Tracked vs rubber tire stump grinders

[2treeornot2tree]

Wanted to see what everyone thought about the tracked stump grinders vs the rubber tire ones.

I am looking at buying a carlton 7015 grinder. I cant decide between tracked or tired. I know each has cons and pros but what one is better? Does anyone have a tracked grinder?

I am also looking at a used 8018 carlton grinder, but one thing that concerns me about it is the fact that its 50" wide, so it wont fit through a 36" gate.

 

[MOE]

Wanted to see what everyone thought about the tracked stump grinders vs the rubber tire ones.

I am looking at buying a carlton 7015 grinder. I cant decide between tracked or tired. I know each has cons and pros but what one is better? Does anyone have a tracked grinder?

I am also looking at a used 8018 carlton grinder, but one thing that concerns me about it is the fact that its 50" wide, so it wont fit through a 36" gate.

Depends on your needs. If you are doing mostly residential work on fairly level lawns, I'd get a wheeled machine. The benefits are they are cheaper, simpler,less up keep, and easier on lawns. If you are working on slopes or doing some land clearing, I'd get a track machine. If you deal with 36" gates, and want tracks, get a 7015 trx instead of an 8018. I have an 8018; it's a beast of a machine that destroys stumps but it's also big and heavy. It's a good machine for land clearing as well the downside is I've lost some jobs because I couldn't get through a gate. You also have to be carefull on lawns. It will tear when you turn if you're not carefull. I have to use plywood sometimes.

 

[2treeornot2tree]

I do mainly residental tree service. I have only once had to go threw a gate, and that stump was only 8" diameter

 

[AshTree]

Track vs Tire

Tracks are Awesome, on smaller units they are very useful and actually just as easy on the lawn if your somewhat careful. I have no experience on a larger unit with tracks but I am stunned to hear that you have only encountered one gate, I am always fighting for access, I am getting used to taking fence sections out to get stump or stems out or down.

 

[2treeornot2tree]

Most people down here that have fences, have sections that open up enough to drive a truck in.

 

[OLD MAN GRINDER]

Most people down here that have fences, have sections that open up enough to drive a truck in.

Same down here, only once in the last 8 yrs have i had to take my duals off to
get thru a gate.......but i do a lot of grinding where there are sprinkler systems etc,
so i don't think a tracked machine would be practical for me....

Bob....

 

[2treeornot2tree]

Not many sprinklers here, at least not where i do work at.

 

[OLD MAN GRINDER]

Not many sprinklers here, at least not where i do work at.

I hear ya....being born and raised in johnstown, pa, and then 20 years in northern
ohio b4 moving to texas, i don't remember seeing sprinkler systems, probably weather
has something to do with it :hmm3grin2orange:

Bob....

 

[B-Edwards]

If your still considering tracked or wheeled I would say it depends on where you are located, hilly or flat. Flat ground a wheeled machine works fine and you can use one in hilly areas also but I would buy tracked for hilly conditions. Simple answer but it covers the question completely in my opinion. Good luck