steel tracks or rubber tracks

[Bill Eh]

Thanks xkvator for your answer to my question on how much a KX41 would cost. I have another question that I hope someone can help me with. If I am buying a 6000 pound mini excavator should I pay the extra to get steel tracks? The steel cost about $1000 to $1200 more.

Bill

[digger242j]

The mini I spend much of my time on is a Kobelco 35. That's about an 8800 lb. machine.

Personally, I spend so much time running back and forth across pavement (both concrete and asphalt), that I can't imagine having anything but rubber tracks. I'll have to admit that I've spent almost no time on grass, so I can't say whether steel or rubber would work better there, but the rubber seems just fine on bare dirt as well.

[Cat420]

I found that the few mini excavators we have rented with rubber tracks tore the grass up very badly, much worse than steel. I would only get rubber if doing a substantial amount of work on pavement. In the dirt it would be steel all the way for me.

[will_gurt]

I have to agree with cat 420 here digger. Rubber tracks do seem to tear up the grass more.

[DR RPM]

You can reduce the grass tearing with the rubber tracks by lifting yourself up when turning and and plan your traveling accordingly to reduce your turns. :bash

[nobull1]

I have a opinion on rubber tracks which you can read at this link. Realize that this is only my opinion, and I don't claim to be right. Any questions feel free to ask.rubber tracks (http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=construction&Number=672600&PHPSESSID=&fpart=1#Post672600)

[Steve Frazier]

nobull1, feel free to reprint you opinion here!!