If you are searching for used construction equipment for sale, you will have most certainly noticed that you have a substantial selection of options. Deciding the best machinery for the job is crucial to ensuring efficiency and profitability. One of the options you’ll encounter is if to choose equipment that has tracks or wheels.
The decision between tracks and wheels depends on the application you’re putting your machinery to work on. it is important you consider the project in question and consider factors like speed, mobility, safety and stability. There isn’t a right or wrong answer to wheeled vs. tracked problem.
The difference with tracked and wheeled vehicles relate to weight distribution. Tracks distribute your equipment’s weight over a larger area, a lot more effectively than a similar machine with wheels. Nevertheless, tracked vehicles tends to move slower and cost more than wheeled.
Considerations
Manoeuvrability
Manoeuvrability could possibly be the most significant concern when deciding between tracked and wheeled equipment. Tracked vehicles usually have much better traction on pretty much any plane. This is due to the weight of the machinery is spread out on a greater surface area in contact with the ground.
Although when operating on bumpy terrain and snowy surfaces, tyres often provide better traction and drive comfort than tracks. Also, standard steering on wheels as opposed to skid steering on tracks offer more precise and intuitive handling control.
Cost
You’ll discover that when comparing used equipment, the cost for tracked machinery is a lot higher than their wheeled counterparts. For example, a track excavator for sale has a higher sell price than a wheel excavator for sale. Tyres and other wheel components are a lot cheaper to replace than tracks.
Judge the cost on two things:
Maintenance Cost – consider the expenses associated with repairs and or replacing wheels. While replacing tires cost less than replacement rubber tracks, tires need to be replaced more often to guarantee top performance.
Potential Downtime – Downtime is often expensive. Wheeled equipment has a greater risk of downtime which may lead to expense in the form of loss of labour hours and revenue.
Ground impact
When it comes to applications where ground impacts matter, tracked equipment is always the better option. This is due to the fact tracks have more surface area allowing their weight to be evenly distributed, reducing the overall impact. Nonetheless, if you are working on a new construction site where the ground impact is not a significant factor, you can choose to have tires for your equipment.
Durability and reliability
Endurance is a critical attribute to consider when acquiring an attachment for heavy equipment. Tyres are often susceptible to punctures, flats and shredding, which would mean tracks more reliable. However, durability varies on the nature of the work and the terrain. Tires usually last longer when operating on surfaces like asphalt or concrete. Whereas tracks are the better option when it comes to uneven surfaces that have a high risk of hazards.
Versatility
Equipment with wheels tend to be more versatile than those on tracks. Basically, tracks have better grip, traction, and manoeuvrability, however they do have their restrictions. Tracked machinery operates at a considerable slower speed and are not fit for covering long distance. Additionally, the noise and vibrations produced by steel tracks make them not viable for certain environments, particularly in residential areas.
Omnia Machinery is an industry expert in used construction equipment and a trusted machinery trader. We stock a wide variety of quality used construction equipment to suit many different jobs such as cranes, road equipment, quarry, earthmoving, piling, drilling and underground mining. We provide our customers with all information and pictures with their quotation before any sale is agreed. From inspections to shipping, we are here to support you through every step of the transaction and keep you informed throughout the whole process enabling you to purchase in confidence. Contact us today with your machinery requirements.