Did the ASV dealer meeting go as planned?

jmfox · Oct 9, 2007

Oct. 8th has come and gone. What can we expect from ASV in 2008?

jmf

Digdeep · Oct 9, 2007

I called my ASV salesman today to find out and he texted me a couple short message that said ASV introduced an all new logo and paint jobs for their machines that was "really **** cool" to use his words. He said they also introduced new changes to all of the models, including a 2-speed RC60 that does 11mph, a new aggressive track for the RC50 and RC60, released a new mulching head in partnership with FECON that is exclusive to ASV with a 2-speed motor similar to the Magnum. His text said that they split the meeting into two days of sessions and he expected more tomorrow since he was going out to ASVs demo site and sitting through some sessions about an undercarriage program and competitive selling. I call him again tomorrow afternoon and ask if he can take some pictures and tell me about the rest.

Gamma · Oct 10, 2007

So no mention yet of the rumored 125 h.p. machine?

Digdeep · Oct 11, 2007

I spoke to my salesman on the phone this afternoon after I got off of work. He was just getting back from the ASV meeting and filled me in on a few more details:
ASV released some kind of undercarriage package/program that reduces operating costs by up to 40%.
They conducted in the equipment training against multiple competitors and that the RC60 stood out against the others. He said that the new RC60 is a beast with a top speed of 11mph and more torque in low range. He also said it had new instrument clusters and all of the machines had new paint schemes that looked very good.

They did have training about brushcutting and said that he gets the feeling they are working on something new for brushcutting, but didn't know what.

Otherwise he said the rest focused on the tracked utility machine (he said there was some really cool stuff) and finance programs.

Gamma · Oct 19, 2007

My ASV saleman called me the other day to fill me in on the dealer meeting:

-They are discontinuing the RC-85 machine.
-All machines will be known as 'PT' machines instead of 'RC'. 'PT' for Posi-Track.
-Will be coming out with various track tread patterns instead of the single one that they have now.
-There was no mention of the rumored 125-hp machine at all.
-The RC-100 will not be getting the new track system that is used on the SR series and CAT machines. It would make the RC-100 too wide.
-The already mentioned brush mulching head built by Fecon will have more carbide teeth than the standard Fecon head in order to produce a smaller mulch size.
-Everything will be publicly announced this coming January.

I asked about the before mentioned undercarriage package/program that reduces operating costs by 40% and he knew nothing about it. Although this is when he mentioned the additionally available new track patterns.

jmfox · Oct 22, 2007

Gamma said:
I asked about the before mentioned undercarriage package/program that reduces operating costs by 40% and he knew nothing about it. Although this is when he mentioned the additionally available new track patterns.

From what I hear, ASV has introduced a complete track system, at a cheaper price, to their part's list rather than requiring the purchase of individual pieces.

jmf

Digdeep · Oct 22, 2007

jmfox...that makes sense. I was told it was some sort of package. I think it includes everything but the drive motors and torsion axles.

If this is the case it will bring my operating costs way down as I get closer to the 2,000 hour mark. So far I have just over 1,500 hours on my RC50 and I've only replaced 4 rear idlers. Everything is original, but I can imagine that I'll have to start replacing more bogie wheels in a little bit. I still get a kick out of how some people take digs at ASVs "plastic" bogies and idlers. I've paid less on undercarriage than anyone ever spent on one of the Bobcat tracked machines I used to sell. My buddies I used to sell with still sell Bobcat, Case, Mustang and Deere and they can't beleive how durable this undercarriage is based on what they get told by the manufacturers that they sell for. I just tell them that this is why I bought an ASV machine even after I was a Bobcat saleman. I knew enough about them after selling against them for years.