Lawn Care Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Anyone have Loegering tracks on a Bobcat skid steer?

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 54 Posts
D

dirtybiz

· Registered
Joined
·
265 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Has anyone put some hours on Loegering tracks that can be bolted up to any skid steer?? www.loegering.com Reason i ask is we have alot of mountainous work coming up this spring, and we have a low hour S300 that i was considering trying a set of these on instead of spending a pile of cash to trade a good machine for a T300.

We already have a T250, would be interesting to be able to compare the two. I don't think the T250 will be able to keep up w/the pace at which we are gonna be moving, gonna need another machine and a tracked machine is gonna be ideal. Anyone expereinced with these, sure hate to spend 10-14k for them if they aren't worht a crap. Nice thing is you can put your wheels back on if you want to in about an hour. THanks for the input
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#2 ·
Look for a used pair. Got mine used for $7500. Ksss got his for even a better deal. I have about 450hrs on mine now and like em. Easy clean when the day is done and they clean themselves out nicely as you work. I am too lazy to switch back and forth, so the tracks look like they are gonna stay on awhile longer. Wear seems to be even......Don't know replacement price on rubber bands. No problems with machine in any way as of yet.
 
#4 ·
Have sold a ton of these things on various machines from 50 to 110 HP.The problems have been next to zero with the UC itself.Track band life varys widely by whos running it and what application its being used in.In tough jobs like brush mowing the 18" track bands have been lasting about a 1000 hrs on an 80HP machine.I have seen some guys getting 1800 in other easier applications.And yes there are a few wild cowboys out there who can destroy a set of track bands in 600 hrs.in very harsh or abusive situations..As far as performance compared to a T250 in ride,speed, lifting,carrying,digging or total stability there is quite a difference in real world use.With the scales leaning significantly towards the VTS machines.The only negative thing that comes to mind is the fact that the VTS equipped machines are wider than the factory units.(79" for the S300 overall W/18" tracks)...For comparison sake I have observed an informal display by construction workers on a job site showing guys that their S220 with VTS can push and lift as much or more than their T300.Found that quite amazing since the T300 is quite an animal in itself...There are starting to be a few used sets around also..Remember that the 18" sets can be reconfigured to fit longer or shorter wheelbases than what they were bolted too.43" to over 51".But there are different length track bands if the wheelbase is TOO far different from the original machine it was on different track bands may be required.In the case of Bobcats the rear sproket on the VTS in inverted due to the longer axles than other brands.If you buy a used VTS off a different brand You will have to completely readjust the VTS to get things properly set up.No huge deal.Its been done by many.But it would be easier to get one thats already set up and been on a S300/250.Any questions on this feel free to get a hold of me.Would be glad to help you with some good advice. :)
 
#6 ·
There is a guy that posts here on occasion and at HEF that has a Bobcat with a VTS system his name is Bob Horell or something similiar to that. If he does not answer this thread you may start one at HEF and I am sure he could answer your questions specific to Bobcat. I would go to back to your dealer in Belgrade and tell him you need the high performance model in Power Tan for working in the hills.:drinkup:
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
KRRTRAX where would a person find used ones, although like you said i think i would be better off spending the extra $$ to get new ones set up for my machine. Sounds like you thought they were pretty impressive tracks as well, just wish i could find somebody locally to try some out first, before unloading 15k on a set. Never seen a set of them around here, not even a ton of ctl's here yet!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Thanks for all of the information, they look pretty impressive on their web site. Out of curiosity i called my local bobcat dealer and asked for prices on a T300 and a S300 w/these tracks and the S300 w/loegering tracks was about 2k less. May be getting a set and sticking on the S300 we already have, since it only has very low hours on it. Sure would be fun to compare to our T250 (new last spring).

KSSS what is HEF?? I take it you like Case?? I can't get used to their controls, can't get my brain to think that way. Thanks for your help.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#9 ·
It is Heavy Equipment Forum dot com

It is a forum similiar to this one only focused more on Heavy Equipment.

The Bobcat/CASE dealer in Belgrade seem pretty helpful. I was in there several times last year while working in Big Sky. Western Plains is also very good in Belgrade. Your lucky to have good backing.

The guy that has a set of VTS on a Bobcat is Bob Horrell.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
KSSS, thanks for your input, i will check that forum out and see if i come across him. Yes the dealer here in belgrade is pretty good (hence all the bobcat equip.), i am just real unfamiliar with case and like mentioned before hate the controls. Very few of them around here too, easier to get parts for bobcat.

You did some work up in big sky last summer? That's where we are headed this spring, got a rather large job to do up their, and don't think the T250 will be able to keep up. Tracks are the ticket up their. Just trying to figure out how we can get another tracked machine without shelling out 50k+
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#11 ·
We have worked up there the last two years. Most was done last Winter. I used steel tracks and large floatation tires. Both work well to a point. There are some conditions up there that you cant even work with tracks. I had buried my excavator numerous times up to the bottom of house. If I could not have pulled myself out I would still be there (that was last Spring). You may not need VTS unless you want them anyway. A set of the Loegren Trail Blazers work very well if you wanted to try and save some money. They have the large pads and float well. I don't know where on the Hill you will be working but as you know that Hill is a *****. I was in the Cowboy Heaven area.
 
#12 ·
dirtybiz said:
KRRTRAX where would a person find used ones, although like you said i think i would be better off spending the extra $$ to get new ones set up for my machine. Sounds like you thought they were pretty impressive tracks as well, just wish i could find somebody locally to try some out first, before unloading 15k on a set. Never seen a set of them around here, not even a ton of ctl's here yet!
Click to expand...
Dirtybiz..My distributor I think has your territory also. PM me your PH. no.and I will have him get you lined up with some used ones out there.Hes a good guy and is straight forward,no BS. You will love your BC even more with these on there.I think I have a set that have some hours on it that I could sell you.But would the freight eat up the savings? Could check on that scenario for you also.Hope this helps....
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
KSSS, do they have a web site for the Loegren Trail Blazers?? Do they go over the tires?? I am leaning towards vts not only for flotation, but also stability for some slopes we have to deal with. We will be on the other side of the hill in the Y. Club, and it is just as bad!

I noticed you said something about a T190 on another thread, I take it you don't like that particular machine?? What is your feelings on this machine? Do you think my S205 could turn a set of VTS?? Thanks again.

KRtraxx, i sent you a pm, thanks.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#14 ·
dirtybiz said:
KSSS, do they have a web site for the Loegren Trail Blazers?? Do they go over the tires?? I am leaning towards vts not only for flotation, but also stability for some slopes we have to deal with. We will be on the other side of the hill in the Y. Club, and it is just as bad!

I noticed you said something about a T190 on another thread, I take it you don't like that particular machine?? What is your feelings on this machine? Do you think my S205 could turn a set of VTS?? Thanks again.

KRtraxx, i sent you a pm, thanks.
Click to expand...
I think you will need higher hp on that hill. Given the sticky nature of the clay,, combined with the high alt. (if your at the Y club you be just under 9K feet) and the fact that you will be going up hill no matter which way you go. You will want more hp I believe. I had my 95XT up there two years ago with the Trail Blazers and it takes hp to run there. The 95XT has a net of 85 hp and it was working hard. The 205 and the 190 are the same machine except for the tracks and at 55ish hp you will be badly underpowered. Having said all of that I don't know what your doing exactly. If your excavating, moving a lot of material what I said stands. If your not, you may get by with less hp. It is said you lose 10 percent of a turbocharged machines hp every 1000 feet over 5000 feet. I don't know if that is true but there aint a lot of air up there, that I know. We moved a lot material all with excavators and skid steers many times I was pushing mud up to the bottom of the door on the skid steer, real hp intensive. The 190 is underpowered and I think a POS that is IMHO, the T250 is much better.

I would equip the machine you do the most excavating work with be the one that gets the tracks. You will not be able to use the 205 VTS system on a large frame machine without getting different tracks, so will not be able to easily switch back and forth. Also the big advantage of the 205 is its size. When you put the VTS on, it will no longer be as nimble and so you will have a wide machine with low hp not a great combination especially when you work in the areas that you and I work. I would think that by putting the VTS on your large frame machine you will gain much more. It is already big and wide with more hp, by adding the VTS it will just be that much more capable but you will not give up anything as you would by tracking the 205.

The Trail Blazers (steel over tire tracks) have been renamed and I cant remember what they are now called but they have the wide treads. They are easy to spot if you go to the website (same as VTS site).

If you want to talk to someone that has VTS on a machine (its a CASE 70XT) there is one here. PM me and I will give you his number if you like. Considering what they cost, researching it is not a bad idea. I got mine for 5200. It was a pretty good deal.
 
#15 ·
dirtybiz, as KSSS said, I have had a set of VTS tracks on my S250 for a couple of years now. I still think they are great. What I really like is that they work great with the 2 speed.
I have a friend with a T300 and we spent a day on a job together. We swapped machines for half a day. We both felt that the VTS system was better. Some of the reasons were: suspension, operated with 2 speed therefore faster in a lot of ways, seemed a little more stable, pushed through a pile a little better (probably due to extra weight), and the big one - stayed much cleaner and easier to clean out.
I have kept the VTS system on the machine and used it exclusively as a ctl. For the other applications where tires would be better, I just use my skiploader.
Tracks are wearing well. I have some chuncking that you get when working in rocky conditions but am very happy with the wear characteristics. I work my equipment hard but I don't abuse it. I do not operate the same as I would a skidsteer.
I find them incredible when loading my dump truck. I have an 80 inch construction bucket that holds 1 1/4 yds heaped. It is so fast loading my dump that I hardly ever want to use my tractor. My dump is a high side and the S250 with the vertical lift reaches over the side easily. The tracks make it so stable, even with the 1 1/4 yds in the bucket, you can load really fast.
The suspension on the front makes it a little more difficult when fine grading as the front end wants to dive when the bucket has resistance or is loaded. After you get used to it it's not so bad. I made a couple of blocks to stop downward movement in the suspension when fine grading and it really helped.
I don't know how they work in the snow. We are likely to get snow here in the next few days, so I may get a chance to try them. I am guessing that the large blocks wouldn't work all that well in icy conditions. Something like the ASV/CAT tracks with a whole lot of small edges would probably work better on ice due to much more gripping edges (like siping in tires). I have been on hard packed hills so steep that they would just spin. If the ground is soft, then they are animals on hills.
My S250 has plenty of power to spin the tracks against resistance even at the 6500 ft level. I haven't used them any higher than that.
If you have any specific questions, let me know and I will try to answer them.
 
#16 ·
Just a note.the newest VTS has adjustable bolt stoppers to lock out as much suspension travel as you want..All of it or just part.Is right on the outside and a snap to adjust if you so desire.No blocks required..Glad you like your VTS..
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Bob Horrell, thanks alot for the great information. Sounds like they may be the ticket for our S300. It also sounds like they have that problem you mentioned about grading/suspension worked out. That would be key, as we do alot of grading w/our current tracked machine.

How many hours do you have on your tracks, and how many do you think a person can expect to get out of them before replacement? Have you had to replace any parts on yours yet? Thanks again.

KRRtrax, did you get my email, never heard from the guy you spoke of. Thanks.

KSSS how did you get hooked up w/ a set of tracks so cheap?? Have you had to do any replacement on parts w/yours, how many hours? Thanks again.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#18 ·
I bought my VTS system on Iron Planet. It was a lucky find, they are still in the shrink wrap. I have not mounted them yet. I have a landscaper friend that bought a set off of EBAY and ran them all last year and he really likes them (70XT). His only issue is how wide the machine has become.
 
1 - 20 of 54 Posts
About this Discussion
53 Replies
13 Participants
Last post:
BIGBEN2004
Lawn Care Forum
posts
7.2M
members
230K
Since
1999
A forum community dedicated to lawn care and landscaping professionals and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Lawn Mowing Pesticide & Herbicide Application 🔧 Mechanic and Repair Business Operations Lawn Mowing Equipment