4 Things to Consider Before Buying a Compact Track Loader

If you are in the market to add a compact track loader to your equipment fleet, before you purchase, think about your job needs, working conditions, how easy equipment maintenance will be and how many attachments you will use. It’s the first step that can increase efficiency and uptime with your new purchase.

1. Your job needs
When choosing a compact track loader, let the dealer know exactly what the machine will be used for and the type of soil conditions where you are working.

• Do you need something that fits well in tight spaces, like residential backyards?
• Do you have plenty of room on new construction sites?
• Are you lifting material and loading it into a truck, requiring extra lift and reach?
• Are you doing final grading work?

These are all important parameters that help a dealer understand your needs and recommend the best machine and attachments for your application.

2. Working conditions
The environment in which the machine works — including dust and debris in the summer — is another important consideration. Pressurized cabs provide operators excellent protection from the elements, while maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the cab. Bobcat loaders offer the operator increased comfort features, as well as a unique cab-forward design that moves the operator closer to the attachment and work area, providing unmatched visibility in all directions.

3. Easy operation and maintenance
Following the recommended operation and preventive maintenance guidelines helps you make sure a machine performs efficiently and avoid any unscheduled repairs, minimizing costs. You can find these guidelines in your operator’s manual.Daily fluid-level checks

• Visual checks of the machine and attachment components 
• Examining undercarriage components

Most manufacturers’ idlers and rollers are permanently sealed and lubricated; however, they — along with sprockets and tracks — may need to be replaced periodically, depending on a machine’s use. Careful attention should be paid to track tension and tread wear. Consult with your local dealer about different types of tracks available for a variety of conditions.

4. Attachment versatility
Bobcat offers a wide variety of more than 60 unique compact track loader attachments for most jobs. This versatility eliminates the need for you to subcontract portions of a larger job and allows you to adjust to changing markets and applications, or complete multiple jobs. 

The range of attachments also enables you to utilize the compact track loader in various applications through low initial investment with great return. If a one-off job opportunity comes along, it’s easy to rent an attachment, and in most applications compact equipment, coupled with attachments, works as well as or better than dedicated machines.