tree cutter 08
Senior Member
What brand would you buy if you were buying a new track machine? I've ran them all but not long enough to make my mind up. Getting tired of my wheel loader.
The tracks are superior in traction, flotation and resale, but what many don't realize is that they "beat you up" as termed by a friend who runs several versions 70 hrs a week. This will surprise most people, but it is true. You may know this already, I do, and for my needs, I still wish I had a track machine, but for those doubting what I am claiming, I will explain with an example, and this is an extreme example but you can apply the thought to as little as a baseball. Imagine a peak, say 20% incline that peaks. The track machine would climb the 20% to half way and then pivot with the front falling back over twice the incline before it hits. Not a usual circumstance, but the best way to help you see. Now climb that same 20% with a wheel unit and it simply rolls over it with no jar what so ever. The same thing, just to a much lesser degree happens with a baseball size rock on hard ground. Yes, In soft dirt, this same rock should push into the ground, but the physics of it, I think you can see. My friend whom's company runs 5 units 70 hrs per week, trade in their wheel units at 4000 hrs. The track units at 2000 hrs because they claim they are wore out at all the jointsWhat brand would you buy if you were buying a new track machine? I've ran them all but not long enough to make my mind up. Getting tired of my wheel loader.
The tracks will give you so much more pushing traction. With the tires, you spin alot and don't realize how much. When I use my stump bucket on a big stump, even though I am prying out a stump like a hammer claw, my tires dig holes and tear the ground up. I suspect that with tracks that I would get the pressure needed without spinning.No doubt they have there pros and cons. 70 hrs a week on anything is rough! Be using some for dirt but mostly in the woods for tree work, and clearing.
I've operated most of them for tons of hours. Hands down, for $ per hour of operation the Takeuchi is / was my favorite, that is until I ran a knew Kubota for about a week earlier this month. I'd give both of them a strong look, compare what the $ per hour of operation will be (ie, fuel use, part wear, service costs, parts costs, etc. ) All others are just piles of steel that will do the job, but cost you potentially a lot more than you'll make in the long run.What brand would you buy if you were buying a new track machine? I've ran them all but not long enough to make my mind up. Getting tired of my wheel loader.
Some don't like foot controls, maybe it is because you like what you get used to, but I like the bobcat controls best
Mine too after awhileMy T250 has foot controls. They kill my knees.
My next machine will have joystick controls.
I have a positrak it's great when it's 100% which is a rarety, had bad experiences with their warranty claims or greensouth was double dipping but I'll never know. If I had to do it again it would be a bobcat, it's what made them famous and from what I hear service is top notch. Also like the cats. Look at hydraulic flow and ease of servicing. Also ones made in the south, their made for heat, my asv will get hot pushing a davco head quick.
there all hard to work on. I worked for a rental company awhile back the bobcats they had where in the shop more than any other brand they had. I have operated about every brand they make. There all a pain in the rear to work on. It's really about doing proper maintenance . In my opinion the cat Takeuchi where the better to me . I'm sure others will have different opinions that's just what my experiences with these type of machines told meI have a positrak it's great when it's 100% which is a rarety, had bad experiences with their warranty claims or greensouth was double dipping but I'll never know. If I had to do it again it would be a bobcat, it's what made them famous and from what I hear service is top notch. Also like the cats. Look at hydraulic flow and ease of servicing. Also ones made in the south, their made for heat, my asv will get hot pushing a davco head quick.
Look at what the big rental companies are using such as united rentals, Hertz equipment, Sunbelt rentals etc..These companies cant afford downtime that comes with the lesser quality equipment.
Have you considered adding aftermarket tracks to your machine? That is what I will do the next time I need more traction. I have a wet area that would make a great food plot. I keep waiting for a drought so I can get in there and dig some ditches. I will likely need tracks for this projectWhat brand would you buy if you were buying a new track machine? I've ran them all but not long enough to make my mind up. Getting tired of my wheel loader.