operating a loader questions

krob

Member
I was considering an ASV RC 50 and while researching i came across several discussions concerning operating wheeled vs. tracked machines and if one operated a tracked machine the same as wheeled machine, it would be hard the tracks and undercarriage. I have very little experience in either type, and no formal training of any type with excavating equipment, but was curious as to how they would have to be operated differently to preserve undercarriage.
Also any opinions on that make and model appreciated.
 
a track machine should be turned on a bigger radius , where a tire machine can be turned more sharply. the track turning in the dirt produces large horizontal forces on the undercarriage components, which causes more wear
 
(quoted from post at 04:08:21 05/20/18) a track machine should be turned on a bigger radius , where a tire machine can be turned more sharply. the track turning in the dirt produces large horizontal forces on the undercarriage components, which causes more wear


I didn't realize that they couldn't spin just like the wheeled loaders. But makes sense.
If you were using one for clearing small brush and tearing out fence, which is better, wheeled or tracked?
 
tracked because it has more traction. Wheel machines can be pretty helpless off of concrete unless ground conditions are perfect. That's why they make steel tracks to add onto wheel machines.
 
(quoted from post at 00:22:06 05/20/18)
(quoted from post at 04:08:21 05/20/18) a track machine should be turned on a bigger radius , where a tire machine can be turned more sharply. the track turning in the dirt produces large horizontal forces on the undercarriage components, which causes more wear


I didn't realize that they couldn't spin just like the wheeled loaders. But makes sense.
If you were using one for clearing small brush and tearing out fence, which is better, wheeled or tracked?

They CAN spin in an area smaller than a wheeled loader, but it's real hard on the undercarriage. And once you pop a track off a larger machine and have to get the thing back on by yourself, you'll be very, very attuned to the sounds your undercarriage is making as you turn! :roll:
 
A robust track machine will be very enduring if you're working in dirt no matter how much you turn or spin but in sandy/gravely ground conditions you shorten the undercarriage
life considerably. If you buy a track machine with a half decent undercarriage and you run it part time for yourself it will last you a long time. If you consider reselling a track
machine don't wear out the track system before trying to sell or else you'll be stuck with a parts machine.
 
I've run many caterpillar 955's and 977's, + a bunch of pay loaders, large and small.
Usually, when loading trucks all day, you set up in a "K" pattern from the stockpile to the truck, with both machines. Turning, abrasive soils like sand, all have associated undercarriage wear, and accelerated undercarriage wear with the latter.

One of the differences in wear with track type tractors, agriculture vs earthmoving is that an ag tractor will have smaller idlers, for easier turning, and won't see as much turning and reverse operation that a dozer or crawler loader will see. Ag tractors typically do not wear out undercarriages as fast as a tractor used in earth work, construction, etc.

For brush and clearing/grubbing, I would likely prefer a track type tractor and a crawler loader is not a bad choice, considering tire punctures. 4 in 1 bucket is also very handy on one of these. Not to say you can't do it with a loader, but less ground pressure, and no tires to puncture are valid things to consider.

Crawler loaders, such as the ones I mentioned operating above, have "fixed" track frames, meaning they do not oscillate over rough terrain, like a dozer will. More stability from being fixed for loader operations, but I have cleared plenty of wood land, young forest and over grown areas with crawler loaders. I used to get sent to clear the staked out easements for pipe with these + was assigned to take some big and dangerous trees down as well. Avoid anything dangerous like that, don't even consider it. I was and still am an experienced operator and I immediately questioned doing the task with just a crawler loader. Ended up hijacking one of the large excavators on site to work safely together and get it done safely. Dig out one side and push over. All trees can present danger, large and small.
 
Billy is right!! This is what a tree can do!!


mvphoto16972.jpg
 
The ASV loader will have rubber tracks like a mini-excavator and unlike the steel tracks of the bigger dozers and track loaders. Even a small steel tracked dozer or loader is way more machine than the
ASV, especially weight wise. Are you comparing rubber tired skid loaders to the ASV or a regular tractor style wheeled loader? If it's a wheeled skid loader to a tracked skid loader (ASV) the tracked one
will outperform the rubber tired one. It's easier on the ground, can traverse softer ground and gets better traction in all conditions. However those tracks aren't cheap and going over rocks, tree stumps,
steel fence posts and the like are very hard on them. In those conditions the tires probably wear better and are certainly cheaper to replace, especially if it's only one tire of 4. I don't have a tracked
skidloader but have used one where the our skidsteer was useless due to soft ground. Many people think that because it can, skidsteers should be spun around on the spot all the time when turning. In
all cases that's hard on the machine, tracked or tired and if the ground is soft will scar it up fast. No matter what type of machine, sandy ground or stone is harder wearing than clay, in my experience.
Will keep the parts nice and shiny though. If you're working on paved ground either one is ok, the tired skid loader will probably be cheaper and more plentiful on the used market, if you're shopping
there. For pavement, I'd be looking for a machine with steerable wheels, not a skid steer. Hope this helps. MK
 

I have a ASV RC85, love the machine but they do have their limitations, best riding tracked loader you'll find, highest ground clearance for less chance of bellying out, great for landscaping work, non aggressive thread doesn't get good traction in wet slick clay type mud or on wet grassy slopes.
Rubber tracks don't like sharp rocks, broken concrete, rebar or any other hard objects that can cut or tear into the track. Tracks are expensive, $18-2100 each, I have nearly 2000 hrs on my present under carriage and tracks and expect to get another 1000 hrs out of them, the original owner destroyed the original tracks in less than 900 hours.
A option that several friends use is a rubber tired skid steer with a set of steel tracks they can install over the tires.
They can't do the work mine does but they can get a little more aggressive with them in rocky areas.

Keep in mind these are skid steers, not dozers or high lifts, your right up front where the works at, I've had a couple of small tree limbs and green briers up in the cage with me, I'm looking at a protective door for mine to keep me separated from the work.
 

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