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Skid Steer "Over the Tire" tracks...

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Are "over the Tire" skid steer tracks worth the money? I am considereing selling my skid steer and getting a CTL, but if I could get by with just purchasing tracks for my current skid steer, I may rethink that. I am considering the tracks made by Mclaren Rubber. I already have a set of their "semi-pneumatic" tires which are awesome, but I just can't move in the mud, and we seem to be getting thunderstorms almost daily here during the summer.

I would appreciate any and all opinions regarding tracks for skid steers.
 
#2 ·
It all depends really, if you can afford a CTL I would, but if you want to keep you machine for a while buy the tracks and working in mud and rain should pay for themselves quickly. I have used logering steel tracks and they work really good in the mud and slop. What type of skid steer are you running? They both have there pros and cons. If you want to save some money buy the tracks, but I'm not sure if you have to tighten the mclaren tracks, and i don't know if its difficult.

Good Luck! :blob3:
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
I have a John Deere 320 and am planning on trading it for either the new JD322 or a Gehl, but either way, I will be taking a 15+k hit, which is why just buying the tracks alone for my existing skid steer seems much more appealing. I can afford stepping up to a CTL, I'm just not sure I want to!
 
#4 ·
It really, really depends on how much rain you guys get, then. If you actually do a lot of asphalt work, steel over-the-tire tracks will rip up the asphalt, but likewise, a CTL's tracks won't last very long.

You best bet may yet be to look into the Loegering VTS system: http://www.loegering.com/VTS.htm
They are just about going to run you 15k, but there are two advantages: first, you have the option of simply removing them and storing them for later use. This means you can run wheels or run tracks, without having two machines and without needing to spend hours to put on steel tracks. Second, generally speaking, they'll give you a lower PSI than steel OTT -- which may not give you quite the grip in, say, clay, but will allow you tread a bit softer in pure mud.

For most contractors looking to increase their mudability, I think the VTS system is a great solution. Going pure tracks may be more cost-effective in your case, so Doug, it would probably be smart to contact someone with the VTS system and compare their operating conditions with those you expect.
 
#5 ·
I also run the Loegering steel tracks on my Cat. I've been very happy, but is time consuming to get them on and off, and that has created some scheduling problems for us. If we are working on a landclearing job with them on, then the next day running topsoil from the street into a backyard and we need them off, it is just a PITA. With them on, the machine is basically unstoppable (within reason). Still well worth the money.
 
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#6 ·
Rubber track drive undercarriage require a lot of maintenance. Costs can range from $5.00 to $12.00 per operating hour for maintenance. Application is everything.

If you are looking for traction, over the tire tracks are fine, and the rubber tracks have done well in our area. The steel tracks are fine, though you may need to replace your tires with pnuematic tires. Tracks will have very little affect on floatation.

If you are looking for floatation/traction, there is nothing better than an rubber track drive loader. If your gain in productivitiy and availability overcomes the additional maintenance cost (skid steers cost about $1.00/hour for tires), then it is the machine for you.

The VTS system is a pretty good option, but if it is going to cost you the same money to trade, then you may as well get a new machine.
 
#8 ·
The McClaren sales DVD is awesome. After watching it, you'll want to buy a set of tracks even if you don't own a SSL :D

Sunday I was preparing to backfill a septic line, when we had a tremendous downpour. The silty/clay soils which I have immediately turned to mud. My tires performed less than desireable when driving forward, but were pretty much useless when backing up. I had to finish the job because the ditch was filling up with water, so I fought it. The whole time I was thinking about purchasing some over the tire tracks. I would own a set of over the tire tracks, but I have an odd-ball sized tire (31.5x13x16.5). If I bought a set of tracks, I'd have to purchase new wheels and tires also :realmad:

Thomas, Does McClaren now offer any tracks to fit my size tires (31.5x13x16.5) on a 773T Bobcat SSL? I think these tires are 0.4" wider and 1.2" shorter than a 12x16.5 tire. They are the same height as 10x16.5 tires, but 2.6" wider!
 
#10 ·
The biggest disadvantage of Loegering VTS is simply the price. As of right now they only offer their setup for the larger skids and those setups run $15k they intend to offer it for smaller skids by the end of the year, but its still going to be 12K, for those kind of prices it doesnÂ’t make sense, your simply better off buying yourself a track loader. Another disadvantage of the system is you can only use their specific track on them and there, no other manufactures make it and most likely never will, there just isnÂ’t a enough of them out there for anyone to go threw the trouble of making a mold of them which leaves you with your pants down when 5-10 or whatever years down the road when they decided to not make it anymore? You either bend over BIG time to have a company make you a track or have a $15,000 dollar piece of yard art. The advantages of the system are the same when comparing a track loader to a skid. Hope that answers your question
 
#11 ·
The tracks on the VTS look exactly like the tracks on the Bobcat and you can buy any number of aftermarket manufacturers tracks such as Avon, Solideal, etc. I looked at the VTS very closely at Conexpo and the large undercarriage's tracks were South Korean and the small undercarriage's tracks were Solideals. My buddy tried about 4 different track brands on his Bobcat and all he needed to know was his pitch length for the store to find the right track for him. The prices varied greatly (by as much as $500-600 a track), but his track life never approached what he got out of his ASV tracks.

I do agree with Mclaren concerning the price of the VTS..they are expensive. I was told by the Loegering rep that the small system would be around 66" wide and cost around $10-11K. He did make sense in saying that the over the tire steel tracks definitely improved traction, but didn't really increase flotation (the middle doesn't support any of the machines weight unless the machine is sinking) as well as the steel tracks didn't increase the wheel base of the machine, or the machine width for working on hills. Just my two cents.
 
#12 ·
I used a Cat 268B yesterday with a set of VTS tracks. I had a cold planer on the front which adds a lot of weight. It was very difficult to turn the machine at slow speeds, and fairly rough at faster speeds. All in all, the traction was great, and they were a better overall ride than the Berco system.
 
#13 ·
I haven't heard back from Mclaren on this thread concerning exclusive tracks on the Loegering VTS so I called Loegering on my own for information on other tracks. He tried to tell me that their tracks were affordable, but when pressed he did admit that I could buy aftermarket tracks if I wanted to. He also said that their small system is already being built and starts shipping next month. They also now have a 15" track to go with their 18 and 12 inch tracks.
 
#14 ·
StoneStacker said:
The tracks on the VTS look exactly like the tracks on the Bobcat and you can buy any number of aftermarket manufacturers tracks such as Avon, Solideal, etc.
Click to expand...
Not exactly identical, but it's a moot point because, as you said anyhow, it's possible to buy aftermarket tracks regardless. Thanks for letting us know!
 
#15 ·
Not exactly identical, but it's a moot point because, as you said anyhow, it's possible to buy aftermarket tracks regardless. Thanks for letting us know!
Click to expand...
Xing...figure of speech on my part.

I really enjoy this forum, lots of hard working people that express their honest opinions on "iron". However, I do have a small problem when someone from a manufacturer comes on the board and makes matter of fact statements such as

As of right now they only offer their setup for the larger skids and those setups run $15k they intend to offer it for smaller skids by the end of the year, but its still going to be 12K, for those kind of prices it doesnÂ’t make sense, your simply better off buying yourself a track loader. Another disadvantage of the system is you can only use their specific track on them and there, no other manufactures make it and most likely never will, there just isnÂ’t a enough of them out there for anyone to go threw the trouble of making a mold of them which leaves you with your pants down when 5-10 or whatever years down the road when they decided to not make it anymore?
Click to expand...
I would much better prefer statements prefaced with "I heard, my opinion is, I think, etc." How many times have you been oversold on a peice of gear? I made a simple call to the manufacturer (Loegering) to get their side of the story and I found out that:

A. They do offer a smaller system next month, and
B. You can put aftermarket tracks on the VTS.

I know I'm venting a little, but what if someone on this board bought the McLaren tracks and THEN found out that you could get the smaller system, or buy less expensive replacement tracks (if it was part of the buying decision) Just my two cents. I'm not trying to flame McLaren, just asking him to look into his information before making a statement from a selling position.
 
#17 ·
StoneStacker said:
Xing...figure of speech on my part.

I really enjoy this forum, lots of hard working people that express their honest opinions on "iron". However, I do have a small problem when someone from a manufacturer comes on the board and makes matter of fact statements such as

I would much better prefer statements prefaced with "I heard, my opinion is, I think, etc." How many times have you been oversold on a peice of gear? I made a simple call to the manufacturer (Loegering) to get their side of the story and I found out that:

A. They do offer a smaller system next month, and
B. You can put aftermarket tracks on the VTS.

I know I'm venting a little, but what if someone on this board bought the McLaren tracks and THEN found out that you could get the smaller system, or buy less expensive replacement tracks (if it was part of the buying decision) Just my two cents. I'm not trying to flame McLaren, just asking him to look into his information before making a statement from a selling position.
Click to expand...
Ok I was formally known as Mclaren industries but was forced to change my name by the owner of the site.... here is the funny thing, I CALLED Loegering right before I made that post and spoke to a sales rep and asked him a few questions, HE gave me the information on price, tracks and when the small excavator track setup was gonna be out . I guess they cant get their story straight over there. I have no problem with the company at all and im not knocking their product i think its great if you willing to fork out the cash and it also sounds like their sales reps need to have a meeting a figure out what the story is.

Tom
 
#18 ·
StoneStacker said:
Xing...figure of speech on my part.
Click to expand...
Understood... I knew the point was moot, as I said, but I didn't want anyone to think that they could rip off the tracks of an T250 and throw them on the VTS. :eek:

And it was I who asked for the disadvantages of the VTS system, because from my perspective, other than cost, the system is as good as you can get in tracks. Sure steel may last longer, but for the flotation and extra traction you gain, in deep mud, the VTS will fare better. So if anyone is to blame for his comment, it'd be me for asking a competitor to begin with.
 
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