Tracked Skid Steer shopping ... your input please

[Rio_Grande]

We love our ctl70 which is really a rebadged mtl20 or takehuchi tl140. Not near as expensive as some of the others when it comes to undercarriage. My only complaint is it often takes looking up all the models above to find filters and the like. I can say I do clearing work with mine and when running the brush cutter on extreme hills I could use a bit more power. I often wonder if a mtl25 would have enough power to make the difference in price. Then I realize the only time it wants for power is when we are pushing it which is rare.

I have run an asv 100 for about a week, not a bad word to say about them. They lift a little strange, not bad just different.

Wouldn't buy anything made by new holland, bad experiences in the past.

Cat is a smooth ride but I would have to book it daily to pay the price.

I don't like anything bobcat.

 

[Lsquared]

For what it is worth I have a Deere 333D and the best recommendation I can give you is I would get another one tomorrow if this one died. I use it for farm/excavation work. I use a tree puller, grapple, dirt bucket, post hole digger, small square hay bale forks, pallet forks and rotary mower. I have COPD and the cab air handling system keeps the air clean! I did add a cab cam facing rearward to help minimize twisting around in the seat to "look back". One of the deciding factors for me when I purchased it new was the dealer and their support. They were the closest and helpful. Good luck.

 

[TSO]

Little update...

Last week I ran a Bobcat T770 for about 30 hrs, clearing some land. Found the machine to be pretty loud, visibility sucked. Had foot controls, which I'm not a fan of. I can run them well, and I don't mind the hand portion (like a zero turn)... But HATE using my feet for loader controls. Anyhow, this machine was bigger than I'd prefer anyhow (10,500). Overall felt ok, but was glad to turn it back in.

This week, I'm running a 2010 Terex PT70. (ASV SR70). Wow what a drastic difference in ride quality, comfort, visibility, and bucket controls. The pilot control was nice, but there's a little delay between forward and backward movements, which I'm assuming is normal. I wish it was an immediate direction change when I move the lever, but I've ran it so far for about 10 hours and I'm liking it. Hydraulics feel strong and the machine feels very balanced as a whole, only weighs 7800'lbs too.

Now I know that it has the both "heralded and dreaded" ASV undercarriage... However it does have newer tracks and the drive sprocket components (squirrel cage) and a couple random bogies have been changed recently). It looks like I could probably get another 100-300 hrs out of most of the bogies, then start replacing them as needed. Machine has 1900'ish hours, but the 71 HP Perkins runs very smooth and quiet, and it's pretty clean overall. I can buy it for a pretty fair price if I want, so I'm debating... My uses are mostly grading and moving dirt around, and from what folks seem to report, that's the best environment for the ASV undercarriage components.

I'd still like to drive a Tak (or comparable mustang/Gehl) or the newer Gehl (or Yanmar) units... But it's hard finding the time.

I played briefly on a couple CAT machines, but dealing with CAT is frustrating, and they make you feel like if you're not a big company spending $200k, they don't have time for you.

Looks like we may be getting 5"+ of snow tomorrow, so at least I'll be able to try out the Terex on snow.

Thoughts?


The T770



Did a nice job setting the driveway



Moving dirt



Next to the Massey

 

[TSO]

Phone duplicate

 

[Green Power]

I vote for the bobcat, but i am saying that because of currently having bobcats... However i would get a older one with less, to none emissions stuff, i.e. a T250.

 

[Tomtint]

A number of years ago I bought a 40 hour 246 Cat from a friend of mine. It was a tire machine. I use it for snow removal and grading my road. A couple years ago it needed tires and I had a itch for a trac machine.. So went shopping. Looked at the 247 ASV and like you found out how finicky and expensive maintence is on them. Looked at the Kubota and liked it but wanted them in the field longer to work out any bugs. Looked at the Cat 259 and really liked it but I can buy a condo in Fla. For the same money. I ended up keeping my 246 and buying a entire Loegering track undercarriage with 18" tracks that bolt onto the hubs where the tires were... The thing is a absolute beast now. The rise of the ASV is unmatched on rough ground but the rigid undercarriage is just bulletproof

 

[RDrancher]

Don't get sucked into the ASV comfort trap. A nice ride isn't everything. I'd be willing to bet that if you had been running the Bobcat with joysticks you would have liked it. I can run hand / foot controls, but I don't like them. Humans don't move things with their feet, or walk on their hands. It ain't right! As far as visibility...you do get used to having to look around the loader towers on a vertical lift machine. It just takes more seat time. Weight wise, the heavier machine will usually have more pushing / breakout power, and that's what moving dirt is all about. I'll take the larger machine every time. My Case is known for excellent breakout and weighs in close to 10.5k with the cab enclosure and tooth bucket...and I want more power! You'll never want less. It is true that towing the larger machines around everyday can be a pain, but it's worth it when you get to the job and put that bad motor scooter to work.

 

[scoutcub]

TSO -

My .02 worth may only be .01 worth, but I'll give it anyways....lol. I don't have a lot of experience on different machines, but did operate Gehl's years ago and while not bad wasn't a huge fan for controls and wheels.
I currently own 2 289's, (probably have to sell 1 with the oil industry tanking) which is bigger than your target machine but the wide tracks and pilot controls for me is the way to go. I'm still learning to maneuver in the woods, wish it had side mirrors, lol. But for open areas and moving dirt/stumps/logs, it blows my 50 HP CUT out of the water. Biggest complaint thus far is being able to override the backup alarm (if you can can't find it) lol.
I have only been to my local CAT dealer once (for a manual) but they were very accommodating and even threw me a couple "ohio CAT" decals. I have called them with questions and price quotes on a few parts and again they have been great. I think it all depends on the dealer, and the person (s) you are talking to.....
Good luck!

 

[TSO]

TSO -

My .02 worth may only be .01 worth, but I'll give it anyways....lol. I don't have a lot of experience on different machines, but did operate Gehl's years ago and while not bad wasn't a huge fan for controls and wheels.
I currently own 2 289's, (probably have to sell 1 with the oil industry tanking) which is bigger than your target machine but the wide tracks and pilot controls for me is the way to go. I'm still learning to maneuver in the woods, wish it had side mirrors, lol. But for open areas and moving dirt/stumps/logs, it blows my 50 HP CUT out of the water. Biggest complaint thus far is being able to override the backup alarm (if you can can't find it) lol.
I have only been to my local CAT dealer once (for a manual) but they were very accommodating and even threw me a couple "ohio CAT" decals. I have called them with questions and price quotes on a few parts and again they have been great. I think it all depends on the dealer, and the person (s) you are talking to.....
Good luck!

Maybe it's just the Michigan CAT people at the dealers near me... And the Michigan CAT corporate folks. They have a huge selection at the location near me, but there does seem to be a price premium for the CAT stickers.

I'm leaning towards the idea that, IF I buy something with an ASV undercarriage, I might as well just buy an ASV unit for way less money than the CAT. Specs wise, this PT70 is hard to beat (when considering the weight/power numbers) and I can potentially get this cheap enough to offset some of the maintenance costs of the undercarriage.

 

[TSO]

TSO -

My .02 worth may only be .01 worth, but I'll give it anyways....lol. I don't have a lot of experience on different machines, but did operate Gehl's years ago and while not bad wasn't a huge fan for controls and wheels.
I currently own 2 289's, (probably have to sell 1 with the oil industry tanking) which is bigger than your target machine but the wide tracks and pilot controls for me is the way to go. I'm still learning to maneuver in the woods, wish it had side mirrors, lol. But for open areas and moving dirt/stumps/logs, it blows my 50 HP CUT out of the water. Biggest complaint thus far is being able to override the backup alarm (if you can can't find it) lol.
I have only been to my local CAT dealer once (for a manual) but they were very accommodating and even threw me a couple "ohio CAT" decals. I have called them with questions and price quotes on a few parts and again they have been great. I think it all depends on the dealer, and the person (s) you are talking to.....
Good luck!

Maybe it's just the Michigan CAT people at the dealers near me... And the Michigan CAT corporate folks. They have a huge selection at the location near me, but there does seem to be a price premium for the CAT stickers.

I'm leaning towards the idea that, IF I buy something with an ASV undercarriage, I might as well just buy an ASV unit for way less money than the CAT. Specs wise, this PT70 is hard to beat (when considering the weight/power numbers) and I can potentially get this cheap enough to offset some of the maintenance costs of the undercarriage.