Anyone with a T870 Mulcher

[fishfactor]

Had about 4000 hours on the 320. Would have loved to go with another bobcat, but the power just doesn't compare. Both local dealers are great, so that's not an issue.

We put 50 hours on the 299 last week and no problems other than a bad speed sensor that they replaced then wrapped the lines to help protect them. It looks like that will be the weak point on the machine. If it weren't for the suspension, I would build some steel guards.

Ordered another 299 Friday. We sold the GT25, so will be putting a lot more hours on the small machines now.

 

[PLMLLC]

Matt, Sorry to hear about your dealer. That sucks. I have a card I used right from the beginning with CAT. A friend of 20 yrs is a 3rd generation CAT dealer owner in another state. I know that it is marked in my profile which I am sure it helps. I have every bit of protection on that machine that CAT made even the drive motor sensor wiring is wrapped as Fish stated. The stick literally hit at the sensor in the small area that is unprotected. There weren't even wires sticking out of the sensor after the stick cleaned it out. Somethings are bound to happen. The set up that Bobcat has sounds good but I just don't have confidence in the dealer where I have it in CAT. The bobcat dealer has never dealt with a mulcher and doesn't know really anything about them. The local CAT shop has sold a few of them and are knowledgeable about them. They actually have a 2013 steel tracked 299D set up for mulching with 415 head they keep as a demo/rental. I am sure the 770 is a great machine and I loved the displays and everything. Given the chance to have 2 machines I might do one, especially given all the attachments available.

 

[t320pilot]

Hey, That 4000 hrs on a T320 while mostly mulching sounds great. Hope mine lasts that long too.

 

[fishfactor]

Hey, That 4000 hrs on a T320 while mostly mulching sounds great. Hope mine lasts that long too.

Take care of it and it should. We used it until the day we traded it in. The only thing we did other than normal wear/tear was replace the pump at about 2500 hours. It was a great machine. I just wish Bobcat would come out with something with the torque, HP, flow, and PSI to compete with CAT.

 

[t320pilot]

What was the cost to replace the "pump" if you don't mind me asking? I assume you are talking about the main hyd. drive motors. Or is it just one pump?
Thanks

 

[fishfactor]

What was the cost to replace the "pump" if you don't mind me asking? I assume you are talking about the main hyd. drive motors. Or is it just one pump?
Thanks

I guess it's officially called the hydrostat. We had to replace one half of the hydrostat, I don't recall how they classified it, but it powered the lift arms, not the auxillary. I don't remember the cost but I don't think it was over 3K.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

The Doosan motor is supposed to have more torque in the 700 and 800 series. I was told by a factory rep that Bobcat may bump up some pressure/flow but nothing concrete yet. They have been talking about that for a long time and know they are behind CAT in that department but my personal experience was that the Bobcat was better designed for working in the woods while both the CAT and Bobcat were comfortable to operate all day. My last CAT experience, though, was 200 and something hours on a C series running my mulcher.