[synner]

Anyone using aftermarket skidsteer tires or tracks.

Currently looking at 2 different options and wondered if any one else had tried them.

First we're thinking about the Loegering VTS system

- about 15 000 Canadian but opens up all sorts of jobsite possibilities and no flat tires.

http://www.loegering.com/VTS.htm

or the McLaren Industries Nu Air Tyre

- much cheaper, about 2500 Canadian and they last 3 -5 times longer then standard rubber and provide a much better ride than foam filled tires.

http://www.mclarenindustries.com/products.php?pID=1

[dan deutekom]

I run a Bobcat with Steel tracks over the tires and I hate it. It gives great traction in mud but on solid surfaces it is worse than the standard tires. We only run in the crud now and again and that is a lot of money for those few times. Those Loegering tracks at $15,000 is a lot of money so you better have a lot of use for them. At that price I think I would use the money as a downstroke on a new tracked machine because I think that a machine designed for tracks from the factory is a better deal.

Personally I would spend the money on the Nu air tire. (actually I would just use the stock tires)

[Ralphccs]

I have urethane tracks installed on my JD 250...

Much more traction...Doesn't mare the pavement...

No tire wear on side walls...

Have over 150 hours on them...So far so good..

They cost approx. 2400....

[synner]

Dan, I'm thinking along the same lines. 15 big ones could go else where. The problem with the stock tires is we will get flats and flats = downtime. We do a lot of work in condo corps and new construction sites. Both of which are prime areas for 4 or 5 flats on a 2 week job.

Ralph we're still waiting to hear on the all rubber tracks from the local dealer. Are they easy to install? Only going to be needing them spring and fall?

[NCSULandscaper]

if flats are the problem either get your tires foam filled or get solid tires

[synner]

We looked into foam filled. No flats but the ride quality goes down the tube. That is for all the ride quality a SS provides? Tire shop that foams the tires tells me that once filled the tires wear quickly as there is no give left in the tire/sidewall.

The McLaren Nu Air looks to be a nice mix between no flat and some ride quality. Also looks to have a deeper lug than OEM rubber.

[Bill Schwab]

We have been demoing retreaded tracks on a 257B for about a year now. We were told to give them hell in hopes of trashing them. So far, so good.

[site]

If you foam fill your tires it's usually cheaper to buy new rims when it comes time to replace. Otherwise you have to cut the tires off.

[johnkeegan]

I bought the Mc Laren Pro Traks which are rubber over steel a few years ago for $4000 and that included 4 new tires. They've worked great for our needs. I never get stuck in the mud, they give a little more counter weight when lifting heavy loads and yet I could stilll run over someone's driveway or a road if needed without gouging the pavement. The rubber pads are replaceable and it's fairly easy to adjust the tracks as needed. They were actually recommended to me by my Bobcat dealer when I discussed trading in the S250 for a track loader. This was a helluva lot cheaper way to go.

[Bill Schwab]

I wanted to ask someone who ran rubber over steel or vice versa how they were with the added height on lifting and break out.

[Paydaze7]

Originally posted by dan deutekom
Those Loegering tracks at $15,000 is a lot of money so you better have a lot of use for them.

im sure you could find a decent used tracked skidsteer for a little more money.. thats what i would do before dropping 15g on just tracks....

[HRLand]

New construction is the worst. We brought our JD240 to a job 2 weeks ago and I didn't even think about all the nails that would be there. At the end of the day there was at least one nail in each tire. When I had the tires installed they put a sealer in them and it actually held up, but with all the work we've been doing with builders lately I think it's time for tracks.