Filed under: July 2012
3-wheeled skid steer
July 7, 2012
Our skid steer broke down. The repair turned out to be fairly simple, but took time and effort. Finding the parts was a little difficult, but not impossible…the internet is very useful. We are back in business and running on all four wheels again.
The value of this machine for me is beyond measure. I could farm without a tractor easily, but I don’t want to do it without one of these babies 😮 It saves me so much work it is not funny! I use it to move round bales and lift heavy stuff, but for handling the manure and compost on my farm, there is nothing better.
I was reminded just how much I use this thing when it was broken down in the driveway. I can get along without it, but I am glad that I don’t have to do it. I will even say that I am spoiled by it.
I do lots of things around here. The skid steer has many jobs. The short list includes; log loader, jack, scaffold, material mover, overhead hoist for butchering, giant wheel barrow,snow plow, small bulldozer and hired man. I say hired man because of the amount of work it helps me complete.
I am glad to say that it broke down as we finished putting the last of the hay away. It also was kind enough to take a break during some of our hottest weather… Hey, I didn’t want to work then either!
I didn’t think there was room in our budget for a skid steer. I went without one for many years. Now, I wonder how I got along without it. I would say the if a person intends to farm in any manner other than a very small-scale, a skid steer should be considered as necessary equipment. There are deals out there, look around. Our’s was a demonstrator. I traded a tractor in when we bought it. It cost us $3500.00 plus the tractor. It has paid for itself many times over.
It should be said that these machines are not toys. Careful, responsible operators are the only ones who should operate it. I spend time ensuring that any who operate our’s, have been trained in the safe operation of this powerful machine. I actually cringed when I shared with the world that it has been used as a scaffold… my bad… I won’t do that again. We have had no problem doing it, but it is not a good idea… In that line of thinking… I have skidded to a stop!
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