Skid Steer undercarriage question for farm use

[Dadnatron]

I'm looking for a used tracked CTL skid steer for farm work. Clean up, some dirt work, woods clean out, etc.

The question I have is undercarriage and its real effect in an offroad/farm/woods environment.

I've rented several tracked skid steers from local Boyd Cat facility for farm work, and my biggest complaint on the farm has always been the roughness of ride going over/through any sort of ground change. I will use it on uneven (not really rough) farm ground and in woods. What I found on the fixed undercarriage machines I used, was ever little bump/stick/pothole ended up rocking the entire machine. I felt like I was constantly climbing then falling over the terrain.

I have never had the opportunity to try the MTL or ASV bogey undercarriage, but it seems like it would be the best for what I need on the farm, as it would allow me to go over bumps, sticks, etc without requiring the 'climb and fall' for everything. But I don't know.

I know that undercarriage has fallen out of favor because it didn't hold up well with gravel and construction requirements. But I wouldn't have that sort of need on my farm, as a general rule.

 

[scootr]

I believe a tracked machine will ride MUCH better than a wheeled machine. That might be something you should consider.

 

[2manyrocks]

Drive a tracked machine and decide for yourself.

 

[Dadnatron]

I wasn't clear, the machines I rented have all been tracked. I (personally) think of skid steers as tracked, as I only have the use for a tracked machine. That was my error in explanation.

 

[scootr]

I wasn't clear, the machines I rented have all been tracked. I (personally) think of skid steers as tracked, as I only have the use for a tracked machine. That was my error in explanation.

My reply was based upon mowing etc with my wheeled machine. GL

 

[Snobdds]

Tracked SS machines have zero suspension. Wheeled SS machines have zero suspension.

They all ride like bricks.

 

[oldnslo]

The ASV suspension helps some but it will rock and roll over bumps just not as bad on smaller ridges or branches.

 

[Hay Dude]

Ride over farm fields is very rough, but that also depends on speed.
Gets old fast.
All that said, I’d like to get one.

 

[Drstrangeglove]

Drive over a root, and you feel every roller that rolls over it. A ctl is fine in the smooth yard, but any debris and you will pay. And they destroy any grass you have. When moving my rubber tracked excavator, I have to try not to trun in the fields or I leave dead grass.

 

[BlueKnife]

Look at small wheel loaders instead. I'd take my R410 over a tracked skid steer for everything other than grading. Much smoother in rough terrain, doesn't tear up the ground, better ground clearance, more precise side to side control, far better visibility. Add tire chains and it's nearly unstoppable.

 

[ruffdog]

This is the big reason I bought my Toolcat. It's in between a tractor and skid steer but with suspension. Front lift arm that can use SS attachments and a 3ph in the rear to use my tractor attachments. There are limitations like loader lift height but it sure rides better than either tractor or SS. It works great for my uses.

 

[Rustyiron]

Tracked SS machines have zero suspension. Wheeled SS machines have zero suspension.

They all ride like bricks.

You drive over a stick or rock, you feel it twice on a SS. On a CTL you feel it twice and the number of rollers in between the front and back idlers so usually there's 3 to 4 depending on the machine. That equals 5 to 6 times.
I'd steer clear of a used ASV unless it's very cheap or the hundreds of undercarriage parts all have been replaced within 4-500 hours. If you're buying new, check out the new Yanmar CTL.
BTW, Yanmar bought ASV about a year ago. They use a torsion type suspension on their machine that's reportedly giving an improved ride without the complex and expensive maintenance of the ASV.
On the other hand I believe it's agreed by most that ASV offers the best ride hands down. It's original design was for operation in snow in a utility vehicle. Think small snow cat.

 

[paulsharvey]

Look at small wheel loaders instead. I'd take my R410 over a tracked skid steer for everything other than grading. Much smoother in rough terrain, doesn't tear up the ground, better ground clearance, more precise side to side control, far better visibility. Add tire chains and it's nearly unstoppable.

I was going to bring the small articulated loaders up, But keep in mind, they don't do well on side slopes, AT ALL. Something like TCM, JD-344, and similar. Most? don't have nearly the hydro flow for stuff like brush cutters, milling machines, ect. They still don't ride good either

 

[paulsharvey]

Also, I think the latest series I'd JD Tracked SS have an air ride cab. So, no track suspension, but the cab as air springs between the cab and the suspension, if I remember right? Maybe that was the new series Cats? One of them does.

 

[BlueKnife]

I was going to bring the small articulated loaders up, But keep in mind, they don't do well on side slopes, AT ALL. Something like TCM, JD-344, and similar. Most? don't have nearly the hydro flow for stuff like brush cutters, milling machines, ect. They still don't ride good either

The hydraulic flow thing is true. I'm not sure why they design them that way, but they won't run high flow attachments. Mine does great on side slopes. That's one of the reasons I like it so much. It'll go places where a skid steer or tractor wouldn't have a ghost of a chance and it'll be way smoother doing it.

 

[paulsharvey]

The hydraulic flow thing is true. I'm not sure why they design them that way, but they won't run high flow attachments. Mine does great on side slopes. That's one of the reasons I like it so much. It'll go places where a skid steer or tractor wouldn't have a ghost of a chance and it'll be way smoother doing it.

Do you have a different wheel/tire, or weight set up than factory? Cause most, if you are even on a 15% slope, running cross slope, and turn, either up or down the slopes, things get tippy Fast on ones I've been on (Cat and TMC). You would feel weird or in danger running a tracked skid on a 25% cross, maybe more, probably fully "safe" to greater than 30%

 

[mikester]

A tracked machine with ride control or accumulators will ride better than wheeled

 

[BlueKnife]

Do you have a different wheel/tire, or weight set up than factory? Cause most, if you are even on a 15% slope, running cross slope, and turn, either up or down the slopes, things get tippy Fast on ones I've been on (Cat and TMC). You would feel weird or in danger running a tracked skid on a 25% cross, maybe more, probably fully "safe" to greater than 30%

No, it's original. They are not all created equal though. Some are more stable than others.

 

[paulsharvey]

The mini loaders do often have larger capacity buckets, at times/specific applications more agility, don't tear up stuff as much, and much greater mobility than a skid steer. I see them mostly with soft guys, landscapers, and land scape supply yards.