loader vs skid steer Cancel The title field is required!

1. Jeremy Hreben

   

   0 posts
   
   10/14/2013 10:10 AM

   So I am in the market for a new loader. I have always had and used a loader/backhoe combination. Very versatile. But I was thinking of maybe a skid steer, like a bobcat or something similar. Obviously I would need a bunch of attachments to compare to a loader. Any of you guys used both and what do you prefer and why. Any help would be useful.

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   10/14/2013 10:10 AM

   I like the Kubota 520R loader. You can also get a backhoe on them. They lift close to 3,000# and have multiple attachments for the front end. Anything you can put on a skid steer you can put on this. We have the bucket, forks, grapples and tree boom. Quick to use around the course too.

   
   
   
   
3. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   10/14/2013 12:10 PM

   A Skid steer wont lift high enough for my needs. I have a John Deere 110 that I like a lot.

   
   
   
   
4. Scott Phelps

   

   0 posts
   
   10/14/2013 1:10 PM

   I would go Skid steer over loader any day. 5 times as fast loading topdressing. Mine is capable of loading both the small and large sized topdressers. We have trenchers, forks, buckets, sweeper and and brush hog attachments. It lifts high enough to load 1000 pound bulk bags into a Lely, works great for grading, snow removal, and drainage work. I would recommend the tracked version over the wheel version.

   
   
   
   
5. Anthony Nysse

   

   1 posts
   
   10/14/2013 2:10 PM

   We have a JCB 214 backhoe. I really think that it's one of, if not our most important piece, because when it's down, all projects stop. It can load into any topdresser, any dumptruck, powerful enough to pile loads of sand, offloads pallets of sod, totes, etc. It's a rare day when it's not running.
   
   [url=http://s74.photobucket.com/user/AJN324/media/JCB_zps3c53661c.jpg.html">[img">http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/AJN324/JCB_zps3c53661c.jpg[/img">

   
   
   
   
6. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   10/14/2013 3:10 PM

   Anthony Nysse said: We have a JCB 214 backhoe. I really think that it's one of, if not our most important piece, because when it's down, all projects stop. It can load into any topdresser, any dumptruck, powerful enough to pile loads of sand, offloads pallets of sod, totes, etc. It's a rare day when it's not running.
   
   [url=http://s74.photobucket.com/user/AJN324/media/JCB_zps3c53661c.jpg.html">[img">http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/AJN324/JCB_zps3c53661c.jpg[/img">

   
   
   That's what I'm talkin about

   
   
   
   
7. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   10/14/2013 5:10 PM

   Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said:

   Anthony Nysse said: We have a JCB 214 backhoe. I really think that it's one of, if not our most important piece, because when it's down, all projects stop. It can load into any topdresser, any dumptruck, powerful enough to pile loads of sand, offloads pallets of sod, totes, etc. It's a rare day when it's not running.
   
   [url=http://s74.photobucket.com/user/AJN324/media/JCB_zps3c53661c.jpg.html">[img">http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/AJN324/JCB_zps3c53661c.jpg[/img">

   
   
   That's what I'm talkin about

   
   
   Steve,
   
   We have the Kubota 520R I mentioned, a Case 580, a Deere 310, a Deere 110, a Deere 644K and a Kubota TLB. Everything is either too small or too big for the course, except the 520. If we need to dig a really big hole, we break out the Deere 85 excavator. That's what I'm talking about!

   
   
   
   
8. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   10/14/2013 7:10 PM

   All I get is a shovel...
   
   Actually I prefer a loader, maybe just because that is what I grew up with. I know others that say they prefer a skid steer, even when re-leveling tee tops.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
9. Kenneth Meals

   

   2 posts
   
   10/15/2013 9:10 AM

   Last year we purchased a Bobcat A770 to upgrade from a Bobcat 963. It has a choice of all wheel steering or skid steer mode. One thing to consider though is tire wear on a regular skid steer. The A770 hasn't even worn through a 1/4 of the tires where as the 963 would have gone through 2 sets of tires. It also lifts high enough for our Dakota 440.

   
   
   
   
10. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    10/15/2013 2:10 PM

    Melvin Waldron, CGCS said: All I get is a shovel...
    
    Actually I prefer a loader, maybe just because that is what I grew up with. I know others that say they prefer a skid steer, even when re-leveling tee tops.
    
    Mel

    
    
    
    I have a shovel, too but it's left handed so I don't use it much.

    
    
    
    
11. Jeremy Hreben

    

    0 posts
    
    10/21/2013 9:10 AM

    Thanks for your help guys.

    
    
    
    
12. Tom Kaplun

    

    0 posts
    
    10/22/2013 12:10 PM

    Jeremy,
    
    In my 11 years as an assistant and super I had only used payloaders until sandy last year. We demoed a few skid steers, bought a Tak TL10 and I will never go back. So much quicker and durable for day to day stuff. If digging is a big thing for you then I guess a loader might make sense but once you try a skid steer for stuff you had used a loader for I think you will really like its ease of use. Perfect world I would now buy a mini-ex to compliment the Tak!
    
    Tom Kaplun
    North Hempstead Country Club

    
    
    
    
13. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    10/22/2013 1:10 PM

    Here is our loader, it is stuck in second gear and it was a hand me down from the parks garage. Nobody wants to spend the money to fix it, they think it will have to be split.
    
    
    [attachment=0">loader.JPG[/attachment">
    
    How did you guys get your picture to post? I tried copying mine and it wouldn't work.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
14. Scott Cochran

    

    0 posts
    
    10/23/2013 2:10 PM

    Something I've used in the past at another course was a Kubota articulating wheel loader. I think it's an R-series. In addition to the loader bucket you can get forks, grapple, plus a skid steer implement attachment. It also has a backhoe option. The articulating feature even allowed us to use it inside the shop easier.