What Machine Should I Be Looking At?

[Greg_Phillips]

I am in need of some opinions here. I am in the planing stages of building a small (1/8-1/6 mile) oval dirt track for testing go karts and some other small racers. I am hoping to start on it in the next year or so, and I am starting to look at the equipment I will need to build it. I had been thinking I might need to find a small dozer, but I have began wondering about about a tracked skid steer with a 4-in-1 bucket. I know with the dozer I would be able to move more dirt at a time but with the skid steer I would be able to use it cleaning out cattle and horse barns and for some other uses on our farm. So what do you guys think small dozer or track loader with 4-in-1 bucket?

 

[DIRTROAD]

A grader would be the best at maintaining the track.

A dozer would work better for building the track.

A skid steer works good as a multi-tool. (jack of all trades, master of none!)

Why not hire someone to build the track, and then purchase whatever you feel would work for maintenance.

 

[20 20]

tracked skid steer would be your best bet

 

[jinman]

I think a lot depends on where you are building the track and what kind of excavation it will require. If you already have a flat area, that skidsteer can do amazing things once you get used to using it. A skidsteer or dozer is going to beat you up because they're like riding a bucking bronc, but the skidsteer can turn on a dime and run circles around most dozers if it doesn't have to reshape a lot of hills and rough terrain. I know a fellow with a full-sized loader backhoe, ag tractors, dozer, and skidsteer. Guess which is his choice for most jobs? Yep, the skidsteer is easier to work, transport, and maintain. My vote is for a skidsteer either to do the job or following hiring a dozer to do the heavy work.

 

[Greg_Phillips]

While I haven't made a final a decision on where to build the track, it will be on a piece of land that I already own that is mostly flat. So there won't have to be a lot of excavation done, just the shaping of the dirt that we use for the track.

We also have a cattle farm and a couple of horses, so I would be able to find several other uses for a tracked skid steer. My thinking was by getting a 4-in-1 bucket, I would have a way to push dirt and /or manure, and hopefully be able to use it to grade the track and our drive ways around the house.

 

[jgrreed]

Agree with Jinman - hire out the heavy building stuff - cat,trackhoe,grader - if needed, and get yourself a bobcat for maintenance. A nice compact tractor might do the job too....

I often wonder if I would've been better with a skidsteer, but the attachments are REALLY expensive, as they're all hydro driven. I love running them, but the price......io!!!

If you do go the SS route, definitely get tracks. It's only my opinion, but CAT is my favorite for comfort and ease of use. Have run JD332 and Bobcat T300 too. JD was very 'raw', Bobcat didn't seem as smooth as the CAT 252 I used to punch all my postholes in with.

The more I think about it, the more I think you should look at a tractor with loader, boxblade, tiller, disc, rake, etc.

Remember to dial-before-you-dig!!

-Jer.

 

[Greg_Phillips]

I already have a tractor with a tiller and a disc, been looking for a power harrow and some type of roller. Have thought about having one of our local dozer operators come in and clean out two of our ponds here on the farm (they need a clean out in the worst way) and then use what is cleaned out as the base of the track. Then I may be able to do some of the finish work on it.

I work for a rural telecommunications company so with out a doubt I will have everything located before anything is done. Out here where we are phone cable is the only burried public utility we have, so getting it located won't be a problem.

 

[jgrreed]

I already have a tractor with a tiller and a disc, been looking for a power harrow and some type of roller. Have thought about having one of our local dozer operators come in and clean out two of our ponds here on the farm (they need a clean out in the worst way) and then use what is cleaned out as the base of the track. Then I may be able to do some of the finish work on it.

I work for a rural telecommunications company so with out a doubt I will have everything located before anything is done. Out here where we are phone cable is the only burried public utility we have, so getting it located won't be a problem.

Sweet, your set.

I just found out a couple weeks ago that 'the pipeline' running through our back pasture is actually 6 pipes, 2 of which are 48" in diameter, and run at a pressure high enough to keep natural gas and propane in their liquid forms!!! Holy crap!!

If you ever read about a gas line explosion outside of Regina, it's been nice knowin' you all!!! I won't have felt a thing..... :ashamed:

-Jer.

 

[sweettractors]

I have a nice Cat D3B dozer for sale at $15,000. I have finished all my farm projects and don't need it any longer. Ken Sweet

 

[Pops15]

Since kart tracks are usually flat and you said you're going to build the track on flat ground using material a contractor is going to dig out of your pond, I'd suggest having the contractor spread the material from the pond where you want the track. Then get yourself a roller and a grader. You could even build a roller. You should be able to find an old grader for cheap. You won't be able to grade the track smooth enough with a skid loader. I think you'll find the power harrow you said you wanted to be very useful in maintaining your track. They're great for cutting up the rubber if you run allot of laps.