Wheeled machine with tracks or actual tracked machine?

[GregB-RMR]

I'm purchasing 2 bobcat S185 machines and I live just outside of Vancouver and we get lots of rain here in the winter. So I was looking at buying the steel tracks to put on the machines when needed to. Has anyone tried using a wheeled machine with tracks in the mud compared to a actual tracked machine?

[Pheonix]

Yes we rent them from time to time for projects and they work wonderfully.

[NCSULandscaper]

from what ive read, steel tracks over wheels provide good traction but not flotation........dedicated tracked machines provide flotation and traction.......

[D&R Inc]

I Have A S185 And Have Recently Put A Set Of Rubber Tracks On It And I Love It. I Feel The Only Problem With Steel Tracks Is That It Really Limits You To What You Can Use The Machine On. There Is Always Plywood, But It Is A Pain To Lay Plywood To Be Able To Cross Concrete Or Asphalt

[phishook]

from what ive read, steel tracks over wheels provide good traction but not flotation........dedicated tracked machines provide flotation and traction.......

I have to agree with this. I could run up and down a pure sand hillside in an ASV-60. The guy that was suppose to do the digging for me couldn't stay on top the ground with or with out his steel tracks.

-another old thread-

[AFM Contracting]

we have a s185 with steel tracks and they are a lifesaver in the mud, and you can take them off when you dont need them

[240zV8]

if you get tracks for a wheeled machine, don't get rubber, you can't adjust them like you can with steel tracks. I demo'd one with and without steel tracks and it was a huge difference in the mud with them on. Rubber is better, but unless you can adjust them like a real tracked skid steer, get steel for a wheeled machine.

[chevy2007]

We have a tire machine and we have metal tracks that we take on and off. It only takes 30 mins. We got it down to a science.

I've drove track machines as well. I can't tell a difference.

[buster tripp]

Ive owened case skid steers for over 12 years and rented tracked machines for the applications where I cant get in. The ground pressure for a real hi track is about 4 lbs so you can go and work where you couldnt with skid steers with tires and tracks. I live in Pa and the hi tracks are gaining ground because of the muddy conditions. Track machines are expensive and tracks can be from 3-4 Gs to replace, but they can work where skid steers cant! I like Tackahuci because they have been around since the early 80s and large rental fleets own them which speaks loudly. Sounds like you need a Hi-Trac. Good luck! Look on e-bay, Equipment trader,Iron planet,Machinery Trader to get a handle on costs. I am always researching these sites for the market values and auction results to be on the top of things!