Let us know after several months after you've had a chance to use it and do some things, give us your comparison feedback what it's like coming from a compact utility tractor to a skid loader. Let us know what the pros and cons are of owning each ....for hobby farm duties. A lot of guys who have the tractors probably wonder what they might gain/lose by going to a skid loader ....and the other way around for skid-only operators. Ive often wondered that when I see these nice, shiny compact tractors. Cheers.
I have owned a compact utility tractor with FEL since 1990 (mowed, plowed snow & worked in the woods with it). In 2012 I finally bought a skid steer, a 2012 NH L220 with cab/heat/ac & a bunch of extras & added rubber OTT that I leave on all the time. So, here's my opinion:
For plowing snow (with my hydraulically angled blade), the skiddy wins hands down. I'm warm (even have a heated seat!), & the skiddy is way more maneuverable than the tractor. And I don't have to get in & out much.
For just about everything else (in warm weather), the tractor still wins. It's easy to get on/off, even with loader part way up, the visibility is unmatched, & the ground clearance is greater. Of course I don't need it or the skiddy to dig, since I also have a mid-size excavator.
Since I almost always work by myself, the biggest problem with the skiddy is that it is such a PIA to get in & out of, & virtually impossible...not to mention unsafe...to get & out of with the loader arms part way up. If you work alone, don't underestimate your need to do this!!!
The only skiddy solution for this access problem is the unique side-entry JCB machines with the single arm. I would not consider them a production dirt machine by any means, but for ease of access they can't be beat. They excel for visibility also. But they have some short comings (can't put OTT on wheeled machine, tracked machines are very heavy, no rear hitch/drawbar/winch hookup or any provision for such).
The next best skiddy solution would be one with a slide-up door (not hinged), which would make entry easier (the opening is wider & you can leave the door up when operating). Granted, the hinged door on my NH (& most other swing-door skiddies) can easily be removed, but I've never done it, since it is somewhat of a pain & even with the door off the door opening is not full width for the full height. Only skiddies that have slide-up doors are Tak, Kubota, & maybe ASV, as far as I know.