[AT] What to do

[ATIS]

The skid steer idea did cross my mind, but only very briefly. Getting a tractor and replacing the 861  has the advantage of bringing in about three grand to help pay for all this when I sell the 861.

My gut reaction was most skid steers  are  fairly expensive if they are in good enough condition to be reliable. Most of the decent ones seem to run $10-$18,000 depending on size, condition, and year. For that I can get a very nice used replacement tractor for my 801 with a front loader. The cheaper skid steer's all seem to be very old and very worn out.   

Like Steve I am also concerned about how much they tear up the ground. In most areas of my farm, this is not that big of an issue. But there are some areas I would like to use it where I don't want to tear up the ground.

Having said all that, I must admit I did not look that closely or give it the amount I thought I probably should. So I'm going to revisit the idea of the skid steer.  Plus they are tons of fun to operate. (-;

Some of the back story:  My arrangement to borrow my friends Mahindra with a FEL at anytime  ended December.    They are boarding animals at our farm and in return they are acting as our farm sitters twice a year for a week, and I borrow the front loader anytime I want.  They have sold all but one of their animals and either the farm sitting or FEL had to go.   Farm sitting is more valuable to me.  Fortunately for me his glow plug system went south in December and he called me to fix it.   That repair was done on a few monthes more usage as barter.  So I have a little more time.


Also I have to think about money.  With the lawsuit I have to be able to finance the tractor/SS - I don't have the spare cash to pay up front like I normally do when it comes to equipment.  And the local farm credit co-op has some good financing terms going on right now for used equipment. So it needs to be about 10 to 12 years old or younger.  Any older and it's either not financeable, or the terms start going bad quickly.   

Thanks for all the great ideas.  Keep them coming,

PS:  Anyone ever used the older MF235/265 tractors with a front loader?   Some of the pictures suggest they might be short enough and nimble enough to use around my farm like the newer ones? I know taking it on and off will still be a pain.

Spencer Yost