When it comes to the jobsite, there’s no replacement for a machine that can do your heavy lifting while providing power, performance and versatility in a small package. Visit any construction site and you’ll likely see a skid steer or compact track loader hard at work, making them a ‘must-have’ for contractors. There’s no question about ‘if’ you need one of these pieces of equipment on the jobsite, it’s a matter of choosing the right one.
Before compact track loaders started showing up on construction sites in the mid-1980s, the skid steer reigned supreme, which is no surprise given its perfect combination of agility and power. But, according to industry sales reports, in 2015 sales of compact track loaders surpassed skid steers for the first time.
According to Tim Boulds, construction product operations manager for Kubota Tractor Corporation, compact track loaders are gaining traction in the market due to their rubber tracks and their ability to navigate jobsites with extra flotation, especially in the wet weather months. Additionally, a dedicated undercarriage should give added power while dispersing the weight of the entire machine through multiple track contract points for a lighter footprint.
These benefits aside, both pieces of equipment have their place on jobsites. Before determining which one is right for your project, consideration should be placed on assessing the conditions of the jobsite and the specific tasks you need to accomplish.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself when selecting the right machine.
1. What are the jobsite surfaces and terrain?
Are you working on asphalt, concrete or other hard or abrasive surfaces? If so, the skid steers’ tires tend to be better suited for these surfaces. On the other hand, compact track loaders excel on soft soils like mud, sand or clay. As mentioned above, a compact track loader also has the advantage when working in inclement weather.
2. Is speed and ground disturbance a consideration?
Are you working on a big construction site where speed is an advantage? Or do you require a tight turning radius? If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, then a skid steer has the upper hand. However, if you’re working on a surface where you need to minimize ground disturbance, such as on turf, the compact track loader is the better choice.
3. What is your budget and ability to maintain the equipment?
Skid steers are typically more affordable and easier to maintain than compact track loaders. According to Boulds, it is less expensive to replace the tires on a Kubota skid steer than it is to replace the rubber tracks on the track loader, however, if properly used and maintained, the tracks on a track loader will last longer than the tires on the skid steer.
Whether you’ve determined if a skid steer or compact track loader is the right piece of equipment for your jobsite, you can’t go wrong with Kubota’s SSV Series skid steers or SVL Series compact track loaders.
Still have questions about how a Kubota SSV Series skid steer or SVL Series compact track loader could benefit your jobsite? Reach out to a local Kubota dealer to set up a product demo or test drive.