Imagine a skid steer and a track loader side by side. They look similar. Both are compact loaders with a lift arm up front. But each is built for different tasks.
At WCM, we mostly get asked: What is the difference between skid steer and track loader? Which one should I use? In this guide, we’ll help you explore what they actually do and how they differ. Plus, we’ll discuss their pros and cons so you can choose the right machine for your next job.
Let’s first explore what each machine does, then we’ll get into the detailed comparison.
What is a Skid Steer Loader?
A skid steer loader is a compact machine used for many tasks like digging, lifting, and loading material. Operators control it with joysticks. It’s lightweight which makes it easy to maneuver and operate.
It’s a rigid-framed machine with four wheels (or sometimes tracks) and a front-mounted lift arm. It’s famous for its ability to ‘skid’ in place. This means it can spin around on the spot by changing the speed of wheels on each side. This makes skid steers incredibly maneuverable in tight spaces.
With the help of lift arm and a host of interchangeable attachments (buckets, forks, augers, etc.), these machines can swap tools easily and tackle a surprising range of jobs like landscaping and construction work.
Common Uses of Skid Steer Loaders
Skid steers are able to swap attachments and handle many jobs. Some common uses include:
- Excavation & Earthmoving: With a bucket or auger, a skid steer can dig foundations and trenches or move piles of dirt and debris.
- Material Handling: With forks or a pallet attachment, it can lift and carry heavy loads like pallets, logs, lumber, or scrap.
- Demolition: Add a breaker or hydraulic hammer, and it can break up concrete, asphalt, and other hard materials.
- Grading & Leveling: Use a box scraper or grading blade to level dirt for roads, parking lots, and building sites.
- Landscaping: Great for tasks like planting trees, spreading mulch, removing stumps, and moving landscaping materials.
- Snow Removal: In winter, swap in a plow or blower attachment to clear driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks.
Skid steers handle these roles especially well on firm ground. Typical models weigh roughly 3,000 to 10,000 pounds. For perspective, small models (around 3,000–5,000 lbs.) are easy to tow on a light trailer, making them handy for small jobs or indoor work.
Want to explore skid steers for your next project? Check out our range of skid steers for sale in Perth, WA at WCM.
What is a Compact Track Loader?
Just as it sounds, a compact track loader (CTL) is like a skid steer on continuous tracks instead of wheels. It’s compact and versatile, looking much like a skid steer, but those rubber tracks give it serious grip. This means a CTL can crawl through mud, sand, snow, and uneven ground that might stop a wheeled loader in its tracks.
It has the same lift arm and attachments as a skid steer, performing many of the same tasks, but with one big advantage: traction. The tracks distribute the machine’s weight over a larger area which lowers ground pressure and prevents sinking. That makes CTLs ideal for soft or uneven ground.
For many operators, that extra traction is worth the trade-off on challenging sites. Because of the tracks, CTLs can’t turn on a dime. They make wider, sweeping turns and have a lower top speed. But on rough or wet ground, a CTL simply won’t slip or sink.
Common Uses of Compact Track Loaders
Track loaders excel in jobs that demand extra traction and stability. For example:
- Rough or Muddy Terrain: With steel or rubber tracks, a CTL can easily navigate mud, loose sand, or steep slopes – places where wheeled equipment might bog down.
- Snowy or Wet Conditions: Tracks grip snow and ice better than wheels. Swap in a plow or blower and the CTL can clear snow-covered areas even in slippery, icy conditions without losing traction.
- Forestry & Land Clearing: Equip a CTL with brush-cutting or mulching attachments and it can clear trees, brush, and stumps. Its stability lets it carry or push logs and debris that would overwhelm a smaller loader.
- Heavy Lifting & Material Handling: Many compact track loaders offer vertical-lift configurations, keeping heavy loads (like pallets or hay bales) closer to the machine for better balance. Thanks to the extra traction, CTLs can often lift heavier loads than a similar skid steer.
- Site Prep & Earthmoving: Just like skid steers, CTLs can grade, dig trenches, and load trucks. The wide tracks help spread the load, so a CTL can move large volumes of soil, gravel, or debris on uneven or undeveloped job sites.
Compact track loaders do tend to be heavier and a bit less nimble than wheeled machines of the same size. For instance, a mid-size track loader weighs about 8,950 lb.
Ultimately, skid steers and track loaders can do many of the same tasks, but each has its specialties. A wheeled skid steer is quick, compact, and ideal on hard surfaces; a compact track loader is the go-to when you need extra grip, flotation or lifting power in muddy, snowy or soft terrain.
Now, let’s weigh their pros and cons to help you decide which machine is the best fit for your job site and budget.
Skid Steer vs Track Loader | Pros and Cons Compared
When choosing between a skid steer loader and a compact track loader, it’s important to know the strengths and limitations of each. Both are powerful machines, but they stand out in different situations. Let’s explore their pros and cons so you can decide which one suits your needs best.
Pros of Skid Steer Loader
1. Easy to Transport & Manoeuvre
Skid steers are smaller and lighter than most heavy machinery. This makes them easy to move between job sites. No need for large tow trucks. They’re compact and quick to load and unload. Additionally, their nimble size makes them ideal for tight spaces.
2. Excellent on Hard Surfaces
The wheels on a skid steer handle solid grounds extremely well. They’re perfect for tasks like road construction, demolition work, landscaping, farming, and even snow clearing.
3. Available in Different Sizes
You can choose from small, medium, or large skid steer models.
- Smaller units have around 50 horsepower and a load capacity of up to 1,750 pounds
- Medium models go up to 70 HP
- Large-frame versions offer more than 2,200 pounds of capacity
4. Turns on the Spot
Thanks to their zero-radius turning feature. Skid steers can turn in very small circles without needing additional space. This makes them ideal for indoor or small-site applications and for applications requiring heavy turning, such as loading materials.
5. Fast and Efficient
They are able to reach speeds of up to 12 mph, helping you in getting materials where they must go, quickly.
6. Compacting Ability
Skid steers use higher ground pressure than track loaders, approximately 35–45 psi. They are therefore helpful when you require an added grip, such as in pushing snow.
7. Lower Maintenance Costs
Wheels tend to be less costly to replace and service compared to tracks.
8. Cost-Effective All-Rounder
With the right attachments, a single skid steer can perform a variety of jobs. So, you don’t have to buy multiple machines. This saves you space, money, and time.
9. Super Versatile
From grading and digging to snow blowing and sweeping, skid steers can be fitted with all types of attachments.
Cons of Skid Steers
1. Not Ideal for Muddy or Soft Ground
Because the weight is focused on four wheels, skid steers can lose balance or get stuck in muddy or wet conditions.
2. Tyre Wear and Tear
The wheels take a beating, especially on rough surfaces. You’ll need to stay on top of tire maintenance to avoid downtime and extra costs.
Pros of Compact Track Loader
1. Great on Soft and Slippery Ground
The wide tracks help spread the machine’s weight evenly. This gives it excellent traction on mud, snow, sand, and loose gravel. It glides over soft ground without sinking.
2. Stable on Slopes
With more ground contact and a lower center of gravity, compact track loaders feel solid on hills and inclines. This gives you access to areas that might be unsafe for other machines.
3. Smoother Ride
The tracks absorb bumps better than wheels. This makes it a smoother ride, especially when lifting or transporting heavy loads on soft surfaces.
Cons of Compact Track Loaders
1. Turning Isn’t as Easy
Track loaders aren’t great at quick turns. A three-point turn is usually needed. This can be slower and cause more wear on the tracks.
2. Higher Maintenance Costs
Tracks are more expensive to replace than tyres. They need more frequent maintenance. Neglecting them can lead to costly repairs down the road.
Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of skid steer & tract loader, let’s get into key differences in detail to help you make a confident choice.
9 Key Differences Between Skid Steer and Compact Track Loader
The biggest difference between skid steer and track loader is just that: skid steers have wheels, while track loaders have tracks.
Below we’ll break down the key differences in controls, terrain handling, power, costs, and practical uses. So, you can pick the right machine for your job (and budget).
1. Design & Controls
At a glance, skid steers roll on four wheels. Whereas, track loaders move on tracks. Both are compact and can turn sharply, making them great for tight job sites.
Modern models come with smart electro-hydraulic controls to let operators switch between control patterns (like H and ISO) based on preference. This boosts comfort and safety no matter which machine you’re using.
2. Machine Size
Track loaders are generally heavier and bulkier. Need to tow your machine often or squeeze into narrow spots? A skid steer would be the better choice.
Smaller skid steers have a narrower profile. This makes them perfect for indoor use or tight access areas.
3. Surface Suitability
Does the ground surface matter? Absolutely. Your machine’s performance has a lot to do with the surface it’s working on.
- Soft ground? Go with a track loader. They are made for the messy stuff like mud, sand, snow, and rough terrain. The tracks spread the weight more evenly which causes less ground damage and improves stability.
- Hard surfaces? Skid steers are your best bet. Their tyres are better suited for paved areas. They won’t wear out like tracks do over time.
On rough or sandy terrain, track loaders give better balance and traction. In muddy conditions, they also generate stronger breakout force which make them more efficient for heavy-duty work.
4. Power & Lifting Strength
Skid steers are lighter and more maneuverable. But they also have a greater center of gravity and less traction. That makes them more difficult to push or pull against resistance, particularly on slippery surfaces.
Whereas, track loaders provide more favourable weight distribution and usually more horsepower. They’re more powerful for heavy material lifting and relocating in uneven or soft ground. Make sure to compare the Rated Operating Capacity (35% of tipping load) of each machine to prevent underperformance.
5. Maneuverability
Skid steers have very active movements. They can turn nearly in place, which makes them an excellent choice for projects with cramped quarters.
Track loaders are fine but not quite as fast or fluid in close turns. They’re a little larger and slower to respond, which can be tricky on busy construction sites.
6. Speed
Skid steers are quicker. Their wheels provide faster travel and energetic turns, particularly on a flat surface.
Track loaders are slower but steadier, particularly in muddy or uneven terrain. They’re best used for harder ground. But they may not be so great if you’re always back and forth.
7. Traction and Ground Stability
When it comes to the ground gripping, track loaders win hands down. Their ground pressure is significantly lower; 4 to 6 psi. And this is way less than skid steers, which usually run between 30 to 35 psi. That reduced pressure provides track loaders with a lot more traction in muddy, wet, or soft ground conditions.
Conversely, skid steers excel on hard flat ground such as roads, concrete, and asphalt. They will not destroy such surfaces and provide a smoother ride in such conditions.
8. Comfort & Operator Visibility
Looking for a smooth, comfortable ride? You’ll love the compact track loaders. Thanks to their rubber tracks. They glide over uneven ground better than skid steers.
Both skid steers and track loaders have operator-centric cabins with huge windows, wide rearview mirrors. And a low front threshold that enhances bucket visibility. The new models even have an 8-inch touchscreen display and reverse camera for smarter, safer control.
9. Cleanup Suitability
Got a mess to clear?
On concrete or pavement, skid steers efficiently clean up the site without surface damage.
On a lawn or soft ground, track loaders are the way to go. They won’t rut or leave holes. And they’re excellent for landscaping or rural construction sites.
10. Maintenance & Costs
Skid steers tend to be easier and less expensive to maintain. Tyres are less expensive to replace. And the undercarriage being exposed makes for easy cleaning and repairs.
Track loaders need a little more work. Tracks cover most of the undercarriage. So, it’s more difficult to get to and clean. Additionally, tracks wear out more quickly, particularly on hard ground, and are more expensive to replace. For casual or short-term use, this can be a showstopper. Thus, so many opt to rent track loaders rather than purchasing them outright.
Before selecting a machine, always inspect the ground conditions of your site. Occasionally it’s wiser to swap machines around depending on the work, tyres for urban work, tracks for heavy duty.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Loader for Your Project
In the end, your choice depends on the job at hand.
If you’re working on hard surfaces or tight job sites and need a quick, active machine, a skid steer loader is your best bet. It’s compact, cost-effective, and easy to maintain. Especially ideal when maneuverability and transportability matter. Remember, skid steers have four wheels and can turn on the spot, making them perfect for indoor or urban construction.
On the other hand, if you’re dealing with muddy, soft, or sloped terrain, a compact track loader offers better traction, stability, and comfort. It’s built to power through harsh ground conditions that might stop a wheeled loader in its tracks.
Still wondering which construction equipment is right for your next big project?
Reach out WCM | Find Your Ideal Skid Steer or Track Loader Today
With over 40 years of supplying new and used earthmoving and mining machinery, we offer a massive range of skid steers and track loaders in Perth, WA, plus top-notch services like routine maintenance and emergency breakdown support to keep your equipment running smoothly.
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