www.landscapeirrigation.com
Equipment Fleet Management
L
andscape professionals looking to out-
fit equipment fleets with compact
track loaders have never had more
quality options available to them. In-
creasing demand for the versatile ca-
pabilities of compact track loaders is making
them one of the fastest growing segments in
the equipment industry. And manufacturers
have responded with a wide variety of ma-
chines that are as adept at installing irrigation
systems and constructing hardscapes as creat-
ing today's attractive landscapes.
Effective fleet management requires the
knowledge to select the right tools to per-
form the tasks. With any smart acquisition,
one of the most important metrics to evalu-
ate is utilization, and these track loaders offer
some of the highest usage rates of any com-
pact equipment.
"Utilization is key with compact track
loader selection because the more frequently
you can use it to fit your job applications, and
the more attachments you can put on it, the
faster the return on your investment," said
Mike Fitzgerald, loader product specialist with
Bobcat Company.
Achieving the best fit for an operation re-
quires an understanding of the primary types
of compact track loaders that will be best
suited to the jobs you need to perform, and
the features and attachments that will help ac-
commodate the project elements your cus-
tomers are requesting.
Distinguishing loader types
Two main types of compact track loaders
are designed to provide varying levels of
power, lifting capacity and mobility for new
construction, renovation and maintenance
projects:
Mini track loader
To streamline physical labor and perform
most of your work on established properties,
you may want to consider a mini track
loader and attachments. One of the major
benefits of this small loader is the ability to
navigate narrow passages between houses or
gates and mechanize tasks that would other-
wise have to be performed by hand outdoors
and indoors. Operators typically have the
flexibility to walk behind these units or at-
tach a ride-on platform to enhance comfort
and reduce fatigue.
Compact track loader
If access isn't an issue, landscapers may
prefer a compact track loader with a cab.
These larger machines offer a higher-rated
operating capacity and more pushing and
lifting power than a mini track loader. Pres-
surized cabs reduce noise, provide all-around
visibility and keep an operator clean and
comfortable in dirty, dusty applications. An
operator's experience can be further en-
hanced with cab-forward designs that give
operators a better view of the jobsite and the
attachments they are using.
Work Longer
and Smarter
Outfitting fleets with compact track loaders
extends the working season and expands
business opportunities
By Debbie McClung
Landscape and Irrigation 39
Photos
provided
by
Bobcat
Company
