ASV RC100 Pros Cons

[palmettobrush]

Those other machines dont have the positive pressure cab which is worth a lot of money itself its really nice not having to wear a resperator just to mulch brush anymore and the newer machine comes standard with the reversing fan

 

[HeyUvaVT]

RC100 with forestry kit 700 hours $35k

With Timberax $45k
With 200 hour Cimaf head $50k
With 25 Hour Cimaf head $63k

Just to add my penny's worth!

 

[Eagleview]

Are any of this type of machine any good ? Can ANY of them make any real money ? I first wanted an RC100 a few years ago , then came the PT100F , both had a fair bit of negative feed back on here . Then I priced an FTX148 because it was said they were the bee's knee's . But then I see a photo of one beside what was said to be a HUGE tree , if that is a HUGE tree for one of these machines which I would call a bush , I'm not interested . Then I see a video of it working , I was actually embarrassed . If I turned up at a job here at $200 per hour and worked that slow i'd be told to take it home before smoko . No wonder their all for sale .

 

[Diamond Ridge]

The RC100's do have their place. An RC100 is what I own and have had decent success with it so far. They are still getting used around my neck of the woods for seismic line cutting in the winter but are slowly getting replaced by the 125 HP Lamtrac and CMI Twister with their really low ground pressure. I bought mine for the versatility (put other attachments on) but can still go out and do some mulching. People around here really like it for fence line clearing. Another thing you can do with the RC100 is in some applications you can rent a tiller after you mulch a place if the client really wants that "garden like" look. Around here machines this size equiped with a mulching head get between $200-$250/hr. depending on how it is rigged up.

 

[Sebastian]

You guys are all heart I didn't realize asking a few questions would cause a fire sale. LOL
On the other hand if these are really good machines why are so many of you ready to part with yours? Only one of you mentiopned getting a new or differant machine.

 

[tlbuser]

Are any of this type of machine any good ? Can ANY of them make any real money ? I first wanted an RC100 a few years ago , then came the PT100F , both had a fair bit of negative feed back on here .

Yes, in my experience, one RC-60 and now a RC-100 they are very good multi purpose dirt mover/tool carriers. I wouldn't trade my -100 for a Cat 939c. I must be luckier than most. I haven't had severe breakdowns, fire, track, axle or under-carriage issues. Therefore, the only conclusion I can reach is that these don't make good mulcher platforms. I'm not even sure if I have a "local" dealer.

 

[tlbuser]

On the other hand if these are really good machines why are so many of you ready to part with yours? Only one of you mentiopned getting a new or differant machine.

Now there's a good question.

I noticed you have one of those ancient, no good ASV machines in your line-up . How's yours been holding up for what you use it for?

 

[C.G.S.]

Read the past posts on RC 100 AND any other machine. They all have issues and those weakeness are compounded by some of their operators. Perventive maintenance and using the machine within it production range is the key. I would not recommend buying some one eles mulching tractor unless you are sure what to look for in the way of in problems. We shear and chip the trees over 6" stump grind or up root trees bigger then the shear can handle. We sell or saw the lumber from merchantable logs bio fuel the chips and wood.In other words you can't do it all with one machine and expect that you are not going to have to sacrifice production, durability, mobility,operator comfort/safety and profitablity. An ASV RC 100 with proper modifcation or a PT -100 can fit in to buisness model and make money I know because I have one AND NO I DO NOT WANT SELL IT because I tore it up, because I needed a bigger machine,because I did not know how to work on it and did not know how to run it. In other words alot problems are the operator not the machine.

 

[Sebastian]

Now there's a good question.

I noticed you have one of those ancient, no good ASV machines in your line-up . How's yours been holding up for what you use it for?

Yes my machine is rather old and I had to do quite a bit of repair to the tracks after I purchased it. Not complaining I knew it going in. I bought this machine mainly for the ground pressure. I got into mowing some retention ponds in the area and needed something with a big foot print and L.G.P.
Even though it is old and only 70hp I am still amazed how much work I can do and how fast it get it done.

"C.G.S."
I think you make a good point that a lot and I won't say all problems can come from how hard you push your equipment or who you have operating it. No one will take care of it like the person making the payments.

I understand what you are saying purchasing a machine that's been in hard service but I really don't want to take that sticker shock hit you get as soon as you haul that equipment off the lot.

 

[C.G.S.]

I would agree about a good used machine but consider that any mulching tractor could have been run way to hot(lack of proper and timely cleaning). Air filter as been plugged up most of the time.( again maintenance) Tracks and undercarriage do not last as long as a dirt machines, steel or rubber both seem to have faster wear(pins and bushings on steel tracks).Also a mulching tractor is carrying heavy mulching head all the time not just a bucket full of dirt half the time. Now if it an ASV someones been driving over tree stumps with that +2200LB head stuck on the front as fast as there back can stand weather on not the machine can take it. At least a steel undercariage will punish that behavior.All that said there are a good machines that you could find at a good price. If you want a tractor that can do other jobs then just mulch then ASV may work for you. If I was just looking for mulching machine I would go with a dedicated machine.Only it might do a lot of sitting around killing the grass.