New Cat option

[Robbie Hegwood]

Here are a few pictures from a CAT demo today. The tractor is a 256C that has the VTS track system installed. The head is our DAF-180D high flow. I thought we were going to be down on H.P. but the little tractor suprized me.

 

[john_bud]

Robbie,

Can you down size the pictures for us slllllooooooowwwww connection people?

Thanks!
jb

 

[Tigerotor77W]

So what's the verdict on the 256C?

 

[Cat_Driver]

So it's wheel loader with after market tracks??

 

[rutwad]

So it's wheel loader with after market tracks??

Yep, wheel loader with aftermarket tracks. Fairly common on Cat SSL's.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

If you were asking my opinion as to the best setup from CAT I would suggest the 297C, The most H.P. you can get. But this 256C is the smallest tractor in the new C class and it performed well. 82 hp I think. It handled the weight good and I cut about 90% of what I cut with the 297. I think it could be summed up with the only real difference was a little better recovery time with the extra hp. I wouldn't run the 256 with tires, I think it should have a track system of some sort. The VTS did well and is very open to dispurse debri.

 

[Cat_Driver]

OK, I don't get it. Why not just buy a track unit?

Is it that the conversion is so much cheaper? Also when you buy a track unit your getting a unit with tracks specifically designed for the model.

Putting after market stuff on a wheeled machine will open you up for a lot of finger pointing if something goes wrong. NO it's the track unit that made the machine fail - NO it's the machine that failed, etc. etc. etc.

Been there done that with finger pointing and manufacturers, only the consumer loses.

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

Aren't those C-series machines smooth? I ran a 256C and was impressed.

 

[Tigerotor77W]

How does it compare to the S250?

 

[plowrup]

OK, I don't get it. Why not just buy a track unit?

Is it that the conversion is so much cheaper? Also when you buy a track unit your getting a unit with tracks specifically designed for the model.

Putting after market stuff on a wheeled machine will open you up for a lot of finger pointing if something goes wrong. NO it's the track unit that made the machine fail - NO it's the machine that failed, etc. etc. etc.

Been there done that with finger pointing and manufacturers, only the consumer loses.

The upside to the Loegering Track System is that you can have both-a tired machine for say, Winter use for plowing, and a CTL for hills. lifting and other CTL operations.

We have sold a few of the Loegering System Tracks (what is on that 256C)-they do gear the unit down-we put two new units of the same h.p. nose-to-nose (one with the Logering, the other a dedicated CTL) and pushed-the Loegering pushed the CTL straight back-why? It lowers the gearing, takes away some of the top speed.

Loegering offers a Warranty of the drive system you can buy from them-it makes me wonder why? We haven't had a failure yet, but I wonder-the drive systems of a tired Skid Steer are completely different than a CTL, so I wonder how long the chains and such will last.

It also seems to move the center of gravity forward for increased lifting-lots of great reasons, but I will hold out until I see how well the rest of the machine lasts-our Manufacturer said they would not warrant a machine with them on-we'll see-

 

[Digdeep]

The upside to the Loegering Track System is that you can have both-a tired machine for say, Winter use for plowing, and a CTL for hills. lifting and other CTL operations.

We have sold a few of the Loegering System Tracks (what is on that 256C)-they do gear the unit down-we put two new units of the same h.p. nose-to-nose (one with the Logering, the other a dedicated CTL) and pushed-the Loegering pushed the CTL straight back-why? It lowers the gearing, takes away some of the top speed.

Loegering offers a Warranty of the drive system you can buy from them-it makes me wonder why? We haven't had a failure yet, but I wonder-the drive systems of a tired Skid Steer are completely different than a CTL, so I wonder how long the chains and such will last.

It also seems to move the center of gravity forward for increased lifting-lots of great reasons, but I will hold out until I see how well the rest of the machine lasts-our Manufacturer said they would not warrant a machine with them on-we'll see-

From what I have seen and heard all of the manufacturers void their warranty when a customer puts the VTS on their machines. I guess i see their point. If I'm correct, the front chains no longer share the load when the VTS is installed (the front hub free spins) and all of a sudden you have two rear chains that have the burden of all of that extra weight and traction. I can't see how it wouldn't reduce the life of the chains and sprokets. As far as the rest of the machine I can imagine some accelerated wear on the loader booms. After all, you just increased the ROC of the machine by a large amount and increase the torque and stress on the booms with all of the extra traction. How would your arms and joints hold up if you had to start lifting and pushing an extra 30-50% of weight without any increase in your tendon or muscle size or strength? I like the sytem but have to wonder why the manufacturers void warranty and Loegering sells one to replace the manufacturers.

 

[DirtyWorks]

My Cat dealer honors the waranty fully when VTS is installed. The system for my new 272c lists for 16K. and average costs per hr estimates $3 per hr for undercarage. I opted to try the steel OTT first for only $3200 and cost <$1 per hr. I am in the woods over 80% of the time and in a wetter environment. If I was on hardpack or sensitive areas the VTS would have been a great choice just not for my situation. I can always add it later if I need. If skid lasts 3k hrs i would have saved $22K (16K initial + 3000hrs x $3hr wear and tear minus @3000 wear and tear) Traction has been great so far Way better than the T-300 or RC-100! Just for coparison average cost on ASV undercarage is between $11-15 per hr maint. In the same 3000 hrs thats over $33K in savings! plus the twenty grand dif in machine costs and the Cat 272 is virtually FREE!!!!!!!