[Green4Me]

here are a couple more options to look at and maybe some of you have experience with either of these.

www.mclarenindrusties.com for their protrac series of skid steer tracks that have rubber pads.

and

www.loegering.com for their Versatile Track System, a track system that bolts on to the hubs of a normal skid steer.

I just finished a landscape on a new house, using an ASV loader and down the street a bobcat with steel tracks backfilled the foundation, so I noticed that my job with the ASV was a bit neater, ie, the steel tracks really tear up the ground, but not too bad, considering a $ 4,000 ASV track replacement cost someday.

While this discussion is ongoing, I keep my eyes open for comparison!

[johnkeegan]

I have a set of the rubber- pads -over- steel tracks on my Bobcat S250. They work great in mud and uneven debris-filled areas (feels like your driving a dozer) and since they spread the machine's weight out over a larger surface area, they do prevent the machine from sinking in as much (minimizing lawn rutting). And the rubber pads allow you to drive on blacktop. However, they still terrorize a lawn when turning. And they do cost $4,000. Plus I'm sure they don't offer the same performance as a true high-track loader. Otherwise, a nice compromise between the functions of a skid steer and a true track loader, without some of the complications alluded to in this thread.

[Dale Wiley]

I will post a picture later today. It is similar to the others, 25 HP Kohler engine, one hyraulic pump, 14.6 gpm flow. It has a speed control, and the loader will load into a 1 ton flat bed mason dump.

I got the unit, a 40 inch tiller, bucket, low speed - high torque auger head, 12 inch and 30 inch auger bits, land leveler, 36 X 6 trencher, and backhoe. $ 31,654 for all. Put it on a lease.

We will not inccur $ 13,300 in rental charges and will save about 100 man hours in mobilization costs, which is worth $ 3,500 min.

We looked at and dismissed the track units right away. We then looked at Boxer, they are a joke and the salesperson was full of bullshit and lies, and disputed my questions about hydraulic wear on those stupid expandable tracks. (Surprise ??// )

Toro salesperson did not return my calls, and Bobcat was not able to take universal attatchments. Ditch Witch did not have a comparable unit, and Vermeer was a good sales process, and our evaluations and backgrounds with engioneering and testing showed us the Vermeer to be the best unit for our purposes.

[BJR]

I would love to see the pic.

[Crazygator]

I am bumping this back up...wondering about you guys that own the ASV. Are you still in love with it?

I am considering also between the ASV RC-30 or maybe the small Vermeer S 600. My dealer sells both. I have some small jobs that could require either one and will demo rental them to find out what fits my needs/wants.

So do tell everyone, where do you stand with your tracked machines now?

Thanks

[Bill Schwab]

WE sold our RC-30 and got a Bobcat 463 because we needed the 36" width rather than the sure footedness of the RC-30. Hands down, the RC-30 was a better machine, but, if you can't get what you are using back to where you need it, what good is it?

That Vermeer looks like a very nice unit. I was going to check one out and then got side tracked....I think Dale W on this forum bought one or is looking hard at one.

[johnkeegan]

I've got nothing but praise for my RC30 so far. It usually goes to a job site everyday. Now I leave the larger Bobcats (A300 and S250) at the shop alot unless I need to move full pallets of block/pavers or do extensive material moving. The RC300 is so nimble and surefooted, it will get into 95% of the spots I need to access. And because you have an unobstructed, close view of the bucket, you can really fine tune the finish grading around walls, walkways etc. It's also light enough you can generally drive across lawns with no damage, as long as the operator isn't obsessed with spinning to make turns.

[MikePalmer]

I am trying to decide whether to get a track machine or stay with the usual wheel machine. Any comments? Also, with regards to the track machine, I am looking at both the bobcat t190 and the cat 247b. What are each of your opinions as to which machine is better? Has anyone used both? If so, what do you prefer? Thanks.