What Are Snow Tracks for Skid Steers?

Snow tracks for skid steers — sometimes called over-the-tire (OTT) tracks, rubber tracks, or steel tracks — are traction systems designed to replace or encapsulate the standard rubber tires of a skid steer loader. Rather than a small, round contact patch between tire and ground, tracks distribute the machine's weight across a long, continuous belt or linked-plate assembly.

The result is dramatically improved flotation on soft snow, ice-covered ground, and frozen terrain where standard tires would sink, spin, or slip. The concept borrows directly from military and agricultural tracked vehicles, scaled and optimized for the compact, high-torque demands of a skid steer loader.

There are two broad categories: over-the-tire rubber tracks that slip over existing tires without removing them, and dedicated rubber or steel undercarriage systems that require converting the machine to a full track loader configuration. Each carries distinct trade-offs in cost, performance, and installation complexity.

Why Skid Steers Struggle in Winter Without Tracks

Standard pneumatic tires on a skid steer have surprisingly little contact area relative to the machine's operating weight — often 3,000 to 12,000 lbs depending on model. On dry pavement or firm soil, this is rarely a problem. Snow and ice change the equation entirely.

Low Ground Pressure

Tires concentrate weight into a small area, causing the machine to punch through packed snow and lose traction.

Ice Slip

Rubber tires on ice generate minimal static friction, leading to wheel spin, loss of steering, and potential rollovers.

Compaction Depth

Deep, unconsolidated snow allows tires to sink past the axle, immobilizing the machine and requiring recovery equipment.

Frozen Turf Damage

Spinning tires tear up frozen sod and hardscape in ways that are costly to repair come spring.

Snow tracks address all four problems simultaneously. By spreading load over a footprint several times larger than four tires, they reduce ground pressure to 2–4 PSI on many configurations — comparable to a person walking on snow.

Types of Snow Tracks for Skid Steers

Steel Over-the-Tire Tracks

Steel OTT systems use interlocking metal plates bolted to a rubber inner belt. They offer greater longevity in abrasive conditions like gravel mixed with ice or frozen construction sites, and their aggressive lug pattern bites harder into compacted snow. The trade-off is added weight — typically 500–1,200 lbs per set — which stresses the machine's drivetrain and should be matched to the machine's rated operating capacity.

Dedicated Rubber Track Undercarriage Systems

These systems replace the entire tire-and-hub assembly with a purpose-built track drive. Because the track drives directly off the machine's hydraulic motors rather than through a tire interface, power transfer is more efficient. Dedicated systems perform at a higher level than OTT equivalents but require more involved installation — often 4–8 hours — and the machine cannot revert to wheeled operation without removing the entire assembly.

Steel Studded Winter Tracks

A specialized variant that embeds carbide or hardened steel studs into a standard rubber track. Studs dig into glare ice the way tire chains work on a passenger car, providing exceptional grip on icy inclines and frozen loading docks. They are loud, aggressive, and not suitable for finished surfaces.

Key Specifications to Evaluate

Top Brands and What Sets Them Apart

Industry Note Always cross-reference your skid steer's exact make, model, tire size, and operating weight with the track manufacturer's fitment guide before purchasing. Compatibility errors are the most common cause of return claims and premature track wear.

Installation: How Over-the-Tire Tracks Are Fitted

Fitting OTT snow tracks is a task most experienced equipment operators can complete without specialized tooling. The process below applies to the majority of rubber OTT systems.

• Position the machine on firm, level ground. Engage the parking brake and switch off the engine.
• Lay the track flat behind the rear tire. Ensure the drive lugs (the inner teeth) are facing inward toward the tire tread.
• Drive the machine slowly forward until the tire sits centered on the track. Many OTT systems have a pre-tensioned loop; the tire's weight naturally seats the track around the bottom arc.
• Use the machine's lift arms (if equipped with a chain/hook tool) to raise the front of the track over the tire. Some kits include a dedicated installation bar for this step.
• Seat the internal locking wedges or tighten the tensioning hardware according to manufacturer torque specifications — typically 80–120 ft-lbs on steel wedge bolts.
• Perform a brief slow-speed test drive on flat ground and inspect for track walk, looseness, or abnormal noise before putting the machine into service.

Important Never operate OTT tracks at highway speeds or use the machine to transport loads significantly beyond its rated tipping capacity. The added track weight reduces the effective bucket payload. Recheck tensioning after the first 2–4 hours of operation as the tracks seat themselves.

Performance Benefits: What to Expect in Real-World Use

Operators who switch to snow tracks for their skid steers consistently report the same set of improvements across varied applications — from commercial snow removal to agricultural winter feeding operations.

• Ground pressure reduction of 50–70% compared to standard tires, preventing post-hole sinking in deep snow
• Near-elimination of wheel spin on ice-covered loading dock ramps and grade changes
• Reduced turf damage when working on frozen lawns, sports fields, and golf courses
• Improved operator confidence on slopes up to 25–30 degrees depending on conditions
• Less tire wear, since tracks absorb the abrasive contact with ice-embedded debris like gravel and frozen aggregate
• Faster cycle times on snow-clearing jobs due to fewer lost-traction interruptions

Maintenance and Longevity

Rubber Track Care

Rubber OTT tracks generally last 600–1,500 operating hours depending on terrain, machine weight, and turning frequency. Skid steers are inherently hard on tracks due to their counter-rotating steering — one track is driven forward while the other reverses. Minimizing in-place pivoting and using wider turning arcs where possible extends track life significantly.

Inspect tracks weekly for cuts, de-bonding at the lug bases, and internal wire exposure. Clean out packed frozen debris from the drive lug channels, as ice accumulation can cause the track to skip or unseat during aggressive maneuvers.

Steel Track Care

Steel OTT and undercarriage tracks require lubrication of pivot pins and periodic inspection of hardware torque. Corrosion is the primary enemy — store steel tracks in a dry environment off-season, and apply a light coat of penetrating oil to fasteners before storage.

Seasonal Storage

When removing OTT tracks for the warm season, clean them thoroughly, inspect for damage, and store flat or on dedicated rack hangers. Avoid storing rubber tracks in direct sunlight or near ozone sources such as electric motors, which accelerate rubber degradation.

Selecting the Right Track for Your Application

Cost Considerations and Return on Investment

The purchase price for quality snow tracks for skid steers ranges considerably by type. Entry-level rubber OTT systems for smaller machines start around $2,500–$4,000 per set. Mid-range systems for full-size skid steers typically fall between $5,000–$9,000. Dedicated full-conversion undercarriage systems can range from $12,000 to over $25,000 depending on brand, machine size, and features.

ROI analysis should account for: reduction in machine downtime during winter months, lower risk of costly machine recovery (a stuck skid steer can require $500–$2,000 in recovery equipment and labor), extended tire life by 20–35% when tracks absorb abrasive-surface contact hours, and expansion of billable winter work previously impossible on wheeled machines.

Most commercial snow removal contractors and municipalities report full payback on a quality OTT track investment within one to three winter seasons, particularly when the alternative is renting dedicated tracked compact track loaders (CTLs) at $350–$600 per day.

Buying Tip Purchase tracks in late summer or early fall. Demand surges in November and December, leading to inventory shortages and extended lead times from major distributors. Off-season purchasing also allows time for a test installation before the first snowfall.

Making the Right Decision for Your Operation

Snow tracks for skid steers represent one of the highest-value equipment investments a contractor, municipality, or facility manager can make for winter operations. The choice between over-the-tire rubber systems, steel OTT tracks, and dedicated undercarriage conversions is ultimately driven by frequency of use, terrain type, budget, and whether the machine needs to transition back to wheeled operation for other seasons.

For the majority of operators, a quality rubber OTT system offers the ideal balance of performance, versatility, and cost. For those operating in extreme or abrasive winter conditions on a dedicated basis, a full undercarriage system or steel OTT set will deliver superior durability and power transfer. Whichever path you choose, verifying precise machine and tire compatibility with the manufacturer before purchasing remains the single most important step in the selection process.