SKIDSTEER TRACKS

[GAV64]

I HAVE TWO SMALL "  HOBBY WOODLOTS" APPROX 20 ACRES AND HAVE WORKED THEM WITH A COMBINATION OF A 45HP SKIDSTEER AND ATV/TRAILER COMBINATION. THE SKIDSTEER HAS MOVED ALOT OF EARTH AND LOGS, BUILT ROADS ECT.. IT DOES ALOT OF THINGS WELL HOWEVER IT DOES NOT LIKE TO GO OFF THE BEATEN PATH. I AM TRYING TO DECIDE IF I SHOULD SAY GOODBYE TO THE SKIDSTEER AND BUY A 4WD TRACTOR OR CAN I GET BY WITH ADDING TRACKS TO THE SKID. I HATE TO LOSE THE EARTH MOVING ADVANTAGE OF THE SKID STEER AND ITS LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY. TRACKS COST $2000-3000, TRACTOR MUCH MORE. ANY ADVICE, EXPERIENCES OR OPINIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. ALSO IF YOU HAVE USED TRACKS STEEL OR RUBBER, RUBBER BEING 2X COST. THANKS GLENN

[slowzuki]

I've been told they help alot, never used em though.
Ken

[pasbuild]

I do quite a bit of tree removal with my skid steer, tracks are a must they will  increase the performance 5 fold, I would also go with the steel tracks as they are more durable and EZer to adjust. you will probably need hub spacers to kick the wheels out to make room for the tracks, I had a buddy of mine make them for me so I don't know if they are an after market item or not ???
do some shopping around for tracks you should be able to find them for a lot less then 2-3000, I payed $600 for my cast steel tracks ;)

[Taylortractornut]

You can by some easy tracks made from Chains they are about 500 dollars and last 1000 hours.  I have a friend with som on his new Bobcat and he loves them they works as good as the Logering tracks.  Al these tracks are is u  shaped bars welded to heavy log chain buth they lat andtake about 10 minutes to install.

[ksu_chainsaw]

We have used steel tracks on our skids before- they are nice up to a point.  If u get stuck- there is no way to get them out easy.  They make going over rougher terrain easier, but if u get into too much wet stuff, they seem to slip more than normal.  We try to stay out of that stuff- we got stuck in the feedlot once, and i never want to try to pull a skid out of 3 foot of manure again- we had to get the neighbors crane to lift it straight up.  Even with a tractor, they are not going to be able to go much further off the path, and are less versatile.  If it was my decision, i would get the tracks, and a hydraulic winch to move stuff that you cant get close enough to.

charles

[Driller]

I put some on my 773 in december. Couldn't believe the difference it made. Bobcat dealer had 2 styles; one that grips like a dozer and one that has wider pads so you float more. I got the ones that grip. I believe they are both made by Grouser.

[JD350Cmark]

I got two pairs of heavy duty snow chains for my skidsteer.  It helps a lot in steep areas and in the mud.  Just takes a few minutes to put them on and take em off.  

[tracfarm]

I was wondering if chains would fit on my skidsteer tires.
I looked into tracks but they are expensive and require spacers. I did not know if chains would stay on while skidding around.

[GregS]

I just bought a set of used tracks for my Case 1840 and the spacers were not cheap.  The tracks are in decent shape with about 60% left.  The previous owner rebult many of the links and the dealer through in many extra links and bushings for me just in case one gives-way.  I am only a part-timer so these should last a while.  I paid $950 for the tracks and I think the spacers were $350.  I am putting them on this weekend and taking the skid-steer up to my land this next weekend.  I will let you know the difference.  

I told myself last year I would not go back in the spring without tracks considering I spent many hours with a come-along and shovel.  I am doing mostly blow-down clean up and use a grapple bucket to go in to the pile and remove.  I can't wait to use the little dozer....<grin>.

[Hunter]

I have the Grouser tracks on my Skid steer. They have a bit more bite than the flat style, yet still give alot better flotation.
 I use my skidteer alot in my clearing jobs, I have an ambusher and tree shear attachment and the tracks allow me to get to places I would not even think of with the tires alone.
Hunter