Compact Track Loader, whos the best?

[kenhar]

I didn't read near all the replies. You said track loader and most of the responses refer to skid steers with tracks. There is a big difference. A track loader is like a bulldozer with a bucket instead of a blade. I don't know of anyone making them today other than maybe caterpillar. Back in the day, Case, John Deere, Dresser, to name a few, manufactured track loaders. Cat has always been considered the Cadilac of track equipment. I have a Dresser 175C that is comparable to a 977 Cat comparing weight and power but today costs about half as much as the Cat. On a given job, it will work with any comparable size machine.

 

[tassmannn]

I'm a Deere guy, But Cats and Kubotas are great too. Make sure you can get service on whatever you get. In our area, we have a Beard (John Deere) and Ring Power (Cat). Not a big fan of the Kubota dealer here, but their service is great!

 

[todd92]

It also depends on what you plan on using it for. My primary use is the MX track on my farm. I got a Kubota SVL90-2. It's been 100% reliable, does the job and the pros that I hire periodically to make changes, that use CAT's exclusively to build the SX tracks, say they like it better, it's just not what they can rent a bunch of in every city they go to.

However, knowing what I know now, after owning it for 8 years, I would get an ASV, because of the weight distribution. I still can't groom the 2 tallest, steepest jump faces because it always feels like it's on the verge of tipping over backwards. The pros just zip up and down like nothing, but it still scares the hell out of me.

 

[Fixastuff]

I didn't read near all the replies. You said track loader and most of the responses refer to skid steers with tracks. There is a big difference. A track loader is like a bulldozer with a bucket instead of a blade. I don't know of anyone making them today other than maybe caterpillar. Back in the day, Case, John Deere, Dresser, to name a few, manufactured track loaders. Cat has always been considered the Cadilac of track equipment. I have a Dresser 175C that is comparable to a 977 Cat comparing weight and power but today costs about half as much as the Cat. On a given job, it will work with any comparable size machine.

Everyone on here is talking about CTLs Compact track loader, it is the correct term for the machine.

 

[paulsharvey]

Everyone on here is talking about CTLs Compact track loader, it is the correct term for the machine.

Yes, exactly. Another thing, Back Hoe. Technically track hoes are a back hoe, as they "hoe" back towards the machine, but most people "mean" TLB, tractor-loader-backhoe when they say back hoe. The position of the hoe on the machine, front, back, heck the side, does not matter.

 

[Dunno]

As paulsharvey mentioned post #2, I’d look at Gehl machines. I have a 60hp 6625 from 1989, and still going strong. Very simple, not smog or def or electronics to deal with. Not as nice as newer machines, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Made in Wisconsin. Hopefully they’ve kept the torch burning.
Also, look at buying OTT (over the tire) treads for a regular skidsteer. They’re wider -18” - than most tracked skidsterr tracks. I had planned to buy a tracked machine, but I don’t get stuck anywhere now with OTT on my sometimes wet property. If you need to run in tires, you can take treads off, but are a pain the first time you put them on. 1/2 hr to switch over if all goes well.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

When I bought my Kubota SVL 75-2 back in 2022 Deere and Cat were around 18-20k higher for similar sized machines, which was just to much more money for me to justify, lastly I wouldn't own a CTL that didn't have a roll up overhead door, it's a must for working by yourself IMO.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, if the Cat-249 is really at the same price or even lower than competing makes, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to buy a Cat. Much of why some people have avoided them, is they are generally higher dollar than the others. Like them or hate them, noone can deny the big advantage of Cat is parts are always no more than 72 hours away. The Cat dealers also tend to have excellent mechanics. That's not to say Deere doesn't, but if a deere dealer is 80/20 Ag vs Const, they just aren't as good at it. I really would feel confident in saying Cat is the world leader in parts and service.

All of that is strictly based on that Cat249 meeting Your requirements. Somethings like loading over the side of a dump truck (or trailer) can be a deal breaker, or hydralic flow.

 

[Notforhire]

Anyone have experience with the JCB side entry CTL.
JCB must be confident in the single lift arm system as they carry a lifetime warranty on bending/breaking the arm.

 

[paulsharvey]

Anyone have experience with the JCB side entry CTL.
JCB must be confident in the single lift arm system as they carry a lifetime warranty on bending/breaking the arm.

I have never used one, but I have seen several out in the wild. I've seen them a few times as a 18" asphalt milling head host on paving jobs, and a couple times as general grading machines. I haven't heard any complaints.