Skid Steer - Tracks or Wheels?

[Todd727]

What are the extra maintenance requirements and what sort of expenses are we talking about?

Sounds like tracks would be the way to go for what I want. Maybe I should rent one for a day and see how it goes. However not having any experience with one I may not be able to learn much in a day.

I read a fairly good analysis on the cost to operate a CTL over time. Basically, it's fairly cheap until the first track replacement (~1200-1500 hours) Not too bad up to the second track change (~600 hours later for aftermarket tracks) but then you start getting into idlers, sprockets and finally drive motors. My take away is that 2000 hours is the point at which I'll replace my machine. For the average small, non-commercial user, like we find on TBN, that could be 10 years or so.

I believe that analysis was over on heavyequipmentforums.

 

[Opti-Mist]

My take is that it depends a lot on the surfaces on which you operate. If wheels don't get it at times, consider Track Over Tire. OTT Tracks | Over The Tire, Rubber, Steel | Tracks and Tires

 

[Cat_Driver]

Since I run tracks my vote is tracks. Besides I had no choice wheels don't work in the beach style sand I have on my land. The tracks FLOAT over the sand, mud etc.
I have a 287B and I can honestly say it's the best piece of equipment I've owned. I'm sure other track machines are as god, but I don't know. I bought CAR because of the service available to me. I call them up and a few days later a huge service truck shows up, changes all the fluids, filters and adjusts the tracks as needed. Anything you look at make sure you get proper support in regards to service, that's more important than the LOGO on the machine.

 

[fishheadbob]

we had 2 different skid steers work for us at about the same time; we didn't own either one. The soil was quality topsoil with some very moderate grades. It was obvious that the tracked machine performed circles around the wheeled one, especially if there was some moisture in the ground; the wheeled one frequently lost traction and became ineffective, the track one was an eveready bunny .

 

[Hilbilly]

I read a fairly good analysis on the cost to operate a CTL over time. Basically, it's fairly cheap until the first track replacement (~1200-1500 hours) Not too bad up to the second track change (~600 hours later for aftermarket tracks) but then you start getting into idlers, sprockets and finally drive motors. My take away is that 2000 hours is the point at which I'll replace my machine. For the average small, non-commercial user, like we find on TBN, that could be 10 years or so.

I believe that analysis was over on heavyequipmentforums.

I'll be buying used and that concerns me. Especially since I don't know what to look for. Maybe I better stick to wheels. My neighbor had an old one with wheels and loves it. His land is similar to mine and if wheels work on his property they should on mine too. However I think the tracks would be better.

My take is that it depends a lot on the surfaces on which you operate. If wheels don't get it at times, consider Track Over Tire. OTT Tracks | Over The Tire, Rubber, Steel | Tracks and Tires

Maybe that's the compromise that would work for me.

 

[2458n]

Bobcat magazine suggests figuring 8 dollars a hour for billing to replace your tracks when due. That is Bobcat telling you it is not going to be cheap.

 

[Tomtint]

View attachment 416850

This is mine,in 500 hours I went through the original tires and was 1/2 way through the second set. It think tires wear quickly because they spin instead of getting traction. These have been on for about 150 hours with minimal wear showing, other than some small cuts from rocks.

 

[Rustyiron]

Hilbilly, try to rent each style of machines, it will be hard to rent one with OTT's though. Your "right" choice is as individual as anything else you might buy. Your soils, topography, and tasks will dictate what machine will suit you best. It doesn't sound like you have a need to run it on the lawn, that's kinda just crazy anyway with any SS/CTL with the possible exception of Bobcat's "A" series (all wheel steer). I find that in the woods, OTT's provide the best traction, but they will literally shred the surface that you are operating on. (hence traction). You'll learn to "mop" your way out backwards if you want to clean up machine tracks. CTL's obviously provide the best flotation & better traction than a wheeled (only) machine, but the wheeled machines have their application's also along with lower operating costs. If you ever need to operate on packed snow & ice (move snow), being able to put tire chains on your machine keeps your machine working for you during the winter instead of sitting in the shed. I have an excavator and a SS for similar use's as your's, and they sure do compliment each other and make a good team. Lot's to think about!

 

[Roadbuilder6]

I would look into a MTL undercarriage. Multi Terrian Loader. Cat makes a few different models, not sure of your price range but everything from the 247-297 are good machines, mine the 257. Very tippy, but the rest are fine.

 

[Hilbilly]

Bobcat magazine suggests figuring 8 dollars a hour for billing to replace your tracks when due. That is Bobcat telling you it is not going to be cheap.

That's nuts. 1000 hrs and an $8000 cost for tracks. I'll stick to wheels and or OTT's.

Hilbilly, try to rent each style of machines, it will be hard to rent one with OTT's though. Your "right" choice is as individual as anything else you might buy. Your soils, topography, and tasks will dictate what machine will suit you best. It doesn't sound like you have a need to run it on the lawn, that's kinda just crazy anyway with any SS/CTL with the possible exception of Bobcat's "A" series (all wheel steer). I find that in the woods, OTT's provide the best traction, but they will literally shred the surface that you are operating on. (hence traction). You'll learn to "mop" your way out backwards if you want to clean up machine tracks. CTL's obviously provide the best flotation & better traction than a wheeled (only) machine, but the wheeled machines have their application's also along with lower operating costs. If you ever need to operate on packed snow & ice (move snow), being able to put tire chains on your machine keeps your machine working for you during the winter instead of sitting in the shed. I have an excavator and a SS for similar use's as your's, and they sure do compliment each other and make a good team. Lot's to think about!

I have a 75 series excavator and have been using it quite bit lately to open up the bush around our house and make some more trails for the grandkids to ride on. The excavator has a QC system, dig bucket, clean up bucket and push blade (very nice for leveling). It works great but still need to use another machine to grab piles of debris and move to the burn pile, smoothing and raking after the rough grading and mowing the small brush where the ground has not been disturbed too much. I've been using the tractor for this but it is not well suited to being in the bush. Last year I tore out a cooling line and this year I've had some close calls with branches getting caught in the hydraulic lines and undercarriage. It's also scary on side hills, especially where there are hidden potholes. I don't do this sort of thing often but it sure is nice to have the equipment when there is a need. If I get one I plan to spend between $10,000 and $20,000 and it's hard to justify spending that one something that won't get used a lot. But then I only have 550 hrs on my 6 yr old tractor and wouldn't be without it.

 

[Rustyiron]

This will put brush just about anyplace you want + 12' high. Very stable @ 90" wide, it's "footprint" is almost square.

 

[tawilson]

Rusty, that looks just like my set up except for the color. And I've changed my mind, I am glad I got the wheeled with the ott tracks. I've got other equipment for the finish grading.

 

[Hilbilly]

This will put brush just about anyplace you want + 12' high. Very stable @ 90" wide, it's "footprint" is almost square.

That looks like a pretty Mean Machine and I'm sure I would be very happy with something like that.

 

[870wing]

Would some thing like the Antonio Carraro Mach 4 or Mach 2 fit your needs? They are designed to work on hilly terrain. They have a very low centre of gravity, have reversible steering/seating consol. They also come with or without a cab. They can also reach 40km/h (24 mph) if speed is needed.

Mach 4 http://www.antoniocarraro.it/en/products/MACH_4~4970
Mach 2 http://www.antoniocarraro.it/en/products/MACH_2~5131

Take care

870wing

 

[oldman570]

Take the time to test both the tire and factory track units, at most any dealer, before making any a buy of a unit. Most dealers and rental units are easier on the wallet in the long run. For my use I found that the rubber tracked factory units did the best job when working in a soft ground environment , where a tire unit did more damage. A unit with a floating bucket is best, as it can make repair to some damages easier also. As for work on any steep grade, all the movement should only be done in a straight uphill or down hill movement and the use of a grade level bubble on most machines should be used and heeded to prevent a tip over dangers situation. JMO
Oldman570

 

[rmk700]

Hands down tracks. There is a long list of advantages and tires are a thing of the past for our uses.

 

[crashz]

I bought a Bobcat 753 a few years ago, thinking the same thing. Tight quarter mowing, grading, loader work. Gotta be better than my 21 hp gear drive tractor. It is. But its not without limitations. The 'cat is much more unstable on hills. Gets stuck easily. Pushing and digging are limited by weight and traction, which is marginal. Destroys grass. Side slope stability is a little scary. Up/downslope is even more scary, as it needs a load in the bucket to be able to travel up a slope. I've nearly "turtled" it a few times.

I thought it was a better and cheaper option than buying a 40+ Hp HST tractor. I think for my uses, the bigger tractor would be better.

On a jobsite this past winter I used our Cat 277 track (the wide all-terrain tracks) machine for snow plowing. It was amazing how stable it is. Obviously the power and weight was a major improvement as well as pilot controls, but the tracks make it so much easier to grade and handle slopes. So much so that I will look into a Loegring set of tracks for my 753.

 

[db1486]

I would say a track machine would be what would work for you, but to fund a good one in the $10-20000 range could be tough. How big would you be looking at. I've run a 313 Deere with OTT, and a bobcat T550 at work, and just bought a mustang mtl325 for the farm. I will say the bobcat floats around the nicest, and in wet soft ground, turning hardly leaves a track. But its not a real big machine either. Tracks are also nice because no flat tires in the bush. Had that happen on the Deere, and not fun with the tracks on. Joystick controls are a really nice option too.

 

[kevinwak]

My neighbour has one of the all wheel steer Bobcats and he loves it. Yes, it doesn't turn nearly as sharp, but there is no wheel slide on the ground as one set of tires skids to turn. He says it is amazing In Snow as compared to a normal wheeled skid steer, because even when he is turning he has forward power on all four tires, he isn't stopping one side to turn that way. He snowplows the perimeter of his 1/4 section all winter long with no issues. Another advantage is since the tires have to steer they are set way further from the machine body, increasing stability.

 

[ovrszd]

My Brother had a Bobcat T300. He bought it at 2300hrs with new tracks, very straight machine, gave $30K. We put 500hrs on it before he retired and sold it. I ran it most of those hours.

I believe a CTL to be considerably more productive than a SS. I could work in soft, wet ground that my Kubota M9540 could not traverse. I actually finished a waterway with the CTL, smooth as a '47 Chevy. Then absent mindedly tried to cross it with the Kubota. Had to go get the backhoe to pull the Kubota out.

As to maintenance costs, I believe them to be higher on a CTL. This is due to more moving parts in the chassis. Some on here have included drive motors in those expenses. That is incorrect as you will have that same maintenance risk in a SS. Daily maintenance on the rubber tracks is insignificant as well. Adjustment is not required often. It's just something you need to watch. Kinda like air pressure in your SS tires. Which brings me to my next point, I worked the T300 in all kinds of terrain including thorny brush. I never had a single flat tire.

Go CTL and you'll never wanna go back to tires.