What size COMPACT TRACK LOADER best works for MX TRACK

Kubota asv95

bobcat t190

The size of the machine directly influences the amount of earth that can be moved. In the grand scheme of a mx/sx track, track loaders are small potatoes. Unless you have other equipment and a reason for small specialized equipment, think big

I would recommend against owning (but especially buying used) any Cat model that ends in a 7, or any ASV model. The reason being is that they have a suspended undercarriage that is exponentially more expensive to maintain/replace, and they don't grade as well. If you want CAT, the models that end with a 9 have a more rigid undercarriage that will be less maintenance, grade better, but ride a little rougher. 

Without knowing many details, I would recommend the 65-75hp range, with approx 72" width. If you're looking at Cat, this would be a 259/279/289. There is also vertical vs radial lift boom (cat 279), but for track work, either will do. 

I recently bought a New Holland L228. This is a wheeled machine, not a tracked machine. It weights 8340lbs not counting the bucket. You can find wheeled machines for much less than tracked. They are also MUCH less money to maintain. NO sprockets or tracks to have to replace or deal with issues. For track building, the wheel machines pack dirt great and are not an issue if you are not working in mud a lot. And if you will be, you can purchase chain www.tractiontracks.com for them fairly cheap too. Mine is a 74Hp machine and it will push and pick up plenty of dirt. I just rebuilt my track with it. As long as you stay over 66hp and 8k lbs , you will be good on weight. Also, you will want to decide whether to buy a foot pedal machine vs joystick operation for the bucket. I have heard that pedal machines have higher break out capability. I was only used to joystick, but after 8-10hrs of operations, the pedals are no issue at all now. 

Also, consider what dealers are near you, and do they have a good parts/service department? Don't go buy a Takeuchi if the nearest dealer is 150miles away. Heavy equipment isn't like moto, there isn't a lot of aftermarket replacment parts and the aftermarket is usually sh*t!. I would also recommend staying away from the brands that don't specialize in dirt equipment, or suck at it....like Gehl, Mustang, JCB. If you get a Cat/Deere/Bobcat/Kubota/Takeuchi, there will always be parts/service available and good resale. 

A Bobcat T190 is on the smaller size 7600 pounds and 61HP and the Kubota SVL95 is at the upper end being over  11k pounds and 96HP.

If You want or need to move a lot of dirt , get the biggest one You can afford. For a MX track even the bigger ones will not be too big. There are some newer models that are giant's . Case has the Minotaur its 18K pounds. But its  expensive and very new to the market. If You just need to groom , almost any size machine will work. And a smaller one might be easier for a less experienced operator to run.  I would go with a Cat 299  or a Deere 333G if money was not a factor.  Both are 100HP machines and over 10K pounds.

There are 2 styles of tracks. The Cat 257 has an ASV style undercarriage that has suspension and is a smoother riding machine. But it will cost more to maintain than the style undercarriage on a Cat 259. 

Machines that are older or under 75HP will not have Def fluid. So less issues and easier to maintain.

Some machines do not have High flow hydraulics and that limits the attachments You can run.  A mulching head,some brush mowers and some power rakes need High flow. If You want to do any clearing, or want to remove rocks from the soil High flow would be needed to run most of those style attachments. Something to keep in mind.

I worked for a developer and put in roads , built MX tracks and did site work for years before doing what I do now. I have run modern and older equipment. Modern stuff will be easier and more comfortable to run. Older stuff will be more simple to fix if it breaks, but parts could be an issue.  When I was doing dirt work as my job, we had a Cat D3 dozer that was 30 years old, and Cat had 99% of everything we ever needed in stock. Cat stuff can sometimes be more $$. We had a Cat and Case skid steer back then that were both new. The Case  was slower , but easier to operate for less skilled operators. The Cat was super fast and smooth, but the guys who were not running machines all day prefered the Case since it gave them more time to think. I have not run a Case newer than 2008 so they may not be slower now.

If You are buying one, I would suggest You rent something to try before You buy. If You just plan on renting, I would get the biggest one You can.  Cat,and Deere are my favorites. I was used to running 60-80 HP machines. And then the last time I rented a machine they sent me a Deere 333G. That machine is amazing!! Its like a small dozer. So much power! It's the machine I will use when I'm working on my trail system. I have been slowly building a network of trails that will be like a rally track, motocross track, etc. But in the woods. If You have to cut any trees down, Pull the stumps , don't waste time grinding them. You'll still have the roots left over. If You have to do any clearing, a small excavator might make more sense.     

I would be less worried about parts availability with any Cat machine than other brands. The style undercarriage the 247 has will be more expensive to maintain than the style on a 249. If You are not working  in dirt with sharp rocks , or on asphalt or other hard surfaces and You are the owner/operator You can get them to last longer and they will be smoother . I think that style undercarriage also puts less pressure on the ground.  Like some ASV style track machines will put less than 2 PSI of pressure on the ground VS 3 to 4 PSI with the style tracks the 249, or 259 have.   Better if You worry about getting stuck in mud. I'm not really sure if it would impact how well it packs a jump face or not.  since it will be the same weight just spread out more.

One piece of equipment usually isn't enough. If the track gets ridden a lot the recipe for success Ive seen is a dozer and a tractor with a bucket and a box scraper/tiller (depending on the dirt).

I bought a 450 John Deere straight blade dozer for track building 35 years ago, still use it today. Given time you can move a lot, build big tabletops, doubles, monza turns and rockers. The tracks pack the jumps well too. Back then I gave $7k for it with a fresh rebuild on the tracks.

This is very true

I have 14-17-5 tires on mine. It does good packing the ramps too. However, if you had one with smaller tires  you would sink much faster in soft dirt. Tracks would be better in that case. I guess it depends on your budget. If you get Over Tire Tracks , they are removable without a lot of hassle. You can get 12-16.5 tires with OTT and have best of both options. 

Everyone here has had some great advice. (and yes- stay away from those CAT ASV's. Our construction company runs 300+ CAT units and we ended up running another brand of compact loaders until CAT got into the 259/279/289 models- of which we now have numerous ones.)

I strongly second what The real Sasquatch mentioned about renting FIRST. You might ultimately find out what works best for you, and what doesn't work for you before you lay out any investment in anything. Another plus to this (as someone else already mentioned) is that you might find you need more than one piece of equipment. You might actually want to rent a larger piece to do new layouts / major updates/ new obstacles to your track. You can then either rent something smaller for regular or occasional dress-up work, or-- you might find that this helps you to decide what you'd actually want to purchase. (things like dozer vs.compact loader vs. skid steer, etc...)

Have you seen what some Home Depots rent? I rented a brush hog this weekend and was looking at their arsenal of mini-excavators, track and tired loaders, even tandem dump trailers you could haul dirt in with, etc! If you don't have a good rental center at your local Depot, there is always United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals, and every CAT Dealer has its own rental center (among others).

Don't forget that many of these can fit attachments. Especially like a compact track loader where you could rent or buy a angle dozer blade for some work and switch between it and a bucket depending on what you are working on.

I've been in construction my entire life (family construction business) and have made MX tracks with everything at my disposal.

Professionally - I've never been a big fan of renting something you use all the time and might as well own and have equity in. However- There's a lot to be said for renting what you need only as its needed, taking out the usually fairly cheap insurance coverage on it, and returning it for them to worry about! LOL!

It really depends on how much you plan to use it - but you might find that renting when needed fits the bill- or some combo where you own something that you can use for the main part and supplement it with rental attachments or equipment when needed.

Good luck regardless which direction you go with this!

Dozer to build and an excavator/dump truck to move dirt. Moving dirt with a machine takes forever. If you just want to have fun and build the track slowly, you can use just about anything. Most of my track I built with a 25hp backhoe, but you don’t get much accomplished in a day of running it. Track loader/skid steer are nice for finishing touches.

For building a new track a dozer would work better for most stuff. But a track loader will be more versatile . If its just You and a couple buddies riding, You could groom and maintain the track with a track loader. If it will be a business I think You'll want a dozer.  I've built tracks with dozers,skid steers/track loaders, excavators mini and 20 ton. And a dozer is best for most types of materials.   

If I had a field or area that did not need any clearing. I would rent a dozer and build a track up with it.  A track loader would be more handy long term  if You can only buy a single piece of equipment.   I would buy a track loader and rent a dozer. With all of the attachments available, You can rent as needed and buy the ones You use often. They will do everything. Just might not be as fast doing everything .  If You are  totally new to operating , a dozer will be harder to run well than a track loader so keep that in mind too. 

A tractor would be a good secondary piece of equipment if its an outdoor style track.  If its going to be a Supercross or arenacross style track. A dozer to build most of it. track loader to groom and maintain. Rent a dozer for any major changes. If the track is going to be on the tighter  side , a track loader alone might work better.  For tight berms and whoops , a track loader will be easier for a newer operator to build with. In an open outdoor style track, a dozer will do everything You need. Pushing up piles of dirt with a dozer is faster than scooping and carrying with a track loader.  If its a Sand track, forget the tractor too.   

If You are going to buy a brand new unit, sometimes Cat will let You demo a machine, or put the rent towards the purchase. 

How much land do You have to work with?  A few acres Dozer to build , acre or less, might be better with a track loader

Do You have experience with running equipment? If yes what machines?   I would still lean towards renting a dozer if You have space but I would say that You would want a track loader sooner in the process for cleaning up if You have little or  no operating time.   

What type of soil will the track have?  A sandy track will need grooming more often so a dozer might be  worth considering over a track loader as far as what to own.  

What kind of obstacles do You want to build? Smaller, steep obstacles will be easier to work on with a track loader. Bigger  stuff will be easier and faster with a dozer. 

In an old Farm field, You can often have a couple feet of nice loam before you get down to sub soil. You can scarpe up material for jumps and berms pretty easily with a dozer. a track loader will work, but not as well as a dozer.

 There are some  6 way blades out there for track loaders. and after running that Deere 333G, I will say that You can do a lot with a track loader of its size. I've been amazed at the amount of material I was able to push up with a dozer. I was pretty good on one and was able to work in tight spaces with one. But a track loader and all of the attachments available are why I would make it my choice of the first piece of equipment to purchase. And it will likely be what I buy. And in my case, I'll rent an Excavator to pull tree stumps and do some of the bigger  stuff. But if You eliminate the stumps, a dozer gets the build done fastest.  

I have a 287 and it works great for around my house and building my track and maintaining it. It has plenty of power and can move a lot of earth. Like said above the undercarriage is suspended which are a little more high maintenance but if your just using it around your house and not using it to do landscaping or digging pools every day the undercarriage will last you ten years. I like the suspended undercarriage because it conforms to the jumps and whoops and it rides nice. You don’t tester toter over the curves of the jumps. Idk what your budget Is but think if a skid steer as a Swiss Army knife. I have a trencher, a grapple bucket, a dozer blade a brush mower and a 86” bucket For mine so it fits the needs well. I can clear trees and brush to make my riding area bigger, trench in water lines for watering my track and build and maintain the track all with just one machine. Also like others have said get something in your budget and something you can get parts for. I live within a half hour of a cat dealer so cat was top pick for me. I probably put 500 hrs a year in line and I’ve had it for 4 years now and I replaced the whole undercarriage when I bought it and it still looks new after about 2000 hours. If your not pushing crusher run out with it all the time or running it through deep mud it will last a while. Sometimes those situations are unavoidable but you get the idea. There’s a big difference in running a machine 8-10 hrs a day 5 days a week or a few hours a week maintaining or building a track. 

A wheeled bobcat is the worst unit you can buy completely useless for jumps.

Protraxx in ausi do awesome work they have cat 259b`s if thats any help 

CTL is the machine to have if you're only going to have one. Once you go tracks it is very hard to go back to a wheel machine unless you are using it on pavement a lot. Unless you are a good mechanic or have the funds to hire a mechanic I would shy away from a cat. They are very nice machine to operate, but tend to have some issues. All the companies that run them around here trade them in often. If you have a dealer close by check out a Takeuchi Tl10-12 or Tl240-250 or even older Tl140 or 150, heck even the next size down TL8 is a nice machine. They are not as nice to run as a Cat but less problems. some of the older Takeuchi was also sold under the Gehl and Mustang brand for awhile

Whichever you can afford, maintain, and store. Everything else is just an opinion. 
 

I had an old wheeled bobcat growing up with the steering sticks and pedals - wasn’t ideal but you learn to work with whatever you have 

I've never run a Takeuchi, But I see them at rental places often so I would think they are pretty solid . I've noticed some of the older  Geil and Mustang CTL's look to all be based off the same machine.  Its one of the brands I would consider if the right machine came up and there was a dealer close by. 

For resale value ,I would get one with joysticks. Even some of the newish Bobcats I've seen while looking for a CTL have foot controls. I have size 16W feet and one is fused with minimal movement. So I do not enjoy the pedal operated machines and it seems like the Joystick machines hold their value better too. As I have been looking around I've noticed that Joystick machines tend to bring a higher price VS pedal style in the same model.

 Another machine that  would be a great track building/maintaining  machine would be the Case Minotaur. its  18k pounds or so .  And it is both a full on dozer with dozer controls, Metal or rubber tracks and also a CTL with  regular style hand controls like any other CTL  . And over 100HP,  it has the hydraulic flow and power to handle any attachment. The downside is that You can buy a decent used CTL and Dozer for less money than getting the all in one machine.

If You have never built a jump or track before. I would also recommend having somebody on hand to test out a jump and make sure its sloped right while You have a machine at the track still.  And You may want to rough in a layout without jumps and ride it to get a feel for where jumps will fit in well. Try and have a plan on how You want to lay out the track before You start . Maybe You want to dig a pond to get some material. And plan for when it rains so You do not have big puddles or have stuff that gets washed out everytime it rains.  And finally, take some photos and post them on here!    

It's hard to beat a 6 way blade on a dozer for building.  I have a skid and a dozer and the blade on the dozer alone makes it far superior.  A tracked skid would be nice for maintenance work,  but nothing comes close to a dozer for building.  

If you can get a good deal on it and you’re just using it for maintaining it will work perfect for what you want. If it’s not powerful enough you could always resell it for something bigger. 

It will be a money pit. besides any abuse on that undercarriage that can make it go bad, age also plays a role. After a few years the rubber on the wheels and tracks gets brittle and falls apart. The people that designed that undercarriage worked in the snowmobile business if that will tell you anything. The few companies around here that still have a MTL Cat or ASV only use them when they need to an have deep pockets. If you do buy it keep it clean an out of the sun.

Find a good used track loader (ie, full size dozer but with a front loader instead of push blade).  It will let you move a lot more dirt and as others said the tracks help pack down jumps more so than a compact track loader. 

Just be sure to check undercarraige condition before buying one. Undercarraige rebuilds are expensive, but once done (right), they last quite a while. 

This video is for excavators but dozers are very similar to the same in most regards

Get a decent mid sized 4wd tractor for rippping the track. Tillers are perfect for loamy dirt. A basic rigid tine cultivator will do you well. Mix in as much woodchips and organic material as you can especially if you are sitting on hard red clay.