Hello, This past week I finally joined owners club on an older wheeled 743 and and mt 55 with tracks. Currently using the mt55 on a lawn with weak sod. Temps right now are freezing. I have to dig with with it and the vibration/movement form the machine busting up a few inches of frost is causing slight damage to the turf. Besides the expensive specialty mats for this type of thing what the next best affordable option? Plywood? I have some spare Or would a tarp work? A heavy duty thicker tarp layered? The mt55 is only 2600 lbs. Same questions would apply to the 743. Am I right to assume tires will be more destructive to a lawn than tracks? Thanks
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SkidRoe
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Plywood is the most popular and effective route.
I personally try to make wide sweeping turns, even it they have to be multi-point turns, to avoid undue stress on turf. But this only works if you have the space. Obviously, avoid pivot turns at all costs.
I usually tell the home owner that some turf damage will occur to gauge their reaction (they can't say I didn't warn them!!). So far, nobody has had an allergic reaction yet.
If the ground is really soft, or it has been freshly sodded, I put off the job until conditions improve. Can't always be done, but if you can...
Hope this helps - SR
I personally try to make wide sweeping turns, even it they have to be multi-point turns, to avoid undue stress on turf. But this only works if you have the space. Obviously, avoid pivot turns at all costs.
I usually tell the home owner that some turf damage will occur to gauge their reaction (they can't say I didn't warn them!!). So far, nobody has had an allergic reaction yet.
If the ground is really soft, or it has been freshly sodded, I put off the job until conditions improve. Can't always be done, but if you can...
Hope this helps - SR
I'm with Skidroe on plywood...or 2x10's if going in a straight line. Tires usually have thicker treads and heavier contact patch (psi), which mess up turf more so than a track machine (assuming identical machines, one with tires and one with tracks). The MT 55 is fairly light, but a tarp will not save the turf...machine will likely rip tarp on a turn. Plus, if your digging, you need traction, and a tarp will make matters worse...jmho Really depends on what your doing...if digging a single hole I'd take some effort to preserve turf (using a tarp/ply to hold spoils from dig, having machine on plywood). But if your doing a long trench or a large dig, I'd do as SR suggests and talk to HO. Cool little machine...didn't know BC made those...
