Track Loader For Residential Use - Am I Insane?

bmac · Jan 16, 2006

First, a little history. I have a long-running thread in Rural Living documenting my home construction project. We are building on 12 heavily wooded acres. From there, I started a thread in the ATV section about making trails through the woods for the kids and their ATVs. In that thread, someone mentioned renting a skidsteer to help in clearing the trails. After doing some research on skidsteers, it wasn't too big of a stretch to start looking into tracked machines. I'm afraid I'm heading down a very slippery slope. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Now, I have a NH 29D with FEL, BH, Bush Hog and pallet forks. I bought it 2 and a half years ago in anticipation of moving to the new property. Well, the move is taking longer than I anticipated, but the end is in sight - looking like a March move date. During this time, I've used the NH only sparingly (might have 50 hrs on it). So, it has alot of servicable time remaining - heck, its not even broken in good. But, the more time I spend on my property, the more I wonder if the NH CUT is the right equipment for what I'll be doing. You probably see where I'm going with this.

How crazy would I be to sell the 29D and buy a compact track loader, say something like a Bobcat T190? In addition to the aforementioned trail clearing / maintenance, my uses would include landscaping, maintaining an 800' gravel driveway and probably an endless amount of time keeping the underbrush and sapplings cleared out of the remaining woods.

I think a tracked machine would be better than a wheeled skidsteer on my wooded terrain (some areas have a significant slope) and I assume would be more turf friendly for the occassions when I might want to plant trees or shrubs around the yard (could be wrong on this). However, I don't know how well the rubber tracks would hold up using them on a gravel drive. And, I understand the tracks are $3.5-$4K a set to replace, so that would be an issue.

Attachments I think I would want to own would be limited to a bucket, forks, a grapple of some variety and an auger. anything else that might be needed I would rent.

I'm thinking that if I am patient in looking for a low-hour used machine, I shouldn't have to spend over $25-30K. Of course, I need to see what I can get for the 29D and attachments to know if this would be doable from a financial standpoint.

So, have I gone completely nuts or are there others out there who have considered something like this? I would look into a ToolCat as an alternative, but, as has been mentioned on this site, newer model used ones might be hard to find. I haven't looked for those yet.

Anyway, please share your thoughts. Feel free to be brutally honest if you think this plan is insane.

MadReferee · Jan 16, 2006

I had a similar dilema this past fall.

I have 10 acres and needed to clear some of it. My Kubota B2710 was not really suited for the job. So what did I do? I could have spent $5000-7000 and contracted out the job but instead I spent just under $5000 and bought a mid-60's dozer and kept the Kubota. When I am done I can always sell the dozer for what I got invested.

You might want to look at doing the same. I believe that your tractor is much more versitle than a small tracked unit and once your dozing jobs are done you will be longing for the tractor back.

jmc · Jan 16, 2006

The thing about turf friendly tracked loaders- they may not sink in or compress the soil, but you can barely turn them without peeling up the top one inch of sod along the entire contact area between turf and track. ASV has a smooth track option that minimizes or eliminates that peeling but you may pay a price when you need maximum traction.

Mine is also slow. Even in the "High Speed" range, it is no more than a brisk walking speed. Its not like putting a tractor in road gear and being back to the house in no time.

Despite those drawbacks, they are a blast to use and you don't spent most of your time manuvering or guessing what's going on in front of the tractor's bucket.

RobertN · Jan 16, 2006

Look at an ASV RC30. I have seen them used, 300 hour or less for $16k. It is a little smaller unit, but the times I have rented them, they have been awesome. Also, the ASV units have a torsion suspension on them; they ride like a Caddilac!

I would like to have one, even over my CUT. But, I can not justify the expense over and above the possible sale price of my Kubota.

beenthere · Jan 16, 2006

You can do what you wish, but I have similar size acerage, and woods, and don't think I can do better than a 4wd tractor (35hp range) with R-4's to get around well in the woods, work well with 3pt attachments, FEL with bucket and forks, and works well on the lawn without tearing it up. Even if I had endless amounts of money, I wouldn't go to the track loader. The closest I might go would be a ToolCat as it works well on lawns and adapts to all the front tools that the skidsteers use. But then I'd have to give up the precious 3pt attachments that pull logs out, cut brush, haul pallets of firewood, grade, till, etc.
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

bmac · Jan 16, 2006

Mad,

...instead I spent just under $5000 and bought a mid-60's dozer 

I'd be a little hesitant to buy something like that unless I knew someone who knows something about dozers who could come along and do an inspection for me. As I've read on this forum, dozers in this price range can be not much more than scrap metal - very expensive to repair. Having said that, looks like you made a good buying decision.

 I believe that your tractor is much more versitle than a small tracked unit and once your dozing jobs are done you will be longing for the tractor back.


You may be right for most folks. But, for what I anticipate doing with the tractor, I'm not sure. Bucket and pallet forks use - loader beats tractor if for no other reason than increased lift capacity. The NH is limited to about 750 lbs. Grapple - loader beats NH because lift capacity and I'd have to add hydraulic lines to the NH. Auger - loader beats NH as auger would be up front (no neck twisting) and has down pressure. Bush Hogging - loader beats NH as cutter is up front - don't have to drive over brush before cutting and better visibility. Gravel drive maintenance - don't know. I do have a box blade for the NH but have barely used it. Can't comment on the track loader for this task. Backhoe work - NH may have an advantage simply because I have one and wouldn't buy one for a loader. Ease of attachment change - overall the track loader would win hands down over 3PH. The point I'm making is that for most folks, a conventional CUT would make more sense for everyday use. But, for me, a skidsteer or track loader is looking pretty attractive.

At one time, I was smitten with the PowerTrack tractors. I still am. However, the lack of local dealer support has pretty much scared me away from them. I think they are marvelous, versatile machines and, were I more mechanically gifted, I would probably own one.

Thanks for the reply.

bmac · Jan 16, 2006

JMC

 The thing about turf friendly tracked loaders- they may not sink in or compress the soil, but you can barely turn them without peeling up the top one inch of sod along the entire contact area between turf and track. 

Now, that would be an issue and a reason NOT to get a track loader. Thanks for the heads up on this.

 Despite those drawbacks, they are a blast to use and you don't spent most of your time manuvering or guessing what's going on in front of the tractor's bucket. 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Hope I don't let the "fun" factor lead me into an unwise decision.

beenthere · Jan 16, 2006

I think you better have 'em both. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

bmac · Jan 16, 2006

Robert,

 Look at an ASV RC30. 

Thanks for the tip. I looked at the specs for this machine and its a little light for me. One of my peeves about the NH is the limited lift capacity. 750 lbs is just not enough. I've decided that the "gold standard" for lift capacity is a pallet of sod. I'm thinking that whatever I end up getting (if I get anything else) it must be able to lift at least 2000 lbs. Its a sickness, I'm sure, but that is the capacity I want.

MadReferee · Jan 16, 2006

( I'd be a little hesitant to buy something like that unless I knew someone who knows something about dozers who could come along and do an inspection for me. As I've read on this forum, dozers in this price range can be not much more than scrap metal - very expensive to repair. Having said that, looks like you made a good buying decision.)

You're right, they can be simply scrap metal. However this one is not and was well maintained and has about a 75% undercarriage. There are still plenty of parts around for IH TD's. All I've done is replace a few hoses and have the hydraulic pump and spool valve rebuilt. No big deal since I have a friend who does that for a living.

Looking at what you are going to do, I would trade up to a 50-75 or so HP utility (not CUT) tractor and still buy a used small dozer for the big stuff. I think you will be better off all the way around, both financially and productivity wise.