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Tractor or Skid Steer?

3,251 Views | 52 Replies | Last: 8 days ago by Texaspainter
Texaspainter
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3:38p, 2/20/26
AG
I"m probably going to be sorry I ask this, but here goes.....

I have a 43 HP Kubota tractor with loader and multiple attachments. It's an open cab and going on 20 years old, although it is in really good shape with about 915 hours on it and still has plenty of life left I believe.

I have 17 acre home place as well as an additional 120 mostly un-improved acres in close proximity to home place. 25 of the 120 is actual cleared pastureland, the rest is pretty wooded. Currently leased to neighbor for cattle.

Thinking of adding a 2nd larger cab tractor (prolly Kubota M7060) with loader. It's main function will be to shred, push crap around, maintain roads, clear out some yaupon, some light discing, etc. But I got to thinking, maybe a skid steer would be better? My only reservation with skid steer is the shredding part of the equation.
I know very little about a skid steer....

.Which would you get and why?

And no, I can't get both!!!
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TxSquarebody
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3:43p, 2/20/26
Skid steer...Swiss army knife of machines
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Deerdude
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4:03p, 2/20/26
Not sure what width shredder you want to pull but a skid steer shreds pretty well up to about 7-8' width, and much safer on slopes . I've got a 60 hp John Deere tractor and a 95 hp Kubota track loader. Need more implements.
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El Gato Charro
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4:03p, 2/20/26
AG
With the shredding and disking it looks like a tractor is a better fit.

I currently have a 50 hp tractor and use it for clearing youpon. A skid steer would be so much faster but when you need a tractor for disking and shredding it would be hard to swap over.
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Texaspainter
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In reply to El Gato Charro • 4:13p, 2/20/26
AG
El Gato Charro said:
With the shredding and disking it looks like a tractor is a better fit.

I currently have a 50 hp tractor and use it for clearing youpon. A skid steer would be so much faster but when you need a tractor for disking and shredding it would be hard to swap over.

yes this is my biggest concern. Shredding is probably 1st priority.
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cowtown ag02
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4:41p, 2/20/26
AG
skid steer is the most valuable piece of equipment on my property and it is much preferred to my cab tractor. However, if you are doing traditional farming activities, like running a disc, plowing, mowing with a bat wing, pasture sprayer, etc. then a tractor is the winner. I would probably get the skid steer and keep your older tractor for when you need to do tractor activities. The correct answer is you probably need both as they both excel at different activities all of which will be presented during the lifetime of owning that much property.
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Mas89
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4:46p, 2/20/26
AG
If I Really need a skid steer I rent one and have someone else operate it. I'm claustrophobic in those and the ones I've tried have all been rough as hell.

Rent one and try it out before buying.
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Fishing Fools
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5:16p, 2/20/26
Skid Steers are cool. I'm just amazed at what they can do for a seasoned operator.

My biased opinion- Get the M7060 with a cab. And buy all the implements you can afford. It's a badass tractor and fun to work.
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Gunny456
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In reply to Texaspainter • 5:26p, 2/20/26
AG
A skid steer won't replace a Ag tractor. It just won't. Two different uses. I've been there and done that. There are uses for a skid steer and uses for an Ag tractor. Tractor has higher ground clearance and can maneuver without tearing your ground up. Skid Steer will maneuver in tight areas but will mess your ground up and has low ground clearance. On steep grades you can easily roll a skid steer over backwards much easier than a tractor.
I am blessed that I have a JD 6615 cab, a JD 3032 with loader, a JD 332 Skid Steer and a Case 580D loader/ landscaper.
I use each one for different uses and there are times each one is good for a particular job.
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Gunny456
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In reply to Texaspainter • 5:38p, 2/20/26
AG
I have a bat wing, HX7 shredder for my Ag Tractor and a 84" brush cutter for my skid steer . No way I would shred my pasture with my skid steer….it would beat you to death. I use the skid brush cutter for heavy brush and trees up to 5". It great for that. When you put a relatively heavy brush cutter on a skid steer it becomes very front heavy and will bounce the crud out of you.
Again, two different uses.
A skid steer drivetrain has a lot going on. It uses final drives and chain sprockets to power the wheels or a final drive if you get tracks. Lots of wear and moving parts.
If I could only afford one thing I would get a 4 wheel drive cab ag tractor with skid steer quick connects on the loader and front hydraulics so I could use skid steer attachments. and have two auxiliary hydraulics for the rear.

ETA: If you can find your way up here to the Ozarks I'll put you up for as long as you want, feed you good and you can come run all of them as you want and we will have some good bull along the way.
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coolerguy12
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In reply to Deerdude • 7:28p, 2/20/26
AG
Deerdude said:
Not sure what width shredder you want to pull but a skid steer shreds pretty well up to about 7-8' width, and much safer on slopes . I've got a 60 hp John Deere tractor and a 95 hp Kubota track loader. Need more implements.


You got a grapple? I have a few for sale in Conroe if not

For OP, I would love to have a skid steer for the versatility and raw power, but I can't justify both and I need to be able to mow so my 55HP Mahindra is it for me right now.
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Texaspainter
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In reply to Gunny456 • 7:29p, 2/20/26
AG
Thanks for the offer Gunny! That's very nice of you. Sounds like from the last few responses that the tractor is the way to go. I can always rent a skid steer if I need it that bad.

Thanks to all who have responded this is exactly the feedback I was looking for.

If I could swing both I would but even though I've got quite a few attachments now, I'm gonna need to get several more for the 7060…. Like 12 foot flex-wing cutter. That's gonna add up.
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chris1515
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7:37p, 2/20/26
AG
I'd go with the tractor and like you said, rent a skid steer when you need one…or just hire out that work for one or two days a year.

I think a grapple bucket on the tractor would be a huge advantage, so a hookup to facilitate that might be worth looking for with your tractor.
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Texaspainter
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In reply to chris1515 • 7:40p, 2/20/26
AG
chris1515 said:
I'd go with the tractor and like you said, rent a skid steer when you need one…or just hire out that work for one or two days a year.

I think a grapple bucket on the tractor would be a huge advantage, so a hookup to facilitate that might be worth looking for with your tractor.


I don't have grapple bucket but I do have a regular grapple. It's awesome and I use it a lot.
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Deerdude
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In reply to coolerguy12 • 7:41p, 2/20/26
coolerguy12 said:
Deerdude said:
Not sure what width shredder you want to pull but a skid steer shreds pretty well up to about 7-8' width, and much safer on slopes . I've got a 60 hp John Deere tractor and a 95 hp Kubota track loader. Need more implements.


You got a grapple? I have a few for sale in Conroe if not
.



Now you show up. Yea I bought a grapple bucket with the machine. Got a line on any shears? I think that's what I want, between that, a saw, or a mulcher.
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Gunny456
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In reply to Texaspainter • 7:44p, 2/20/26
AG
I'm serious on the offer. Might be able to get in a little fishing too. My gate is open to you. All you gotta do is say when.
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Texaspainter
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7:49p, 2/20/26
AG
Let's talk tractor attachments for 70ish HP tractor. What ya got and feel like you couldn't do without?

For my 43 HP Kubota I have:
6' shredder
60" grapple
Pallet forks
Gopher poisoner
60 gal boom sprayer
100 gal non boom sprayer
Fertilizer spreader
Heavy duty bucket
7 ft rear blade
6 ft disc harrow
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Fishing Fools
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In reply to Texaspainter • 8:02p, 2/20/26
M7060 = 71 hp

Just sayin…
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Texaspainter
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In reply to Gunny456 • 8:02p, 2/20/26
AG
Gunny456 said:
I'm serious on the offer. Might be able to get in a little fishing too. My gate is open to you. All you gotta do is say when.


Thank you sir!
The Texag community never ceases to amaze me….
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Texaspainter
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In reply to Fishing Fools • 8:06p, 2/20/26
AG
Fishing Fools said:
M7060 = 71 hp

Just sayin…

Yep, I was just listing implements I already have for my 43 HP Kubota. Some off those will hopefully cross over to the M7060 but in most cases the 7060 will be too much for those smaller implements. Thus, I'll have to buy new implements / attachments in alot of cases for the 7060 once I get one.
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Fishing Fools
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In reply to Texaspainter • 8:11p, 2/20/26
You know why it's 71 hp?
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Texaspainter
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In reply to Fishing Fools • 8:18p, 2/20/26
AG
Fishing Fools said:
You know why it's 71 hp?

Nope… why?
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Fishing Fools
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In reply to Texaspainter • 8:22p, 2/20/26
This tractor requires no fluids.
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coolerguy12
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In reply to Deerdude • 8:23p, 2/20/26
AG
No shears. Just grapples and a set of forks. Check out Ritchie Bros auctions. Tons of skid steer quick attach implements there
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Texaspainter
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In reply to Fishing Fools • 8:26p, 2/20/26
AG
Fishing Fools said:
This tractor requires no fluids.

I assume you are talking about the federal mandate that tractors over 75hp have to use DEF, thus Kubota designed the 7060 specifically under the 75hp rule…..correct?
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Fishing Fools
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In reply to Texaspainter • 8:30p, 2/20/26
Dang you good.
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Texaspainter
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In reply to Fishing Fools • 8:38p, 2/20/26
AG
Fishing Fools said:
Dang you good.

I read a lot. Lol
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Fishing Fools
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In reply to Texaspainter • 8:42p, 2/20/26
Ok Mr Read-a- Lot.

How long does it take me to hook up an Auger with a skid steer quick hook up?

5 minutes ?
50 minutes?
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Texaspainter
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In reply to Fishing Fools • 8:46p, 2/20/26
AG
Fishing Fools said:
Ok Mr Read-a- Lot.

How long does it take me to hook up an Auger with a skid steer quick hook up?

5 minutes ?
50 minutes?


<5 min. If it's over 5 your doing it wrong.

(Just kidding).
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Deerdude
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In reply to Fishing Fools • 9:20p, 2/20/26
Fishing Fools said:
Ok Mr Read-a- Lot.

How long does it take me to hook up an Auger with a skid steer quick hook up?

5 minutes ?
50 minutes?


Is it your skid steer? Oh, wrong thread.
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WestTexasAg
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9:28p, 2/20/26
AG
Still use my old reliable 1972 John Deere 4020.
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Gunny456
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In reply to Texaspainter • 9:19a, 2/21/26
AG
If you have larger pastures to shred/cut….
12' or 15' bat wing rotary cutter.
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Gunny456
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In reply to WestTexasAg • 9:21a, 2/21/26
AG
Yes sir. Had one for 18 years. Finally gave in to cab.
What a tractor the 4020 is.
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SGrem
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9:27a, 2/21/26
At one time Pawpaw had i think three JD 4020s. God only knows how many hours. I know the main use tractor i probably put 15,000 hours on.... much less the hours before me after me or when we had someone else for the day.... sold the last one a few years ago as we lease all that for Sugarcane farmers now....

But I like my JD 3320 just cuz of the 20 (even tho they arent even anything close to similar LOL). Good memories....
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Gunny456
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In reply to WestTexasAg • 9:35a, 2/21/26
AG
Got mine in 1993 from a John Deere dealer in Brownfield Texas. It was a 1974 model I think, and had 3800 hours on it. Paid $1500 for it delivered to Junction with new tires and a new paint job. Man I was in high cotton!
Up till then had a Ford 8N.
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