Are you researching compact equipment to add to your construction fleet? Comparing your options is a necessary part of the process. The clearest difference between skid steer loaders (SSLs) and compact track loaders (CTLs) is how they move — SSLs are equipped with rubber tires, while CTLs operate on two parallel rubber or steel tracks. Though both powerhouse machines enhance fleets, their differences dictate when investing in one over the other is beneficial.
Pros and Cons of Skid Steers
Significant benefits of skid steers include:
- Speed: While you may not need to reach top speeds on-site, a skid steer’s quickness means you can drive it between sites without loading it onto a trailer.
- Maneuverability: It’s easy to make tight turns on a skid steer. If you’re working in especially tight areas, this machinery can nearly rotate in place.
- Cost: Wheeled machines typically cost less than tracked machines because tracked machines have a more expensive undercarriage.
- Lightweight: The tires make SSLs more lightweight.
- Less frequent maintenance: Skid steers allow easy access to the undercarriage, which makes maintenance simple.
Potential considerations of skid steers include:
- Not suited for uneven or soft terrain: Skid steers distribute weight through their four tires. This is not a huge concern on flat ground but can impact stability and balance on wet or soft terrain. Additionally, tires may pop when run over especially tough or uneven terrain.
- Tire maintenance needs: Tires eventually wear out. However, prioritizing planned maintenance, such as checking air pressure and removing debris from treads, can lengthen your tires’ life spans.
- Strength: While large-frame models can help with heavy-duty jobs, a skid steer’s weight distribution and traction mean it can’t lift the same size loads as CTLs. These machines also offer less horsepower.
Common Applications for Skid Steers
Skid steers are primarily used for digging. However, they can also:
- Clear soil, waste and debris from a worksite.
- Drill holes and create trenches.
- Move bales of hay in agriculture applications.
- Clear away snow and ice.
- Assist with foundation backfilling.
Skid steers aren’t ideal for:
- Working on sloped or uneven terrain.
- Operating in the rain.
- Driving in messy environments.
Pros and Cons of Compact Track Loaders
Consider the following benefits of compact track loaders:
- Smoother ride: The tracks provide a smoother riding experience, meaning you’re less likely to get jostled around when you hit bumps.
- Ideal for uneven or soft terrain: CTLs distribute weight over their two parallel tracks, making them suitable for wet, uneven or soft terrain.
- Less downtime: Compact track loaders allow you to work during rainy conditions, and there’s no risk of punctured or deflated tires.
- Slope handling: Going up and down slopes is easier with tracked machines because they have additional ground contact and a lower center of gravity. Traveling across slopes isn’t recommended.
- Strength: Because CTLs have a more even weight distribution and better traction, they’re suitable for lifting heavier loads without slipping. They also have greater horsepower than SSLs.
There are also some considerations to be aware of, including:
- Less efficient turns: Counter-rotating can result in debris getting stuck in the undercarriage and premature wear. Instead, operators should use three-point turns.
- Complex maintenance requirements: While you won’t have to check tire pressure, tracked machines have more complex maintenance requirements because the undercarriage is more inaccessible.
Common Applications for Compact Track Loaders
Tracks provide better “flotation” on uneven or soft terrain. They’re ideal for completing projects in wet conditions and traversing soft terrain like grass without damage. They can help with the following tasks:
- Construction
- Forestry
- Mining
- Paving
- Demolition
- Landscaping
Compact track loaders are less suitable for:
- Working on hard surfaces, which can damage the treads.
- Navigating especially tight spaces where tight turns are necessary.
Skid Steer vs. Compact Track Loader FAQs
Compare skid steers and compact track loaders below.
1. How Much Does a Skid Steer vs. Compact Track Loader Cost?
The cost of purchasing or renting equipment will depend on your location and the distributor you work with. However, skid steers are typically more affordable than compact track loaders.
2. What Are the Maintenance and Operating Costs?
Skid steers cost less money to maintain. Compact track loaders require more frequent maintenance — especially if the tracks undergo a lot of wear and tear — and replacing tracks is more expensive than replacing tires. Additionally, CTLs are heavier, which translates to higher fuel and transportation costs in the long run.
However, compact track loaders generate some on-site savings. Their higher horsepower means they can accommodate heavier loads, which can increase operational efficiency.
3. What Attachments Are Available?
Both machines can be fitted with various attachments, including:
- Grapple buckets
- Drill bit augers
- Pallet forks
- Brushcutters
- Box blades
- Landscape tillers
- Brooms
Often, these attachments are interchangeable between machines, but you should consult your owner’s manual for confirmation.
4. How Much Does a Skid Steer vs. Compact Track Loader Weigh?
Compact track loaders are generally heavier than skid steers. Small-frame skid steers have an operating capacity between 1,300 and 1,750 pounds, while large-frame SSLs have an operating capacity in the 2,000-pound range — though some can have a capacity up to 3,000 pounds.
5. Which Machine Is Better for Cleanup?
When a machine gets the job done and assists with cleanup, you know you’ve made a good investment. Both machines help, depending on the jobsite. Compact track loaders are best for cleaning sites on soft surfaces like grass, while skid steers are better suited for cleaning sites on hard surfaces like concrete.
6. How Can You Decide Between a Skid Steer and a Compact Track Loader?
Asking yourself the following questions can help you choose between these two powerhouse machines:
- Terrain: What is the jobsite like? Is the terrain hard and flat or soft and uneven?
- Transportation: How important is speed? Will you need to transport the machine between sites yourself?
- Space: Is there enough space to make three-point turns? Do you need to make tighter turns?
- Lifting: How much horsepower do you need? Do you need a heavier machine with greater horsepower?
- Budget: Do you have the budget to invest in a more expensive machine with more maintenance needs?
- Operator experience: Do you want a machine that offers a smoother ride?
Still Deciding? Rent a Skid Steer or Compact Track Loader From Carolina Cat
There’s no better way to determine the best addition to your fleet than to try equipment out for yourself. Renting a skid steer or compact track loader from Carolina Cat allows you to gauge each machine’s performance and features before making a purchase. We also offer rent-to-purchase options should you find a machine that perfectly enhances operations.
At Carolina Cat, we’re committed to being a trusted partner in your success. Explore our range of Cat® rental equipment, including skid steers and compact track loaders, and get the job done. If you’re ready to purchase, take advantage of raw Caterpillar power and explore new machines and used construction equipment from Carolina Cat.
