L3010 vs. ASVI RC-30

[DONOTDELETE]

Finally thinking about replacing my old 18 horse PowerKing. I have been following the posts on this board for some time and it looks like the L3010 or L3410 will work for me. I have about 8 acres to rough mow, some landscaping, and 2 miles of cross-country ski trails to maintain. The trails are in rough shape -lots of rocks and uneven ground. Recently, I came across a different type of machine, a 30 horse tracked vehicle made by ASVI http://www.asvi.com/Products/RC_30/rc_30.html . I'm wondering if any of you out there have any opinions on this type of machine and how it might stack up against the Kubota (reliability is a strong selling point for me). The RC-30 would seem to have the advantage in the woods and it can run a flail mower. Any thoughts from the veterans would be appreciated.

[gerard]

Boy, another great little toy!! (Ahem, I mean tool......) The only comment I would make is trying to use a tracked machine for moving long distances. A friend who is very knowledgeable about heavy equipment (used to teach it for a living) told me tracked vehicles aren't good to use for traveling long distances. If you have miles of trails and a lot of land to mow I don't think a tracked vehicle would be the way to go. Tracks will wear out after less miles than a comparable set of tires and I don't want to know what a set of tracks cost. Usually tracked vehicles are used for very soft or inaccesible area's (power line companies use them a lot) but that benefit is reduced if you are already on "finished" land as you described.

[MarkV]

Northern Dave,

Interesting machine. Looks like a skid steer with a high track. I would think it would tear up the turf on every turn. Have a feeling that when the ground is wet you would do as much damage, then you could buy a tractor to fix the damage. You may be on to something.

[DONOTDELETE]

Thanks much to gerard and MarkV for their insights. I was expecting something like this, since I have seen few glowing recommendations for tracked machines. My impression is that they can be taken into wet or rough areas where a tractor can't go, but that overall their disadvantages usually outweigh their advantages, especially if you can only afford one machine. Back to Kubota.

[DONOTDELETE]

Man, you guys are way off base, 180 degrees as a matter of fact. The RC 30 does lesss damage to the grass than a tractor even when turning! and as for traveling, this is not a steel tracked crawler!! Steel tracks with steel sprockets wear out due to speed and distance. The RC 30 has a rubber track with an internal positive drive - like a snowmobile, every here of a modern snomobile track wearing out..not likely, and they go a 100 mph. The RC has alot less ground pressure than you walking, that is why it is amazingly gentle to lawns, sod, turf, wet or dry. I use the RC to repair damage my tractor leaves!!! Don't compare my RC to an old dumpy steel cleated beast it is nothing like that. Drive one, you'll see what I mean.

F.R.T

[gmason]

they may be a good machine, but there web site sure is slow to generate the screen. Must be all those .gif's

[DONOTDELETE]

FRT (RC30 owner), I wonder if you could tell us what you use your machine for and some of its strong and weak points. I apologize for asking this question on the Kubota buying forum, but I think that many Kubota owners/buyers might also find this interesting.

[OPEGUY]

i am a sales rep for both Kubota and ASV RC-30. These are two different types of machines. they both have there advantages and disadvantages. Long day sure sounding like a sale rep. However, we sold an RC-30 today. Reply to me with any questions I would be happy to assist you.