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todays track loaders= big heavy skid steers

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,351
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
I agree, they really are. A track loader won't be as versatile as a skid when you start comparing what kind of attachments can be hooked on the front end. Of course with imagination and money, anything is possible.;)

If I could only have 1 piece of heavy iron to depend on to put food on the table it would be a track loader. Dig, grade, clear, load, demo, etc - all with one machine and to boot the small and mid-range loaders can be put on a tag behind a dump truck. Burnout your ride has to take the lowboy.:D

The track loaders have fell out of popularity somewhat with the newer generation but a testament to their usefulness and versatility is the fact that Cat and Deere have launched new versions/models in the recent years.
 

qball

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2007
Messages
1,072
Location
il
Occupation
local 150 operator
cm, guys, it was 29 degrees today. cold! i had a nice, warm 950g and an old, cabless 963 at my disposal. i ran the 63. track loaders are the best all-around machine in general earthmoving, in my humble opinion.
 

Deeretime

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
344
Location
High River Alberta
Occupation
superintendent
I loved my 555A then 555g and now the 655c II Great versitle machines for whatever you need to do, i just find it sad that no new generations want to use them they prefer a dozer or a CTL/ skid steer .
 

JDOFMEMI

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
3,074
Location
SoCal
Well, here in SoCal, track loaders are almost as scarce as hens teeth. Only ever see them with the demo contractors.
I am a dozer guy, and have always thought about how nice it would be to have a track loader around.
One day I will have the right job that makes sense to rent one, just so I can try it out.
 

DirtHauler

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
507
Location
Seattle WA
Occupation
Heavy Highway Dirt Hauler
cm, guys, it was 29 degrees today. cold! i had a nice, warm 950g and an old, cabless 963 at my disposal. i ran the 63. track loaders are the best all-around machine in general earthmoving, in my humble opinion.

can not argue that. Dad supported our family with a 125E international track loader for 14 years (with a dump truck and tilt trailer) Watching him work was so cool, he could work wonders with it. 4 in 1 bucket of course. Its a 1976 model and he still has it, one owner, he bought it new.
 

Burnout

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
1,448
Location
Edmonton AB
Occupation
Operator at Sureway Construction
Well I all think we knew I was gonna chime in on this right?

I do prefer track loaders now, I was talked into running one in the first place. The reason?.... money. It only took a couple months for me to realize they are a much more fun and versatile machine than I ever thought. As CM said, they are great for loading, grading, clearing, stumping and being awesome.

It is true that the CTL market has exploded in a way in which many people would have never imagined. They are getting huge but as was pointed out in another discussion, you could have a CTL with the same hp numbers as a 943 for example and that 943 will outpush it 95% of the time due to weight alone. Track loaders put their power to the ground with weight, yes they can be clumsy and too heavy sometimes. But I don't see anyone comparing a big CTL to a trim dozer with any amount of success.

As for your lowboy comment CM.... mah 73 hasn't seen one since June. Been walkin it from jobsite to jobsite lol. Granted its only moved a total of about 5 miles since then.
 

blowerman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Messages
100
Location
wisconsin
Love the video's burnout... I don't get why people even try to compare CTL's to tracked loaders. Agree with the comment that they don't even compare to a trim dozer. Unless I'm cleaning up the street, most of our finish grades are with a D5G.
 

JBGASH

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2011
Messages
760
Location
Missouri
Occupation
Plumbing & Excavation Contractor / farmer
I just bought a 953C for that very reasoning. We have a Bobcat compact trackloader that is getting severe use and wear. Our plan is to use the Cat instead of gutting the compact Bobcat trackloader.
 
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