Looking at a Fecon FTX 140

[mulchoregon]

Hey all,
I am new to the discussion board and have appreciated all of the great information that is out there. I am currently putting the final touches and getting ready to impliment my mulching business plan. I am still deciding which machine to go with. I would like to do enough large jobs to get a 140, but have been thinking of starting with a skidd steer track machine due to versatility. Can anyone tell me the goods and bads with the ftx 140? And secondly is anyone on the board from the northwestern part of the USA. Thanks for all of the input in advance and good mulching to you.

-MulchOregon

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Hey Mr. Mulch
I can only use my demo of a C-130 as a comparison. As you probably know Rayco makes the fecon tractor, fecon runs there head and rayco there's.

The 130/140 is the same tractor with 10 more ponies. So, The tractor was a tank, well built and thought out. It had a few manuvering limitations but any drawbacks where far outweighted by its sheer cutting ability. Very stable platform, it would be a good tractor to learn in, very forgiving.

It is however alittle big and heavy. so you will have to factor that in. The only real issue I saw with the tractor was they have the hyd. pressure turned up so high that the engine will bog and stall before any reliefs-relieve. If it bites a large log and pulls it up against the tracks while the teeth are still engaging it you cannot raise the head up fast enough. You have to disengage the hyd lever, start the engine, idle it, engage the head and throttle up. I am sure with practice and seat time you could adapt it this. I stalled it 3 times and the experenced guy did twice.

But back on track. If you can handle the price and your area calls for it by all means its a good tractor. You will use the extra capacity alot sooner than you think, if not you can cut smaller material alot more effecient.

Around here the jobs require a lighter footprint than a 130/140 gives. But I could sure use the extra capacity. In due time.

I think an ideal fleet is a 100 w/head and a 130/140. After that the machines get so expensive there are alternatives. That way you have a backup if one goes down. Just my .02 cents.

Robbie