Skid Steer vs. Crawler (was Re: [AT] Deere Model 350 Questions

Mon Jul 12 05:12:14 PDT 2004

 I have some cures for some skid steer problems Check my web site out i sell
no flat tires and also tracks for skid steers and depending on size much
cheaper then was  said.  ED  http://www.crawlerheaven.com/index.htm

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Sloane" <msloane at att.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 7:49 AM
Subject: Skid Steer vs. Crawler (was Re: [AT] Deere Model 350 Questions

> Cecil's comments are pretty much correct. One thing you need to realize
> is that until the last 5 or so years, the situation with skid steer
> attachments was a lot like the situation before the tractor three-point
> hitch became "universal" - every manufacturer had their own ("quick
> attach") attachment system. So if you buy a used skid steer and think
> you might want to add different attachments, be sure that it has a
> "universal" mount system. Most dealers can supply adapters to bring
> older machines up to current "standard", but the price will range from
> $500-1000. The Good News is that there is only one size of universal
> mount. Also, most of the newer machines have auxiliary high volume
> hydraulic ports, which you need for the equivalent of a tractor
> mechanical PTO. Another piece of Good News is that you can buy adapters
> for your tractor's front end loader so that you can mount skid steer
> attachments to your tractor. As Cecil also mentioned, there are hundreds
> of different attachments for skid steers - rock pickers, rotary mowers,
> power rakes, tree spades, tree cutters, pallet forks, bale spears,
> backhoes, snow blades and snow "pushers", nursery forks, and many other
> items I have forgotten. Both skid steers and crawlers require a fair
> amount of skill to use well, and for grading a lane, the crawler is
> probably marginally better. Figure on $10,000-20,000 for a used late
> model skid steer in good condition. Good brands include (but are not
> limited to): Bobcat, John Deere, New Holland, Case IH, Gehl,
> Caterpillar. (I used to sell New Holland equipment.)
>
> On the down side of skid steers vs. crawlers are several items: 1. tire
> wear - operating on anything but soft ground, about 1000 hours is all
> you will get out of them, and they are expensive (about $1000/set), 2.
> flats - crawlers don't get them, skid steers do, 3. both tear up a lawn,
> but I think skid steers do it worse, 4. skid steers do poorly in soft
> wet ground compared to tracked vehicles, but you can buy tracks for skid
> steers (about $3500/set), 5. noise - the engine in a skid steer is right
> behind you and runs wide open when working, 6. visibility - you are in
> an enclosed safety cage/cabin where visibility is quite limited, except
> for straight ahead, as opposed to up in the seat of a crawler, 7.
> maintenance - the compact nature of a skid steer means that everything
> is crammed in pretty tight and everything is hydraulic with lots of
> hoses, pumps, and valves, but you don't need 20 ton jacks or 2" wrenches
> to work on them, 8. ride - with the wheels very close together and no
> suspension, you get bounced around a lot; also true of a crawler, but a
> skid steer can travel a lot faster and bounce you around more, 9.
> stability - with a low center of gravity, they are pretty hard to tip,
> (going down hill with a full load in the bucket can have the back wheels
> off the ground), but you have to be absolutely certain that you don't
> make any turns with the loaded bucket raised, 10 theft - while
> relatively rare, the skid steer is an attractive target for thieves, and
> they can be started and removed in a matter of minutes (all the keys for
> each brand are the same).
>
> Those negatives aside, I agree that the skid steer is a lot more
> versatile than a crawler and easier to store (but watch the weight -
> they are heavier than they look and can exceed the load rating of a
> trailer, even though there is plenty of room). I sold a number of them,
> new and used, before I retired, and I never had a customer complain or
> say that he wished he had gotten a crawler instead.
>
> Mike
>
> Cecil E Monson wrote:
>
>
> >
> >     I have mixed feelings about recommending the 450 size crawler to
anyone
> > who just needs a crawler on the place. They require quite a bit of
> > maintenance
> > and excell more at grading and leveling, IMHO, than in digging rocks.
> > They are
> > also slow, hot and noisy like any other crawler.
> >
> >     If I were to make a recommendation for the best all around machine
to
> > have on the place, and if I could have one and only one and that was it,
> > I would
> > hands down choose a diesel engined skid steer with front accessory
> > capability.
> > You can get quick disconnect buckets of several sizes, a post hole
digger,
> > cranes long and large enough to put up 40 foot trusses on 12 foot high
> > walls,
> > backhoes, grader blades and just about anything else you can think of
> > and all
> > this stuff can be put on and taken off by one person. Since I got my
> > skidsteer,
> > the crawlers have sat around and had it easy I can tell you that.
> > Skidsteers
> > are quick and easy to use and are fast. They store in a garage or barn
> > and you
> > don't have to worry about the grousers. They do tear up lawns unless you
> > turn
> > carefully but the marks don't go as deep as the grousers do.
> >
> >     Just as with buying any tractor, you should drive and use any
skidsteer
> > you are thinking of buying before you make the deal. I would recommend
> > renting
> > one to see what you think before you get serious. Most dealers that sell
> > this
> > type of equipment will either rent to you or bring one out for you to
> > use at no
> > charge hoping for a sale.
> >
> > Cecil
> >
>
> -- 
> Mike Sloane
> Allamuchy NJ
> Email: (msloane at att.net)
> Website: <http://www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
> Tractor images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>
> Work: none - retired
>
> If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed,
> given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking... is freedom.
> -Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. general and 34th president (1890-1969)
>
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