Knowledge Is Buying Power

Between the inexpensive big-box garden tractor and the pricey and somewhat limited backhoe or skid steer loader is a range of products called the compact utility tractor.

With roots in big farm machinery, these versatile prime movers are more compact and less expensive than bigger farm equipment and were originally conceived for a new breed of landowners — the gentleman or hobby farmer. This new market consists of folks who wanted out of the rat race, could afford some property, animals and “toys” and wanted to farm 10 to 50 acres of land, plus or minus.

One alternative for do-it-yourselfers can be to invest in low-end garden variety tractors at big-box home stores for $2,500 or less. They can add an inexpensive plastic trailer for a couple of hundred bucks and they’re good to go. These machines typically offer about 16 hp and can be used for mowing and light hauling (mulch, topsoil and light debris) and offer a limited warranty.

But these light-duty garden tractors are not built for 24/7 contractor work. Building, utility and landscape contractors typically will invest in a backhoe or skid steer loader as their low-end prime mover. These models can run in the $25,000- to $35,000-plus price range and offer from 90 to 130 hp and feature buckets and other attachments to make work easier.

While the backhoe loader is excellent for digging and moving stone and dirt, versatility is not one of its strong suits. The skid steer, on the other hand, has lots of flexibility, especially at the front end of the machine. Here, landscaping tools like buckets, trenchers and augers and farm implements like bale spears and forks, make life easy for those applications. But due to the design of these products, jobs requiring the operator to get off and on the machine become tiring challenges.

The alternative is the compact utility tractor. To properly outfit this in between market of pros and homeowners, creative OEMs devised a lineup of somewhat smaller tractors in the range of 20 to 100 hp. These machines had to be versatile, available with a number of implements or attachments, be relatively user friendly and be priced right. Today’s prices for a 20-hp tractor start in the $12,000 range (around $22,000 with a loader bucket and backhoe).

Over time, landscape contractors took note of the power vs. flexibility vs. price of these machines and some have added them to their fleets. In addition to the landscape and irrigation crowd, other cost-conscious contractors in the areas of building, utility, light construction and others, may want to take a look at these relatively new and cost-effective prime movers.

Where to Start Looking

Compact utility tractors are true application-based machines. Unlike either backhoe or skid steer loaders, the contractor determines the attachments needed for the job and workload, selects the horsepower required for these tasks and thus the machine he or she needs. Most manufacturers offer machines in the 20- to 100-hp range in 5-hp increments. So by selecting precisely the right machine, there is no wasted horsepower and no wasted fuel. The result is no wasted money.

While tractor loader backhoes and skid steers can do a lot of things, compact utility tractors can pretty much do anything and everything within that horsepower range due to precisely the right power source driving the machine and its many attachments. They offer buckets to move materials and backhoe attachments to dig trenches and excavate material supplies. They power augers for deck footings, fences and tree planting and can drive mid-mount mowers and tow-behind mower decks. Any number of implements can be utilized with the three-point hitch and of course, forks and other attachments are available for use with a loader quick-attach system.

The Choices Are Yours

According to Ron Parrish, marketing development manager for KIOTI Tractor, an innovative manufacturer of these products, “A compact utility tractor is the only machine that can power tools at the front, middle and rear of the machine, all at the same time.” Power take off systems (PTOs) at the center and rear of the machine enable hydraulic/mechanical applications at those points, while the front end accepts buckets, forks, blades, spears and the like.

Beyond the wide range of engine sizes available, most compact utility tractor OEMs give you a choice of transmission types. Again, plotting your basic needs vs. price, you can easily decide on a manual, synchro-shuttle or fully hydrostatic transmission. The latter of course being the most expensive and the most user-friendly.

Overall, especially when it comes to novice users like large estate owners, hydrostatic transmissions are extremely popular (it only adds about $1,000 to your purchase), but gear-driven systems still have their place with certain customer segments (like old school farmers). Gear transmissions can be more efficient and economical if you know how to run them properly. In the gear transmission realm there are three distinct options:

1. Non-synchronized transmissions are the most economical and reliable choice, but also the most hassle. You must depress the clutch, stop the tractor and shift gears, which can be tedious in applications that have a lot of speed and direction changes (think loader work).
2. Partially synchronized transmissions are smoother and easier than non-synchronized. This system allows for clutching and shifting between gears without stopping the tractor. Speed and direction changes are made easier.
3. Fully synchronized transmissions are shift-on-the-go transmissions. You shift gears without depressing the clutch or stopping the tractor. Tractors typically have a combination of ranges (A, B and C) to give operators multiple choices of speeds.

Unlike backhoe and skid steer loaders, farm-based tractors utilize a three-point hitch at the rear of the machine. Not unlike the quick-attach system of a skid steer, this hitch allows the operator to quickly and easily connect to any rear-mounted attachment. Category 1 (20 to 50 hp) and Category 2 (50 to 90 hp) hitches offer industry standard specifications, so any make or model attachment will be compatible.

The three-point hitch assembly includes two arms that lift the attachment during non-use, transporting and reversing and a top link that permits leveling of the attachment. The front end of the machine can be equipped with a quick-attach system that is compatible with a full range of standard attachments.

While a compact utility tractor may look a bit different than your backhoe or skid steer, it is built to be utilitarian, comfortable, safe and user friendly. Controls are easy to use, gauges are easy to view and all are equipped with ROPS and seat belts.

Don’t let their size fool you — especially the smaller models. These machines were built to take a beating that any rental house or hard-working contractor can dish out. According to Parrish, “Our compact utility tractors come with a four-year, what we call full fleet warranty. Some OEMs will limit their machine warranties to non-commercial work or have an hour limitation. Not us. We offer full support of our products, no matter what the job.” That’s one more thing to check off when you speak with your dealer.

Compact utility tractors, born of the farm industry, have a place in many areas of construction. Make a list of typical tasks you do that require this size of power source. Go visit a dealer or rental house that offers these machines and ask for a test demo. Get comfortable in the operator’s seat and check it all out. See how the power choices, flexibility and price fit your needs and budget. And compare the warranty with those which you are accustomed, to see how confident the OEM is with his own product. And good luck with your productive new tool.

George Smith is a senior technical writer at advantage Marketing Communications, based in Blairstown, N.J.