Skid steer or Telehandler

Gballs · 31-07-2017 12:08am #1

Hi Ladies and lads...
I'm lookin for some good advice....
I have no loader what so ever on the farm and at this stage I need one badly...
But I'm thorn between a skid steer or a telehandler....
I have work for both but I'm leaning towards a skid steer...
As u think I'll get more use out of it and I always have the option of a local contractor who has a jcb...
Jobs required are cleaning out bedded shed, stacking bales of silage, stacking big bales of straw and general jobs, but I do need a sweeper bucket...
The maneuverability of the skid steer is a huge advantage but it's confined to yard use more or less....
Telehandler with Boom extension and articulated steering is the other option...
Better with the bales of silage and straw but am I still going to have to do the smaller jobs with a fork and a brush....
Please advise as I don't want to get this wrong and on going spending a lot of money. ..

Shpudnik · 31-07-2017 12:19am

If buying new JCB have released a skid steer with a tele boom.

Shpudnik · 31-07-2017 12:28am

Shpudnik wrote: »

If buying new JCB have released a skid steer with a tele boom.

Believe this is it
https://www.jcb.com/en-gb/products/skid-steer-loaders/teleskid-3ts-8w

lakill Farm · 31-07-2017 11:57am

seriously considering a skidsteer here for next winter(2018) . ill try pick one up this time next year. taking on rented outfarm and will leave tractor there

Like you I was thinking teleporter and rent it out over the summer for building sites , but skidsteer is winning out for me

Muckit · 31-07-2017 2:05pm

What about a job 2cx? It has great manouverability with both steering axles and is nice and narrow. And can be used in field. See a few lads with them in yards that u wouldnt swing a cat

L1985 · 31-07-2017 6:36pm

Ok we got a skidsteer a year ago and wouldn't be without it. Use it for cleaning out pens moving heavy stuff (got a bucket) and even put down some stakes with her. She is great for pushing in the silage and we have an older style farm yard so space can be at a premium! She's great for cleaning out the yards and cubicles as well. We do bring it out on the fields as well-but only to carry stuff in the bucket. Now only disadvantage she can lift the silage bales but wouldn't be going up high with them....I used her all last winter but wouldn't be pulling bales down from something stacked three high to be honest. I find her a great time saver and v v easy to use!!and on a plus you feel a bit like robocop in her as well ðŸ˜႒

Farmer_3650 · 31-07-2017 7:42pm

What sort of money would you give for a second hand skid steer?

X6.430macman · 31-07-2017 8:28pm

A small telehandler would be my suggestion

tractorporn · 31-07-2017 9:02pm

Shpudnik wrote:

If buying new JCB have released a skid steer with a tele boom.

If I ever win the lotto I'm going to buy a tracked teleskid they're north of 60k

joejobrien · 31-07-2017 9:03pm

Both offer different solutions.
skid steer:
rough and bouncy around a yard, feel all coming through the seat.... New Holland.
Service and repair, all very tight and compact, requiring extra time removing parts to get access to some components. either be hand with spanner or mechanic
Hard on tyres.
Cab open , rain beat in .
Engine Noise is louder.
Can struggle in field work
Can be unstable without due care
Cant stack very high, and does carry risk of back spill from bucket .
However is very manveourable in yards and sheds, save alot of grunting with a fork!!!
get selection of attachements

Telehandler
Much larger output.
Smooth work in yard and field
Comfortable cab, no driving rain and cool in summer
Stable
Floats in fields and can INCREASE TYRE SIZE IN SOME CASES
Performance is 2nd to none when comes to handling bales, loading out silage in winter, lifting off deliverys, pushing up silage ,cleaning yard, grain etc
Artic is superior. super in old yards, hard to believe where it can go
less wear on tyres
Access to transmission and engine more room.
Centre arm handlers are more expensive than side arm. still lift to 5.2m. more than adquate on MOST farms
Side arms have extra steers options can have significant wear issues if buying 2nd hand. some can have soliond disconnected!!!!!!

IMO they can rob anything in the yard but leave me my telehandler!!!!!

Cavanjack · 31-07-2017 10:23pm

joejobrien wrote: »

Both offer different solutions.
skid steer:
rough and bouncy around a yard, feel all coming through the seat.... New Holland.
Service and repair, all very tight and compact, requiring extra time removing parts to get access to some components. either be hand with spanner or mechanic
Hard on tyres.
Cab open , rain beat in .
Engine Noise is louder.
Can struggle in field work
Can be unstable without due care
Cant stack very high, and does carry risk of back spill from bucket .
However is very manveourable in yards and sheds, save alot of grunting with a fork!!!
get selection of attachements

Telehandler
Much larger output.
Smooth work in yard and field
Comfortable cab, no driving rain and cool in summer
Stable
Floats in fields and can INCREASE TYRE SIZE IN SOME CASES
Performance is 2nd to none when comes to handling bales, loading out silage in winter, lifting off deliverys, pushing up silage ,cleaning yard, grain etc
Artic is superior. super in old yards, hard to believe where it can go
less wear on tyres
Access to transmission and engine more room.
Centre arm handlers are more expensive than side arm. still lift to 5.2m. more than adquate on MOST farms
Side arms have extra steers options can have significant wear issues if buying 2nd hand. some can have soliond disconnected!!!!!!

IMO they can rob anything in the yard but leave me my telehandler!!!!!

Not into machinery much but have thought about buying a small loadall for 6' grab and for handling bales. What's a handy one for a tight yard? €12 to €15k

L1985 · 31-07-2017 10:59pm

Tbf I can't argue with joejoeobrien on his assessment there. Except the feeling everything-I wouldn't have noticed that! But I'm still in love with ours and I don't know how a telehandler handles so can't comment. She is hard on tyres unfortunately!! Still the flexibility of her is unreal and saves so much hassle and time.

Never wrestle with pigs · 31-07-2017 11:26pm

Can you get out of it if you need to take plastic off a bale when it's on the grab of the skid steer?

divillybit · 01-08-2017 1:09am

What kind of tractor have you? Rather than spending money on a tele handler or skidsteer would upgrading the tractor be a consideration? You'd put a good front loader on a 4 cylinder four wheel drive tractor and its would be the best all rounder. If you'd your heart set on a tele-handler, then a Merlo Multifarmer would be worth considering. Thats my 2 cents anyways!

3 the square · 01-08-2017 6:23am

jcb 526 are mint to be a great yoke .

L1985 · 01-08-2017 8:19am

Never wrestle. Yeah you can get out no problem as long as you don't have the bale blocking the entrance. As long as it's on the ground or slightly off it you have no problem.

MfMan · 01-08-2017 1:17pm

Have a mustang skid steer as the moment, great yoke for maneuvering in tight spots, dropping in silage blocks, lifting laden pallets, cleaning out sheds etc. It has occasionally given mechanical problems which aren't easiest fix because there aren't too many mechanics experienced with working on bobcats.

If I was to change to a telehandler it would have to be nearly like-for-like, e.g. JCB 540-15, 540-20, maybe a Weidemann T4108 or equivalent. Something where maneuverability would be similar as it would have to operate in a feeding passage 15 foot wide. Unlikely I'd be buying new though, and the JCBs as above, secondhand, usually start at 18K/20K +. Advantages over a skid steer would be greater lifting capacity (> 1000Kg as opposed to c. 800Kg), better trafficability in softer, winter fields to cattle feeders, greater height and reach which would be handy alone in covering a silage pit with tyres etc. Enclosed cab would be an advantage, though some bobcats have a front door. Also safer as you could work with an item on the boom; it sometimes demands that I raise the boom on the mustang to it's maximum and hop out underneath - not something I like doing or recommend.

Cavanjack · 01-08-2017 1:41pm

divillybit wrote: »

What kind of tractor have you? Rather than spending money on a tele handler or skidsteer would upgrading the tractor be a consideration? You'd put a good front loader on a 4 cylinder four wheel drive tractor and its would be the best all rounder. If you'd your heart set on a tele-handler, then a Merlo Multifarmer would be worth considering. Thats my 2 cents anyways!

I've a 100hp 4 wheel drive with 4'6 grab. Majority of its work is loader work. Most work is contracted out bar fertiliser (may start contracting this out at some stage too) and topping. Would like a bigger grab to speed up feeding but tractor wouldn't handle it.

Mooooo · 01-08-2017 2:44pm

Have an old jcb 412 here feeding passage only 11 ft wide. Artic steer makes it manoeuvrable enough. Something smaller with the artic steer could be a compromise but they can be dear enough. I'd have artic steer over the side boom on a telehandler anyway

Gballs · 01-08-2017 5:00pm

Thanks for the reply's. ..
Skid steer option is a S530 or S590... new machine and very high spec. door ac joystick control and so on...
As skid steers go and I've rented a few this machine is amazing. ..
It's slow to travel and I know it would be hard on tyres...
For 75% of the work id have for it the skid steer would be unbeatable...
But it would be very poor on other jobs...
Haven't drove the telehandler yet but 3 ton lift 4.5m Boom 4 wheel steer amazing machine also but bigger money....
Tractor loader would be too much of a compromise and IMO too hard on a tractor...
Either way it's not the right option for me...

Insp. Harry Callahan · 02-08-2017 8:10am

Have a Matbro Tr200 here the last 15 years, best machine we ever bought, pivot steer makes it so handy around the yard and for mucking out small sheds plus will do all that needs doing, can lift 2 ton.great visability. I would definitely recommend something like that or a newer version

lakill Farm · 02-08-2017 4:28pm

Insp. Harry Callahan wrote: »

Have a Matbro Tr200 here the last 15 years, best machine we ever bought, pivot steer makes it so handy around the yard and for mucking out small sheds plus will do all that needs doing, can lift 2 ton.great visability. I would definitely recommend something like that or a newer version

good clean example

maidhc · 03-08-2017 12:01am

Gballs wrote: »

Tractor loader would be too much of a compromise and IMO too hard on a tractor...
Either way it's not the right option for me...

A Ford 4000 with a loader will be a stronger machine than a skid steer costing 10x the price. Take the cab off and put on a drop roll bar and you can get into low shed. Of course if money is no object...

In the real world tying up major capital in machines is madness unless they are running around the clock. This is my yoke. Bought as a non runner for less than its weight but I don't think there is much wrong. I'll get it going in the next few months (hopefully).

Gballs · 03-08-2017 12:47am

It's not that money isn't an issue it's that if I don't get the right machine for the work I'll end up having to hire someone....
The work load is chronic, with 14 to 18 hour days seven days a week... with just 7 days off in the last 4 yrs....
I'm lookin into getting the skid steer out on demo....
I need to make the day more efficient by cutting out some of the manual labour....
Yes tying up money in machinery is a worry but having to get shoulder hip and God knows what else fixed by 50 would be a lot bigger worry....
Quality of life is also an issue, no point working urself to death...
The machines that have been suggested are very good but aren't suitable for what I need....
The attachments I'd be getting would be, bale spike, soft hands bale stacker, 6ft tine grab, bucket sweeper and palet forks....
And the right machine to drive them...

Mooooo · 03-08-2017 6:25am

Gballs wrote: »

It's not that money isn't an issue it's that if I don't get the right machine for the work I'll end up having to hire someone....
The work load is chronic, with 14 to 18 hour days seven days a week... with just 7 days off in the last 4 yrs....
I'm lookin into getting the skid steer out on demo....
I need to make the day more efficient by cutting out some of the manual labour....
Yes tying up money in machinery is a worry but having to get shoulder hip and God knows what else fixed by 50 would be a lot bigger worry....
Quality of life is also an issue, no point working urself to death...
The machines that have been suggested are very good but aren't suitable for what I need....
The attachments I'd be getting would be, bale spike, soft hands bale stacker, 6ft tine grab, bucket sweeper and palet forks....
And the right machine to drive them...

Best thing to do alright if buying new or nearly new is demo each of what you think you'll need. Personally as any bit of concrete here generally has stock or feed on it a skid steer wouldn't do. What the neighbour does for the small shed is higher out a little loader from a tool hire place to clean that. He bought a secondhand jcb 412 for feeding etc then. Think he paid 20k for a 15 yr old machine. If you're budget can stretch id look at a jcb 310 or similar. Get a silage pusher made up for a few hundred then for the feed passage if needs be. It would be much more comfortable stacking and feeding bales and can go into the field as well handle any sized attachment.
Also if it's all bales look at attachments that can open the plastic off the bale as you feed i, will save some of the getting in and out.
On a side note, look at the layout of yard and sheds and see what could be done to make feeding cleaning etc easier. If you're milking would a few extra units make more sense or if working off farm perhaps a local lad hired for a few hours a week also.

maidhc · 03-08-2017 9:02am

Gballs wrote: »

The attachments I'd be getting would be, bale spike, soft hands bale stacker, 6ft tine grab, bucket sweeper and palet forks....
And the right machine to drive them...

I don't think you should completely rule out a tractor and loader.

Also, maybe as said already, you need labour more than the machine? Or a cheaper machine and a man 3 days a week?

Morris Moss · 03-08-2017 10:25am

Gballs wrote: »

It's not that money isn't an issue it's that if I don't get the right machine for the work I'll end up having to hire someone....
The work load is chronic, with 14 to 18 hour days seven days a week... with just 7 days off in the last 4 yrs....
I'm lookin into getting the skid steer out on demo....
I need to make the day more efficient by cutting out some of the manual labour....
Yes tying up money in machinery is a worry but having to get shoulder hip and God knows what else fixed by 50 would be a lot bigger worry....
Quality of life is also an issue, no point working urself to death...
The machines that have been suggested are very good but aren't suitable for what I need....
The attachments I'd be getting would be, bale spike, soft hands bale stacker, 6ft tine grab, bucket sweeper and palet forks....
And the right machine to drive them...

We have a Weidemann 5080t, I think one of the smaller models would suit you perfectly, for feeding silage and cleaning sheds they're hard to beat and also they can lift higher and more weight, can go into a field and work, and push up silage if you want as well.

Also would a skidsteer not be very uncomfortable with a big weight on it?

lakill Farm · 03-08-2017 10:26am

maidhc wrote: »

I don't think you should completely rule out a tractor and loader.

Also, maybe as said already, you need labour more than the machine? Or a cheaper machine and a man 3 days a week?

I cleaned out calf shed here last year with digger - 1 hour (3 dump trailers)
this year I cleaned it out manually into tractor bucket then into dump trailer ( 2 dump trailers) 5.5 hours and I knew about it.

You ask most young lads to drive a grape/fork/sprong and you know the answer you get and it would not be fair fecks.

When in time a skidsteer arrives here I will replace the head with a euro head and all the tractor loader implements will work on it.

Never wrestle with pigs · 03-08-2017 10:41am

The perfect machine for you. Very compact and powerful and it would swing around in your kitchen. Low to the ground so very easy to get in and out.

Ideal machine for anyone who doesn't need a big loader but a bit more than a skid steer. Very versatile and you can put a hitch on it and load and draw straw or move a trailer etc. Worked one for a while and I think they are unreal. Hire one out for a few days and see what you think.

https://www.donedeal.ie/plantmachinery-for-sale/merlo-telehandler-and-komatsu-mini-diggers/16151205

Morris Moss · 03-08-2017 11:49am

Never wrestle with pigs wrote: »

The perfect machine for you. Very compact and powerful and it would swing around in your kitchen. Low to the ground so very easy to get in and out.

Ideal machine for anyone who doesn't need a big loader but a bit more than a skid steer. Very versatile and you can put a hitch on it and load and draw straw or move a trailer etc. Worked one for a while and I think they are unreal. Hire one out for a few days and see what you think.

What machine is that?

Never wrestle with pigs · 03-08-2017 12:55pm

Morris Moss wrote: »

What machine is that?

https://www.donedeal.ie/plantmachinery-for-sale/merlo-telehandler-and-komatsu-mini-diggers/16151205

Sorry I forgot to add the link ha

Skid steer or Telehandler

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