Best Track Skid Steer Under 7,500 lbs?

[RobertN]

ASV RC30. I have used them on a few jobs. I don't do landscape any more, but if I did my CUT would stay at home, while there was an RC30 with a 4:1 bucket on the trailer...

 

[Dougster]

ASV RC30. I have used them on a few jobs. I don't do landscape any more, but if I did my CUT would stay at home, while there was an RC30 with a 4:1 bucket on the trailer...

It is a cute little trailerable machine... certainly at the right price... and I am dying to rent one! I can't see where it would ever *replace* the tractor-loader-backhoe... but it sure could supplement it well!

Only downsides I see are very limited load capacity and folks say they aren't nearly as stable as the big brothers. Any comments to those comments???

A subtle point to some, but important to remember: I am not a landscaper and/or person with employees. I am a one man show doing "landscape assistance" work. Whatever I buy has got to stand on it's own two feet... or tracks... in terms of whole job performance.

Dougster

 

[RobertN]

A compact TLB can do so many things. But, if you look at the small skidsteers and track loader, the number of implements is amazing. The biggest thing I see is the lack of a TnT box on them, but there are companies that make a hydraulic attchment so you can tilt the front implement.

The big thing I see, is the hydraulic implements are significantly more expensive than the PTO stuff like on my Kuboat CUT.

I had the RC30 in wet conditions where I know I would have got my Kubota stuck. I did some off camber work, but no real steep stuff.

I did have to make a "ramp" of dirt so I could load a full size 10 wheel dump truck(would have had to with my Kubota CUT too).

It lifted much better than my 19hp Kubota.

I used it on one job, because I simply could not manuever my Kubota where I needed to get to. I had to do grading, and move about 30 yards of material in. My older B8200 is the same size as the newer Kuota B2710, maybe a little bigger than a Kioti CK20. And, the conditions were wet; that RC30 just got with it; I would have been spinning my R4's.

It is a cute little trailerable machine... certainly at the right price... and I am dying to rent one! I can't see where it would ever *replace* the tractor-loader-backhoe... but it sure could supplement it well!

Only downsides I see are very limited load capacity and folks say they aren't nearly as stable as the big brothers. Any comments to those comments???

A subtle point to some, but important to remember: I am not a landscaper and/or person with employees. I am a one man show doing "landscape assistance" work. Whatever I buy has got to stand on it's own two feet... or tracks... in terms of whole job performance.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

A compact TLB can do so many things. But, if you look at the small skidsteers and track loader, the number of implements is amazing. The biggest thing I see is the lack of a TnT box on them, but there are companies that make a hydraulic attchment so you can tilt the front implement. The big thing I see, is the hydraulic implements are significantly more expensive than the PTO stuff like on my Kuboat CUT. I had the RC30 in wet conditions where I know I would have got my Kubota stuck. I did some off camber work, but no real steep stuff. I did have to make a "ramp" of dirt so I could load a full size 10 wheel dump truck(would have had to with my Kubota CUT too). It lifted much better than my 19hp Kubota. I used it on one job, because I simply could not manuever my Kubota where I needed to get to. I had to do grading, and move about 30 yards of material in. My older B8200 is the same size as the newer Kuota B2710, maybe a little bigger than a Kioti CK20. And, the conditions were wet; that RC30 just got with it; I would have been spinning my R4's.

I don't see myself purchasing a bunch of hydraulic implements for the track skid steer. I might think about doing it if it were to be my only machine, but it really is intended to be a supplemental machine to my TLB for those steep areas and jobs that otherwise demand it. And let's be honest: It's also there for back-up, where appropriate.

I've already got a fairly vicious skidsteer-grade root/rock grapple for moving things around... and along with the skidsteer's QA bucket (and QA tractor buckets if necessary), I'll be okay. On some functions, I'll have to get creative... and maybe get a QA to 3-point adapter for certain jobs like the lady who wanted an extremely steep banking raked of all the baseball sized rocks.

My main point in mentioning that I am a one-man show was that I can only haul one equipment trailer with one such vehicle to a jobsite at a time... outfitted in just one configuration for a one day job. No running back and forth to grab other implements or make configuration changes. That is a firm rule and clients are told about it up front. If they want two vehicles or two configurations, it's two days work (or two half days work). I also wanted to point out my lack of employees to complement and expand on the vehicle's abilities. I do not have that luxury.

Dougster

 

[RobertN]

I totally understand the one man show; the company my wife and did was just Mom/Pop. As much as I really really like the RC30, I could not afford it AND keep my CUT. I have since gone back to high-tech, and still can't justify an RN30

In regards to tools, the Sacramento Bobcat dealer had a rental setup that was really nice. Now, this was for thier walkbehind track machine, but would work for other stuff. The front 4' of the trailer had a rack. On the rack was a tooth bucket, an auger and a couple bits, a trencer, and another implement, but I don't reacal what at the moment. The tractor fit behind the rack. When you rented that tractor, you got the whole setup.

That would be a sweet setup. For a CUT, have a rotary mower, PHD, Scraper, maybe a rock bucket, etc. Only thing is, you'd have to lift each implent on/off with a chain. However, I would need a bigger trailer; my 16' rig is too short.

I don't see myself purchasing a bunch of hydraulic implements for the track skid steer. I might think about doing it if it were to be my only machine, but it really is intended to be a supplemental machine to my TLB for those steep areas and jobs that otherwise demand it. And let's be honest: It's also there for back-up, where appropriate.

I've already got a fairly vicious skidsteer-grade root/rock grapple for moving things around... and along with the skidsteer's QA bucket (and QA tractor buckets if necessary), I'll be okay. On some functions, I'll have to get creative... and maybe get a QA to 3-point adapter for certain jobs like the lady who wanted an extremely steep banking raked of all the baseball sized rocks.

My main point in mentioning that I am a one-man show was that I can only haul one equipment trailer with one such vehicle to a jobsite at a time... outfitted in just one configuration for a one day job. No running back and forth to grab other implements or make configuration changes. That is a firm rule and clients are told about it up front. If they want two vehicles or two configurations, it's two days work (or two half days work). I also wanted to point out my lack of employees to complement and expand on the vehicle's abilities. I do not have that luxury.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

I totally understand the one man show; the company my wife and did was just Mom/Pop. As much as I really really like the RC30, I could not afford it AND keep my CUT. I have since gone back to high-tech, and still can't justify an RN30

Back to High-Tech??? Say it isn't so!!!

When you rented that tractor, you got the whole setup.

They've got the same kind of thing here. It sounds great UNLESS you've already got the vehicle and just want to rent an implement. That's when you find out it's an "all or nothing" deal... no "a la carte"!

Dougster

 

[jmc]

Dougster,

Its been awhile since I was shopping but it seems that ASV made a version of the RC30 for a competitor (not Cat) and someone at TBN found a really reasonable source of them, either new or slightly used. Maybe someone will come forward with more info or tell me I was dreaming the whole thing.

I wonder if you consider the loaders' miserable rear and side visibility to be a factor in your type of work?

John

 

[Dougster]

Dougster, Its been awhile since I was shopping but it seems that ASV made a version of the RC30 for a competitor (not Cat) and someone at TBN found a really reasonable source of them, either new or slightly used. Maybe someone will come forward with more info or tell me I was dreaming the whole thing. I wonder if you consider the loaders' miserable rear and side visibility to be a factor in your type of work?
John

I think you are talking about the Polaris ASL 300... same basic unit with a CAT engine, I believe. As much as I like (and can actually almost afford) the RC-30, the more I look at the specs, the more I think an RC-50 or RC-60 or CAT 247 is way better suited to my needs... apparently a lot more stable, adequate lifting capability for the jobs I am looking at... and still under 7,500 lbs.

Visibility is always an issue. I'm spoiled, of course, by my TLB's "observation tower" seating position... and even that beast leaves me occasionally way too close to structures and buildings that I certainly don't want to hit... especially with the BH while focusing on FEL work. Wish my neck turned around 180 degrees... but it doesn't even come close anymore!

Dougster

 

[jpm]

dougster;have you thougt about a chinese bulldozer? its differant machine from a ss but it may fit your needs.if you look in the chinese tracktor forum there it a member call bob rocks that is doing something like your trying

 

[shvl73]

Dougster, have you thought of a power-trac? I know its not a tracked machine but, they are extremely manueverable, from what I've read here. I think there is a rental store with one in the Saugus-Danvers area.