Skid Steer Loader - Tracks or Wheels?
So you are shopping for a skid steer loader. Have you decided whether you want one with tracks or wheels? This is probably the first question you need to resolve during your decision-making process, so we put together a quick guide on the topic. No matter what kind of construction or agricultural equipment you need, Twin Hills Equipment in Byhalia, Mississippi, is here to help with the best team, the best products, and the best deals. We’re on US-72 about 30 miles east of the Memphis airport.
What Is a Skid Steer Loader?
A skid loader, skid-steer loader, or skid steer is a small material-moving machine with lift arms that can attach to a wide variety of labor-saving tools or attachments. They have a rigid frame, a pair of lift arms attached behind the driver, and a cab that’s open or fully enclosed. Like front loaders, they are built to carry material in the bucket, push material, load material into a receptacle, as well as to dig and grade. When they use tracks, they’re often called compact track loaders.
How Does a Skid Steer Steer?
Skid steers got their name because they skid or drag when they turn. This is because, unlike in a car or tractor, the angle of the wheels or tracks is fixed, so they cannot turn. You steer by accelerating either the left or right side of the rig, which forces it to turn and also causes the wheels or tracks to drag across the ground as the machine turns. This is called differential steering. It enables you to make zero-degree radius turns, so these machines are awesome in tight spaces. They have to be built extremely tough to withstand the torsional forces caused by this dragging motion.
Tracks or Wheels?
The skidding or dragging of a skid steer’s wheels or tracks produces a lot of ground friction, so these machines can easily rip up soft or fragile surfaces. This potential damage is one factor to consider when choosing between wheels and tracks.
When the terrain is flat, even, and solid, such as pavement or packed ground, wheels are the better choice. Wheels have the potential to move much faster on hard surfaces.
For uneven, muddy, sandy, wet, or snowy ground surfaces, tracks are better. They distribute the weight of the machine more evenly, so the track loader will virtually float over wet, muddy, loose materials that would seriously bog down a wheeled vehicle.
Tracks are more versatile because they can handle any kind of terrain. However, using them on paved surfaces will wear the tracks out faster than you’d like. Tracks also leave less damage and ruts than wheeled skid steers.
On the downside, a track loader requires more maintenance. The undercarriage needs to be cleaned to a higher standard, and the track tension needs to be adjusted.
Like most decisions, there are a variety of pros and cons that depend on your situation. Come to your local skid steer dealer, Twin Hills Equipment in Byhalia, Mississippi. Our team will be happy to discuss your particular needs and what machine will serve you best. We’re just east of Memphis on US-72, serving all of Marshall County.