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Tracked skid steers have become a staple in the heavy equipment industry due to their versatility, power, and ability to handle tough terrain. Unlike traditional wheeled skid steers, tracked models offer superior traction, stability, and maneuverability, making them ideal for a variety of applications such as landscaping, construction, and forestry. Whether you're looking to add a tracked skid steer to your fleet or upgrade your existing equipment, understanding what makes a model the "best" is crucial.
In this article, we’ll discuss the key factors to consider when choosing a tracked skid steer and highlight some of the best models on the market.
1. Why Choose a Tracked Skid Steer?
Tracked skid steers provide several advantages over their wheeled counterparts, particularly when operating in harsh environments or on soft or uneven terrain. Here are some key reasons why you might opt for a tracked skid steer:
Improved Traction and Stability
The tracks of a skid steer provide better traction, especially on soft surfaces like mud, snow, or loose gravel. The wider footprint of the tracks distributes the weight more evenly, reducing the likelihood of the machine getting stuck or sinking into soft ground. This makes tracked skid steers a go-to option for working in areas with challenging underfoot conditions.
Tracks also cause less damage to the ground compared to wheels, especially in sensitive areas like lawns or agricultural fields. The pressure distribution from the tracks spreads the machine's weight across a larger area, minimizing the potential for ruts and scars on the terrain.
Maneuverability in Tight Spaces
Though larger and heavier than wheeled skid steers, tracked models are still highly maneuverable, especially in tight, confined spaces. The ability to "skid" or pivot on the spot is useful for working in narrow alleyways or compact areas like urban job sites or construction zones.
2. Key Considerations When Choosing a Tracked Skid Steer
When evaluating which tracked skid steer is best for your needs, consider the following factors:
Machine Size and Weight
Tracked skid steers come in a range of sizes, from compact machines to larger models that can lift heavier loads. Your choice should depend on the type of work you plan to do. Compact models are ideal for smaller, more intricate jobs, while larger models are suited for heavy-duty tasks requiring high lift capacities.
The lift capacity of the skid steer determines how much weight the machine can handle. This is especially important for tasks like material handling, lifting pallets, or pushing heavy loads. For tasks involving heavy materials, it’s critical to select a model with sufficient lift capacity.
The engine power and overall performance of the skid steer are essential for tasks that require high productivity, such as digging or moving large volumes of material. Make sure the tracked skid steer has enough horsepower to perform the tasks required without overloading the engine.
Operating Comfort and Controls
Comfort and ease of operation are often overlooked but are crucial for reducing operator fatigue, especially during long shifts. A well-designed cabin, responsive controls, and ergonomic seating can make a big difference in the quality of work and operator satisfaction.
3. Top Tracked Skid Steer Models
There are several models on the market that stand out for their performance, durability, and versatility. Here are some of the best tracked skid steers to consider:
Bobcat T770
Bobcat is a well-known name in the skid steer market, and the T770 is one of their flagship tracked models. It offers a 92 horsepower engine and an impressive lifting capacity of over 3,400 pounds. The T770 is built for heavy-duty tasks, making it suitable for construction, demolition, and landscaping projects.
The CAT 259D is a highly reliable model that combines powerful performance with excellent fuel efficiency. With a 74 horsepower engine and a lift capacity of around 2,700 pounds, the 259D is suitable for a range of tasks, from grading to digging. Its radial lift design makes it particularly effective at lifting and loading.
Kubota’s SVL95-2 is a powerful and versatile tracked skid steer with a 95 horsepower engine, capable of lifting up to 3,000 pounds. The machine is praised for its excellent visibility, smooth ride, and strong hydraulic performance, making it a great choice for both agricultural and construction applications.
Case Construction offers the 570NXT as a high-performance tracked skid steer with a 74 horsepower engine and a lift capacity of around 2,500 pounds. Known for its stability, ease of operation, and rugged durability, the 570NXT is ideal for demanding work environments, including construction and forestry.
Selecting the best tracked skid steer depends largely on the specific needs of your projects, including the types of terrain you work on, the weight of materials you handle, and the overall scope of work. Whether you prioritize power, lifting capacity, or maneuverability, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each model will help you make an informed decision.
Key brands like Bobcat, Caterpillar, Kubota, and Case offer a range of options, each designed to meet the demands of various industries. By focusing on factors like engine performance, lift capacity, and operator comfort, you can ensure that you select a tracked skid steer that will enhance your productivity, reduce downtime, and ultimately improve your bottom line.
In this article, we’ll discuss the key factors to consider when choosing a tracked skid steer and highlight some of the best models on the market.
1. Why Choose a Tracked Skid Steer?
Tracked skid steers provide several advantages over their wheeled counterparts, particularly when operating in harsh environments or on soft or uneven terrain. Here are some key reasons why you might opt for a tracked skid steer:
Improved Traction and Stability
The tracks of a skid steer provide better traction, especially on soft surfaces like mud, snow, or loose gravel. The wider footprint of the tracks distributes the weight more evenly, reducing the likelihood of the machine getting stuck or sinking into soft ground. This makes tracked skid steers a go-to option for working in areas with challenging underfoot conditions.
- Story: A contractor working in a marshy area shared how switching to a tracked skid steer allowed them to continue operations during the wet season, something their wheeled models couldn’t manage. The tracks provided much-needed flotation and traction, helping them meet deadlines without delays.
Tracks also cause less damage to the ground compared to wheels, especially in sensitive areas like lawns or agricultural fields. The pressure distribution from the tracks spreads the machine's weight across a larger area, minimizing the potential for ruts and scars on the terrain.
Maneuverability in Tight Spaces
Though larger and heavier than wheeled skid steers, tracked models are still highly maneuverable, especially in tight, confined spaces. The ability to "skid" or pivot on the spot is useful for working in narrow alleyways or compact areas like urban job sites or construction zones.
2. Key Considerations When Choosing a Tracked Skid Steer
When evaluating which tracked skid steer is best for your needs, consider the following factors:
Machine Size and Weight
Tracked skid steers come in a range of sizes, from compact machines to larger models that can lift heavier loads. Your choice should depend on the type of work you plan to do. Compact models are ideal for smaller, more intricate jobs, while larger models are suited for heavy-duty tasks requiring high lift capacities.
- Example: A landscaping company in an urban area found that the compact size of a tracked skid steer made it perfect for tight spaces, especially when performing jobs around houses and retaining walls. The smaller machine could maneuver into places where a larger model would be too bulky.
The lift capacity of the skid steer determines how much weight the machine can handle. This is especially important for tasks like material handling, lifting pallets, or pushing heavy loads. For tasks involving heavy materials, it’s critical to select a model with sufficient lift capacity.
- Story: A construction company in a mining area noted that a tracked skid steer with a high lift capacity made material handling much more efficient, allowing them to load and transport rocks faster than with their previous machines.
The engine power and overall performance of the skid steer are essential for tasks that require high productivity, such as digging or moving large volumes of material. Make sure the tracked skid steer has enough horsepower to perform the tasks required without overloading the engine.
Operating Comfort and Controls
Comfort and ease of operation are often overlooked but are crucial for reducing operator fatigue, especially during long shifts. A well-designed cabin, responsive controls, and ergonomic seating can make a big difference in the quality of work and operator satisfaction.
3. Top Tracked Skid Steer Models
There are several models on the market that stand out for their performance, durability, and versatility. Here are some of the best tracked skid steers to consider:
Bobcat T770
Bobcat is a well-known name in the skid steer market, and the T770 is one of their flagship tracked models. It offers a 92 horsepower engine and an impressive lifting capacity of over 3,400 pounds. The T770 is built for heavy-duty tasks, making it suitable for construction, demolition, and landscaping projects.
- Example: A contractor in the construction industry praised the Bobcat T770 for its power and performance on tough job sites. The machine’s advanced hydraulic system helped them efficiently lift and move heavy materials, even in rough terrain.
The CAT 259D is a highly reliable model that combines powerful performance with excellent fuel efficiency. With a 74 horsepower engine and a lift capacity of around 2,700 pounds, the 259D is suitable for a range of tasks, from grading to digging. Its radial lift design makes it particularly effective at lifting and loading.
- Story: A landscaping business in a suburban area shared how the 259D helped them handle a variety of tasks, from trenching to snow removal, all while consuming less fuel compared to other models. The lower operating costs made it an attractive option for small business owners.
Kubota’s SVL95-2 is a powerful and versatile tracked skid steer with a 95 horsepower engine, capable of lifting up to 3,000 pounds. The machine is praised for its excellent visibility, smooth ride, and strong hydraulic performance, making it a great choice for both agricultural and construction applications.
- Example: A farming contractor explained how the Kubota SVL95-2’s high lift capacity and sturdy tracks made it a perfect tool for clearing land and moving soil on rough agricultural sites. The machine’s smooth operation also reduced operator fatigue, increasing productivity.
Case Construction offers the 570NXT as a high-performance tracked skid steer with a 74 horsepower engine and a lift capacity of around 2,500 pounds. Known for its stability, ease of operation, and rugged durability, the 570NXT is ideal for demanding work environments, including construction and forestry.
- Story: A forestry worker mentioned that the Case 570NXT’s large tracks and stable platform made it perfect for navigating forested areas. The machine’s ability to move large logs without sinking into the soft ground was particularly valuable in their line of work.
Selecting the best tracked skid steer depends largely on the specific needs of your projects, including the types of terrain you work on, the weight of materials you handle, and the overall scope of work. Whether you prioritize power, lifting capacity, or maneuverability, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each model will help you make an informed decision.
Key brands like Bobcat, Caterpillar, Kubota, and Case offer a range of options, each designed to meet the demands of various industries. By focusing on factors like engine performance, lift capacity, and operator comfort, you can ensure that you select a tracked skid steer that will enhance your productivity, reduce downtime, and ultimately improve your bottom line.
