advantage/disadvantage

[ford550]

Hey guys,
I am trying to decide if I should go with another wheeled machine and put over-the-wheel tracks when I need them or go with a dedicated track machine. I have never used over-the-wheel tracks on any of my wheeled machines before, so I am kinda blind on that one. I also currently own a CAT 267B MTL, but am trying to get rid of it and get a CT322 or another JD 325 and just put tracks on it when necessary. VTS is out, it just isn't in the budget.

Both from dealer, coming out of rental fleet.
JD 325, 2008, 150hrs, full cab heat, a/c, 2 speed, powertrain/hydrolic warranty til end of 2009, ect. - $26,000 (brand new $44K), financing 60mos @ 9.75% = $550/mo plus cost of over-the-wheel tracks

-or-

JD CT322, 2007, 200hrs, full cab, heat, a/c, 2-speed, full bumper to bumper warranty til end of 2009, ect. - $30,000 (brand new $51K), financing 60mos @ 3.9% = $551/mo, no extra costs

Thoughts? Thanks for the input.

[RockSet N' Grade]

You must have a very strong economy.........here, you can get those machines (alot of them) for half that price with the same amount of hours. That would be private party and not dealer. Dealers are nice to have, and yes, necessary......but they sure are proud of their stuff..........

[DUSTYCEDAR]

you just bought a machine and they wont give you better numbers?
why dont you like the track cat you have?

[ford550]

why dont you like the track cat you have?

I just don't. It's hard to see out of. Just seems weak for such a big machine compared to the Ct322 (when we have rented it and compared them side by side). The guys don't like it either. They all run to the JD when it's available. We just aren't CAT guys.

You must have a very strong economy.........here, you can get those machines (alot of them) for half that price with the same amount of hours.

As far as numers, the economy where I am is pretty strong. Unemployment isn't even 6%. From all the research I have done, I haven't seen anything half that price, you must be in a depression where you are. I have looked at past auction #'s, other machinery websites and they are at or above those prices.

I am really not looking for input on #'s, I feel they are pretty good, just some input on an over-the-wheel track system advantage/disadvantage compared to a dedicated track machine. Thanks again for any input guys.

[ksss]

I just don't. It's hard to see out of. Just seems weak for such a big machine compared to the Ct322 (when we have rented it and compared them side by side). The guys don't like it either. They all run to the JD when it's available. We just aren't CAT guys.



As far as numers, the economy where I am is pretty strong. Unemployment isn't even 6%. From all the research I have done, I haven't seen anything half that price, you must be in a depression where you are. I have looked at past auction #'s, other machinery websites and they are at or above those prices.

I am really not looking for input on #'s, I feel they are pretty good, just some input on an over-the-wheel track system advantage/disadvantage compared to a dedicated track machine. Thanks again for any input guys.


I have a set of Loegering OTT. They are the Trailblazer model, they call them something else now but they have the wide pads.

PRO- I am way impressed with what these tracks allow you to do. I have put them on my 95XT's and 465. If you have the hp to turn them they are amazing. My machines weigh about 9K and the increased floatation with the wide tracks is amazing. They take about 20 minutes to put on.

Cons.- Your machine may get wider depending on rim offset. They take hp to turn. Cant cross asphalt or concrete without putting something down to save the surface. Its a PINA taking them on and off.

My suggestion would be to get a set of the airless tires right off the bat. Getting a flat with the tracks on really pisses a guy off. I paid about 2500 for my tracks some years ago. I'll bet you could find a good used set cheap if you look. I really like the wide bar on the Loegering tracks. Especially if your machine is really big and heavy. Its not a bad way to go depending on the types of jobs you do. I used them a lot in MT and in Yellowstone. Heavy mud and extreme hill climbing made the tracks a necessity. I did not have to worry about asphalt or concrete. I was able to leave them on for duration of the job. I don't use them a lot but when I do, nothing else will work. Another option I have been using is going with the 15.5 X 16.5 tires. The increased floatation is amazing. Might be enough to do what you need without having to use tracks.

[stuvecorp]

I ran Grouser and Loegering OTT steel tracks, they worked good for me. The big down side is not being able to run on blacktop/concrete and the flat potential. The Solideal rubber OTT may be an option too. The steel tracks were fine doing dirt work and would not hesitate to set up a machine again if the conditions were right for it.

There is some used VTS floating around at good prices if you want to go that route.

[KRtraxx]

Hey guys,
I am trying to decide if I should go with another wheeled machine and put over-the-wheel tracks when I need them or go with a dedicated track machine. I have never used over-the-wheel tracks on any of my wheeled machines before, so I am kinda blind on that one. I also currently own a CAT 267B MTL, but am trying to get rid of it and get a CT322 or another JD 325 and just put tracks on it when necessary. VTS is out, it just isn't in the budget.

Both from dealer, coming out of rental fleet.
JD 325, 2008, 150hrs, full cab heat, a/c, 2 speed, powertrain/hydrolic warranty til end of 2009, ect. - $26,000 (brand new $44K), financing 60mos @ 9.75% = $550/mo plus cost of over-the-wheel tracks

-or-

JD CT322, 2007, 200hrs, full cab, heat, a/c, 2-speed, full bumper to bumper warranty til end of 2009, ect. - $30,000 (brand new $51K), financing 60mos @ 3.9% = $551/mo, no extra costs

Thoughts? Thanks for the input.

I sell a lot of VTSs but to be honest with you the "new style" lifemasters rubber OTTs from Solideal are proving to be a VERY tough animal if you want to stick with a wheeled machine..WAY better than the "trackmasters" they sold for years.Even JD had trackmasters for a while from the factory..The trackmasters werent tough enough to take high HP machines..and not even that great on the smaller ones as far as length of life.
Have sold quite a few 10" LM versions and had nothing but good results..The 12" I'm told will be here very soon(know in 10 days what time frame)..1 year warranty and a nice smooth ride..No vibration like steel tracks and less than the VTS too.. Very easy to put on and off(no pinched fingers) half the weight of steel. drive on lawns,driveways and concrete is not a problem.They pull WAY easier than steel tracks or a VTS.NO comparison there..Traction and floatation will surprize you.Hardly any wider over all width than stock on a JD..No holes so it protects the tires somewhat and floats better. Work fantastic in snow also..They are promoting them saying they should last about 1500 hrs in regular use..That seems high in my opinion..I am waiting for more results from my customers to prove that one.. 12" size will sell for about 4500.. 10's are about 3600 if anyone else wonders.
The negatives: Raises the machine 2"s . You would have to change tires to get it down to stock height. One tire is available now in 12" by 31" by 16.5"s.. This solves the issue..But it does add cost..
You must use skid steer style tires to mate with the lugs inside the track that drives it properly.. No drive chain removal is needed like Goodyears because these are run looser.

[KRtraxx]

Solideals new Lifemaster OTTs have been getting some recognition.

[ford550]

Very nice info guys. Thank you very much. I have heard that OTT's are pretty much unstoppable. I would need rubber and not metal because we are mostly in a residential environment, going over asphalt and concrete almost all the time, moving stone, pallets, ect. I did not realize that you need to down size the tires, that's definately an added expense to the bottom line plus the actual cost of the track. So now it seems like I am starting to push closer to the CT price for sure, if not over it with the above said example. I will consider these options, thanks again guys.

[KRtraxx]

Good luck on your choice..Whatever way you go I hope it works out right for your business.. On a normal year the wheeled machines will lose less resale value than a track loader.But this is NOT a normal year.. :)

[cddva]

It looks like alot of the discussion so far is on OTT's. Since you own a MTL now, I would be asking how much of the time do you really need a dedicated track machine. If the vast majority of your work is dirt work and you have responsible people running your equipment, given the numbers, I would be leaning towards the CT322 personally, even though the operating cost's may be a little higher (replacement track cost). Not sure how the CT does at snow plowing if thats a consideration. Are there still alot of flat tires when using the OTT'S? Good luck with your decision.

[CAT powered]

Comparing a 267 to a CT322 is apples to oranges.

A CT322 is the second largest machine Deere makes. Try out a 287 or a 289 in comparison to a CT322.

[dozerman21]

Comparing a 267 to a CT322 is apples to oranges.

A CT322 is the second largest machine Deere makes. Try out a 287 or a 289 in comparison to a CT322.

??? Wrong. Deere only makes 2 CTL's, until the new little one comes out, so I guess you can say the CT322 is the smallest CTL Deere makes.

The 267 weighs 1,000 lbs. more than the CT322, has more HP, but has less ROC and breakout forces.

[allinearth]

Those solideals look interesting. Anyone on here with real life experience? I've seen that style a few times in pictures but never seen anyone around here running them. Is the flotation similar to vts?

[AWJ Services]

I prefer the dedicated CTL.They are much less invasive on existing yards.
The metal over the tire tracks make an absolute mess of everything.
Of course if you need to use the machine as a wheel loader over great distances moving material or a bunch on concrete/asphalt then that is a different story.
The little JD is a perfect for Hardscaping and moving heavy loads and is decent in the grading department as well.

With the price you posted I would buy the CTL.That is a great deal.

CTL machines get a bad rap mostly by people who do not own them.They are not the end all perfect machine but I would hate to know that if I had a tired machine and was 30 miles from tracks that I could not work because of the conditions?

[JDSKIDSTEER]

Hey guys,
I am trying to decide if I should go with another wheeled machine and put over-the-wheel tracks when I need them or go with a dedicated track machine. I have never used over-the-wheel tracks on any of my wheeled machines before, so I am kinda blind on that one. I also currently own a CAT 267B MTL, but am trying to get rid of it and get a CT322 or another JD 325 and just put tracks on it when necessary. VTS is out, it just isn't in the budget.

Both from dealer, coming out of rental fleet.
JD 325, 2008, 150hrs, full cab heat, a/c, 2 speed, powertrain/hydrolic warranty til end of 2009, ect. - $26,000 (brand new $44K), financing 60mos @ 9.75% = $550/mo plus cost of over-the-wheel tracks

-or-

JD CT322, 2007, 200hrs, full cab, heat, a/c, 2-speed, full bumper to bumper warranty til end of 2009, ect. - $30,000 (brand new $51K), financing 60mos @ 3.9% = $551/mo, no extra costs

Thoughts? Thanks for the input.Those are fair prices for low hour cab units and warranty.

[ford550]

Yeah, I am definately leaning to the CT. I have rented it many times and have been very happy with it. Problem is I have to get rid of my CAT. I can't swing two track machines nor do I want to. I would hate to have to pass on this deal, but if I have to, oh well. On a brand new one with everything $54K, I got them down to $40K and 3.9%. Now that is a good deal, but at $10K more than the '07 I cannot swing it.

Anyone need a '05 CAT 267B (only 1350 hrs), fast?