By McLaren Industries 
Over-The-Tire Tracks vs. Dedicated Track Loaders
When choosing the machinery for your application, a large consideration is whether to opt for a dedicated track skid steer or tired skid steer that you can add over-the-tire tracks to. A CTL or MTL rubber track machine comes with tracks on it already, and you don’t have the option to put tires on it. However, over-the-tire skid steer tracks can be added to tired skid steers to allow them to operate with both tracks and tires. To determine whether you should invest in a skid steer with over-the-tire tracks or a dedicated track machine, consult this helpful guide.
Type of Machine
If you already own a tired skid steer and you’re having issues with flotation and traction, then purchasing over-the-tire tracks is a highly advantageous option. Such OTT tracks can help make the machinery more versatile.
However, if you haven’t purchased a skid steer or compact track loader yet and are trying to decide between purchasing a tracked or tired machine, then one of the most important factors to consider is the type of terrain you plan to operate the machinery on.
Terrain
If you plan to use your machinery for off-road applications at least 50 percent or more of the time, then a dedicated track machine will be the best choice. Because there is a hassle of taking over the tire tracks on and off, a dedicated track loader will be more convenient to operate if you spend at least half of your operating time on off-road surfaces.
However, if you operate the machinery on a hard surface for 70 percent or more of the time, then it would make sense to choose a tired Skid Loader. By adding over the tire tracks you double the amount of jobs your tired skid steer will be able to perform. Wet conditions, mud, and wet clay are very challenging for a pneumatic or solid tire type skid steer without OTT. Over the tire tracks enable your wheeled skid loader to perform 90% of the same jobs as a compact track loader.
Cost
Another important factor to consider when choosing between over-the-tire tracks and dedicated tracks is that a tired skid steer with OTT tracks is significantly less expensive than a tracked skid loader. As such, if you don’t run the machine every day and sometimes prefer to take the tracks off, buying a tired machine can be a good option for those looking for a lower cost skid loader type machine.
Versatility
If you are running the machine every day and doing a large variety of different jobs, then getting a dedicated track machine like a compact track loader or multi terrain loader is advantageous, as they are more versatile. As such, they are a great option for those who don’t necessarily know the type of job they will need to complete using their skid steer.
McLaren Industries makes a wide variety of over-the-tire tracks as well as a multitude of different types of rubber tracks for compact track loaders, skid steers, and ASV type track loaders. McLaren products fit Bobcat, Caterpillar, John Deere, ASV, Polaris, and all other manufacturers of skid steers. In fact, we offer the largest collection of tread patterns for CTLs in the industry. To learn more about our over-the-tire track and dedicated track options, give us a call at (800) 836-0040 or click here to fill out a quote today!