John Deere CTL

[osborneconst]

Has anyone ran a John Deere CTL and what did you think of it? Also if you have the experience, how do they compare to other manufacturers? Is it worth the money to go with a tracked machine, for light grading and such?
Thanks for the replies
Mark

[CEwriter]

I know you're probably looking for people's personal experience, but if you want to compare specifications, you can go to

http://www.deere.com/en_US/cfd/construction/deere_const/compact_track_loaders/deere_compact_track_loader_selection.html

click on a model number, and then look for a button to appear along the left-hand side that says "Compare."

A couple of interesting observations on the Deere machines:

The CT322 is the lightest machine by far (at least 1,500 pounds) with rated operating capacity of 3,200 pounds. And with 66 gross horsepower, it has at least 15 less horsepower than anything within a 600-pound range of operating capacities.

In contrast, the CT 332 with a rated operating capacity of 4,600 pounds has the greatest capacity of all compact track loaders (by more than 300 pounds). It's 10,825-pound operating weight is much better matched to its operating capacity, as is its 82 gross horsepower.

To get a reasonably fair specification comparison, I'd compare these models to the John Deere CT322
Caterpillar 267B
JCB 190 Tracked Robot
Caterpillar 277B
Gehl CTL70
Mustang MTL20
Takeuchi TL140
JCB 1110 Tracked Robot
Thomas T320

and these models compared with the Deere CT332
ASV Posi-Track RCV
New Holland LT190.B
Bobcat T300

ADios

[Tigerotor77W]

osborne, to get a better feel for what you'd need the machine for, other than light grading, what are the tasks you will be doing? (Deep mud, heavy lifting, heavy digging, how often used in the year, slopes, whether there are sharps rocks in your area, attachments.)

[imjustdave]

osborneconst

I own a CT 332 ... What would you like to know, I have about 450 HRS so far.

I have only done 1 job grading, mostly just digging up a gravel drive way and leveling it back out, Lift is increadable, pushes a lot, a lot better then a tire based skid steer, ride is ok, not bouncy, but big obsticals take some time to run accross, or at least I take the time, no need to case any undo damage, you can load a dump truck if needed, not the fastest or best solution but you can do it. When the bottom goes out from under you... you get stuck, but thats true for any machine, goes where a tire based machine could only dream of going, If you can walk on it and not go past you ankle you can drive accross it,

Wipper motor and temputure control valve Both electrical failed on me ... hmmmm

AC and heat and Cab is a must have, its a world of differance, and not nearly as dusty,

Anything else ?

[osborneconst]

Thanks for the answers. I would use the CTL for finish grading around houses mostly, and I would like to have a dozer blade for it to work ditches. It would move dirt and load a dump truck occasionally.

How would you rate the power for digging dirt? Is it worth the cost for a tracked machine over a skid steer?

Thanks
Mark

[Dozerboy]

I think the only advantage a Skid Steer has over a CTL is in demo or in rock, other than that tracks are better hands down.

[CascadeScaper]

I think the only advantage a Skid Steer has over a CTL is in demo or in rock, other than that tracks are better hands down.

Or if you're on pavement alot, probably wouldn't be worth burning off expensive tracks. A paving company out here uses Cat MTL's, not really sure why....

[jmac]

We own a New Holland LS160 ( first thing I purchased when started) and installed metal tracks over tires and what a difference! We had put puncher proof tires on it because if you get a flat you have to take tracks off to fix it. Tracks cost around $3000. and worth it when we did not have a dozer. You can dig and grade with tracks but still will never beat a dozer. For small residential like drainage work great. You can't drive on new driveways with it but steel last a very long time. Now we have a new dozer I will use the skid steer for less grading and more as back up loader when I don't use excavator to load, also to run power rake, auger, and forks. The metal track option cost a lot less than rubber track machine from factory and the extra money can go towards dozer, excavator etc.

[Tigerotor77W]

Thanks for the answers. I would use the CTL for finish grading around houses mostly, and I would like to have a dozer blade for it to work ditches. It would move dirt and load a dump truck occasionally.

How would you rate the power for digging dirt? Is it worth the cost for a tracked machine over a skid steer?

Thanks
Mark

Since you mentioned doing mostly finish grading, I think the Deere is probably a pretty good bet.

I would consider looking at a Cat or ASV machine, however, as they might be a little more "finish-prep" friendly and easier on fuel.

That's all hearsay, so I won't give any arguments, but I think a skid steer (or CTL) is a better tool than a dedicated dozer.

[Coastal]

I have a Bobcat T-300 and love it, I rented some deere skidsteers a few years back and didnt like the feel of them compared to bobact, bobcat just feels more solid with better fit and finish, and has never given me one bit of downtime.

I would not buy a tire skidsteer again, after having tracks, its the only way to go.

Fulltime track machines also have a lot more ground clearance than tired macines, so putting on steel tracks over your tires doesnt give you any extra lift and you will high center a lot sooner in ruts with that setup. Get the biggest one you can, you wont regret it!

[Squizzy246B]

Or if you're on pavement alot, probably wouldn't be worth burning off expensive tracks. A paving company out here uses Cat MTL's, not really sure why....

Ditto, if you have to work on ashphalt, pavement etc and/or climb kerbs forget the track machine. Good as they are, the asphalt will do the tracks over in no time and kerbs will ruin your bank balance.

[Tigerotor77W]

I have a Bobcat T-300 and love it

Good man!

[Coastal]

I'm changing that statement,


I have a bobcat T-300 and just blew a drive motor seal, if its not warranty im screwed because its apparantly very expensive.

:Banghead

[Tigerotor77W]

I'm changing that statement,


I have a bobcat T-300 and just blew a drive motor seal, if its not warranty im screwed because its apparantly very expensive.

:Banghead

Nag your dealer on that. Bobcat should have fixed that issue by now...

[Coastal]

Nag your dealer on that. Bobcat should have fixed that issue by now...


Was there an issue with these? I'm thinking so, since another machine had the same thing happen the same day as mine at the dealer.

[Tigerotor77W]

From what I understand, Bobcat's drives weren't designed as robustly as they should have been. Early models (864, T200) had a large number of problems with the drive seals being blown, I believe, but this design flaw should have been addressed by now.

(This is based on comments from my local dealer.)

[Coastal]

Fixed under warranty...and they are going to do the other side that didnt break under warranty too. :bouncegri