How to find your next compact track loader

More than a third (37 of 87) of the compact track loaders in the Equipment World specification guide are listed as new by their manufacturers.

This is not surprising. Compared to its closest equipment relative (skid steer), the CTL is a relative newcomer to the industry. As a result, the CTL is still in a rapidly evolving development phase.

Two other factors are driving CTL’s growth. The first is their wide and enthusiastic acceptance by customers. Maintaining market share requires OEMs to be at the forefront of product development.

Second, the industry as a whole continues to make tremendous technological advances as advances in electronics, metallurgy and basic design bring the highest performance to all types of equipment. This is as true for CTL as it is for any other category.

The downside? In a world of constant product development, it is difficult for customers to be confident that they are getting the best possible results from their equipment decisions. So we’ve provided some tips from the experts to help you learn more about the new compact track loaders and what to look for when searching for the next CTL on the market.

Take time to research new models

There will be a lot of new people on the market since you purchased your last CTL, so take the time to research what they have to offer. Here are some examples.

Bobcat’s new R-Series consists of four models, the T62, T64, T66 and T76. The T62 is radial lift and the others are vertical. All four models are equipped with Bobcat’s optional five-link torsion suspension, which improves ride quality and machine stability, especially at full lift. The engines are now mounted inline rather than transverse. This provides more room for emission control components, but also increases the rated running capacity by 200 to 300 pounds by building a slightly longer machine. They are comparable in width to their R-Series predecessors.

R-Series machines also have more lift and range than the models they replace. Engine placement and larger fans help improve overall cooling performance, especially when running attachments. LED lights are standard equipment. A pre-filter has been placed prior to the main fuel filter. “Everything about the new R-Series is new,” said Tyler Zima, Bobcat senior product specialist.

The Bobcat T66 has an operating weight of 8,927 pounds and a ROC of 2,450 pounds. Travel speed is 7.2 mph, or 10.2 mph with optional two-speed drive. System pressure at quick coupling is 3,500 psi. standard auxiliary flow is 17.6 gpm, optional high flow is 26.9 gpm. standard bucket length is 134.9 in. The bucket pin height is 120 in. and the maximum reachable height is 36.7 in. Cat’s newest CTL, the D3 Series machines, are available in August 2019. “They are further improvements to an already forward-thinking machine,” says Kevin Coleman, Cat senior product specialist. “For example, we’ve been using sealed and pressurized cabs since 2013.”

Most of the improvements are specific to the work envelope. Visibility is everywhere, especially at the bucket corners and track edges. There is about 3 inches of extra space between the joysticks; this provides more knee room and opens up more options for foot placement. Available performance packages offer dual self-leveling, work tool positioning and return to dig.

The D3 model is also compatible with all three of Cat’s Smart attachments: grader shovel with assist, dozer shovel with assist and backhoe. Joystick controls can be converted to match the needs of these Smart attachments for more intuitive control.

The ASV RT-75 is one of four models of the Max Series Posi-Trak loaders. Improvements are extensive and include improvements to the cab. The single-sided knee bar improves operator comfort and provides easier entry and exit. Shoulder, knee and foot spaces add space. The optional enclosed cab has 52 percent more glass space, better visibility and a roof escape hatch. The 74-horsepower radial-lift RT-75 has an operating weight of 9,060 pounds, compared with 2,750 pounds for the ROC. the list of specifications and features is critical, says Buck Storlie, ASV product manager. “But the best plan is to visit a dealer and do a demo. You can see a lot of information from the cab that the specs don’t reveal.”

Operator comfort and visibility are examples of features that must be experienced to be fully understood, he says. Storlie says that’s especially true for the Max Series CTL, which will be introduced in 2020, where cab improvements are part of a broader change in design.

But Ryan Anderson, product marketing manager for New Holland Construction, said some of the new features may have some drawbacks. Advanced electronics, emission control systems and other new features introduce new failure modes, he says. “Sometimes the thinking in the marketplace seems to be, ‘What’s the next little part we can put on this machine?'”

Anderson says a key consideration when evaluating new models is reliability. “The early machines were very durable. You still hear customers lament, ‘They just don’t make them like they used to.” As a result, New Holland has focused heavily on durability in the design of new features.”

The Net Horsepower C332 from New Holland features the Super Boom vertical lift package with a bucket hinge pin height of 131.1 inches and a dump range of 34.4 inches at a full 45-degree angle of lift. Standard flow rate is 24.2 gpm with a 37.6 gpm high flow option. Relief pressure is 3,046 psi. working weight is 9,630 lbs. and ROC is 2,240 lbs. Bucket breakout force is 7,360 lbs. Anderson said this could be the ideal time to buy a feature-rich new model before the current boom market falls back, which will inevitably happen. “In a downturn, the market becomes more cost-centric, so it’s hard for OEMs to develop and sell new features.”

Specifying new models

New models have so much potential that specifying them for new machines is much more complex than it used to be. This is especially true if the CTL is more than just a bucket-and-fork machine to the customer.

“The John Deere factory offers more than 100 compact equipment attachments, including compact track loaders,” says Luke Gribble, Deere Solutions marketing manager. “Ask yourself, ‘What kind of work do I want to do?’ Go beyond the one major attachment you use.” Even if it’s always a bucket, consider material density – rock, dirt, mulch, etc. – to make sure the machine can handle the load.

At 3,700 pounds ROC and 12,100 pounds operating weight, the 333G is the largest of Deere’s four CTL models. The intercooled turbocharged Yanmar engine delivers 100 gross horsepower and 291.3 foot-pounds of torque. The vertical lift has a hinge pin height of 132 inches. On-board slope indication options can be installed from the factory or in the field and provide real-time cross-roll and pitch values in degrees or percentages. roc, flow and pressure remain key specifications, but other factors must be considered. “Some accessories use 14-pin connectors,” says Devin Adams, product manager for CTL and slip steering at Wacker Neuson. “Others, especially proprietary smart attachments, use a seven-pin connector. Accessory interfaces are mechanical and hydraulic, but they’re also electrical and not always plug-and-play.”

Matching connectors isn’t enough; controls must match, too. “Look at the handle. Are there multiple circuits? A plus B functions? Are there enough buttons, and are they configured correctly?” Adams says. The Wicker Neuson CTL offers D mode, through which handle button functions are reassigned for added convenience and efficiency.

The 8,095-pound ST31 is the second-smallest CTL in the Wacker Neuson six-model line. This size remains popular with landscapers, owner-operators and others looking for CTL performance in a smaller package. Overall length with the standard bucket is 136.6 inches. Hinge pin height is 125.5 inches, and overall width is 67.1 inches. The Kohler KDI 2504 TCR engine is rated at 74 horsepower. Standard auxiliary hydraulic flow is 20 gallons per minute with a 30 gpm high-flow option available.Chris Trampush, product manager for CTLs and skid steers at JCB, recommends looking at the details of the application. “The same attachment can put very different demands on the loader depending on conditions,” he says. “Just knowing you’ll be using a bucket or forks isn’t enough. You need to understand exactly how you’ll be using that bucket or those forks.”

He also advises against making assumptions about the need for system upgrades. “No matter what your needs have been in the past, you may find that the newer, more capable machines meet those needs in standard configuration. High flow still has its place, but requiring it in the past does not necessarily indicate a need for it in the future for doing the same work.”

JCB offers a wide range of configurations for its 270T vertical hoists. The most popular configurations include 17.7-inch rubber tracks, a heated and air-conditioned cab, high-flow hydraulics with crawl speed, a two-speed drive and the JCB Smoothride system. The operating weight is 11,003 lbs. and the ROC is 2,723 lbs. Like all JCB CTLs, the 270T features industry-standard quick connects for easy attachment to JCB and other manufacturers’ attachments. George MacIntyre, Case Construction Equipment Product Manager, offers another approach. “Look at the auxiliary hydraulic performance you need now, and then consider buying a machine with a higher level of auxiliary hydraulic performance.” This, he says, will future-proof your fleet and expand the range of jobs you can do.

“When you buy a CTL, you want that asset to be in your fleet for many years,” MacIntyre adds. “If you want to grow your business and expand your services, you don’t want to be limited by auxiliary hydraulic performance.”

Blane Burroughs, Kubota product specialist, notes that complex attachments require complex protection. “We offer protective protection kits for several models of track loaders. The kits include hitch guards, light guards, DEF guards and additional protection for the FOPS and engine compartment.”

New machine, new market?

The current line of compact track loaders will allow customers to do the same jobs they’ve always done with greater efficiency and productivity, but should the advantages stop there? If these machines are so powerful, do they offer owners the opportunity to offer more services to the same customer base or even enter entirely new markets?

“The availability of CTL-ready accessories and high-flow hydraulics can significantly expand your capabilities and help you grow your business,” MacIntyre says. He cites landscapers and concrete companies that are already using CTLs for their primary applications. “By covering the attachments, they can do cleanup and site preparation for residential jobs.”

The Vertical Lift TV450B is the largest of the five model series of the Case B Series CTL and has features common to all B Series models. The electro-hydraulic control response can be set to low, medium or aggressive. Crawl speed allows for slow travel while providing full hydraulic power to the attachment. Operator profiles can be set to match personal preferences or optimal settings by job type. New trouble codes with descriptive text help with troubleshooting. Snow removal is another market opportunity in many parts of the country, helping to balance the annual revenue stream. Snow removal may seem simple, but there are actually multiple attachment options, including snow pushers, blades, brooms and blowers.

Lee Padgett, Takeuchi product manager, lists other opportunities. “There are tree shovel attachments for nursery work, power rakes for soil conditioning, mulchers and mowers for managing large areas of vegetation, and trenchers for installing utilities and irrigation.”

Zima says the market is divided on the issue. “The smaller CTLs will continue to do most of the same work as they have in the past. The higher-horsepower machines have the best chance of entering other markets.”

Radial Lift Takeuchi TL8R2 features include a repositioned travel motor with internally wired drive line, dual and triple flange rollers, and LED lighting. Options include crawl mode, load-sensing auto-shift and high-flow auxiliary hydraulics. Working weight with cab is 9,182 lbs. and ROC is 2,116 lbs. He uses road construction as an example. A bulldozer or grader can make heavy cuts, and a large CTL can be used behind it to secure smaller areas using the same GPS system and various attachments. The use of a CTL allows for the closure of a single lane of traffic without having to close multiple lanes.

Closing the Gap

There has always been a gap between compact track loaders and skid steer loaders. Most notable is the upfront cost, but ongoing O&O costs, travel speed and ROC create additional differences. What efforts have OEMs made to close these gaps and increase the attractiveness of CTLs to customers considering CTL or skid steer?

“We strive to use common components between our skid steers and track loaders,” says Mike Goche, global product manager for skid/track at Gehl. “This reduces the cost of maintenance parts for the end customer and reduces inventory in dealer service centers.”

The VT320 stands out in CTL’s Gehl lineup. It’s the company’s largest, with a ROC weight of 3,200 pounds and the most power at 114 net horsepower. Two-speed drive is standard, and top speed is 7.8 mph. Optional speed control adjusts the machine’s operating speed to the application, independent of engine speed. The optional Hydra-Glide allows the lift arm to float while transporting loads to reduce spillage, improve comfort and allow higher travel speeds.The Gehl CTL also features IdealTrax. This design makes it easier to switch or repair tracks, which reduces downtime. It also automatically releases track tension when the machine is not in use, extending track life by up to 15 percent.

Burroughs says that factors such as travel speed, width and weight are determined by Kubota’s customer base. “For example, our SVL65-2 and SVL75-2 have a working weight of less than 10,000 pounds, allowing customers to tow their machines without the need for a CDL.”

The newest of the Kubota CTLs is the SVL97-2. Features include a 96-horsepower engine, 3,200-pound ROC, 7,961 pounds of explosive power and a maximum height of 3.4 feet. Telematics and a rearview camera are standard. Front LED work lights are optional. Other improvements include a redesigned DEF system for long-term reliability and better cab sealing to keep water, dust and debris out. Others say there are clear differences between compact track loaders and skid steer loaders and the markets they serve.

“I honestly don’t think the market is trying to close the gap between skid steer and compact track loaders,” Padgett said. “In the U.S., CTLs have a larger market share because of their versatility and tracked landing gear, which makes them more suitable for multi-terrain use. But skid steer also has its place, for example, in road construction with frequent rotations on paved surfaces, which can lead to premature track wear.”