Mulching SLOOOWWW anyone?

Landwise · Aug 22, 2008

CB,

I think you are right. I know that machine should do more than it is doing. According to the operator, they just did a few upgrades, and the machine performs worse now than it did before. I think it may have a large underlying problem that needs to be addressed. I know that 440 should work circles around my TAK, but it doesn't.

I am going to GA to demo the PT400 and PT200 on Monday. I am expecting to be impressed. I don't have the work to warrant buying one yet, but I like to have my homework done before that day comes and I need to make a decision of what to buy to get the job done.

I am also the ugly guy with the hot wife.....

cbturf · Aug 22, 2008

I am trending towards getting away from hydraulic machines unless it has loader arms. If the machine has the cutter head mounted right in front of the cab (like my 140) hydraulic is just a waste of power and a few extra problems. I think that the small FAE machine is direct drive isn't it. I tried and tried to get FAE to do a demo for me in NM but they would not do it, even when I offered to pay the freight bill. They had a machine in Vegas for the CONNAGG expo so it would not have been a problem. I STILL have not gotten either of my new machines. I put the Prentice off and had to go to the back of the line, actually I am looking at a couple of used Tigercats now. The Kodiak B-160 has gone through a lot of re-engineering to make it better. All of the things that I cried about on my demo are being eliminated. It was a good machine and after all of the changes I think it will be a great machine. So far they have added an air compressor, jet blower to clean the windshield, lengthened the c-frame and driveshaft, added a windshield wiper and added a reversing fan! Not bad for a very small company to do to a pretty small machine.

Landwise · Aug 22, 2008

CB,

I am sitting at the fire department today, without a whole lot to do.

The only exp. I have with a 125 horse machine was the Lamtrak, and for
$175,000, I was not at all impressed. For that, I could almost put on two
TL150 SK's. Maybe my view is skweed. I have heard that the Kodiac is awesome, but have not had the opportunity to run one yet.

The Wood Devil is made for FAE by a company out of canada, the name escapes me, but I have nothing else to do, so I will find it later. They also make a 200hp, 300hp and 600hp machine that look bad &$$. I wonder why FAE didn't just stick with one manufacturer and buy their larger machines from the same people? The Prime Tech's are made in Italy (I think) and they say the fit and finish are better.

I agree with you on the loader arms. They are handy. I just have not seen the value in running a 125hp machine at the prices they command. If I am going to spend $180,000 for 125 hp, why not spend $250,000 for 200hp or $400,000 for 400 hp?

It seems that in the smaller machines and in the larger machines, 1 HP is worth about $1000. Everything in that 125hp range is running around $1440 per 1 HP. I can't cut 8" material all day long with my 100hp, but for $400 per hp, I can go around them...

.

I want to buy a big machine. I want to be that guy. But I want to make the right decision when it comes time to buy.

cbturf · Aug 22, 2008

I went to the FAE website and saw the new PT-200. I did not know that they were building that machine. Last that I knew they only made the 400. It sure is purty but will it run. The bubble windshield has to be a dust magnet. That is the main issue that I can see from the street.

cbturf · Aug 22, 2008

PT-200 looks pretty sweet on paper I must say. I just might crash your demo.

Landwise · Aug 22, 2008

But think of the visibility!

cbturf · Aug 22, 2008

There is not much visibility with a 1 inch layer of dust on the window. I tried to upload the PT-400 brochure with a perfect picture but it was to large. I have learned the hard way that dust is a problem. Go to FAE USA and look at the pt-400 and on page 15 you can see the dust problem.

Fae Usa - Prime Mover Package
open the top PDF and got to pg 15 it is the picture on the right.