pe4me
New member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2008
- Messages
- 2
- Location
- Live in Wisconsin play in Michigan
- Tractor
- New Holland TC33DA, Bobcat 331X, ASV SR 80
I am only writing this because of all the wealth of info I have taken over the years. I come to the site and disproportionally take instead of give. Anyway, here is something I hope future users can find and reference as they look for new to them, used equipment. I am biased because I live in a low, sandy environment and found most of what ASV literature as well as fan boys say to be true: in its element, with a mindful operator, the machine is truly incredible.
Some background info on my situation. This is for my personal use only (at this point in time), I use it for acreage and helping others, I have owned NH LS180 (super boom, super simple and capable) which I used to build my house and landscape, I rented a Tak 230 series 2 for a month thinking it would be "the one." In short, impressive machine but slow, uncomfortable ride and maybe overbuilt for my application? Cab was A-1. Plus lots of seat in Case 1845C and various others so while I am not an expert, I am pretty aware.
What do you get for $20k these days? not much. I gave 20 for a 1400 hour machine with cab, heat and new tracks. 16+/- was the going auction price for the roll of the dice buyer. I am not a mechanic, know enough to get in trouble type wrench but I have smarter friends and internet access.
Initial impressions: exactly as I researched. Cab looks cheap compared to higher end cat type cabs. Door was in shambles, rail guides bent, shock springs junk and door held open with a rope...literally. But with less than an hour and some bending and new tubes its suffice. Inside is ratty, loose fitting parts and cheap plastic cup holder and trays. Again, a little work and its acceptable but not impressing anyone coming out of gold series bobcat. But...whatever...it was all true and I new that. That said, it tore up seat and crappy looks delivers a ride on the property like you cant believe. Awesome. Visibility is just like anything else, I can see what I need to and it doesnt stick out as WAY better or worse than any other machine.
Hydraulics are fine. Again, its sneaky powerful because while it small stature doesnt intimidate, it does have plenty of power run a XC8 brush mower, huge grapple and anything I through at it. Does it lift the house like NH? I am not sure how it compares to other 80HP machines, but it just find for all do and has High and low flow. Pilot joysticks are responsive I didnt notice the tak being any smoother, more powerful and stout feeling? yeah, but to this point I haven;t pushed the ASV like the Tak and actually not sure I would. The Tak was a beast, what would an 80hp tak do? I would like to see. But in short, hydraulics are acceptably smooth.
Drive: fast, comfortable and 85% accurate. The old push pull sticks on the 1845C or the NW always seemed to be dead nuts. The pilot of the ASV are great, easy and you can be precise to the limits of the pilot which again is pretty darn good. Were other pilots better? Maybe, but I couldn't quantify how much better if any.
Track system: I have a swampy area that I went through with NH 180 with tracks on and played around with the Tak in, but this is where all bets are off. Hands down the ASV is unbelievably better, more like you have to try it to appreciate how much better it really is. With 20 inch tracks I guess it should, but where I would bury a wheeled machine, I could run a 1800 pound brush mower through the wet ground without leaving ruts. Super impressed. I can cruise across the yard and with one rain fall not tell where I was with a full bucket. In the harder/firm areas of the lawn I could do that with the Tak but the ASV is pretty much go anywhere, any time. Cool stuff for guys who need that capability.
What's not written: Its a simple machine. Sure some things are a ***** to get at but so are they all. It is quick to disassemble and get access to things and there are no complicated electronics. I had purchased with a few gremlins but all were sorted. Mostly do to routing and fitment issues but all could be done. Looking at the Tak, with emmissions and what not? Not the same experience. Track system is simple. Again, all faults and issues apply but its not difficult to gain access or clean or replace just about any parts...by yourself. Can you find the nightmare story and point out flaws? Yep, but its a machine and it can be fixed.
So for anyone out there looking for another review on an ASV SR 80 circa 2006, dont be afraid. Its a lot of machine in a small package.
I would love to have new Cummins powered ASV, but for my intents and purposes this was a great buy.
Some background info on my situation. This is for my personal use only (at this point in time), I use it for acreage and helping others, I have owned NH LS180 (super boom, super simple and capable) which I used to build my house and landscape, I rented a Tak 230 series 2 for a month thinking it would be "the one." In short, impressive machine but slow, uncomfortable ride and maybe overbuilt for my application? Cab was A-1. Plus lots of seat in Case 1845C and various others so while I am not an expert, I am pretty aware.
What do you get for $20k these days? not much. I gave 20 for a 1400 hour machine with cab, heat and new tracks. 16+/- was the going auction price for the roll of the dice buyer. I am not a mechanic, know enough to get in trouble type wrench but I have smarter friends and internet access.
Initial impressions: exactly as I researched. Cab looks cheap compared to higher end cat type cabs. Door was in shambles, rail guides bent, shock springs junk and door held open with a rope...literally. But with less than an hour and some bending and new tubes its suffice. Inside is ratty, loose fitting parts and cheap plastic cup holder and trays. Again, a little work and its acceptable but not impressing anyone coming out of gold series bobcat. But...whatever...it was all true and I new that. That said, it tore up seat and crappy looks delivers a ride on the property like you cant believe. Awesome. Visibility is just like anything else, I can see what I need to and it doesnt stick out as WAY better or worse than any other machine.
Hydraulics are fine. Again, its sneaky powerful because while it small stature doesnt intimidate, it does have plenty of power run a XC8 brush mower, huge grapple and anything I through at it. Does it lift the house like NH? I am not sure how it compares to other 80HP machines, but it just find for all do and has High and low flow. Pilot joysticks are responsive I didnt notice the tak being any smoother, more powerful and stout feeling? yeah, but to this point I haven;t pushed the ASV like the Tak and actually not sure I would. The Tak was a beast, what would an 80hp tak do? I would like to see. But in short, hydraulics are acceptably smooth.
Drive: fast, comfortable and 85% accurate. The old push pull sticks on the 1845C or the NW always seemed to be dead nuts. The pilot of the ASV are great, easy and you can be precise to the limits of the pilot which again is pretty darn good. Were other pilots better? Maybe, but I couldn't quantify how much better if any.
Track system: I have a swampy area that I went through with NH 180 with tracks on and played around with the Tak in, but this is where all bets are off. Hands down the ASV is unbelievably better, more like you have to try it to appreciate how much better it really is. With 20 inch tracks I guess it should, but where I would bury a wheeled machine, I could run a 1800 pound brush mower through the wet ground without leaving ruts. Super impressed. I can cruise across the yard and with one rain fall not tell where I was with a full bucket. In the harder/firm areas of the lawn I could do that with the Tak but the ASV is pretty much go anywhere, any time. Cool stuff for guys who need that capability.
What's not written: Its a simple machine. Sure some things are a ***** to get at but so are they all. It is quick to disassemble and get access to things and there are no complicated electronics. I had purchased with a few gremlins but all were sorted. Mostly do to routing and fitment issues but all could be done. Looking at the Tak, with emmissions and what not? Not the same experience. Track system is simple. Again, all faults and issues apply but its not difficult to gain access or clean or replace just about any parts...by yourself. Can you find the nightmare story and point out flaws? Yep, but its a machine and it can be fixed.
So for anyone out there looking for another review on an ASV SR 80 circa 2006, dont be afraid. Its a lot of machine in a small package.
I would love to have new Cummins powered ASV, but for my intents and purposes this was a great buy.
