You want to make sure your compact track loaders are in "ready to rent" mode. If your machines are in the shop, they're not available for rent and they're not making you money. Maintenance cannot be an afterthought.

Gregg Zupancic, John Deere product marketing manager, skid steers and compact track loaders, says the first step to making sure your fleet is in what he calls "ready to rent" mode - and not in the shop - is to think about maintenance at the time of purchase.

"Choose the manufacturer that offers models with the most uptime and the lowest daily operating costs features for quick and easy service," Zupancic says.

When compact track loaders are designed to be easy to clean and easy to service, it's more likely they will be kept in good working condition, he says.

After you've purchased a new compact track loader and it's arrived safely at its new home, treat it well and it will serve you well in return.