by joshski on 26 Jan 2009, 22:40
I am biased here but I can see both sides of the issue. The question really comes down to what you are doing.
If you are fleet grooming on trails and/or dozing out trails that haven't been groomed in a while I think that a yoke (the wheel) is the way to go. Running the yoke requires running the machine with the foot throttle - that is the biggest single downside to the yoke in most peoples mind. However, running the foot throttle also gives you the ability to back off the throttle when the tracks start to spin. If you think of driving your truck the first thing you do when the tires spin is back of the throttle to regain traction. Also, the wheel is many, many times more comfortable to run, once you get used to it. Last but not least, running the machine with a foot throttle saves fuel - big time. When you set the engine RPM's at 1400 all night you burn a lot more fuel on your down pass than you would running it with your foot.
Steering with sticks makes it easier to be precise for sure, that's why terrain park operators prefer them for the most part. Although I have seen many operators around the world that build parks with a steering wheel and have no trouble whatsoever. Fortunately the Germans build machines with both types of controls, it is always good to have choices.
Josh Nelson
PistenBully New England