My Biggest Regret Buying a Cat 299D3

[@reloadnorth7722]

After spending 42 years operating heavy equipment, and now retired, I will say that Cat went from the pinnacle of equipment to almost trash. I've had younger operators argue with me about that, insisting that Cat has the BEST SUPPORT, and I would answer Yes and they need it. You pay for a name with Cat.

[@theMTNman]

I do get excellent support from my dealership and I have 800 hours on my machine with essentially no issues. I plan to make a video soon reviewing the problems I have experienced, but the tracks were by far my biggest disappointment. Everyone says you pay for the name, but I have compared most of brands either by renting, demoing, or owning. I initially didn't want a CAT but ended up with one and I've been happy with it. CAT gave me a better price than practically all their competitors. Watch my initial review video if you get a chance and I explain my entire experience with CTLs and how I ended up with a CAT. Thanks for watching.

[@reloadnorth7722]

@@theMTNman Thankyou for the reply. Stay safe

[@timberstreefarm9579]

I work for a Cat dealer in Maine. Most machines have a track warranty based on age and hours. I’d suggest contacting your dealer about this issue.

[@theMTNman]

I've been in contact with them and they called today and asked me to bring it in. Looks like they are going to help me out. I have a fantastic dealer. Thanks for watching.

[@troyloftus4840]

I have the bar tracks on my 2019 259D3 with almost 1000 hrs in the Colorado mountains (mostly rock and decomposed granite) on them and they don't look anything like those... Mine will probably go another 500hrs or so... I think you got a bad set. Have you spoken to your local dealer? They would be putting a new set on my machine, I assure you...

[@theMTNman]

I reached out to them this week and they called back and asked me to bring it in. I thing they are going to help me out. They have been super supportive.

[@theoneonlymonkeymanohyea6769]

@@theMTNman I have same tracks I work in woods with mine has 1.5k hrs on mine looks nothing like that

[@scottmcquarrie7295]

I always thought it would be worth it to keep a ste of steel tracks when you need them and a rubber set when you need rubber tracks

[@theMTNman]

I think that's a great idea and I have considered it but it's a costly option. Red shale is hard on equipment, we had a dozer working in it and the wear on the blade and tracks after a few weeks was incredible.

[@Luke-iu5fc]

Thats nothing but abuse, tell your operators to stop spinning the tracks, and take the extra time to do a 3 point turn. Were getting 1500. -2000 hours on the same tracks

[@theMTNman]

Thanks for your comment.

[@kennybates6216]

If you are in a rocky condition the best rubber tracks you could get are probably what they call the D style it’s a block that’s thick and not individual lines like the ones you show on the video

[@theMTNman]

Thanks, been thinking the same thing. I got these because they are supposed to be better on the slick stuff and they ride really smooth.

[@robertbruce7937]

How many hours are on those tracks. Plus those tracks are designed for loose soil and snow.

[@theMTNman]

You are correct on their design properties. Unfortunately our property has a lot of red shale along with some very loamy soft soil too. The red shale cuts the tracks really easily. When I first got the replacement set I monitored the wear and my operating habits closely, no spinning, no tight turns, and absolutely no stationary turns. On the first set I would spin them occasionally but and make some tight turns but never donuts. Even while avoiding all these scenarios at the end of the day I would find large cuts in the tracks when operating it on red shale. The tracks in the video had about 400hrs on them and the new set has about 400 now. They are wearing better because I'm not working in the shale as frequently. Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing.

[@bellexcavation9862]

That’s no fun. For your next set, purchase tracks online at one of those 800 number online track retailers. They will be priced really well and much better than from trying to buy from your dealer. That’s what I do. Just look up the size on the side of your track and they will put together your order. I’m glad I got the block tread on my brand new 299D3xe. Thanks for this video. I originally wanted the bar tread like you have but realized the block would hold up better for my applications. I have had the bar tread and now the zig zag on a 239. Those are good tracks for my lighter machine.

[@theMTNman]

No fun at all. I'm weighing my options but will probably run these until they won't go anymore.

[@hvhardscapes]

We have a 249d3 with the same tracks. Just hit 300hrs and don’t look anything like that. Ours definitely have a few chunks out of them but not even close to looking like yours. Maybe the 299 is just too heavy on those thin treads?

[@theMTNman]

Cat has been good to me, I'll do an update video soon. They attributed it to the terrain I'm working on, but felt they should've lasted longer.

[@mikekertesz5293]

I wonder why most people opt for rubber. Great if your running them on hot asphalt but how often is that?

[@theMTNman]

I wanted steel but my rep said it would be a big mistake. I took his word for it and got rubber. I figured he knew better than me and the answer is probably found in your first statement. "most people opt for rubber". There must be a reason he recommended rubber and a reason very few people have steel. Thanks for watching.

[@mikekertesz5293]

@@theMTNman i have a feeling your rep was previously a doctor. 🤫

[@ChaseLandMgmt]

You can’t blame having the wrong tracks for your specific application, on the machine.

[@theMTNman]

I typically record and post so I hope I didn't give that impression. I'm not blaming it on the machine. I've wondered if I had the wrong type tracks too and was considering switching types when CAT replaced them. I even discussed steel with my rep. He said stick with the tracks that came on it, which was his original recommendation when I ordered it. Thanks for watching and for your comments.

[@pigslayer106]

I have a 2020 T76 and it came with nee multi bar wide tracks like that and after the first time I took them on a rocky job they never looked the same. On dirt they will last a very long time. Have to get the C or block pattern for rock use

[@theMTNman]

I think you are right. It's unfortunate because these seem to have better traction in mud and are offer a smoother ride.

[@MyNomDePlume]

My machine has 300 hours and my tracks look like new, even though I drive on gravel. I do 3 point turns though.

[@theMTNman]

I'm working in primarily red shale and I do 3 point turns as well. I have tried my best to not spin the tracks and the 2nd set already has significant wear. Been using a Bobcat with block style tracks and they hold up much better than these. I did notice CAT has a premium version of bar style tracks. I need to ask my sales rep if they use a different rubber compound. Thanks for watching.

[@robbinstruckinglandclearin786]

I have the same tracks on a289 got 300 hrs they still look great no chunks gone I’m in East Tennessee

[@theMTNman]

We are in East TN as well. I did a lot of brush cutting initially which caused a lot of cuts in my tracks from running over stumps while on some pretty steep slopes. Moved on and started pushing dirt consisting of various types of shale. I think the cuts from the brush cutting set me up for failure and the shale just ripped the lugs off. Either way I feel like they should have held up better and I have wondered if I got a bad set.

[@shaneoakley8757]

This is not normal. You need to contact your CAT rep and let them look into this. I’m guessing you will end up with a brand new set of D block style tracks. #CAT289D3

[@theMTNman]

My dealer is working with CAT to take care of me. Thanks for watching.

[@shaneoakley8757]

@@theMTNman perfect! CAT has taken exceptional care of us and we have been very happy with them. I’m glad they are looking out for you!

[@chriss7930]

You shredded them !! 😳

[@theMTNman]

Yes and thankfully CAT took care of me

[@dustinpitts2741]

I use the square block style on both of my machines in chert and rocky areas I would get with my dealership I get like 1800 hours on a set

[@theMTNman]

Thanks for letting me know. Definitely a consideration for my next set.

[@FlyingCircusAct]

300hrs, yikes! What’s been your primary surface?

[@theMTNman]

You can see what I'm working on in the videos. I mow with brush cutter in the woods on some significant slopes. The biggest difference came when we got into red shale. I cut the tracks up in the woods and the shale seems to rip off the lugs that got cut. I hope that makes sense.

[@teamdada2194]

Now you have a turf track now. Buy the right track next time lol.

[@theMTNman]

Don't find the humor but I appreciate you watching.

[@TeezleySPT]

I’m going to say you got a bad batch of tracks. Block style would be more durable I believe

[@theMTNman]

I agree, thankfully my dealer took care of me

[@Jblearthmoving]

4000 hrs out of the 287 Owner operator and three point turns Tracks like that come back to operator

[@VTOutdoorServices]

I have that style on our 259D3. I like them because I'm on lawns and pushing new gravel material on roads and driveways all the time. I have a 299 on order and would like to keep this style. I imagine those get torn up running on rocks and shit.

[@theMTNman]

I like them too, just hate mine torn up so quickly. I'm working with my dealer to see what CAT will do for me.

[@rontopping2048]

Demo ? Concrete block? Rocks?

[@theMTNman]

You can see the terrain in my videos, mainly running industrial brush cutter and working in red shale. No demo or concrete.

[@rontopping2048]

@@theMTNman great that cat stepped up

[@bwdiver1]

Those tracks aren’t good on Forrest or rocky terrain. I’ll tell you sells reps are useless I just had one tell me those are the tracks for Forrest mulching! I said nope! They are not! Bobcat offers that style track in a orange color and the are non marking which some land scalpers like when rolling around on customers drive ways are really nice pavers. Do your research and don’t buy from the dealers.

[@theMTNman]

I use my machine for a a variety of tasks and I'm not sure what to do. I have about 300 hours on the replacement set from CAT and they look better than the original set but still too much wear. I've really tried to be careful with this set too. Which tracks do you recommend. I use it probably 40% forestry and the rest is general purpose grading, power raking, forks, and drilling post holes.

[@regconrad7783]

Buy cat snow and mud tracks 1700 hrs on mine still look like new

[@theMTNman]

I'm looking at my options. I didn't realize these were their most cheaply made track. It's my understanding they have premium versions that are supposed to wear better. Sounds like you might have a premium set. I'm concerned the ground on our property is going to ruin anything. We have a lot of sharp rocks and once the track gets cut, it doesn't take long to rip a chunk out.

[@randall239]

YOU WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM I ONLY GOT Right ABOUT 450 HOURS OUTOF MINE .

[@theMTNman]

Thanks for watching. I'm going to try to take better care of this set.

[@traviskidwell3766]

I'd say your spinning your tracks, that's Typically what will do that

[@theMTNman]

Yes, I do spin them too much. I'm often in a rush and the ground I'm working on lends itself to spinning.

[@randall239]

IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE Your ONLY GOING TO GET THE MOST IS 500 HOURS .

[@theMTNman]

I hope this next set last longer than that. I'm going to try to be more careful with them.

[@holbrook134]

That’s the guy running the machine sorry man

[@theMTNman]

I appreciate your opinion, thanks for watching.

[@LITEWRENCH]

At 300 hours!!!!! At 150 hours I would have been making calls to my dealer. Why waste your time on making videos when you could be doing something worthwhile towards solving your issue.

[@theMTNman]

Well, I'm definitely a KZbin star now! When you start getting helpful positive comments you know you have arrived. Thanks for watching! Check out my other videos and hopefully you'll find something useful or you can provide some more inspiration.

[@trcattle2797]

Mine look like that at 900hrs maybe a little worse.

[@theMTNman]

CAT took care of me and I will try to do a follow up video soon. They told me they typically expect around 1000-1500 hours depending on use.

[@lotsofthc]

spend all this money buying a cat when the kubota machine is 1000 times better

[@theMTNman]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but based on your comment you haven't operated a CAT enough to make a comparison to Kubota and you haven't worked with a dealer to get a solid price. My dealership gave me a better deal than all the main competitors. See what the guys on KZbin say about mulching with a Kubota and let me know what you find.

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Hello just subscribed, we have the D pattern on our bobcat, I was told tracks for iff road, tires for asphalt Take care🚜🪵👍🏼🇺🇸

[@theMTNman]

Thanks for watching.