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The wheels on an articulated unit, such as Power Trac’s PT-2425, always roll; they never scoot or tear into soil.
If the plan is to do major hauling of materials from one point to another, users are going to want a machine that can haul the most in one trip.
With countless options for hauling materials and powering attachments, knowing your customers and the services they’re demanding can help you choose the right workhorse for the task at hand.
In landscaping, the projects completed daily are exceedingly diverse. The equipment used to carry out the projects is equally as varied. Choosing between a skid steer, mini skid steer, compact track loader, compact wheel loader or articulated tractor can be especially difficult due to the similarity of their capabilities.
Each is designed to assist landscapers in moving material on the jobsite as well as power attachments available for several specialized uses. In making the right decision, landscapers should carefully consider what specifically the equipment will be used for—and where.
MINDING THE TERRAIN
Many times the bulk of a landscaper’s work will be done on properties with existing turf. In this case a compact track loader or articulated tractor may be the best choice. The tracks on the compact track loader evenly distribute their weight to the ground, so as not to dig into the turf. An articulated tractor sits on wheels that move with the terrain, adjusting the pressure of their weight.
“One of the main advantages of an articulated machine is that it will not damage the turf no matter how heavy the machine is,” says Kristie Asbury of Power Trac. “The wheels on an articulated machine always roll, they never scoot or tear into the soil like some skid steers might.”
When working on a property with existing turf, maintaining its condition can save money and time. If the lawn surface is damaged by equipment, more resources will be spent repairing the jobsite upon project completion.
If the work being done is new landscape installation, as opposed to enhancement, minding the ground condition may not be as important. With installation, priorities often lie elsewhere and the skid steer may be the most appropriate option. It can handle the heavy hauling required with most installations, while the somewhat damaging effects of the weight distribution will not matter to the ground’s surface during early stages of installation.
