Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/457078
CTLs aren't the perfect machines for every situation; compact wheel loaders and skid steers still perform better in many applications. The biggest advantage to tires is travel speed, says Brent Coffey, loader product manager with Wacker Neuson. "Most CTLs have a top travel speed of 8 or 9 mph while skid steers top out around 12 mph. That doesn't sound like a lot until you calculate the amount of ground covered in a day or a week or a month." Warren Anderson, brand marketing manager for Case Construction Equipment, agrees. "Machines with tires are quicker and have higher top speeds than tracked machines," says Anderson, "and skid steers, especially, have an edge in maneuverability, making them well- suited for applications requiring tight turns." Why not get over-the-tire (OTT) tracks for a skid steer and have the best of both worlds? Fitzgerald says CTLs have more track on the ground, which enhances per- formance of the CTL over the OTT-equipped skid steer. And tracks over tires can complicate tire repairs. A better understanding "The better understanding customers have about which type of loader they need to get their jobs done efficient- ly and profitably, the more growth the compact track loader market sees," says Jonathan Ferguson, regional sales manager with Terex Construction Americas. He says that since CTLs and skid steers accept the same attachments and serve the same markets, the decision often comes down to the type of underfoot conditions. February 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com 30 machine matters | continued New Holland Construction New Holland's C232 compact track loader's Super- Boom vertical lift provides maximum reach at the top of the lift curve. Designed with a dozer-style undercarriage, the C232 allows loaders to take and maintain control in muddy or sandy terrain. Terex The Terex Generation 2 loaders are available in radial and vertical lift-path patters with rated operating capacities ranging from 665 to 3,600 pounds. Features include high- torque, stainless-steel clamps, upgraded hydraulic couplers, 1-million-cycle hoses on all high-pressure applications, new standard and heavy-duty "W" style crimps on loader and drive hoses, and improved O-ring installation process. Takeuchi Takeuchi's radial-lift TL8 compact track loader weighs approximately 8,345 pounds and has a tip-load of 6,020 pounds. The 74.3-horsepower TL8 has double reduction plan- etary drives that provide traction forces of more than 9,100 pounds, combined with a bucket breakout force exceeding 6,800 pounds. Other features include a new LCD mutli-infor- mation display and switch bank, low-effort pilot controls and proportional auxiliary switches.