Skates Vs Tracks
Deciding between a skid steer loader or a skid steer loader can be a daunting task. Neither option is too cheap and both have different advantages and disadvantages.
I have spent a considerable amount of time operating both wheeled and crawler skid steers and in this article, I will offer my thoughts and opinions on both.
key points
- Skid steer loaders are more maneuverable, cost less and perform better on hard surfaces.
- A skid steer loader with tracks works best on soft terrain, slippery surfaces and uneven terrain.
Advantages of minicars with wheels
Since skid steers have been around much longer than crawler machines, many old-timers have considerable experience operating them. This makes me biased to recommend them.
Lower cost
Unless you need tracks, wheels generally offer the best investment value for new minicar owners. Generally speaking, they will do everything you need them to do on a fairly dry, level job site.
A set of solid tires generally has a lower purchase price than a set of tracks. Sometimes you’ll get less mileage out of the tires compared to the tracks, but the lower purchase price makes up for that difference. The tire mileage you can expect depends largely on the operating environment.
Tires are better on concrete and asphalt
You want a machine with wheels if you are working on pavement or asphalt. Tracks tend to wear out quickly on asphalt and are prone to rubber marks.
Solid wheels can be purchased, avoiding flats and increasing the miniature’s ballast.
Wheeled machines are faster and more manoeuvrable
Wheeled minicarts are generally faster and more maneuverable than tracked ones. This can be an advantage in applications that require the machine to move quickly and navigate tight spaces.
Mini wheels are ideal for:
Advantages of the track thumbnail
For all the great advantages of skid steer loaders, they might be better on some jobsites, hence the need for skid steer loaders.
Superior traction
Skid steer loaders (or “track loaders”) are the tracked version of the skid steer. Not only do track loaders look much better, they offer more ground contact and more traction.
It’s easy to imagine a situation where more traction is desired in a skid steer. For example, in northern states, it is common to see track loaders clearing snow with snow blowers and dozer blades. Being able to maximize traction when pushing snow is a must.
Adding float
No, your skid steer won’t walk on water with tracks, but it will resist sinking into soft ground better than a wheeled skid steer. A skid steer loader achieves this by spreading the weight of the loader over a larger area. This distributed weight provides fewer pounds per inch of pressure on the ground below, making it less likely to sink into soft ground and uneven terrain.
Not only does the added flotation help prevent your track loader from getting stuck in muddy ground, but in a less extreme example, it can also help prevent damage to sensitive jobs.
Take, for example, a skid steer loader versus a compact track loader with rubber tracks powering a stump grinder on a customer’s lawn. All the same, floating rubber tracks will help prevent excessive property damage.
Larger footprint
Miniature tracks effectively provide you with a larger and more stable footprint that can stabilize the miniature and help prevent it from tipping over when working on construction sites with uneven terrain.
This can be a good consideration when using large and heavy attachments in difficult terrain. For example, skid steers working in forestry operating with drums; every bit of stability can count.
A crawler is ideal for:
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Jobs with difficult terrain, uneven terrain or when additional traction is needed.
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Snow clearing and forestry work.
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Jobs where less soil compaction is required.
Why not have both? About tire tracks for minicarts
An excellent option for wheeled minicar owners is to add a pair of “tire tracks” to their machine. This allows you to have the maneuverability and speed of a skid steer when needed and the flotation and better track traction when the job calls for it.
Over The Tire Tracks – Rubber tracks
The rubber on the tire tracks provides maximum floatation and contact with the ground. They are often used on urban contracting jobs and can be purchased with non-marking pads.
Rubber over tire tracks is also the perfect solution for working with a skid steer loader in soft or wet conditions. They can be the difference between getting a job done or sitting on the sidelines.
Over The Tire Tracks – Steel tracks
We’ve talked a lot about flotation, but sometimes skid steers need to dig instead of float; this is where the steel on the tire track comes into play. Steel on tire tracks adds traction in slippery conditions, easily sheds mud and debris, and is generally very strong and durable.
Can I use on tire tracks with my skid steer?
Most wheeled minicarts will work with tracks on the tires, but some may need to have spacers installed to give the tracks enough room to move around the model body, boom stop and engine cover .
If you are wondering if tire footprints will work on your skid steer, take a tape measure and check the clearance around the tires. As a general rule, 3″ clearance in all directions is sufficient, but it will depend on the model.
Call us if you have less than 3 inches of clearance and we can set you up with the spacers needed to run your tracks over the tires.
