On the farm, the right loader can make or break your day. For years, skid steers have been the go-to for barn chores and livestock work. Lately though, more operations have been looking at telehandlers for their reach, life, and versatility.
Let’s break down the differences.
Reach and Visibility? Telehandlers for the win.
A telehandler can lift higher, reach further, and stack bales taller than a skid steer can. That matters when you’re loading feed mixers, stacking hay three or four bales high, or reaching over bunks and fences. The higher cab position also gives you better visibility all around.
If you’re moving hay or loading trucks, the telehandler is hard to beat.
Maneuverability in Tight Spaces? We give that to the skid steer.
Skid steers turn sharp and fit in places a telehandler won’t. If you’re scraping barns, cleaning pens, or working in narrow alleys, the skid steer is quicker and more efficient.
If most of your work is inside the barn, the skid steer wins.
Lift Capacity and Efficiency? The telehandler takes the W.
Telehandlers handle heavier loads with smoother hydraulics. This means fewer trips, less fuel, and fewer hours on the machine. Big bales, pallets, silage buckets… it handles them all.
If efficiency and capacity are what you need, the telehandler is the better choice.
Versatility and Attachments? A tie.
Both machines run a wide range of attachments. The difference is how they’re used. Telehandlers can move bales one day, tow a trailer the next, or reach high spots with a man basket. Skid steers shine with ground-level work; grading, trenching, augering, and can swap attachments with speed.
Each machine has it’s place depending on your chores.
Cost and ROI – Short-Term vs. Long-Term
A skid steer will cost less up front. But if you’re stacking hay every day or doing a lot of lifting and reach based work, the telehandler pays for itself in time and labor saved. Look at cost per task, not just the sticker price.
The Bottom Line
If you handle hay, load mixers or need reach and lift capacity in open spaces, choose a telehandler. However, if your work is mainly in barns or alleys, or you need flexibility with ground-level attachments at a lower cost, you need a skid steer.
Need help comparing models or want to schedule a demo? We’ll help you figure out which machine fits your operation best.
