It can be a challenging decision to choose between a wheeled skid steer track and a skid steer track. Both are quite pricey, and both have their own outstanding features.
Benefits of Wheeled Skid Steer Track
Wheeled skid steer track existed long before the tracked machines. This has made them quite popular for many old timers for the experience they have in operating them.
The outstanding benefits of a wheeled skid steer track include:
They are more affordable
New skid steer owners will fare better when they opt for wheeled skid steers. Doing jobs on the level and dry sites is provided everything by the wheeled skid steer, making them one of the best investments.
In addition, a lower purchase price is with a set of solid tyres than a set of tracks. The lower price provides the best value for money even when the tyres provide less mileage than the tracks. However, the operating environment is often the determinant of the tyre mileage outcome.
They work better on asphalt and concrete
Working on asphalt or pavement is better on a wheeled machine. Using skid steer tracks, on the other hand, are prone to leave behind rubber scrub marks and quickly wear out on asphalt.
The over-ballast of the skid steer is enhanced with the solid wheels that prevent flats from happening.
Their manoeuvrability does the job quickly
The wheels make the work generally faster. The manoeuvrability provided by skid steers with wheels becomes advantageous for projects requiring navigation through tight spaces.
Some of the advantages provided by wheeled skid steers include:
- Easy to maintain
- Best to use on asphalt and other forms of dry-level terrain
- Provide more value for money
Benefits of Skid Steer Tracks
Compact track loaders perform better on some job sites that cannot be handled by wheeled skid steers. The benefits provided by skid steer tracks include:
Better traction
A skid steer’s tracked version is known as a track loader or compact track loader. The better contact of track loaders with the ground also provides better traction. Why is more traction desirable? For instance, track loaders are a common sight clearing snow using dozer blades and snow blowers. The traction feature of the track loader is a big help when pushing snow.
Added floatation
A skid steer loader with wheels is likely to sink into soft ground. A skid steer with tracks, on the other hand, has a higher resistance with soft ground. Spreading the track loader’s weight over a bigger area provides lesser pressure on the ground underneath. The weight distribution provided by the track loader makes them less likely to sink into uneven terrain and soft ground.
Sensitive job areas are protected from damage with the added floatation provided by the track loader.
More stable footprint
Tipping while working on uneven ground is prevented with the stable and larger footprint provided by skid steer tracks. It is a feature worth considering when using heavy and large attachments on uneven terrain. For instance, operating drum munchers in forestry projects needs exemplary stability.
With this, skid steer tracks ideally work for:
- Job sites requiring less soil compaction
- Work sites needing extra traction for working on uneven and difficult terrain
- Work projects related to snow clearing and forestry
Contact us if you need replacement skid steer tracks.