PT100G and T870 Forestry reviews/opinions
- Thread starter timberwolf71
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I really don't post on here at all, but I've spent time running most of the CTLs for Asplundh except for the CNH track machines. I can tellyou that all of them have there quirks and good points.
I wouldn't argue about what most say about the CAT tracked units because there is no way to keep them clean under the cab and in the engine bay and their hydraulics are not very strong because there isn't enough pump flow for the loader and the cutter unit. The pressure cab is good as long as the filter doesn't clog which happens easy. Good luck cleaning out the A/C condensor.
I have run Bobcat 250s, 300s, 320s and the new 870. Again you can't clean them out very well and their hydraulics are not the best. Maybe a little worse than CAT except for the newer T870. Don't even think about one without the suspension or you will end up in traction. The ride is better but it is still rough compared to the CAT or ASV. The new T870 has more power but isn't very good at getting through the woods because its heavy and seems too big and it isn't any better at keeping clean. We've also had a couple operators burn themselves on the muffler trying to clean out between the radiator and the cooler (why would someone put them there on top of each other-dumb design). The pressure cab is OK on the new machine but the side glass gets scratched real easy because its outside the screen which makes it hard to see. Be careful so mud and stuff doesn稚 get stuck up over the wheels where you can稚 see it until it wears the steel wheels thin as paper. We went through lots of drive motors because the mud got stuck around the sprocket and motor and the heat killed them. The new design is better but stuff still gets packed up in the undercarriage where its hard to get even with the holes for the nozzel.
We have also ran the ASVs going back to the 4810s, RC-100s, PT-100s, PT-100 Forestry machines and we took delivery of two new orange PT-100G machines back in Feb and March. These machines easily have had the best hydraulic power and best operating performance out of any of the others hands down no comparison and they run the coolest oil temps. You can run the loader more without robbing flow from the cutter unit and the recovery time of the unit is the fastest. The track systems on these were a PITA to clean out on the older machines big time but the new PT-100G is easy to clean and the machine is narrow and has lots of track so it gets through the woods and doesn稚 get stuck as easy as the others because the belly isn稚 sucking mud all the time. The operators also like these machines because the ride doesn稚 kill you every day like the solid undercarriage machines especially when the ground freezes. The two PT-100Gs have been as reliable if not more reliable than any of the others and the fact that it has hinges under the whole machine makes it very simple to keep clean and the wheels last way better than everyone says. We used to even run them all the way to the plastic rims without causing problems on the older machines that were really hard to clean. It also has the best forestry protection guarding. The pressure cab and A/C is better than even the new Bobcat. Someone mentioned the plastic fuel tanks but they are covered by steel plating so we haven稚 any problems yet. The tracks have also lasted us longer than the others on an average.
It doesn稚 matter which one you get because they will all break down sooner or later, they will all get stuck, they will all pop a track off in the crappiest places (crossed fingers on the ASV so far after 5 months), they will all run out of diesel a mile from the truck, they can all catch on fire (some easier than others) they will all piss you off, and none of them will perform like a larger dedicated commercial machine. If I was buying one for myself I would buy the ASV machine becasue it is designed more for mulching so the little things that trip the others up such as cleaning, hydraulic cooling, hydraulic power and protection isn't as much of a problem.
I wouldn't argue about what most say about the CAT tracked units because there is no way to keep them clean under the cab and in the engine bay and their hydraulics are not very strong because there isn't enough pump flow for the loader and the cutter unit. The pressure cab is good as long as the filter doesn't clog which happens easy. Good luck cleaning out the A/C condensor.
I have run Bobcat 250s, 300s, 320s and the new 870. Again you can't clean them out very well and their hydraulics are not the best. Maybe a little worse than CAT except for the newer T870. Don't even think about one without the suspension or you will end up in traction. The ride is better but it is still rough compared to the CAT or ASV. The new T870 has more power but isn't very good at getting through the woods because its heavy and seems too big and it isn't any better at keeping clean. We've also had a couple operators burn themselves on the muffler trying to clean out between the radiator and the cooler (why would someone put them there on top of each other-dumb design). The pressure cab is OK on the new machine but the side glass gets scratched real easy because its outside the screen which makes it hard to see. Be careful so mud and stuff doesn稚 get stuck up over the wheels where you can稚 see it until it wears the steel wheels thin as paper. We went through lots of drive motors because the mud got stuck around the sprocket and motor and the heat killed them. The new design is better but stuff still gets packed up in the undercarriage where its hard to get even with the holes for the nozzel.
We have also ran the ASVs going back to the 4810s, RC-100s, PT-100s, PT-100 Forestry machines and we took delivery of two new orange PT-100G machines back in Feb and March. These machines easily have had the best hydraulic power and best operating performance out of any of the others hands down no comparison and they run the coolest oil temps. You can run the loader more without robbing flow from the cutter unit and the recovery time of the unit is the fastest. The track systems on these were a PITA to clean out on the older machines big time but the new PT-100G is easy to clean and the machine is narrow and has lots of track so it gets through the woods and doesn稚 get stuck as easy as the others because the belly isn稚 sucking mud all the time. The operators also like these machines because the ride doesn稚 kill you every day like the solid undercarriage machines especially when the ground freezes. The two PT-100Gs have been as reliable if not more reliable than any of the others and the fact that it has hinges under the whole machine makes it very simple to keep clean and the wheels last way better than everyone says. We used to even run them all the way to the plastic rims without causing problems on the older machines that were really hard to clean. It also has the best forestry protection guarding. The pressure cab and A/C is better than even the new Bobcat. Someone mentioned the plastic fuel tanks but they are covered by steel plating so we haven稚 any problems yet. The tracks have also lasted us longer than the others on an average.
It doesn稚 matter which one you get because they will all break down sooner or later, they will all get stuck, they will all pop a track off in the crappiest places (crossed fingers on the ASV so far after 5 months), they will all run out of diesel a mile from the truck, they can all catch on fire (some easier than others) they will all piss you off, and none of them will perform like a larger dedicated commercial machine. If I was buying one for myself I would buy the ASV machine becasue it is designed more for mulching so the little things that trip the others up such as cleaning, hydraulic cooling, hydraulic power and protection isn't as much of a problem.
ralanb
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2009
- Messages
- 67
- Location
- Horry County
- Tractor
- Cat d-3, Cat 268-B (toasted), Cat 320, more to come.
Just An Op, I agree with you alot. There are flaws in all machines. Our rep in this area didnt mention anything about an upgrade steel plate over the fuel tank on the pt-100g. Sorry bout that. I subbed a contractor today to help me finish some work im behind on, he has a C-series CAT and i saw the non-repairable fuel tank in the rear. I noticed it when i told him his oil drain plate was missing. He commented " Its there for looks anyways!". Mine is a metal fuel tank, dont understand why they would put a plastic tank on a machine. As for the pump flow, after warranty ran out i sent it to a hydraulic specialist and asked him to do whatever he can to help with the flow and psi to be better productive. We even put in a radiator that has larger openings to let dirt an trash pass better. I've had it for 3 years now+/- and 1900 hrs. Its been good for me. SO FAR! Like the rest of us, im always trying to come up with a better idea to help.
OP
timberwolf71
Bronze Member
Glad to here from somebody that can relate! I also know others as well that have suffered the same fate(FIRE)etc,etc. What type machines do you operate now ?
OP
timberwolf71
Bronze Member
Should have just let it burn
fish, If I had Known then what i know now !!:thumbsup:
OP
timberwolf71
Bronze Member
All joking aside, CAT's warranty work and svc support(especially in the FIELD) has been phenomanal. Couldn't ask for better product support... BUT I would like to see cat work out the bugs just for that reason, just like John Deere,you can drive 30 minutes in any direction to a Deere dealer for parts or svc. It's almost 2 hours either direction to a terex dealer but I gotta go with my gut on this one. Thanks guy's you've all been a great help.
OP
timberwolf71
Bronze Member
Just my 2 cents worth but you might want to suggest to your subcontractor abuot taking his chances running with that plate off. It cost me dearly !
cat 297c
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2009
- Messages
- 390
- Location
- Semmes, Alabama
- Tractor
- Cat 299D XHP, Cat 297c, Rayco C140
Should have just let it burn
Couldn't put this one out
Attachments
OP
timberwolf71
Bronze Member
She was a rockin' looks like. That must have been scarey ? I don't like fire,especially when it's built under me.:laughing::laughing:
cat 297c
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2009
- Messages
- 390
- Location
- Semmes, Alabama
- Tractor
- Cat 299D XHP, Cat 297c, Rayco C140
