Compact Track Loaders Alaska

The first skid steer was placed on the market in 1958. It was essentially a three-wheeled, self-propelled, independent drive train, compact front loader. Major improvements over front loaders of the day included compact size, a virtually nonexistent turning radius, and an amazingly large workload for its size and price. It was an important step forward.

Today, skid steers are commonly used in many places for various reasons. They are versatile machines thanks to their small size, great power, and many specialized attachments. One industry that began to rely heavily on ski steers was the landscaping industry. In Alaska landscaping, it is often necessary to perform heavy work in a small, somewhat enclosed, sensitive area. There are often flowerbeds, small trees, and many man-made objects placed in close proximity that the landscaper must be able to function around. A skid steer, thanks to its independent drive trains for left and right sides, is able to turn around in its own tracks and therefore operate in these tight spaces around Alaska. In comparison to its size, a skid steer is usually very strong, thanks to hydraulics and a well-designed chassis. The combination of compact size, maneuverability, and power make it an excellent tool for the landscaper. However, there remained a few problems with skid steers that track loaders sought to answer.

Skid steers have a few problems. One of these problems is the inability to operate in wet, muddy, slippery conditions. With four tires, a large amount of weight is placed in four specific points on the surface the skid steer is working on. On asphalt or other firm surface, this is often not a problem. But if faced with muddy or soft conditions, a skid steer is often unable to manage, leaving large ruts or even getting stuck. In the Alaska landscaping business, both of these are often unacceptable due to the ugly look of ruts. With only four wheels, skid steers also assume that those four small areas will provide enough traction not only to move the machine, but also whatever it is pushing, pulling, or carrying.

Track loaders are essentially a skid steer on tracks instead of wheels. This changes a number of things. By increasing the surface area of the contacting surface, the weight of the machine is spread out over a larger area, allowing it to ‘float’ more readily on soft surface conditions. The increased surface area also increases traction in slippery conditions. This means that a track loader, when compared to a skid steer, is able to function in more conditions, while leaving less visible tracks. The track loader, of course, retains all the necessary functions of a skid steer.

If you are considering purchasing a track loader around Alaska, you should consider the specific conditions in which you plan to use the unit. While compact track loaders work well in a wide range of conditions, there are some conditions in which they are not designed for, and you may consider another tool, perhaps a skid steer. A track loader is designed specifically to function on certain surfaces and in areas where many skid steers will simply not work, be hazardous, or deteriorate the area. Track loaders are specifically designed to float better on wet or soft surfaces by increasing the contacting surface area and exerting less pressure per square inch on the ground. This also increases traction allowing for work in slippery conditions and the ability to push heavier objects where a skid steer might simply spin its tires. Some track loaders can operate on grades up to 3:1 ratio. However, most track loaders are not designed to be operated on certain types of surfaces. Highly abrasive surfaces such as asphalt or surfaces with high penetration potential such as sharp rock or around much rebar are not generally recommended operating conditions for track loaders. The reason for this is that the tracks are more easily damaged, as well as much more expensive to replace, than the tires of a skid steer.

Mr. Roof

1-800-949-0009
3511 E. Ellsworth
Ann Arbor, AK
www.mrroof.com