Skid steer tracks or tires

[agcodog]

Plan to buy a new skid steer. Debating on rubber tracks or tires. Will be doing some concrete floor cleaning but a lot of filling tile ditches, debris and brush removal, stacking hay and seed and other general loader work. Any thoughts on one or the other? Thanks

[colorofmoney]

Never had tracks but I can tell you for sure, the next one I own will have solid tires.  I spend way to much time and money fixing tires.

[Shaggy98]

My neighbor has two skid steers he uses for concrete construction work and puts on lots of hours. He purchased his skid steers with tires but occasionally puts removable tracks over the top of his tires. Possibly the best of both worlds.

[ECIN]

We run a Case with tires here - BUT last fall I ran a 329D Deere with tracks for a afternoon loading lime on a pull type spread for a fert . plant -- all I can say is ---Dam ! it was a lot more stabile than the tire machine ! I fell in love with that machine !  It did ride -- maybe a little rufffer than the tires - but not much - but this was on dirt - they say it's worse on hard surface .

If you use it to move snow in the winter - they also told me you need to keep it in a warm shop  - the tracks will fill with snow  and freeze the tracks .

The only -- well the BIG problem is the price of the out fit  -- Smith Equipment had a demo they wanted to sell - they priced it to me for only 56,000 - sticker was 76 something -- it had all the bells and whistles --- well I came home and told my wife about this GREAT deal ! Well -- maybe I better not post her reply on the great deal -- 

[r3020]

You don't have to post her reply Ken, I can hear the squeak in your voice from here.

[Shaggy98]

I'm actually glad this thread got going because I'm considering the purchase of a skid steer for around the farm later this fall. What are some of the must have options for general farm use?

[buckfarmer]

I rented one with a grapple bucket once it was absolutely awesome for cleaning up brush.

[agcodog]

I have been looking into the Demo-Dozer bucket. Looks very impressive. Built about ten miles from me here in Iowa.

[Longcreekfarms]

In my experience, it's another matter of you get what you pay for. Ran rubber tires for years, and tried the solid filled too. You better put your seat belt on if you go solid! Made it rough as a pickup going across plow furs. The baby tracks that go around tires are ok, but couldn't get much life out of them. The rubber hi-track system is the way to go if you can justify the cost. Makes a skid steer like a little 955. The handiest little loader I've ever run. Running bucket work mostly, but also auger post holes, and beat rocks with a hoe ram.

[agcodog]

Thanks this is kind of info I am looking for. Rubber tracks seem like a good option but as you said high up front cost and I wonder about maintenance and life of tracks.