Wheeled vs. Tracks

[stumpsgone.com]

So I am selling my Carlton 4012 wheeled grinder and moving up to a 7015 wheeled grinder. I looked at both wheeled and tracks and came to the conclusion that wheeled is better as over 50% of the work I do is on lawns and I know from running a Bobcat that the tracks really tear a lawn up when you turn. I was just wondering if anyone had any advise? I am always willing to learn

Thanks,
Don
stumpsgone.com

 

[BC WetCoast]

In my area, I've always had problems with tires slipping on wet grass on slopes. But I can't choose to not work depending on weather. We work regardless. So in wet weather grass get chewed up anyways, never had a complaint from customers.

So to answer your question, tracks to me would be nice just for the traction, even 4 wheel drive would help.

 

[Zale]

I would go with the track. If you need to turn, you can put down a piece of plywood and pivot on that. A good operator can minimize the damage.

 

[TC262]

Tires will leave ruts when going over soft ground. Tracks have much less ground pressure. Once you get good at running a tracked unit you will do much less lawn damage than a wheeled machine. As stated earlier you can put down some ply if you need to make a tight pivot.

 

[Menchhofer]

From our experience, wheeled grinder on lawns is always the best way to go. Grinding the stump, re-positioning, turning around, and back and forth movements tear up a lawn with a machine on tracks.

We have used both. Why haul around and screw with plywood when not needed?

Now if you are mostly not working on nice grassy areas, then tracks might suffice. Some very damp areas may also benefit some track usage.

 

[Cupocoffee]

There have been few times when tracks would have benefitted me but at least 50% of my customers would not want tracks on their yards. I have a 4 wheel drive unit. I have had it stuck once. It isn't what it is cracked up to be on the SP7015. I would, however, buy it again. Every advantage you can possibly get is great. If I had to choose between the 4 wheel drive and the blade, I would go with the blade. If I had a lot of land clearing, I would for sure go with tracks. Nearly all my work is residential, farm, and ranch work where tracks just aren't needed. On the other hand, it sure would be nice not to have to take off those outer wheels when going through narrow gates. I do that about one out of ten jobs.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

I have no idea about a grinder but on a skid steer a tracked machine is much more lawn friendly. Turning with a wheeled machine will tear up the ground worse than with a tracked machine.

 

[Menchhofer]

I think you have it backwards.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

With the machines I own/use, the wheeled skid steer tears up the ground much worse. I have a Bobcat S250 with wheels and my buddy has a Case TR270 on tracks we also use at the shop. Both machines about the same size.
The damage I do to the ground around my processor and log decks with the tracked machine in a week I could do easily in a day with the S250. If it's muddy, the S250 will turn it into a heck of a mud bog in pretty short order while the TR270 has much less ground pressure and won't. Have used it in the woods in swampy areas that a person could barely walk on without sinking calf deep.

I think you have it backwards.