whats the smallest skid steer that would work for farm use

[Lmabernathy]

Primary use would be stacking round bales of hay, biggest we have ever used were 6x6 bales, but would probably want something that could handle large squares too (I think they are 3x3x8). Also i use drylots and would like to use the bucket to scrape and remove manure from the paddocks weekly.

I have a tractor, but no front end loader or way to add a front end loaded (gas ford 3000) Tractor has sentimental value and 1100 hours so its not going anywhere. Plus I have lots of attachments for it already (root rake, drag, scrap blade, box blade, bush hog, sprayer, hopper, several augers) I just need something that can stack (my tractor will not lift high in the back by design) and a bucket with teeth or maybe a 3 in 1 bucket. I have rented bobcats and front end loader tractors before and I def prefer the bobcat!

[BroncoMo]

Check out the rated operating capacity of the equipment you are looking at. Often times you can google a model number along with “rated operating capacity” and you can get some specs for it. I personally wouldn’t want anything smaller than a 2000 pound ROC. But I live in an area where 1500 pound round bales are considered kind of light. I’ve fed some legit 2000 pound big rounds. So kind of depends on how heavy the hay is that you’re wanting to move around.

[DHCarrotfeeder]

“for farm use” really doesn’t say much, but handling large squares does.

I haven’t looked at skid steer specs but with tractors they have a loader weight rating with the load 18" offset from the loader pin. This offset is very important because bales are big and the weight is not up against the face of the loader. The 18" offset loader rating fits a 3 ft wide bale well.

The real question is the weight of the bales. I’m told that large squares typically come in under 1000#, but round bales can be bigger and heavier. So if you want to move a 1500 lb round bale, you’ll want to have more than 1500lb capacity at 18" and probably more like 2000# since the round bale weight is further out than 18".

[Lmabernathy]

In my area if you can find a 1000-1200 lb bales (square or round) your doing good. I think most average large bales are about 800 lbs.

I def don’t want to spend that kind of money and not have it be big enough for what I need to do with it, just don’t want to spend more on a lot more power I am never going to need.

Anyone know what the smallest width bucket is? I would like to add some screenings to a carport type building and I can go through the open side if I have to, but would have to take down a fence. If i could get between the support poles would be a lot easier but they are only 5 ft apart.

[Simkie]

6 x 6 round bales are usually heavy mofos…are you sure yours are only 1000 - 1200 lbs?

Here’s an article that talks about bale weight: http://georgiaforages.caes.uga.edu/Ga_Cat_Arc/2012/SF1209.pdf

I’ve seen some wee little skid steers with a 4’ bucket, but they wouldn’t be beefy enough to handle a big bale of hay.

[csaper58]

OP you will also need to look at the hours of operation and service record on a used Skidy and decide if you want a wheels or tracks.

Track are going to tear up your dry lots, wheels can bog down in mud.

I would talk to someone creative, at a really good, farm oriented welding shop. They might MacGyver something for your tractor. You are not the first or last person to have this issue.

If not I would get a second tractor, but one with a bucket/FEL. It should also use all your attachments. I think you will get much more use out of that.

Esp. if your SO can drive a tractor.

Edit to add this company in Gastonia rents many size Skidsteers. Why not go over and scope it out?

www.gastonrentals.com/diy-rentals/earth-moving-equipment/ Look at the middle column near the bottom of the page.

[Palm_Beach]

How wide is the skinniest gate you will need to drive through?

[Lmabernathy]

@Palm Beach I have access to at least 8ft openings in any paddock or arena. The run ins are the tightest with 5 ft between the poles, but if I have too I can take down a section of fence and come it through the side that is 12 ft wide. I don’t want to do that weekly of course, but once a year wouldn’t be too big of a deal.

@csaper58 I don’t think I would be happy with a second tractor (at least not when my first one is in good working order) Skid steers are just so much easier to maneuver in tight spaces, like inside the hay barn or near fence lines. I have rented some from Gaston rentals before that’s how I realized I hated the tractor with the front end loader, actually made them come back and get it, It couldn’t get traction in my sand arena. Their response was “oh, we didn’t know you would be working on sand” I’m not at the beach, its, not deep sand, that tractor was a pos and so were the tires on it lol

Maybe if I tried out a new tractor I would’t hate it, but I still think I would like a skid steer better. Its like cutting grass with a regular riding mower and a zero turn. Once you get the hang of it, the zero turn is so much more efficient!

[Kmacht]

There are a number of loaders that will fit on your Ford 3000. Keep an eye on craigslist for a Ford 703, 720, or 750 loader. They come up pretty regularly here in CT and are usually under $500. Most of them are a direct bolt on and have a separate hydraulic pump that attaches to the front of your engine. You may have to spend some money getting the cylinders or pump rebuilt if it leaks but it is going to be way cheaper than a skidsteer. You may also find one for sale in your area if you look at some of the tractor forums (tractorbynet, yesterdays tractors, etc). My 4000 has a 750 loader on it and the bucket width is exactly 5’. The rear wheels are wider than that though.

Keith

[Guilherme]

I had had a Case 450 skid steer for many years. It was good when it ran well, but it was something of a maintenance pig and when it needed fixing it was pricy. The local on-call guy out of is truck was $50/hr. plus a service call. The dealer mobile service was about 25% more. To have it picked up by the local dealer was $3.50/mile each way plus shop time at $85/hr. These things are complex gadgets. In the year before I swapped it for a new batwing bush hog I dropped north of $4000 trying to fix an electrical gremlin that never got fixed by either mobile repair services or in the shop. I was happy to see it go.*

If your ground is dry they can do quite well. If you get a lot of rain you had better be VERY careful where you drive it because it can dig itself a big hole really fast. I didn’t have tracks but my neighbor across the street does. He’s come over to help me and is very careful about where he goes with his tracked machine.

These things have very narrow wheel bases and if your ground is hilly you had best be very careful. Another neighbor has gone over in his a couple of times and now is much more conservative.

On the plus side not only can you lift relative large weights you can also get front-mounted equipment that can be very useful. My tenant has a small skid steer and has rented a combination brush cutter/stump grinder that will pulverize light brush and is a whiz at clearing line for a new fence. A $125/day rental fee will do the work of a half dozen men with chain saws, brush blades, and a chipper. BUT given our often wet and always hilly terrain there are many places he can’t go.

On balance, for most ag uses, you’re going to be better off with a tractor/loader combination. If your current tractor has sentimental value buy another tractor with a loader. Pick a model (not a Case 450) and spend some time on Iron Planet, Fastline, or Machinery Trader comparing prices. The compare an equivalent tractor/loader. The skid steer might be a bit less money but will be less capable and potentially a lot more to fix if it breaks (which it will because these things are electrically and hydraulically quite complex).

My advice: pick a tractor/loader combo.

G.

*I swapped it to a Bush Hog dealer. I’ve seen it a few of times in his equipment yard since then as I do other business with him. The first couple of times it was working. The last few it’s been sitting in the same place in the yard. I think I got the better end of that trade!!!

[beowulf]

My father has a John Deere 2500 Skidsteer and it is one of my favorite barn vehicles. Its quite well used, it was part of his construction fleet when I was in HS and is still around many many years later. We use it to plow in winter, scoop manure out of pastures, retill paddocks, and use it to move the roundbales in and out to pasture. Its very handy. I love driving it and it super maneuverable. It fits through our 8ft gates easily.

I will say it is very easy to get stuck or pitch - I’ve never done either but had to help my mother one year who got it bogged down in the mud. Neither of us could get it out. Ours has wheels - IMHO i would not do tracks if using to maintain pastures or plow. Very easy to get those stuck.

Maintenance wise it’s needed a little attention as it’s gotten older, and the boom safety has not worked in a few years… but it was definitely one of the best investments.

[KAB]

Have you checked out a mini articulating loader?They don’t tear up the ground like a skidsteer.We have both and I’d take the loader hands down.It has a bucket and a grapple…can get most attachments for it…You should at least check one out.