Key Takeaways

• Rubber tracks give the compact track loader better traction and flotation on soft, wet, or uneven ground; a skid steer holds up just as well on firm or paved surfaces, where the tracks don’t add any advantage.
• The CTL rides smoother over rough terrain, but that comfort comes at a cost: tracks are more expensive to replace than tires, so the skid steer wins on long-term maintenance cost.
• CTLs typically rent for more than a comparably sized skid steer, mainly because of higher purchase and track-maintenance costs baked into the rate. For reference, You can rent a CTL for as low as $464/day, $1160/week, or $2,900/4 weeks. Skid steers are available to rent for as low as $320/day, $800/week, or $2,000/4 weeks.
• Neither machine is the “better” one across the board. Ground conditions and budget should decide which undercarriage fits the job, not a default preference for one over the other.

Tracks or wheels, what actually changes

Both machines do the same basic job: load, carry, and place material with the same range of attachments. What changes is the undercarriage. A compact track loader runs on rubber tracks that spread the machine’s weight over a larger contact area. A skid steer runs on tires. That one difference is what drives almost every other tradeoff between them, from traction and ride to maintenance cost and rental price.

Deciding between a CTL and a skid steer

If you’re asking this question, you’re not deciding whether you need a compact loader. You already know that. You’re deciding whether the ground you’re working on, and the budget you’re working with, favor tracks or tires. A rancher moving hay across a wet pasture and a contractor working a paved lot have different answers to the same question, and Butler Machinery’s team can help you work through it either way.

Ground Conditions & Traction

The compact track loader wins here. Rubber tracks put more surface area on the ground than tires do, which lowers ground pressure and improves traction on soft, wet, or uneven terrain — mud, loose soil, snow, and rough grading all favor tracks. The skid steer holds its own on firm or paved ground, where the extra ground contact of a track doesn’t buy you anything and tires wear more evenly on hard, abrasive surfaces than tracks do.

Ride Quality & Comfort

The CTL generally wins on comfort. The larger contact area smooths out bumps and rough terrain in a way tires don’t, which matters over a full shift. Skid steers can bounce more at speed on uneven ground, since the ride comes through the tires rather than a track spreading impact across a longer footprint.

Cost to Own and Maintain

The skid steer wins on cost to own. Tires are cheaper to replace than rubber tracks, and tire wear is generally more predictable. Over the life of the machine, that adds up. A compact track loader’s traction and ride advantage comes with a real maintenance cost attached, so ask your Butler Machinery rep to walk through the numbers for your specific use case.

Rental Cost

The skid steer wins on rental price, generally. CTLs tend to rent for more than a comparably sized skid steer, largely because they cost more to buy and their tracks cost more to maintain, and that gets built into the rental rate. If you’re still deciding, Butler Machinery’s rental fleet is a low-commitment way to try either type before you buy.

Best Application

This one’s situational, not a clear winner. Choose the compact track loader for ag and rural jobsites: material handling around the yard, grain loading, livestock chores, land maintenance, and any work on wet, muddy, or unestablished ground. Because a CTL spreads its weight over a larger track surface, it’s far less likely to get stuck or sink in a wet field than a wheeled machine. That lower ground pressure matters beyond just staying mobile. On cropland and pasture, deep ruts and heavy soil compaction from equipment can affect yield for seasons afterward, so running tracks instead of tires is a real form of soil protection, not just a traction advantage.

Choose the skid steer for more urban or paved jobsites: parking lots, driveways, building pads, and other hard-surface construction work. Tires don’t lose anything to tracks on pavement, and you avoid paying to run tracks on abrasive surfaces they weren’t built for.

Ready to compare in person?

Butler Machinery carries both compact track loaders and skid steers, new and used, so you don’t have to guess from a spec sheet. Browse new inventory, check current used inventory, or rent one first to test it on your ground before you commit. Talk to your local branch about which fits your conditions and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a compact track loader and a skid steer?

The core difference is the undercarriage — rubber tracks on a CTL versus tires on a skid steer. That drives most of the other differences: traction, ride, and cost to own.

Is a CTL or skid steer better for soft ground?

The CTL. Its tracks spread weight over a larger area, which lowers ground pressure and improves traction on soft, wet, or uneven terrain.

Which costs more to rent — a CTL or skid steer?

CTLs generally rent for more than a comparably sized skid steer, largely due to higher purchase and track maintenance costs. Confirm current rates with your local branch for specific numbers.

Can a skid steer do everything a CTL can?

On firm or paved ground, largely yes. On soft, wet, or uneven ground, a skid steer will struggle with traction where a CTL won’t.

When should I choose tracks over wheels?

Choose tracks when ground conditions — mud, loose soil, snow, sensitive turf — make traction and ground pressure the priority over cost.