Buddy of mine does dirt work for a living. He runs a Takeuchi skid steer and I helped him and another guy run 2 of the same model Takeuchi’s doing hurricane Helene cleanup and was freaking amazed at what they could pick up and move with grapples.
I think you’re gonna see that $15k won’t get much of a skid steer though. It would be a decent start for a tractor with a loader. I run a 43hp John Deere and can do what I need, just slower for sure (and probably nowhere near as fun).
I think you’re gonna see that $15k won’t get much of a skid steer though. It would be a decent start for a tractor with a loader. I run a 43hp John Deere and can do what I need, just slower for sure (and probably nowhere near as fun).
Posted on 10/20/24 at 11:55 pm to RoIITide
Thanks. That’s my concern with my budget is that I’m going to end up getting junk.
Posted on 10/21/24 at 12:47 am to cryptkeeper
I've got 4 acres here and do similar activities; maintain the gravel drive, moving gravel and dirt, lifting pallets occasionally, clearing trees that have fallen or I've cut down. I've got a 35 hp mahindra tractor with a front loader. It's handled everything I've needed it for. The FEL has lifted everything I've thrown at it, including some very heavy tree trunks.
Posted on 10/21/24 at 6:28 am to cryptkeeper
Find one that is pre computer/software. If you can’t find one, buy new. It ain’t worth the hassle
This post was edited on 10/21/24 at 6:30 am
Posted on 10/21/24 at 6:34 am to cryptkeeper
I have a 35hp bobcat tractor (made by kioti) and love it. The key is to ensure you have a tractor with the hydrostatic transmission. It opens up the usefulness. I can run a stump grinder where manual transmission tractors cant without problems. The quick attatch on the bucket is also must have. Switch between grapple root rake, bucket, pallet forks, and lane side cutters in minutes. Tractors are easier to work on, change fluids ect. Skid steers typically try to pack everything in a compact tight area and things are difficult to get to to work on. Don't get me wrong, I am not hating on skid steers, but a farm setting tractors typically fair better.
Posted on 10/21/24 at 7:15 am to cryptkeeper
You don’t want a skid steer of $15k it’ll cost you in the long run to keep it running.
Find you a 4x4 tractor with “skid steer” front attachments with front and rear remote connectors.
Find you a 4x4 tractor with “skid steer” front attachments with front and rear remote connectors.
Posted on 10/21/24 at 11:59 am to cryptkeeper
You won’t find much that you want for 15k. Be very careful if you do. More than likely the under carriage will be shot or other issues that have been band aided will show up. If you are only using for an hour per month you’d be much better off hiring it out. A good operator can work quickly and efficiently. I own a dozer and excavator service as a side gig. People are usually surprised in how much I can get done in four hours with either machine.
The tractor recommendation was smart. You can find a decent utility tractor for what you are looking for .
If you still want a CTL check out Kubota , bobcat , and Deere . They are all good. Don’t buy one that’s been used for mulching. Just my opinion.
The tractor recommendation was smart. You can find a decent utility tractor for what you are looking for .
If you still want a CTL check out Kubota , bobcat , and Deere . They are all good. Don’t buy one that’s been used for mulching. Just my opinion.
Posted on 10/21/24 at 1:02 pm to cryptkeeper
Buy a backhoe
Posted on 10/21/24 at 2:29 pm to cryptkeeper
For 5 acres get a subcompact/ compact utility tractor with a FEL. A $15k skid steer is almost certainly going to be a ragged out POS, and if you find one that seems like it's too good to be true, it's almost a certainty there is a catch.
Unless you're going to be lifting 1000lb+ all the time, get the tractor.
Unless you're going to be lifting 1000lb+ all the time, get the tractor.
Posted on 10/21/24 at 2:50 pm to mudshuvl05
Thank you all for the advice. The only very heavy lifting will be round bales of hay and that is not every month as well don’t have that many cattle. Sounds like the tractor may be the safer bet.
Posted on 10/21/24 at 4:21 pm to cryptkeeper
quote:
Not opposed to that either….skid steer just looks like it’s more fun to operate.
Nothing is cheap on a skid steer. Nothing.
Posted on 10/21/24 at 4:24 pm to cryptkeeper
A tractor and a backhoe are what you want.
Posted on 10/21/24 at 4:26 pm to cryptkeeper
I'm a sales rep for CAT and I would say to stay away from any skid steer less than $25k. That's not to say there aren't exceptions but if you buy a $15k machine you may end up spending $10k to repair it when it loses an engine, hydraulic motors, tracks, etc. The maintenance on older skid steers will eat you alive at times
Posted on 10/21/24 at 6:25 pm to cryptkeeper
quote:
Not opposed to that either….skid steer just looks like it’s more fun to operate
It is definitely fun…..until something breaks. I had an issue on my dozer last year that we couldn’t figure out. I called the dealer and Komatsu field tech came out with the service truck. He got me fixed up in 4 hours for $1600. I gladly paid and the machine was back to work. That’s a cheap repair on a piece of heavy equipment.
This post was edited on 10/21/24 at 6:26 pm
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