CTL vs. Snow....snow wins!

[ConstSvcs]

I can't believe (although I did not expect much) how little traction I have clearing snow. Yes...........I know I'm going to here it from you ASV and CAT owners .....*trucewhiteflag*

Anyone using an aftermarket track with success in the traction area.

I love my CT322 but not for clearing snow on paved surfaces. I've done my share of 360's and uncontrolled slides on snow covered paved surfaces lately....:dizzy:

Guess it's time to freeze again in the open ROPS Bobcat :cry:

[Junior M]

You can buy an aftermarket cab enclosure for the Bobcat...

[stuvecorp]

I plow the yard with our Mustang and it doesn't get any traction and with a bucket so if it weren't for the cab I would go crazy.

[ksss]

I can't believe (although I did not expect much) how little traction I have clearing snow. Yes...........I know I'm going to here it from you ASV and CAT owners .....*trucewhiteflag*

Anyone using an aftermarket track with success in the traction area.

I love my CT322 but not for clearing snow on paved surfaces. I've done my share of 360's and uncontrolled slides on snow covered paved surfaces lately....:dizzy:

Guess it's time to freeze again in the open ROPS Bobcat :cry:


Bridgestone, makes a track just for snow and ice. Don't know how it works, just saw an ad in a magazine. It would be an investment I am sure there at least a couple K a piece. I sure that someone over at Plowsite.com has some knowledge of how well they run.

[DUSTYCEDAR]

Sounds like fun

[all ferris]

I plow in a T200 and coming from a 863 I can't really tell a difference in traction. I don't like to think of it as "uncontrolled sliding", rather think of it as "get the F out of the way" :laugh:

[bobcat_ron]

The Bridgestone tracks are the only way to go, unless you want to grab an old set of tracks and stud them with logging tire studs.

[ConstSvcs]

Ahhh............found the Bridgestone video for Polar Tread. Thanks guys!

See here:
http://www.bridgestonerubbertrack.com/videos.html

Price ???????

[ksss]

Ahhh............found the Bridgestone video for Polar Tread. Thanks guys!

See here:
http://www.bridgestonerubbertrack.com/videos.html

Price ???????

Here is another link with more info.


http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=JSOvbjHWny0

[CAT powered]

I had the same problem last storm with my wheeled skid. I spent more time trying to regain control of the machine than I spent moving snow. And now my F***ing plow truck is broken AGAIN!!!! It just got back from the shop this morning! Not even 1 hour's use and it won't start now! It's got plenty of fuel and the shop just replaced the fuel pump. It cranks like a MoFo, but won't fire.

Guess what kinda truck it is, KSSS?

I'll give you a hint. It has three letters. The first one is a G. The second one is an M. The third one is a C.

[Nelson M Martin]

Anyone using an aftermarket track with success in the traction area.

I love my CT322 but not for clearing snow on paved surfaces. I've done my share of 360's and uncontrolled slides on snow covered paved surfaces lately....:dizzy:

Guess it's time to freeze again in the open ROPS Bobcat :cry:

this is a sample video with Mclaren on a T300 Bobcat

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=lcupDenb5Hk

[Junior M]

I had the same problem last storm with my wheeled skid. I spent more time trying to regain control of the machine than I spent moving snow. And now my F***ing plow truck is broken AGAIN!!!! It just got back from the shop this morning! Not even 1 hour's use and it won't start now! It's got plenty of fuel and the shop just replaced the fuel pump. It cranks like a MoFo, but won't fire.

Guess what kinda truck it is, KSSS?

I'll give you a hint. It has three letters. The first one is a G. The second one is an M. The third one is a C.
You wouldnt have that problem if it were a real truck, like a FORD or Dodge :cool2: :weightlifter:

[CAT powered]

That GMC POS is getting replaced with a 7.3 Ford as soon as I can afford to.

[ksss]

That GMC POS is getting replaced with a 7.3 Ford as soon as I can afford to.


Common CAT its a carb equipped GMC. What year is it? Pre 1987 if my memory serves me.

Tell you what. Get yourself a used Duramax instead of your 7.3 If you don't like it I will buy it from you (yes there is some small print here). You will have much more power, more reliability and you wont have to keep an extra tranny in the shop for the 7.3

You will throw rocks at FORD from then on. Trust me on this one.

[stuvecorp]

That GMC POS is getting replaced with a 7.3 Ford as soon as I can afford to.

Ooh, Ooh, I can help with this! I know of a great 7.3 you would like:););)

[Junior M]

Ooh, Ooh, I can help with this! I know of a great 7.3 you would like:););)
Let me guess Stuve! You've got one for sale for cheap?

[stuvecorp]

Let me guess Stuve! You've got one for sale for cheap?

We have a winner!

[Junior M]

We have a winner!
Just curious, what are the details on it?

[CAT powered]

KSSS: It's an 85. What might your fine print be? Buy one off me for blue book value?

I had a 2000 F350 DRW with Reading service body. 4x4 XL trim automatic trans.
That truck was beat on. Not driven hard. I mean BEAT on. It had the bumper ripped off and welded on more than once. It pulled loads that were a wee bit on the heavy side almost every day of its life. It never got any kind of special maintenance and was still going strong with no slippage in the trans when I was forced to part with it at 165k miles. I dunno where you get the idea that Ford has trans issues other than a few 02s. Dodge is the one with crap transmissions. Either way I'll get a manual trans so if it craps out I can have the local trans/driveshaft shop rebuild it for under 1k and have it back in under 3 days.

Stuvecorp: What have ya got for me? DRW? Plow? 4x4? Trim package? What kinda body? What trans?

[ksss]

KSSS: It's an 85. What might your fine print be? Buy one off me for blue book value?

I had a 2000 F350 DRW with Reading service body. 4x4 XL trim automatic trans.
That truck was beat on. Not driven hard. I mean BEAT on. It had the bumper ripped off and welded on more than once. It pulled loads that were a wee bit on the heavy side almost every day of its life. It never got any kind of special maintenance and was still going strong with no slippage in the trans when I was forced to part with it at 165k miles. I dunno where you get the idea that Ford has trans issues other than a few 02s. Dodge is the one with crap transmissions. Either way I'll get a manual trans so if it craps out I can have the local trans/driveshaft shop rebuild it for under 1k and have it back in under 3 days.

Stuvecorp: What have ya got for me? DRW? Plow? 4x4? Trim package? What kinda body? What trans?

The FORD trannys are infamous here as are the Dodges. The newer ones appear to be better.

Try a Duramax. You wont be sorry.:weightlifter:

[CAT powered]

Yea. I won't be sorry... until GM goes out of business!

[stuvecorp]

Mine is an 01 f350 4x4 but it's 7.3 auto with a 12' dumping flatbed. It's a XL, just the basic work truck with 119000 on it. Never had a plow although I found a 810 Blizzard that I'm thinking of putting on it. It was listed in the marketplace, sorry for the shameless promotion..:nono::)

One thing I think GM missed the boat on, why did they not build the 4500 and 5500 with the pickup cab like a 3500? They would have sold way more trucks than going with the bigger ones they have.

[ksss]

Yea. I won't be sorry... until GM goes out of business!


Ha, GM aint going anywhere.

[CAT powered]

Stuvecorp if you were closer I would be really interested. Unfortunately it's kind of a long ride from CT to Wisconsin and back.

2 minutes until 2009 on the east coast. Happy new years, guys!

[all ferris]

One thing I think GM missed the boat on, why did they not build the 4500 and 5500 with the pickup cab like a 3500? They would have sold way more trucks than going with the bigger ones they have.

I agree on this. I already have one duramax/allison and wanted to get another one when I was in the market for a 4500/450 4x4. The only reason I didn't buy a GM was because of that ridiculous cab. I'm in and out of my truck 15 times a day and I did not want to use "steps" to get in the cab. I ended up with a F450 powerstroke/torqueshift. I like the ford but I like my duramax better.

[KRtraxx]

This was my 01 7.3 which I towed large loads with EVERYday of its life.(this shows trailer loads I pulled up from Texas regularly,yea I know..Its over weight).. 249,000 when I traded up.. NO tranny issues whats so ever.. Ball joints once,U joints once,an alternator and one fractured fuel line.. Thats it! Synthetic oil changed at every 20K in the engine and at every 100K in the tranny..And when it comes to taking abuse? You cant beat the straight front axle for strength compared to the car like GM front end..Ever see a turned up Duramax with "oversize tires" on it do a hard pull? Bingo. Outside joints fail..Would buy the 7.3 with no regrets..Maintain it as I did above and enjoy a great work truck...

[ksss]

I agree on this. I already have one duramax/allison and wanted to get another one when I was in the market for a 4500/450 4x4. The only reason I didn't buy a GM was because of that ridiculous cab. I'm in and out of my truck 15 times a day and I did not want to use "steps" to get in the cab. I ended up with a F450 powerstroke/torqueshift. I like the ford but I like my duramax better.


Climbing up and down does suck at times. No different than climbing in and out of any other piece of equipment. The cab is nice for visibiity and room. I have the crew cab and man you put a lot of kit under lock and key. I will say that the interior is cheap and plasticy. Not near the quality of the 2500-3500 series trucks. That bothered me when I bought it and it still does. The truck is rough riding. It is hard to find a better pulling, more stable platform. It certainly is offroad capabable. Overall its a great truck for what I use it for. I think they could have done more with the interior and the ride quality. Dependability has been good. I had a few warranty issues in the first 10K and after that it has been good. Had the Duramax remapped and now get 15.87 mpg (unloaded). Not bad for a truck of this size

[KRtraxx]

Thats some really good mileage for a truck of that size....

[ksss]

This was my 01 7.3 which I towed large loads with EVERYday of its life.(this shows trailer loads I pulled up from Texas regularly,yea I know..Its over weight).. 249,000 when I traded up.. NO tranny issues whats so ever.. Ball joints once,U joints once,an alternator and one fractured fuel line.. Thats it! Synthetic oil changed at every 20K in the engine and at every 100K in the tranny..And when it comes to taking abuse? You cant beat the straight front axle for strength compared to the car like GM front end..Ever see a turned up Duramax with "oversize tires" on it do a hard pull? Bingo. Outside joints fail..Would buy the 7.3 with no regrets..Maintain it as I did above and enjoy a great work truck...


You got good service out of that Ford no doubt. Ford has strayed from the solid front on some models. The 7.3 is a good motor there is no denying that. Too bad they went to the Oh No 6.0. The 6.4 will have a short life span as it looks like Ford will be releasing their own motor relatively soon. I run synthetic oil in every vehicle I have and have had since the mid 80's. Its never let me down. I have not had a catastrophic failure in anything that I have had that oil in. That no doubt helped you get more miles out of your tranny. The guys around here seldom saw 100K on a tranny in a working truck. The newer tranny seems to be holding up better to heavy towing. No ones opinon is going to change, its just fun to poke fun every once in while.

[stuvecorp]

Climbing up and down does suck at times. No different than climbing in and out of any other piece of equipment. The cab is nice for visibiity and room. I have the crew cab and man you put a lot of kit under lock and key. I will say that the interior is cheap and plasticy. Not near the quality of the 2500-3500 series trucks. That bothered me when I bought it and it still does. The truck is rough riding. It is hard to find a better pulling, more stable platform. It certainly is offroad capabable. Overall its a great truck for what I use it for. I think they could have done more with the interior and the ride quality. Dependability has been good. I had a few warranty issues in the first 10K and after that it has been good. Had the Duramax remapped and now get 15.87 mpg (unloaded). Not bad for a truck of this size

That is some serious mileage as the 7.3 unloaded is more 12-13. I have talked to the GM 4500/5500 dealers and they just don't care if they sell a truck. For me I use the 350 like a pickup and it is my driver when not driving the Lightning and I just didn't want a 2 ton size truck driving back and forth. I was told you could get a 5500 upgraded to 26,000 gvw which was cool to get extra capacity.

[CAT powered]

KSSS Ford is releasing the 6.7 Scorpion next. That is because Ford and Navistar had a blowout and Navistar is who produces the PowerStrokes. The only reason Ford switched from the 7.3 to the 6.uhoh was because of the EPA and their idiot standards. I have a 6.0 right now and it seems to be a good truck. I've only put just over 20k miles on it in 2 years since it's mainly just a tow rig and service truck.

[Construct'O]

Here my 02 Ford 7.3 with a long box.It only has 6K actual miles an no trans problems yet:) My brother works at a Ford dealership on transmission repairs.So i'm good to go!!!!!!

It is a late 02 and my brother checked to see if it had the updates,which they came out later model,mine is okay.

The miles are only highway miles it has always gotten 18-19 miles per gallon.The mileage drops when yur cruising down the highway at 85:dancing:
It likes to run at 80 anything underthat is feels like it is dogging along.Geared with 3.53 i think?

I have Dodge pickups also for backup:confused:Chevy car classic Nova sports coup:drinkup::usflag:

[stuvecorp]

Looks good ConstructO. That is some low miles, though.

[Gravel Rat]

GM has lost alot of sales in the 1.5-2 ton truck market. Those 4500-5500 has been the biggest flop nobody wants them especially tow truck operators.

Well it was one of GMs stupid moves build something nobody wants. The other problem is GM dealers won't work on commercial trucks so if you want a 4500 you have to buy it from a dealer that sells commercial gm trucks and they have to work on it too.

You can buy a F-450 F-550 from any Ford dealer and they will work on it. If the dealer sells lots of P/U trucks they will work on a 450-550 with no problems.

Heck the GM dealer in my area doesn't even like working on 3500 Duallies because they don't have the lifts to handle them.

The emmisions crap is ruining all the diesels doesn't matter if its Ford-Dodge-Chev even in the class 8 trucks the emmision motors are nothing but trouble.

I really laugh that the new emmisions motors burn more fuel get poorer mileage but they "supposidly" run cleaner. Look at the new trucks when they go into regen burning diesel fuel to burn carbon :rolleyes:

[ksss]

That is some serious mileage as the 7.3 unloaded is more 12-13. I have talked to the GM 4500/5500 dealers and they just don't care if they sell a truck. For me I use the 350 like a pickup and it is my driver when not driving the Lightning and I just didn't want a 2 ton size truck driving back and forth. I was told you could get a 5500 upgraded to 26,000 gvw which was cool to get extra capacity.


That 26K GVW upgrade is interesting. I am curious if that is GM approved or just a spring upgrade, which unless they are changing the stickers, isn't going to buy you anything from DOT. I have considered putting air bags in the back of mine. They have a great platform to build on. If IH, GM or whoever is going to be building this truck makes some refining changes to it. It would be an awesome truck. I would like to see the interior upgraded similiar to an up level IH or Pete class 8 truck. The cab needs to be on ISO mounts. I would also like the ability to lock the front diff up. Took this truck in some narly places. You put chains all the way around with the kind of clearance it has and its big tires and it was nearly unstoppable. GM got it about 85% right. The drivetrain, frame work is near perfect, and I like the big size, they just half assed some of the comfort issues.

Also that mileage required some work. I got around 9 when I picked the truck up from the dealer. I got 13.5 with a Pacific Performance programmer. I get the 15.87 with some exhuast changes and the remapping of the computer. I was amazed at how effective the remap was. Spools much faster, more power out of the hole on heavy loads, much better driveability. It was well worth the 400 dollars I spent to get it done.

[Gravel Rat]

You read tow411 you can read all kinds of good comments on the 4500-5500 series trucks :laugh:

[stuvecorp]

That 26K GVW upgrade is interesting. I am curious if that is GM approved or just a spring upgrade, which unless they are changing the stickers, isn't going to buy you anything from DOT. I have considered putting air bags in the back of mine. They have a great platform to build on. If IH, GM or whoever is going to be building this truck makes some refining changes to it. It would be an awesome truck. I would like to see the interior upgraded similiar to an up level IH or Pete class 8 truck. The cab needs to be on ISO mounts. I would also like the ability to lock the front diff up. Took this truck in some narly places. You put chains all the way around with the kind of clearance it has and its big tires and it was nearly unstoppable. GM got it about 85% right. The drivetrain, frame work is near perfect, and I like the big size, they just half assed some of the comfort issues.

Also that mileage required some work. I got around 9 when I picked the truck up from the dealer. I got 13.5 with a Pacific Performance programmer. I get the 15.87 with some exhuast changes and the remapping of the computer. I was amazed at how effective the remap was. Spools much faster, more power out of the hole on heavy loads, much better driveability. It was well worth the 400 dollars I spent to get it done.

I would agree that the new emissions are boneheaded.

I am not sure how they got the truck rated up to the 26000gvw, it has been acouple years since I checked in to it. I like the tilt front on them. I guess one of the biggest complaints was the dealers, they just didn't care. I got the impression that I was wasting the saleman's time by asking questions and not just signing the check.

That mileage number has my attention, so it wasn't too bad to get those upgrades done? I want a bigger truck and have looked at the IH but I still want to drive back and forth to the job and the IH didn't get the mileage and seemed kinda big. Have to do some research.

[hillboy]

this is a sample video with Mclaren on a T300 Bobcat

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=lcupDenb5Hk

Nelson, are these tracks on the video the new McLaren TDF tracks or their regular tracks? We got a set of the new TDFs recently for our T190, but we haven't had a chance to try them in the snow yet. These tracks on the video seem to do a pretty good job!

[ksss]

Here is nice "Ram" we got a picture of coming back from Montana over the holidays.

[Junior M]

Here is nice "Ram" we got a picture of coming back from Montana over the holidays.
I wanna hunt those so bad! I thought they stayed way up in the mountains mostly?

Just curious, but where at in Montana?

[ksss]

I wanna hunt those so bad! I thought they stayed way up in the mountains mostly?

Just curious, but where at in Montana?


These were near Big Sky.

[Junior M]

These were near Big Sky.
Oh, I got family in Butte, and central Montana, I cant think of the name right off the top of my head of the town. But I got family all over out there...

[stuvecorp]

So, how much is a set of those winter tracks?

[ksss]

So, how much is a set of those winter tracks?


I got an email from Bridgestone, I should be getting a call tomorrow.

[stuvecorp]

I guess the next question is, is it worth buying another set of tracks?

[Gravel Rat]

I don't know if it would work or not but what about getting the tracks siped like a tire. Would that provide enough bite to give some traction in snow ?

The biggest problem is your floating on top of the snow just like a dually truck you have so much contact area you are going to float.

Even steel tracks are no match on ice or snow

Al Roy moon walks a 200 :laugh:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytjq9shhBIA&feature=channel_page

[KRtraxx]

These are probably not as good as the Bridgestones specialty tracks for snow but I know for a fact they are superior to the factory Tak or Bobcat tracks for snow and ice traction.These are Solideals and are made from natural rubber instead of synthetic like most..They ride better and are less resisistant to tears than factory tracks..A great ALL around track for summer and some snow use..We have a new price list coming this week on these so I dont know for sure tonite where the price is.Before they were less money than a factory set....Are made for all factory MTLs except Cat or ASV..The track pattern performs extremely well on dirt and sidehills also..

[Junior M]

These are probably not as good as the Bridgestones specialty tracks for snow but I know for a fact they are superior to the factory Tak or Bobcat tracks for snow and ice traction.These are Solideals and are made from natural rubber instead of synthetic like most..They ride better and are less resisistant to tears than factory tracks..A great ALL around track for summer and some snow use..We have a new price list coming this week on these so I dont know for sure tonite where the price is.Before they were less money than a factory set....Are made for all factory MTLs except Cat or ASV..The track pattern performs extremely well on dirt and sidehills also..
Arent those the same tracks that Picasso has?

[KRtraxx]

Am not sure on this, but I think some Deere and some New Holland MTLs came with Solideal tracks on them.But none of them came in the track pattern as the pic above shows.. If someone knows more than me on this please correct me...

[crab]

i dont know know the make of the tracks on my 332,but i do know i run crying like a little girl to the backhoe when i try to plow with it!

[stuvecorp]

This topic is one of the reasons I preach the VTS system because if you are going to do major snow work I don't see factory track machines being productive. I understand that many may just be plowing at home or not real serious snow work.

[crab]

i don't do serious snow work,and when i do it i will use the 260 or a backhoe ,i looked into vts years ago seems like a great system.

[stuvecorp]

i don't do serious snow work,and when i do it i will use the 260 or a backhoe ,i looked into vts years ago seems like a great system.

I really like it but I get that not everyone likes it.

[crab]

i guess I'm just not that handy if i had a great shop to change in i would have done it years ago,it also seems like it might be a lot of force on a machine not designed for it.why are you selling yours?

[stuvecorp]

i guess I'm just not that handy if i had a great shop to change in i would have done it years ago,it also seems like it might be a lot of force on a machine not designed for it.why are you selling yours?

I want to move up to a 465 and I would have to buy new track bands if I kept the VTS. If I just sell it as a package and go shopping for a set that would fit the bigger machine it would be cheaper. I would agree that there is more force on the machine and would like to see some 'beefing' if it was possible from the factory.

[Gravel Rat]

A backhoe will clear snow better because you have 4 contact patches but get on any side slope you will slide sideways in a rubber tired hoe.

I would think if your doing somebodies residential driveway etc you would want to be carefull about damaging the driveway so tire chains would be out of the question.

[KRtraxx]

I want to move up to a 465 and I would have to buy new track bands if I kept the VTS. If I just sell it as a package and go shopping for a set that would fit the bigger machine it would be cheaper. I would agree that there is more force on the machine and would like to see some 'beefing' if it was possible from the factory.

Of all the VTSs I have sold since day one the only boom failure(the weakest link I think) I have had is on a 6640 Gehl...I dont believe their boom is built as strong as it should be near the front.Except maybe the 7810.Which has faired well with the VTS for an over 100HP machine..Keeping your chains tight to spec is important..I also did have a 5635 Gehl (80HP version) rips its drive chain sprocket from the shaft for the rear wheels in the chain case..Both sides.at different times.... Over a hundred sets sold and the rest are happy customers so far..But no skid is unbreakable thats for sure. Cats,Cases,New Hollands,Mustangs and a few Bobcats have not had any issues with their skids with VTSs installed that I know of as of yet..Which is quite remarkable considering how the VTS totally changes the performance of a wheeled machine..

[bobcat_ron]

These are probably not as good as the Bridgestones specialty tracks for snow but I know for a fact they are superior to the factory Tak or Bobcat tracks for snow and ice traction.These are Solideals and are made from natural rubber instead of synthetic like most..They ride better and are less resisistant to tears than factory tracks..A great ALL around track for summer and some snow use..We have a new price list coming this week on these so I dont know for sure tonite where the price is.Before they were less money than a factory set....Are made for all factory MTLs except Cat or ASV..The track pattern performs extremely well on dirt and sidehills also..

A T300 from a customer of ours has them, and they will never use them again, something like 200-300 hors and they were shot and they stretched way too far.
That's the tread pattern I would like to see on future tracks for ASV/Cat's.

[KRtraxx]

Have never had a set go that short of term before..But hey..Anything is possible...The Tak Solideal replacement tracks of this style are huge sellers..Guys wont go back to the factory ones once they have used them...

[Construct'O]

i dont know know the make of the tracks on my 332,but i do know i run crying like a little girl to the backhoe when i try to plow with it!

Crab i agree ,same here!!!!! It's more to do with the tread pattern the machine.I like the tread design on the solideals tracks,more for dirt(mud) for me, then snow since other then for my own use i don't do snow.

Mainly because to far from towns,rural America here:laugh:

I also like the new tread design of the ASV small machine(50-60 series) only as of now.Looked to be better for dirt and snow also.Looks a lot like the soliddeal design.

The new Brigdestone design,might be okay for snow don't know ,but dirt(mud) who know.I want something that will work year around.

Personally for me working in the mud and dirt most of the time i wish they would come out with the V track design like the newer minis have, for dirt and mud.I want that!!!!!

Know they would ride rougher,but for me rough is rough ,been running dozers and scraper for close to 40 years,and im still going.Verly:laugh:,but who know for how much longer:confused:.

I do have to smile once in a while when you younger guys talk about bad backs,rough rides, and etc at age 25(then theres Junior).My back hurts more when i'm just standing then lifting.Everyone have a good day pushing the snow around.

We are finally getting a break here,but who knows for how long:confused::usflag:

[Construct'O]

That's the tread pattern I would like to see on future tracks for ASV/Cat's.

Ron ASV has a tread design like the Solideals design for the smaller machines 50-60 series have you forgotten already? and your only thirty something:confused::usflag:

[Junior M]

Crab i agree ,same here!!!!! It's more to do with the tread pattern the machine.I like the tread design on the solideals tracks,more for dirt(mud) for me, then snow since other then for my own use i don't do snow.

Mainly because to far from towns,rural America here:laugh:

I also like the new tread design of the ASV small machine(50-60 series) only as of now.Looked to be better for dirt and snow also.Looks a lot like the soliddeal design.

The new Brigdestone design,might be okay for snow don't know ,but dirt(mud) who know.I want something that will work year around.

Personally for me working in the mud and dirt most of the time i wish they would come out with the V track design like the newer minis have, for dirt and mud.I want that!!!!!

Know they would ride rougher,but for me rough is rough ,been running dozers and scraper for close to 40 years,and im still going.Verly:laugh:,but who know for how much longer:confused:.

I do have to smile once in a while when you younger guys talk about bad backs,rough rides, and etc at age 25(then theres Junior).My back hurts more when i'm just standing then lifting.Everyone have a good day pushing the snow around.

We are finally getting a break here,but who knows for how long:confused::usflag:
My back doesnt hurt from getting thrown around in equipment, its from sitting up straight not moving for long periods of time actually running equipment..

I am with you, they need a multi purpose track, but that'll probably never happen.

The 335 kinda has the V pattern in the tracks, I can tell the difference in the traction when I am pushing dirt back in to a ditch or something, compared to regular tracks, but I like them they give you the traction when you need it..

and Construct'o we dont have any snow to push, I am stuck at the house helping Dad hang cabinets.. yipee..

[bobcat_ron]

Ron ASV has a tread design like the Solideals design for the smaller machines 50-60 series have you forgotten already? and your only thirty something:confused::usflag:

Yes I know of that track pattern, they basically eliminated every other traction lug with an offset one, I still would rather have a multi lug like the Solid Deals with the Chevron style.

[Digdeep]

i dont know know the make of the tracks on my 332,but i do know i run crying like a little girl to the backhoe when i try to plow with it!

Bridgestone.

[Nelson M Martin]

Nelson, are these tracks on the video the new McLaren TDF tracks or their regular tracks? We got a set of the new TDFs recently for our T190, but we haven't had a chance to try them in the snow yet. These tracks on the video seem to do a pretty good job!

Yes they are the NEXGEN TDF
It is too bad i didnt make a before and after video on this subject about tracks and there traction effort performance
If you have tried the original Bobcat C pattern tracks in snow, then i think you shall be amazed how much better the TDF's will work.
i cannot say much yet on how well they last because i only had about 800 hrs on them when i traded in the T300 for a T320.
there was still lots of life in the TDF tracks at that time. Also they worked great in the summer time

[KRtraxx]

One track that impresses me for snow performance is the over the tire track from Solideal.They have new models out called "Lifemasters"(10" only until feb.then the 12") The company is predicting 1500 hr. life on these. We will see. I didnt like the molded in cross shafts they had before right at the splicer(Old style Trackmasters)If you got any cracks in the track near the splice water could get in and cause rust around the cables molded around the shaft. Eventually cables would rust and you'd end up with a break right before the splicer.The new Lifemasters I guess use kevlar around the molded in shaft to prevent this,Since kevlar wont rust...Time will tell... I am planning on trying some screw in ice studs on these to see how that will improve pure ice traction..When piling snow with these you can drive right up the pile to save more space.I have a yard with ASVs,Mustang track loaders,and VTS equipped wheeled New Hollands or Mustangs but when its time to plow snow..You will see me head for the Over the tire rubber tracked machine everytime to do snow removal..They pull way easier than any factory track or VTS machine.Here is a pic of the new style version...

[KRtraxx]

This is what the old style Trackmasters looked like.The new ones have quite a bit less lug vibration on hard ground than these...

[bobcat_ron]

Personally, I would be running a smaller diameter tire with those OTT tracks, they look like they make the machine 2" higher, and a smaller tire size gives you more power.

[KRtraxx]

That is one of their down falls..They sit up higher than stock..Most guys dont want to dowmsize their tires for cost reasons... I have found that if you want to lower it with the stock tire size that Xtra walls from Solideal will get rid of about half that height issue(lower sidewall).. A cutting edge on the bucket helps a bit on this issue also... Lifes a compromise I guess.. :)

[ksss]

The Bridgestone Winter Tracks for a CASE 440CT about 3400 for both. They told me you could expect to wear the tracks about 1 mil. per 100 hours. After you burn through the ice tracks they look like regular dirt tracks. You could expect about two average seasons on the tracks (for snow/ice) so they say.

[KRtraxx]

That price isnt to bad.Thought they would be higher than that....

[hillboy]

The Bridgestone Winter Tracks for a CASE 440CT about 3400 for both. They told me you could expect to wear the tracks about 1 mil. per 100 hours. After you burn through the ice tracks they look like regular dirt tracks. You could expect about two average seasons on the tracks (for snow/ice) so they say.

We took advantage of their Winter Promo and paid just about $2100 for the pair of McLaren's TDF tracks for our Bobcat T190, but then this is a smaller machine than the CASE 440CT... still, I'm glad to see how much better they perform in snow as compared to the orginal C-type Bridgetones.. :usflag:

[jmf]

If it makes you guys feel better, on the rare occasion when I'm plowing on smooth flat solid ice, my posi-track spins a little.

jmf