Gulf Construction Online - Market for compact track machines set to expand

Loaders

IR has recently introduced an assortment of attachments for its tracked loader range.

Market for compact track machines set to expand

01 April 2007

While the US compact tracked loader market has expanded dramatically over the last five years and is expected to increase further from 23,000 units in 2005 to reach 33,000 by the close of 2010, experts forecast that a similar growth could be expected for the Middle Eastern market as well, especially with more and more manufacturers joining the fray.

Much of this growth will come in the construction and landscaping market where users are finding that compact tracked loaders can help to extend the working season, says a spokesman for Ingersoll Rand (IR), a world leader in the field of compact vehicles and equipment. IR’s Bobcat brand includes a wide range of compact construction equipment and attachments.
As well as being perfectly suited for working in wet, muddy and stormy conditions, compact tracked loaders can also work well on snow in the winter, due to their superior traction and flotation. This type of equipment is also increasing popular with contractors engaged in site preparation, farming, forestry, golf and estate management.
It is the rubber-tracked undercarriage technology that gives the compact tracked loader its versatility, allowing the operator to work in a variety of conditions, terrains and in most cases, all year round.
“While skid-steers and all-wheel steer loaders may outperform them for sheer manoeuvrability on hard surfaces, the tracked undercarriage ensures improved traction on rough terrain; soft, sandy surfaces and in wet, muddy conditions, allowing compact tracked loaders to push heavier loads without getting stuck," says the spokesman. “In addition, a smooth, lighter ride over all terrains helps to eliminate downtime from damaged tyres, reduces the need for tidying up after the job is complete and minimises damage to sensitive working surfaces, such as on established lawns or asphalt.”
He adds: “Made specifically for compact tracked loaders, the rubber tracks feature internal steel cables for strength and durability. Steel imbeds guide the track at the rollers and idlers and support the traction drive lugs.
“Designed to provide the longest life possible, these rubber tracks are offered by most manufacturers in different sizes. For example, Bobcat offers a standard all-duty 320 mm wide track for use on the company's smaller compact tracked loaders, which exerts just 5.2 psi ground pressure and provides the best combination of flotation and traction. The 450-mm-wide track available on the larger compact tracked loaders reduces ground pressure to just 3.8 psi.
“The smoother ride over rough surfaces enhances operator comfort and helps keep loose materials in the bucket. The increased ground contact area and lower centre of gravity means compact tracked loaders are generally more stable, especially when shuttling backwards and forwards.
“Compact tracked loaders therefore provide a very stable platform for working with a wide range of attachments. Using the quick change systems on the compact tracked loaders, attachments can be mounted on or dismounted from the machines very quickly, ensuring the attachment fits securely and safely to the machine in seconds.
“With an expanding choice of well over 50 attachments, a compact tracked loader becomes a multi-purpose machine and is designed to save time, effort and cost in carrying out a wide range of applications. There is a choice of two hydraulic outputs in most compact tracked loaders, the higher output option being recommended when powered attachments, such as a stump grinder or brush cutter, are to be used.”
“The excellent traction and flotation provided by the tracks on compact tracked loaders are ideal not only for work in wet and muddy conditions, but also when working with planer attachments, where the machine hugs the surface for excellent stability and provides superior pushing power and precision for cutting into asphalt and concrete. In addition, the rubber tracks will not mark paved surfaces and therefore compact tracked loaders are ideal for travel over and use on public roads,” he concludes.