Tire ruts in mud

[nsconductor]

I'm modeling a pulpwood yard on my layout. Using ground goop for the mud/dirt area around the yard. Wanting some tie marks/ruts around in the yard from trucks and loaders. I have an HO scale truck, and an HO scale Cat Front end loader......but don't want to ruin them by "driving" them around in that goop while it's wet. What would be a good method of making ruts? They won't be deep except in a few areas around "mud holes". I was thinking for truck tire ruts....maybe building a dually jig out of ice cream sticks the width of the tires and make the ruts with those. They would be so small you wouldn't really see tire tread.....but the loader on the other hand....how could I simulate loader tire tread?

 

[TrinityJayOne]

Some small LEGO tires would make excellent ruts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-LEGO-6015...305?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae3a049b9

Smaller tires than those exist, but those are a bit newer and have the curved edge so the rut would look a bit better I think.

 

[Ronzzr11]

Or you could go to Walmart, and get a cheap diecast truck,or tractor , just to use as a wheel rutter.
Ron