[AT] What to do

[kkinney at herculesengines.com]

Spencer
For everything you mentioned the Skid Steer is the way to go.  We got our first one 8 or 9 years ago and quickly couldn’t live without it.  it was an older model Bobcat 743.  About 3 years ago we upgraded to a Bobcat T-200 which is on rubber tracks.  Much more heavy duty but also much more expensive.  We use ours to load logs not our sawmill and they work great.  We also use it to move slabs, lumber, sawdust etc.  
Others have mentioned their stability.  Yes, you can tip them forward or backwards without to much difficulty but like anything else you quickly learn their limitations and work within them, or up to them LOL.  The thing is, I have turned a tractor with front end over several time.  I would MUCH rather be in  a bobcat when if it turns over rather than a tractor.  You are completely within a cage with a restraining bar holding you in.  Chances of getting hurt are greatly reduced in my opinion.
You will quickly find that this would be your go to machine for lots of chores around the place.
Keith



> On Jan 11, 2016, at 9:59 AM, ATIS <yostsw at atis.net> wrote:
> 
> Good question!   I use it almost exclusively for manure handling.  I also dig a little out of a bank so I can fill holes in the pasture .  I "skim level" around the barn and drive areas as necessary.   If I have to actually grade I use the box blade.
> 
> I have a sawmill and currently parbuckle the logs with a winch up onto the bed.  It would be nice to have a front loader to put the logs up there.   Most logs are sawn for barn and farm projects and are pine in the 600-1000 pound range.  So most any front loader I get should be able to handle them.  The few bigger ones I can still parbuckle.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Spencer Yost
> 
>> On Jan 11, 2016, at 9:50 AM, Gunnells, Bradley R <brad-gunnells at uiowa.edu> wrote:
>> 
>> What do you typically use the loader for? I have an old Ericson skid loader (they built the Ford CL40 which is the equivalent to mine) and also a Deere 2640 with FEL. There are things I like about both. The skid will run circles around the tractor moving snow, clearing brush and other tasks. Not to mention I can sneak it into places the tractor wouldn’t dream of going. On the other hand, as some have mentioned, stability is different with a skid. Plus being able to lift something and get off the tractor to put blocks under lifted object is MUCH easier. Or transport something in the bucked down the road to the neighbors house. If I could only have one I’d probably stick with the skid due to it’s versatility.
>> 
>> Besides, you can never have too many tools in your arsenal.  ;-)
>> 
>> Brad
>> 
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Brad Gunnells
>> University of Iowa
>> Information Technology Services
>> Enterprise Client Management
>> Iowa City IA 52242
>> (319)335-5524   FAX (319)335-5505
>> mailto:brad-gunnells at uiowa.edu
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On 1/10/16, 9:57 AM, "at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com on behalf of ATIS" <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com on behalf of yostsw at atis.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 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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