Got
Tracks?
Tracks?
Nicholas Hogan
Physics 212
Spring 2014
Would
tracks fit your skid steer needs?
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There are many different
things that are important to consider when looking to
buy a skid steer loader, however we are going to start
with the simple topic of tracks or no tracks. This is
a good place to begin because it is easy to choose by
looking at what conditions you will be working it, and
is a nice easy transition into building your ideal
skid steer.
There are many advantages to having tracks on a skid steer, most of which are conditional, meaning that you have to be in the right situation for them to truly benefit you. The conditions that are best for tracks are ones where you will essentially need more floatation. According to the Bobcat Skid Steer Loader page, tracked skid steers are best for "extended work sessions, higher pushing force, increased flotations and minimal ground disturbance." This means that when you are doing work on things such as grass, or soft dirt, tracks may be a good option for you. They have less ground pressure, and can stay a float when you are in mud or even snow.
Although wheeled skid steers do not have the same advantages as tracked skid steers, they do carry some potential of their own. Wheels do not have near the surface area on the ground, so more of the skid steers weight is in contact with the terrain, giving them better traction. Also according to the Bobcat Skid Steer Page, wheels are good in situations where you want better maneuverability, better joystick control, and low impact to existing surfaces.
Another positive aspect of having tracks on your skid steer is that they will tend to float in situations where wheels will sink down and get stuck. This makes them extremely beneficial in situations that involve soft or deep terrain such as snow, mud, slush, or sand. Kevin Ingall, author of Compact Rubber-Tracked Loader Goes Where Skid Steers Fear to Tread says that "They won't walk on water, but they are the closest thing to a machine that will." Skid steers are very heavy, and if you are going to be in situations that require a great deal of floatation, a tracked skid steer is recommended for you.
There are many advantages to having tracks on a skid steer, most of which are conditional, meaning that you have to be in the right situation for them to truly benefit you. The conditions that are best for tracks are ones where you will essentially need more floatation. According to the Bobcat Skid Steer Loader page, tracked skid steers are best for "extended work sessions, higher pushing force, increased flotations and minimal ground disturbance." This means that when you are doing work on things such as grass, or soft dirt, tracks may be a good option for you. They have less ground pressure, and can stay a float when you are in mud or even snow.
Although wheeled skid steers do not have the same advantages as tracked skid steers, they do carry some potential of their own. Wheels do not have near the surface area on the ground, so more of the skid steers weight is in contact with the terrain, giving them better traction. Also according to the Bobcat Skid Steer Page, wheels are good in situations where you want better maneuverability, better joystick control, and low impact to existing surfaces.
Another positive aspect of having tracks on your skid steer is that they will tend to float in situations where wheels will sink down and get stuck. This makes them extremely beneficial in situations that involve soft or deep terrain such as snow, mud, slush, or sand. Kevin Ingall, author of Compact Rubber-Tracked Loader Goes Where Skid Steers Fear to Tread says that "They won't walk on water, but they are the closest thing to a machine that will." Skid steers are very heavy, and if you are going to be in situations that require a great deal of floatation, a tracked skid steer is recommended for you.
Summary:
Each type or skid steer will have many different things that can be added onto it, however one of the most important of these things is whether or not you would like a skid steer with tracks, or one that comes with wheels. Each of them has their own advantages and disadvantages.
Each type or skid steer will have many different things that can be added onto it, however one of the most important of these things is whether or not you would like a skid steer with tracks, or one that comes with wheels. Each of them has their own advantages and disadvantages.