ASV Skid Steers & Track Loaders (Buyer’s Guide)

Choose an ASV compact track loader by matching rated operating capacity, lift reach, hydraulic needs, terrain, and transport limits to your actual jobs. Do not use tipping load as payload capacity or horsepower as a shortcut. Confirm the exact machine’s serial-number-specific specifications, then check the attachment, site, and safety systems before work begins.

A loader can look like the right size and still be a poor fit if its attachment needs more hydraulic flow than the machine supplies, or if the loaded machine exceeds your trailer’s capacity. Start with the heaviest loads and most demanding attachment you expect to use. Then check terrain and transport limits.

I use the same order when comparing machines: load, attachment, ground, and transport. That keeps a high horsepower figure or a large bucket from distracting from the limits that matter on site.

Machine Selection, Attachment Setup & Safety Checks

A good ASV machine match starts with rated operating capacity (ROC), lift geometry, and attachment compatibility. ROC is the manufacturer’s rated working capacity, not the machine’s maximum tipping load. Use the exact model and configuration documentation to check these figures, along with operating weight, hydraulic ratings, and any limits that apply to your attachment.

Compare capacity, reach, and hydraulic needs

ROC helps you compare how much a loader is rated to carry under the manufacturer’s test basis. Tipping load is the load at which the machine may tip under specified test conditions. It is not a safe working payload. ASV CTL ROC is generally stated as 35% of tipping load, but verify the stated rating and test basis for the specific model.

For example, commonly published ASV RT-75 reference figures include 74.3 hp, a 2,590 lb ROC, a 7,400 lb tipping load, and maximum auxiliary flow of 30.5 gpm. These are reference figures, not guaranteed specifications for every model year or configuration. Check the machine’s serial-number-specific OEM documentation before making a purchase or planning a lift.

Lift geometry describes how the arms move and where they place a load. Compare lift height and reach at the height you need, not just the highest advertised point. A machine that reaches a truck bed may not have the same rated capacity at that position as it does at a lower height.

Auxiliary hydraulic flow is the oil supply available to run an attachment. Check both the attachment’s required flow and pressure against the loader’s rated auxiliary circuit. Confirm whether the attachment needs standard or high flow, and check couplers and hose requirements. A matching gpm figure alone does not prove compatibility.

Before purchase, list the attachments you will use most. Check the manufacturer’s requirements for each one, then confirm compatibility with the dealer or OEM documentation. If a used machine comes with an attachment, do not assume the hoses or couplers make it compatible.

Worked selection examples

These are illustrative buying scenarios, not reports of specific customer jobs. They show how I would narrow a machine choice without treating a single spec as the answer.

• Pallet handling: Identify the heaviest expected load, then check ROC and the lift position where it must be placed. Include the attachment and operating configuration in the review. The load fitting on the forks does not prove the machine is within its rating.
• Milling or other hydraulic work: Start with the attachment’s required flow and pressure. Compare those requirements with the loader’s auxiliary circuit and confirm the correct couplers. If the attachment calls for high flow, do not assume a standard-flow circuit will run it properly.
• Work near lawns or soft ground: Compare track width, tread, undercarriage condition, and published ground-pressure data. Lower ground pressure may help reduce surface impact, but it does not make soft edges or slopes safe.

Next step: Build a one-page list of loads, attachments, surfaces, and transport limits before comparing model names.

Pre-use and attachment checks

Read the operator’s manual for the exact machine. Before starting, inspect tracks, rollers, sprockets, attachment pins, couplers, hoses, guards, and visible fluid leaks. Check overhead hazards, utilities, slopes, traffic, ground bearing, and exclusion zones. Keep people clear of the machine and attachment.

Fit the attachment using the OEM procedure and confirm that it is locked. Relieve hydraulic pressure as the manual directs before connecting or disconnecting hoses. Do not bypass the seat bar, restraint, door, or other interlock systems. If the machine uses a lift-arm support, use the OEM-approved support before working beneath raised arms.

Field Operation, Load Handling & Terrain Limits

Safe operation depends on more than the load’s weight. Attachment position, turns, movement, and uneven ground can change stability. Stay within the exact machine’s operating instructions, keep the load low while traveling, and do not treat ROC as a rating for slopes, edges, or unstable fill.

Start and function-test the loader

Start from the operator’s station with controls in the neutral or lockout state specified in the manual. Follow the model’s cold- or warm-start procedure. Check warning indicators before moving.

In a clear area, test steering, brakes, interlocks, lift, tilt, and auxiliary hydraulics at low speed. Stop if a warning remains on, a control behaves unexpectedly, or a hose leaks. Do not try to work around a safety interlock; have a qualified technician diagnose a fault.

Carry and place loads with care

Keep loads low during travel and avoid abrupt turns or sudden control inputs. Keep people outside the machine’s and attachment’s working area. Do not lift or carry people with the arms, bucket, forks, or another attachment.

A load below ROC can still be unsafe on sloped or unstable ground. A turn, raised attachment, shifting load, or soft edge can affect stability. Follow the model’s slope limits and operating instructions. Avoid side-slope travel where the manual prohibits it, and do not rely on a low ground-pressure figure as permission to cross an unsafe surface.

Transport weight and tie-downs

Use the configured operating weight, including installed options and the attachment, when checking transport capacity. Compare it with the trailer’s payload rating, the tow vehicle’s limits, and tie-down ratings. Account for how the machine and attachment are positioned on the trailer. Do not rely on the base machine’s listed weight if the hauled configuration is heavier.

Next step: Before each shift, identify the travel route and where loads will be lifted or placed. Change the plan if the ground, clearance, or traffic conditions are not suitable.

Inspection, Track Care & Hydraulic Maintenance

Routine checks help spot issues before they interrupt work or damage components. Inspect the undercarriage and hydraulic system using the operator’s manual, and treat unusual wear, leaks, or warning lights as reasons to stop and investigate. Service intervals and adjustment steps vary by model, so use the correct OEM schedule.

Check the undercarriage

Look at tracks, rollers, sprockets, and other visible undercarriage parts for damage, unusual wear, or buildup. Check track condition and tension using the model’s procedure; do not guess at an adjustment value. Remove packed material as directed, since buildup can affect inspection and operation.

Track width and tread affect how a machine contacts the ground, but condition matters too. A worn or damaged track can change traction and increase the chance of a work delay. If you are buying used, inspect the undercarriage closely and ask about service history. Have a dealer or qualified technician assess concerns you cannot confirm.

Check hydraulics and attachment connections

Look for damaged hoses, loose fittings, leaks, and worn couplers. Keep dirt out of open hydraulic connections. Stop and relieve pressure using the manual’s procedure before disconnecting an attachment. Hot components can cause burns, so allow them to cool before cleaning or inspection.

Use only the fluid, filters, and service intervals specified for the exact machine. If an attachment is slow, noisy, or fails to operate, confirm the connection and circuit type first. Stop if a hose leaks or the machine shows a hydraulic warning; do not continue to operate it to see whether the issue clears.

Next step: Record inspections and service by date and machine hours. A clear record makes recurring wear easier to spot and helps when you assess a used loader.

Storage, Cold-Weather Preparation & Seasonal Service

Prepare the loader for storage or cold starts by following the model’s manual, not a generic checklist. Clean and inspect the machine, protect exposed connections as directed, and use the specified fluids and service schedule. Cold-weather procedures vary by machine and temperature, so confirm them before the season begins.

Before storage, park on firm, level ground, lower the attachment and lift arms, neutralize controls, engage the parking or lockout system, shut down, and remove the key. Clean the machine as the manual directs, then inspect for leaks, track damage, and loose or damaged parts. Store attachments so hoses and couplers are protected from dirt and damage.

For cold starts, follow the OEM procedure for the model and conditions. Do not use starting aids unless the manufacturer permits them. Before seasonal work, check the battery and visible wiring, warning indicators, hydraulic connections, tracks, and attachment lock. Let the machine warm or cycle controls only as the manual directs.

Frequently asked questions

What should I check first when buying an ASV track loader?
Start with ROC for your heaviest expected load, then check lift geometry, attachment hydraulics, operating weight, and the terrain where you will work.

Is tipping load the same as rated operating capacity?
No. Tipping load is not a safe working payload. Use the manufacturer’s ROC for the exact model and configuration.

How much can an ASV RT-75 lift?
Commonly published reference specifications list a 2,590 lb ROC. Verify the exact model year, configuration, rating basis, and operating instructions before planning a lift.

Does high hydraulic flow mean every attachment will fit?
No. Match required flow and pressure, circuit type, and couplers. A gpm figure alone does not establish compatibility.

Can I use ROC to judge whether a slope is safe?
No. ROC is not a slope-stability rating. Follow the model’s slope instructions and assess the ground and route.

Does low ground pressure make soft ground safe?
No. Ground-pressure data can help compare surface impact, but it does not make unstable ground, soft edges, or slopes safe.

What weight should I use to choose a trailer?
Use the configured machine weight, including installed options and attachment. Check trailer payload, tie-down capacity, and tow-vehicle limits.

What should I inspect before operating?
Check tracks, rollers, sprockets, pins, couplers, hoses, guards, and fluid leaks. Review site hazards and confirm the attachment is locked.

Can I work under raised lift arms if the machine is shut off?
Not without the OEM-approved lift-arm support engaged as specified. Follow the manual’s procedure.

What should I do if a warning light stays on?
Stop and consult the operator’s manual. Do not bypass an interlock or keep operating through a warning; arrange diagnosis if needed.

A sound buying decision comes from matching the full machine-and-attachment setup to your work. Verify the exact specifications, account for transport weight, and treat ground conditions and safety systems as part of the selection, not as afterthoughts.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Harrison Croft. Visit our Meet the Team page.)