Anyone have experience clearing snow with a tracked skid steer?

[Southern Elk]

I’m considering upgrading my skid steer with tires to one with tracks. I’m a builder and the tracked version is much more useful for grading and dirt work. My concern is that I also use it with my snowblower. I have a steep driveway. Would the tracked machine spin out? Would it have as much traction as my wheeled machine with tire chains.

 

[NoWiser]

We use our tracked machine with a blower and wheeled machine with the snow bucket. The tracks do fine, but we don’t have any steep hills. I wouldn’t use the tracked one with the bucket, though.

 

[Nick87]

I’m considering upgrading my skid steer with tires to one with tracks. I’m a builder and the tracked version is much more useful for grading and dirt work. My concern is that I also use it with my snowblower. I have a steep driveway. Would the tracked machine spin out? Would it have as much traction as my wheeled machine with tire chains.

Packed snow sucks for a track skiddy. Especially on a slope or if the snow gets a little packed on the driveway first, which i'm guessing you're not exactly flat in montana. They do make a snow track now which you'd have to swap out every season. No, personal experience with those new snow tracks, but they are supposed to be good.I would look into them. As far as your wheeled skiddy with chains versus a normal track.
It's going to be cannonballs and apples comparison, not even close.

 

[buck137]

Stock tracks suck on snow in my experience, I've slid down multiple snow covered hills. Now they do make a snow track for them and that does change the experience quite a bit. But a chained up wheeled skid loader will walk circles around a tracked one in the snow.

 

[Speeddmn]

I’m considering upgrading my skid steer with tires to one with tracks. I’m a builder and the tracked version is much more useful for grading and dirt work. My concern is that I also use it with my snowblower. I have a steep driveway. Would the tracked machine spin out? Would it have as much traction as my wheeled machine with tire chains.

I manage a Bobcat dealer here in Montana, I get this asked all the time.

Tires will always be better (stock vs stock), you can swap tracks if needed. Snow vs ice is different, just today I had to move a trailer with a disabled machine on it into my shop. I used a T770 with multibar tracks to move it and the little bit of ice on the road made is fun.

There are companies that make chains/bars for tracks and are much faster than throwing chains on tires. Still expensive either direction.

I’ll send you a message with my number if you would like to discuss further.

 

[Nick87]

I manage a Bobcat dealer here in Montana, I get this asked all the time.

Tires will always be better (stock vs stock), you can swap tracks if needed. Snow vs ice is different, just today I had to move a trailer with a disabled machine on it into my shop. I used a T770 with multibar tracks to move it and the little bit of ice on the road made is fun.

There are companies that make chains/bars for tracks and are much faster than throwing chains on tires. Still expensive either direction.

I’ll send you a message with my number if you would like to discuss further.

I hope you've got a cat or a tak to sell him.

 

[Southern Elk]

I hope you've got a cat or a tak to sell him.

I currently have a John Deere, but I don’t think I’m going back with another one.

 

[Speeddmn]

I hope you've got a cat or a tak to sell him.

I am super low pressure, plus Bobcat does have protection areas unlike other manufacturers. So in reality I shouldnt sell someone a “core” product in someone elses backyard. It happens though, case by case.

 

[Nick87]

I currently have a John Deere, but I don’t think I’m going back with another one.

John deere makes great farm equipment, they should keep it there imo.I've ran them all, a lot. Tak or Cat get my vote. Ymmv.

 

[Southern Elk]

John deere makes great farm equipment, they should keep it there imo.I've ran them all, a lot. Tak or Cat get my vote. Ymmv.

I haven’t had any trouble with it. I test drove Kubota, Deere, and New Holland. I know Cat is always a good choice. Never been in a Tak.

 

[Nick87]

I haven’t had any trouble with it. I test drove Kubota, Deere, and New Holland. I know Cat is always a good choice. Never been in a Tak.

Tbh I forgot about the Kubota. Worth a look for sure.

 

[Southern Elk]

Tbh I forgot about the Kubota. Worth a look for sure.

My dad and I have had good luck with their tractors and zero turn mowers. A little cheaper than Cat and Deere too.

 

[Nick87]

My dad and I have had good luck with their tractors and zero turn mowers. A little cheaper than Cat and Deere too.

Kubota makes quality stuff. If you have a Tak dealer nearby they are worth a look imo. Definitely wouldn't discount the Kubota though if your happy with there products.

 

[Dakota79]

Tbh I forgot about the Kubota. Worth a look for sure.

They are cheaper to buy and hold up like they are cheaper as well. That is hard use on a large ranch anyway. That's what we have found with only a couple of different tractors tried granted. Still a pretty darn decent machine though.

 

[GlockZ]

Yes I have, for many years, using either John Deere, Bobcat or Takeuchi tracked skid steers. They do the job, however like their wheeled cousin, the do slide on occasion depending on conditions. But because of their bigger footprint they are slightly faster at clean up, and because of the larger footprint have an advantage going uphill if necessary.

 

[jdf]

I also have ran them for many years and on steep slopes. On packed snow especially they will slide or spin out. For your question it will not have traction your skid steer does with chains.

 

[Addicting]

I haven’t had any trouble with it. I test drove Kubota, Deere, and New Holland. I know Cat is always a good choice. Never been in a Tak.

Tracks suck, I use to push snow with one and spent more time spinning and ramming than actually pushing.

Most of the online YouTube dirt construction companies I follow use a Tak or Case. Lots of hate on Kubota DEF systems and Cat in general. Dealer support and pain when working on them. I spent a lot of time looking at them and Tak would be worth my time to go look at. They seem like a solid option.

 

[Redmt]

When I read tracks, I thought dozer. First thought was HELL NO! I've done the steel tracks on ice and it's an absolute no control sleigh ride.

 

[Bhoesl]

Another vote for wheels with chains. If you’re used to moving snow with a wheeled machine with chains, you will not be happy trying to do it with tracks!