Tracked or wheels for a Mini Skid?

RyanCafferky

RyanCafferky

Been here a while
Location
Hood River, Oregon
The company I work for is considering buying a mini and are trying to decide which would be better. Any suggestions?

Also, has anyone run the Vermeer machines yet?

Thanks.

Ryan
 
I have ran both, both can be ran with relative easy across the grass, both make gradual turns easy enough. The tracked machine can 180 on a sheet of plywood a bit easier than a wheeled machine I would think.


I would say that either one is well enough. Operationg conditions matter a bit as well, tracked machines dont fair as well crossing curbs, wheeled machines less on softer footing. Check into tnttrees (Dave Norgarrd) Thomas machines. He let me run both the tired and wheeled units, both had their strong points. Also ask him about an articulated loader, the best IMO, if it suits your needs.
 
check the machine you are considering for 'off the shelf' components. Are the hyd. pumps specially made, or available at any hyd. shop? that kind of questions will ensure you get a machine that you can fix easily. Also check for hyd. out put flow and think about every use the machine will be put to and if the machine will be able to do those things. Think for the future because the machines are so usefull that you will find you will be using it more and more in ways you may not have thought of.

Or, talk to Dave Norgarrd- branchmanagerattachments.com. He is the expert and wont steer you wrong
 
I've run both, but not my own.

Flats are not common, but not uncommmon.

I'd be interested to know how long it takes to switch a track versus a wheel. Single spare wheel / tires are fairly easy to store and replace.
 
I run a thomas t-85 and had custom wheels built for it so I could place wider turf tires on it. Man I love that thing! I used tracked machines before and they are great until you turn and it digs into the lawns.
 
I use a Boxer with tracks. Wheels would really suck here in the mountains. No problem crossing curbs. You do have to be carefull on lawns(making turns). Use plywood to do spins, same with wheels probably. I does suck when a track comes off, but it's not to hard to put back on. Never gets a flat. I've got 500hr on a set of tracks so far, lots of pavement time.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've run both, but not my own.

Flats are not common, but not uncommmon.

I'd be interested to know how long it takes to switch a track versus a wheel. Single spare wheel / tires are fairly easy to store and replace.

[/ QUOTE ]

We threw a track on a 3.5 ton excavator, took 15-20 minutes to put back on, the track and undercarriage were clean, level ground.


The second time we threw a track it took about 15 minutes, and we were seriously off camber in a ditch with a serious amount of mud packed into the undercarriage.
 
I own a Bobcat MT50 with tracks and I love it. Tracks will provide less ground pressure when on turf or muudy areas. I have had no problems with the tracks.
 
The impression I'm getting from the operators of the larger machines like the Positrack RC-30 and larger is that they can work with their track machines in wet / slippery conditions when others with wheels cannot. And without making such a mess. Does anybody think this doesn't apply to the minis? The larger machines with tracks seem gentler on the operator too, ( got suspension and longer bearing area on the ground) but once again, maybe this doesn't apply for minis.
Interesting thread!
Pete
 
I think it is not as true with the minis, you just don't have the weight as the bigger machines. I also believe the track will be easier on a wet lawn, and much better traction. Sharp turns on a track are going to tear up just like a wheel machine might.
 
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