Track performance in snow

[Dunmovin]

Looking at a T190 but have been told that the standard rubber tracks don't perform well in snow. Wondering whether I should look into an S185 and perhaps add steel over tire tracks.
Have bush block with steep sections (mostly dry loose material not much mud) with the local Bobcat dealers recommends a tracked Bobcat only. Does anyone have experience or recommendations with tracked verses over tire tracks?

Dunmovin

 

[Keller]

Rubber tracks work great in the snow.


They fail in ice!

 

[Dunmovin]

Rubber tracks work great in the snow.

They fail in ice!

Appreciate that but then how do you solve the ice problem (Bobcat Dealer described them as a toboggan !). On a tired skid steer chains are the solution. What's the solution for tracker loaders?

Txs

Dunmovin

 

[Rustyiron]

Hey Dunmovin, what are, is bush blocks? I like my over the tire tracks for the mud and gen. dirt work, and tire chains for in the snow. The tracked machine may provide a little bit of float on the snow but for traction you can't beat tire chains. I'll take that one more step by saying that for the OTT is way better for traction in the woods and "greasy" mud, but they clearly loose to a track machine on flotation in the very deep goo! Way less $$ initally and in the long run too.

 

[Dunmovin]

Hey Dunmovin, what are, is bush blocks? I like my over the tire tracks for the mud and gen. dirt work, and tire chains for in the snow. The tracked machine may provide a little bit of float on the snow but for traction you can't beat tire chains. I'll take that one more step by saying that for the OTT is way better for traction in the woods and "greasy" mud, but they clearly loose to a track machine on flotation in the very deep goo! Way less $$ initally and in the long run too.

Rustyiron

You've confirmed by suspicions - I'm in the interior of southern BC, Canada and it's either snowing in winter or pretty dry in summer so mud is not a really issue. Ground tends to be dry loose material. For much of the year tires should work perfectly and i prefer the flexibility of chains winter and OTT if the conditions get really loose or muddy

Many thanks

Dunmovin

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Tracks are bad in snow. You need the ground pressure to get traction in snowly/icy conditions.

 

[schmism]

my friends t190 (standard sq pad tracks) that i drove this winter to do farm chores, absolutely SUCKED in the snow. even the smallest incline (like just a few inches over 8-10' pad in front of the garage) brought the machine to a stand still and had it sliding around uncontrollably.

and nothing to put chains on....

 

[Doc_Bob]

Tracks are bad in snow. You need the ground pressure to get traction in snowly/icy conditions.

So, I assume a skid steer with tires is better? I know nothing about the subject, so please don't take my questions as being rude. I am completely ignorant! Would a skid steer be a better choice for moving snow, etc that a tractor with R1?

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Yes. Wheeled skid loaders are about the best small machines for moving snow.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Yes. Wheeled skid loaders are about the best small machines for moving snow.

Thank you. And would chains on all 4 wheels help? Any problems with chains?
Bob