Skid steers. Advice please

[Trucraft]

Hi all.

Needing some advice. For something compact in and around my yard and I keep coming back to the idea of a skid steer.

Not the mini kind but a 2t + Case, New holland etc.

I don't have the funds for a compact loader, Avant type which would be my first choice. Have 5 -8k budget.

 Would be using to move cord, load log deck, load dry logs for delivery and some light forestry/estate work.

 

What are peoples views on them that have first hand experience?

What machine are you using and what tasks?

What should I be looking for in used vehicle? 

Ideally it's would be used on the estate a little too to help pay its way. 

I would probably pick up some steel OTT tracks for that. 

Thanks.

 

[lux]

Good lift and shove. OTT tracks are expensive.
If it’s a yard machine they are great. If you want it on jobs you’d be better using your money as a deposit in a mini loader
Norcar gets my vote at the moment.

[coppice cutter]

I had an Avant a good number of years ago before they really took off in popularity, it was one of the smaller skidders, not the now more common pivot steerers. Also have a bit of experience with Bobcats on various jobs I was on.

 

My advice would be than unless you really need that turn-on-it's-own-axis ability, then you should get something else. Unless you're on a concrete yard it'll rip the crap out of it in no time, and if it is a concrete yard unless it's a very smooth concrete yard (floated ideally), it'll rip the crap out of itself.

 

They are a specialist machine for particular jobs, and in these cases the potentially high running costs can be justified, otherwise pivot or 4ws will beat them everytime and it's not surprising that the mini/midi pivot steer loaders have replaced them in so many cases.

 

Just my 2p.

[Mick Dempsey]

Why not use a tractor/loader?

[Stihl123]

someone on here will be selling an avant soon ish

be within your budget but plus vat and attachments i believe 

i now have an avant instead of my skid, makes a heck of alot less mess on the ground compared!! 

[Trucraft]

Thank. 

Totally agree with all comments and as I feared. Compact loader is clearly the one for the job.

I can stretch my budget for a 4wd loader tractor and it is definitely something I'm considering. It would need to be half descent and road legal be more versatile and capable earnings it's keep on other jobs. 

However 10k doesn't get you much and what I keep seeing is big old girls that are far from agile around a cramped farm yard. 😁

[josharb87]

Mate had a terex skidsteer, think it was about 2.5t, tracked not wheeled.

 

good lift capacity, makes a mess. front tippy if you've for example, a log grab+lifting heavy.

 

You generally get what you pay for performance wise

[MattyF]

I would be interstate to see if any one had tried one of these

AFA-ROCK 7K 4WD Multipurpose Powerful Hydraulic Mini Skid Steer Loader

WWW.EBAY.CO.UK

---

IN OTHER CASES PRICE STAYS AS IT IS.

Looks identical to my old style 528...

[woody paul]

Compact tractor with loader maybe cheaper then Compact loader and can be used for more jobs, years ago I   used a John deere compact with loader to push up brash from hedge clearing job that thing moved a lot of brash. The customer that owned it used to for mowing horse paddocks and other job around small holding. 

[dumper]

5 hours ago, MattyF said:

I would be interstate to see if any one had tried one of these

AFA-ROCK 7K 4WD Multipurpose Powerful Hydraulic Mini Skid Steer Loader

WWW.EBAY.CO.UK

---

IN OTHER CASES PRICE STAYS AS IT IS.

Looks identical to my old style 528...

That’s because it is well different colour made in same factory I was told it got kubota engine and bosch pumps and motors I think very god value