Tracked skid steers...which one?

Tags · Oct 19, 2003

I was just looking for some thoughts or experiences on these "kind of new" machines. I am currently looking to purchase one and am looking at the Caterpillar 277 & 287, as well as the Takehuchi TL 140 & 150, and also the ASV RC 100.Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

yellowsocks93 · Oct 19, 2003

I don't know if you have looked at the Gehl CTL series. The CTL 80 has 101 hp Yanmar motor. I don't know how that compares to the others you are looking at.

RobertN · Oct 19, 2003

look at my thread below about the 463 Bobcat. There was some good feedback both on skidsteers and tracked loaders.

Tags · Oct 19, 2003

The Gehl & Mustang track loaders are the same as the Takehuchi loaders, just painted yellow and re-named.

yellowsocks93 · Oct 19, 2003

I did not know that. I thought they were designed and built by Gehl. At any rate they are a very good machine and back a while ago we got 5 right off the semi and sold them all within a week.

jmc · Oct 19, 2003

Tags,

Here's a link to an overview of the market, in case you haven't seen it. Takeuchi was the pioneer way ahead of the rest so they may know a few things the others are just learning. There seems to be a lot of obsolete models and Gehl (Takeuchi) is quick to tell you that Cat stopped selling track loaders for awhile because of some drive problems.

I went down to Louisville Saturday to a Landscaping show where they have demonstration areas. Got to operate a Gehl CTL 60 and a Cat 247. ASV was there but they just had their own operator doing demonstrations. They all looked good and performed impressively with the right operator.(not me)

The thing to watch is track life. They are talking about 1500 hours or so , depending on how you use it and if you keep it off the pavement. At $3000 or $4000 per set...

jmc · Oct 19, 2003

I'll try that link again. Tracked Loader Article

40Kchicks · Oct 20, 2003

Tags,
If your still looking for a tracked skid steer I noticed there is a CAT 257 and 277 for sale on ebay right now. Low hours it looks like.
Eric

SageBrush · Oct 23, 2003

What about the T190, T200 or the T300 Melrose Bobcat? So far,the new tracked Bobcats are holding up better than others.

Don't know why, but they are holding up the best in the rental fleets. I like the wide tracks. After having the track rigs, I perfer the lower cost of the ones with hard rubber tires or foam filled tires. We hardly ever work in the mud anyway.

Tags · Oct 26, 2003

I know a couple of guys who have had the Bobcat machines and had some problems so I am a little leary of em'. I have a friend with a Cat 277 and he loves it, although I am more interested in the 287, which out of all the track machines has vertical lift and a 10' 8" dump height. The track system on the Cat and ASV are basically the same, ASV sold Cat the rights to their undercarriage, but there is something to be said about the simplicity of the Bobcat and Tachehuchi undercarriages.