Posi Track Hire in Australia: Compact Track Loader Dry Hire Guide

The posi track — known formally as a compact track loader (CTL) — is one of the most versatile machines in the civil construction arsenal. Small enough to access tight sites, powerful enough to shift serious volumes of material, and with rubber tracks that work in conditions that would bog a wheeled machine, a posi track punches well above its weight class.

What is a posi track?

A posi track is a compact, skid-steer-style loader running on rubber tracks instead of wheels. The "posi track" name is a common Australian term — the same machine is called a compact track loader (CTL) or multi-terrain loader internationally.

Key characteristics:

• Operating weight: Typically 3,000–5,500kg
• Rated operating capacity: 600–1,500kg depending on model
• Engine power: 50–80kW
• Ground pressure: Very low — rubber tracks spread the weight, making these ideal for soft ground
• Hitch system: Universal skid steer quick-attach hitch on most models, compatible with hundreds of attachments
• Visibility: Typically good forward visibility through the boom geometry

What are posi tracks used for?

Posi tracks are workhorses across a wide range of civil and site preparation tasks:

• Bulk material movement — moving topsoil, gravel, fill, mulch, compost and aggregate
• Site clearing — scrubbing vegetation, pushing debris, clearing topsoil
• Grading and levelling — with a blade attachment, excellent for finish grading
• Drainage work — digging trenches with a trencher attachment, backfilling
• Concrete work — placing and spreading concrete, pouring slabs
• Demolition cleanup — loading rubble, brick and demolition waste
• Landscaping — material placement, planting area preparation, turf laying
• Agricultural work — feed distribution, yard maintenance, earthmoving on farms

Posi track vs skid steer — which should you hire?

The main decision when considering this class of machine is tracks vs tyres.

Choose a posi track (CTL) when:

• Your site is soft, muddy, or waterlogged
• You're working on finished lawn or sensitive ground where ground pressure matters
• You're operating on uneven, rocky or rough terrain
• You need better traction in challenging underfoot conditions

Choose a skid steer when:

• You're primarily working on hard surfaces (concrete, asphalt, compacted gravel)
• You need higher travel speed across a site
• Your site access involves sealed road
• Hire cost is a primary factor (skid steers are often slightly cheaper to hire)

Common posi track brands

Australian hire fleets include machines from several major manufacturers:

• CAT (Caterpillar) — 299 and 289 series, strong local dealer support
• Bobcat — the brand that popularised skid steers; their T Series CTLs are widely available
• John Deere — 317G, 331G and 333G compact track loaders
• Komatsu — CX series
• Kubota — SVL series, popular for their fuel efficiency
• Takeuchi — TL series, strong reputation in Australian civil market
• ASV — known for low ground pressure designs

Attachments for posi tracks

The near-universal skid steer quick-attach hitch means a posi track can run an enormous range of attachments. Popular choices available through Rollout include:

• GP (general purpose) buckets — the standard; use for digging, loading, spreading
• 4-in-1 / combination buckets — clam-shell opening for dozing, grabbing, and levelling
• Pallet forks — for handling pallets of materials or pipe
• Auger drives — post holes, piers, soil borings
• Trenchers — chain trenchers for drainage, services and irrigation
• Grading / angle blades — for fine finish grading
• Vibratory plate compactors — for trench and pad compaction
• Mulching heads — land clearing and vegetation management
• Brooms — site cleanup on hard surfaces
• Stump grinders

See our attachment hire guide for compatibility details.

How much does posi track hire cost in Australia?

Dry hire rates for posi tracks through Rollout:

• Daily rate: approximately $450–$750/day depending on model size and age
• Weekly rate: approximately $2,000–$3,200/week

Larger, newer models with more features will sit toward the top of these ranges. Attachment hire is additional. Float transport cost is extra and depends on distance — see our float transport guide.

Float transport for posi tracks

Most posi tracks weigh between 3 and 5.5 tonnes, making them transportable on a tag trailer or medium-duty low-loader. Many civil contractors tow their own posi tracks with a suitable ute or truck. If you need the machine delivered to site, Rollout can arrange float transport through our partner network.

Booking a posi track on Rollout

1. Browse listings at rollout.net.au/listings — filter by machine type: Posi Track / Compact Track Loader
2. Check specs, photos, and available dates
3. Select your hire period and submit a request
4. Owner accepts within 24 hours
5. Payment held securely via Stripe
6. Collect or arrange float delivery

FAQ

What is the difference between a posi track and a skid steer? A posi track runs on rubber tracks, giving much lower ground pressure — better for soft or muddy ground. A skid steer uses rubber tyres and is faster on hard surfaces.

Do I need a licence to operate a posi track? Most posi tracks fall under the 3-tonne threshold that triggers HRWL requirements, though larger models can exceed this. Check the specific machine's operating weight.

What attachments can I use with a hired posi track? Most use a universal skid steer quick-attach hitch, compatible with hundreds of attachment types: buckets, pallet forks, augers, trenchers, brooms, grading blades and more.