First off, I have huge respect for what Andy is doing with his FTX90. His skills are impressive and he is going to have a great machine. I've spent hours zoomed in to his photos to see how he installed this or that.
About the same time as Andy started working on his I chose to go the factory route for my C87L. When I bought this mulcher, I knew about the challenge with the original engine. I paid at the lower end of the price range and I figured I could get some time out of it before the engine failed. Maybe it wouldn't. I put money into a blown engine fund and hoped for the best.
The list of other things to repair on this machine got long. I fixed what I could but if a problem involved pulling the cab or limb riser, it had to wait. This spring, what started as a small hydraulic leak became a large hydraulic leak. It was at the bottom, in-board side of the tank. I couldn't see the leak or work on it without pulling the machine apart.
I decided to send it to Rayco to have everything on the list fixed and the engine replaced. If the machine was already opened up, replacing the engine would at its least costly. The motor never did fail.
The Rayco factory Service Department did a great job! I want to say how pleased I am with their work. Their attention to detail was really good the new package is well designed and thought-out.
The new Yanmar engine is easier to service. The new left and right covers now open to the back, not overhead and have latches that allow padlocks. There are no screens or condensers in the side covers. The airflow has been reversed and now the engine compartment is under pressure (not vacuum) so it stays cleaner. The only screens are at the radiator and have new access covers. There is a little more room around the engine.
In the cab Rayco added a new tachometer/hour meter. The air conditioning blower is new (and really works). Noise level is the same but the seat-plate and foot-plate were caulked so the oil fumes are mostly gone. The service tech. took the time install new cab gaskets, a new throttle linkage and cable. I see new hydraulic hoses, pipes, grease fittings, bolts, seals, brackets and the leaks are fixed. He even made an adjustable mount and brush cage for my backup camera. OK, the coat of paint and stickers were a last minute addition, but what the heck.
I have 12 hours of mulching on the fresh machine. The power is better. I know the net horsepower is about the same but it feels stronger. Torque at the rotor seems higher; it will sustain a heavier cut on a tree or stump than before and rotor recovery is faster. This could be from the new engine, hi-flow pump adjustments or both.
I am familiar with the stories, I don't diminish what guys with that other engine went through. I just want to say: I received good value and great workmanship that is worth more than what I paid. The Service Department at Rayco did really good work.
Carl
About the same time as Andy started working on his I chose to go the factory route for my C87L. When I bought this mulcher, I knew about the challenge with the original engine. I paid at the lower end of the price range and I figured I could get some time out of it before the engine failed. Maybe it wouldn't. I put money into a blown engine fund and hoped for the best.
The list of other things to repair on this machine got long. I fixed what I could but if a problem involved pulling the cab or limb riser, it had to wait. This spring, what started as a small hydraulic leak became a large hydraulic leak. It was at the bottom, in-board side of the tank. I couldn't see the leak or work on it without pulling the machine apart.
I decided to send it to Rayco to have everything on the list fixed and the engine replaced. If the machine was already opened up, replacing the engine would at its least costly. The motor never did fail.
The Rayco factory Service Department did a great job! I want to say how pleased I am with their work. Their attention to detail was really good the new package is well designed and thought-out.
The new Yanmar engine is easier to service. The new left and right covers now open to the back, not overhead and have latches that allow padlocks. There are no screens or condensers in the side covers. The airflow has been reversed and now the engine compartment is under pressure (not vacuum) so it stays cleaner. The only screens are at the radiator and have new access covers. There is a little more room around the engine.
In the cab Rayco added a new tachometer/hour meter. The air conditioning blower is new (and really works). Noise level is the same but the seat-plate and foot-plate were caulked so the oil fumes are mostly gone. The service tech. took the time install new cab gaskets, a new throttle linkage and cable. I see new hydraulic hoses, pipes, grease fittings, bolts, seals, brackets and the leaks are fixed. He even made an adjustable mount and brush cage for my backup camera. OK, the coat of paint and stickers were a last minute addition, but what the heck.
I have 12 hours of mulching on the fresh machine. The power is better. I know the net horsepower is about the same but it feels stronger. Torque at the rotor seems higher; it will sustain a heavier cut on a tree or stump than before and rotor recovery is faster. This could be from the new engine, hi-flow pump adjustments or both.
I am familiar with the stories, I don't diminish what guys with that other engine went through. I just want to say: I received good value and great workmanship that is worth more than what I paid. The Service Department at Rayco did really good work.
Carl
