[AT] What to do

[Bill Brueck]

I've had a skid steer for almost 30 years now and quickly concluded that if
I could only have one tractor on the acreage, it would be a skid steer.  So
versatile.  

I got by on the cheap, but indeed have paid for it with labor to keep it
running.  What I know now about the unit, I would have passed on that one
and kept looking for a better one.  And said labor not always at a
convenient time.  Mine is a small unit, Gehl 2500, 2 cylinder opposed Onan
engine.  What appear to be good units show up regularly around here on
Craigs List, $1000 - $2500 range.  Parts loaders of that model are real
cheap, I've bought a couple of those and have more than enuf to build up
another loader, but the finished working machine doesn't bring enough to
motivate that effort over other projects for me.

Mine has the pallet forks on it most of the time, although in snow season I
keep the bucket on it.  

Tearing up turf is of concern, although I've learned that with a rain and a
couple of weeks of growing and you can't even find the scuffed up spots.
The worst time is those few weeks in the spring when the ground hasn't
firmed up yet.

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of ATIS
Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2016 9:57 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] What to do


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


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