How to Prevent a Skid Steer From Making Ruts

Use a skid steer with tracks instead of wheels. Tracked vehicles distribute the vehicle's weight over a larger area and do less damage to the ground below. Look for tracks that are made of rubber or Kevlar; metal tracks have heavy metal studs that tear up the ground quite severely. Tracked vehicles are only a good option if the route the skid steer will take doesn't involve sharp turns; they can't turn on the spot like a wheeled model.

Turn as gently as possible. Sharp turns with a wheeled skid steer can tear up turf, breaking through the grass and roots to the soil below, an easy way to get a rut started.

Vary your path. If you have to go in and out of the site repeatedly, avoid driving over the same path. This will spread out the impact of your wheels across a broader area, lessening the chance of ruts developing where you have passed.

Lay down rubber mats or plywood boards under the wheels of the skid steer. You will need two helpers and at least 4 mats or boards. Lay down two of them parallel to each other, as far apart as the wheels are. Drive the skid steer onto the first pair, then bring the second pair around in front. When the skid steer crosses onto them, pick the others up and run them around to the front, continuing this until you reach the destination. This is labor intensive, but a good solution on muddy ground.