All-Terrain Mower Tires: Tracked vs Wheeled for Wet Soil (Lab Test)
When it comes to all-terrain mowing, the debate between tracked and wheeled mowers is as old as the hills—literally. Picture this: a soggy orchard after a spring downpour, where every pass risks leing deep ruts or worse, getting stuck. That’s where the right tires (or tracks) make all the difference.
The Muddy Truth: Lab Test Insights
In our recent lab tests, we pit wheeled mowers against their tracked counterparts on wet clay soil—the kind that clings like peanut butter. The results? Tracked mowers, with their wider surface area, distributed weight like a snowshoe, minimizing sinkage. Wheeled mowers, though nimble, often dug trenches, especially under hey loads like orchard maintenance equipment.
Real-World Trade-offs
Take Jake, a landscaper in Oregon’s wine country. His wheeled mower excels on gentle slopes but struggles after rains. Switching to tracks solved his slope mowing solutions woes, though he misses the speed. "Tracks are tanks," he laughs, "but they’re slow as molasses."
The Nitty-Gritty: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Tracked Mower | Wheeled Mower |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Soil Traction | Superior (less compaction) | Moderate (risk of rutting) |
| Speed | Slower | Faster |
| Maneuverability | Limited turning radius | Agile |
| Maintenance | Higher (more moving parts) | Lower |
| Best For | Commercial remote mower | Robotic lawn care units |
The Verdict
If your land is a swampy mess, tracks win. But for mixed terrain? Wheeled mowers strike a balance. As one engineer quipped, "It’s not about ‘best’—it’s about ‘best for your mess’."
Inspired by real-world testing and tire insights from .
: