AgTalk Home
AgTalk Home
Search Forums | Classifieds (27) | Skins | Language
You are logged in as a guest. ( logon | register )

Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer
View previous thread :: View next thread
   Forums List -> Machinery TalkMessage format
 
tonesaguy
Posted 9/4/2012 14:24 (#2574689)
Subject: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer



Chilliwack, British Columbia		We are considering adding another laoder to the fleet. Will be mostly used for loading the feedwagon, 9.5' tall sides. We do have one shed where we keep hay/straw, that is low, a midframe tractor will not fit, neither will a larger wheel loader, hence the thought of a compact (think 908Cat, 304JD etc) wheel loader. Skidsteer would be fine.

Other uses would be loading manure from a cement/paved area, and in the field. Would like to push silage if the wheel loader would handle it, big downside is the small ones are all hydrostatic. How would they do as a silage pushing machine?

I really like the manuverability of our S185, small spaces would definantly be a problem with a wheel loader as opposed to the skids. What say you guys? New price, the wheel loaders are almost double even the biggest skid steers.

Glenn



(mixer.jpg)



(bobcat.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments mixer.jpg (86KB - 763 downloads)
Attachments bobcat.jpg (37KB - 853 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Sodbustr
Posted 9/4/2012 14:58 (#2574730 - in reply to #2574689)
Subject: RE: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer


Western Iowa		I vote Deere payloader

I wouldn't be scared of a hydrostat, mine sure works good. It will spin the tires, I would keep good oil and filters in it. Skid steers are hydrostat as well.......

I have a 344H deere, got rid of a 205 bobcat to get it. No comparison which one is handier around the farm. 344H all the way.

Deere has a rear steering axle on the 244-304-344 on top of articulating which makes it real manuverable.

I have a JRB on my 344, it is the same attachment as 444, 544, 624, so I can share some attachments.

I have a buddy with a 304, it is a smaller version of quick tach, the 244 I can't remember, Garvo on here has one, maybe he will speak up.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
Big Ben
Posted 9/4/2012 16:02 (#2574791 - in reply to #2574689)
Subject: RE: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer


Columbia Basin, Ephrata, WA		Compact wheel loader for sure. Increased capability and safety easily outweigh the maneuverability of the skid.

I don't like wheel loaders for pushing silage, but one would be significantly better at it than a SSL.

The wheelloader will last at least twice as long as the SSL, and be worth more if you sell.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
tonesaguy
Posted 9/4/2012 16:11 (#2574802 - in reply to #2574791)
Subject: Re: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer



Chilliwack, British Columbia		I guess I forgot to mention, I wouldn't try to push silage with the skid. WE use a JD 6400 now, but would like to have a good second machine to help. Lots of packing help, but those big JDSPFH's bring a lot feed in in a hurry!
Just trying to justify the extra expense of the wheelloader, gotta make it do extra work.

Thanks,
Glenn
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ge jr
Posted 9/4/2012 16:16 (#2574811 - in reply to #2574802)
Subject: Re: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer


algona iowa		Any wheel loader.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
mad cow
Posted 9/4/2012 19:12 (#2575003 - in reply to #2574811)
Subject: Re: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer


Alhambra Il.

Look at a Gehl 540 we bought one for loading fert. at the co-op it out works and out lefts any thing we had before and was as cheap or cheaper than a skid loader. It has mechanical drive no wheel motors to worry about. as left hand reverser. 

Top of the page Bottom of the page
tonesaguy
Posted 9/4/2012 20:05 (#2575076 - in reply to #2575003)
Subject: Re: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer



Chilliwack, British Columbia		Thanks. Just looked At the website, they don't really reach much higher than my current skid. Look like a nice little machine though.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
kyler309
Posted 9/4/2012 20:34 (#2575143 - in reply to #2575076)
Subject: Re: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer



We have a 700 cow dairy and we used S250 bobcats for ever. Then we keep going thru pins and wear was crazy. We bought a new john deere 544H 9 months ago. We love it. I never thought we would use it for so many different things. Its a good size and it stills gets around in tight spots. The maintenance is GREAT! We got is for 120000 new.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
radman1
Posted 9/6/2012 00:54 (#2577484 - in reply to #2574689)
Subject: RE: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer


I had a 2007 Bobcat S300. Now have a 2008 NH TC80 compact wheel loader. The TC80 is the same machine as a Case 321 and same size as the 908 Cat and 304JD. The compact wheel loader does almost everything better, except in tight areas. The TC80 lifts more, better visibility, better traction, faster road speed, safer to travel up steep hills, tears up the ground less, can get in and out easier and with load lifted ect.
Skid steer better at seeing bucket edge.

Most of the newer compact wheel loaders use a skid steer attachment plate. I use all the prior equipment I had for the skid steer-post hole digger, tree spade, snow blade, snow pusher, broom, grapple ect. I bought a skid steer to Euro loader adapter for the front. I can also use my tractor loader buckets on it if I need to.

I bought my used NH in 2010 with 200 hours. Found it on the internet at a Ford car dealership in New Hampshire. Saw pictures a bought it. Had it shipped 2300 miles to Nebraska. Paid $42,000 for it and thought that was a bargain. Sold the skid steer 2 weeks later for $27,000. Really liked the S300 but love the wheel loader more. I have a Case/IH Maxxum 125 with FEL. The wheel loader is much more nimble, better visibiltiy and easier to use than the tractor. Tractor will win only in muddy conditions. My TC80 pushes well. I can spin all 4 tires and hard dry ground. On some machines, it is an option to have limited slip front differential. I have that on mine. Converts it from 3 wheel drive to true 4 wheel drive.

I have a dump truck with tall sides. It is just under 11'. The TC80 can clear the side but I cannot dump the normal bucket. My pins for the bucket are at 11' 3". However, I have a 4in1 bucket, and can open the grapple portion and allow the load to fall out and don't need to tip the bucket.

Edited by radman1 9/6/2012 01:33
Top of the page Bottom of the page
radman1
Posted 9/6/2012 01:22 (#2577511 - in reply to #2574689)
Subject: RE: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer


Also consider the "digger" type telehandlers (single stage boom) like the Bobcat v518 or v723. Will have excellent lifting ability, plenty of height, turn well, good traction, clearance, easy to get in/out and not too tall. Used ones can be found with low hours in the $35-$45K range. I would consider them nearly equivalent to compact wheel loader in most regards but superior lift height. Wheel loader will have better visibility.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
tonesaguy
Posted 9/6/2012 18:12 (#2578453 - in reply to #2577511)
Subject: Re: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer



Chilliwack, British Columbia		Thanks for the good reply. The salesman convinced me to demo one, it is here now. Will see how it works in the AM. Drove a small telehandler a couple years ago, wasn't terribly impressed. Visibility was just as good as the skid, and that is one reason I want to upgrade. May have to consider CNH machines, if I can find a good used one like you did. Trouble is, they are all in the southern states (that I have found) and trucking puts them at a much higher price than I want to pay.

Glenn
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Big Ben
Posted 9/6/2012 18:31 (#2578478 - in reply to #2578453)
Subject: Re: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer


Columbia Basin, Ephrata, WA		What make and model of machine do you have on demo?

Top of the page Bottom of the page
tonesaguy
Posted 9/6/2012 19:54 (#2578582 - in reply to #2578478)
Subject: Re: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer



Chilliwack, British Columbia		They brought us a new 324J John Deere. So far, too big for bedding the close up cows. It has a hard time turning in a 9' alley. Should work well for everything else though.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Brett_FL
Posted 3/12/2014 14:38 (#3749565 - in reply to #2574689)
Subject: RE: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer


Know this thread is older then dirt, but did you end up buying the JD304J?

We bought one probably around the same time you posted to this forum maybe a little sooner, it's been one of the worst pieces of equipment on the farm since we got it. Been to the shop several times for months at a time for over heating issues and starter failure, even a small fire once. We still have it and still deal with issues Out of warranty now but still have payments and repair bills.
Used mostly at commodity barn for loading Luck/Now 2290 mixer wagon similar to yours.

We have found the little compact Kubota R520 wheel loader a perfect fit in the barns for scraping and loading sand to the sand wagon for bedding. I also use it at the commodity barn to fill in when the JD is broke down.
We have run BobCat A300 and Gehl skid steers in past too, but the price of thos things has gone through the roof.

I have no hesitation in recommending the 520, but would steer far away from JD304J. Farm across town has CAT 908 and seem to like it as well. They also have a few of the Kubota 520's running around
Top of the page Bottom of the page
tonesaguy
Posted 3/14/2014 12:50 (#3753427 - in reply to #3749565)
Subject: RE: Compact Wheel Loader vs Large Skid Steer



Chilliwack, British Columbia		No, we ended up putting a new tractor on the front of the wagon at that time. Starting the loader search again though, thanks for the update. Demoed a Cat 908 last week, awesome machine. I have also since heard about over heating on the smaller Deeres.

Glenn
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread

(Delete cookies)