Bobcat 320 with Mulcher

[Mowermoney]

The local Bobcat salesman called me the other day and wants me to demo a Bobcat 320 with Bobcat's version of a Fecon 72" Bull Hog. I tried a 300 a while back and it really sucked. I have about decided on the ASV RC 100 with a Fecon Mower. Have any of you Mulchers had any experience with Bobcat?

I don't want to be to waste time looking at another "dog".

David Wallace
Eatonton, GA.

 

[Kendall69]

ASV seems to be the gold standard. Also be aware, ASV is coming out with a 125hp model.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I believe the Bobcat mower is only a 60" fecon.

The s300 is quite the dog with the bigger mowers. I run 2 s300 k's and use the CAT mower. I like it a lot and can mow some large trees. As far as tough, bushy, and thick, our cedar trees are about the nastiest thing you can mow through especially with all the rock. So far, the CAT mower has really been a standout even if it is a little weak on torque. I can't say enough good things about it. I ran a tushhog for 2 1/2 years, a Brown Bear, and a davco. I like the CAT mower the best but don't think that the Bobcat's have enough PSI for day in and day out grinding so if I had it to do over, I would look around for another machine for grinding at least until Bobcat ups the gpm's again or the psi.

 

[radman1]

The local Bobcat salesman called me the other day and wants me to demo a Bobcat 320 with Bobcat's version of a Fecon 72" Bull Hog. I tried a 300 a while back and it really sucked. I have about decided on the ASV RC 100 with a Fecon Mower. Have any of you Mulchers had any experience with Bobcat?

I don't want to be to waste time looking at another "dog".

David Wallace
Eatonton, GA.

I believe you probably mean a Bobcat 330 instead of 320 (There is no 320). My understanding it uses the same frame and hydraulics as the other K series, just larger engine of 85 hp and more rear end weight to make the 3,300 lb lift capacity. Hydraulics are the same. Other than better lift and balance, you won't see any improvement in the hydraulic performance. All large frame K series bobcats use 20.7/37.0 gpm flow depending on if standard or high flow.
Bobcat psi is 3000. What is the psi/flow rate of the ASV?

 

[radman1]

Sorry, there is the Bobcat T320. I was thinking of the S330. The T320 has flow rate of 21.2/37 gpm. 92 hp. The ASV 100 has 3300 psi with flow of 20/38 gpm. Weight if each is similar.

 

[QwikDraw]

ASV has 38gpm and 3300 psi...unless Dirtyworks wants to tell you his secrets...

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I believe you probably mean a Bobcat 330 instead of 320 (There is no 320). My understanding it uses the same frame and hydraulics as the other K series, just larger engine of 85 hp and more rear end weight to make the 3,300 lb lift capacity. Hydraulics are the same. Other than better lift and balance, you won't see any improvement in the hydraulic performance. All large frame K series bobcats use 20.7/37.0 gpm flow depending on if standard or high flow.
Bobcat psi is 3000. What is the psi/flow rate of the ASV?

Bobcat psi is 3300 since G series on large frame loaders.

 

[radman1]

Bobcat psi is 3300 since G series on large frame loaders.

I stand corrected since my 873 has 3000 psi and is a G series. Why then does the T320 not work as well as the ASV 100, if the psi and gpm are nearly the same? I would think the difference between the machines with the mulcher would be negligible.

 

[Digdeep]

I would think that there would still be a big difference in performance based on the engine displacements and the torque that each machine puts out. I think that the RC100 has just over 300ft lbs of torque and the T320 is probably in the 220-230 range based of the fact that it is a 3.8L engine. The RC100 is far superior to the T300, and since the flow and pressure remain the same with only the torque and engine displacement changing the T320 would be better than the T300, but I still don't see it being close to the RC100. Torque to drive the cutter is key!

 

[radman1]

I would think that there would still be a big difference in performance based on the engine displacements and the torque that each machine puts out. I think that the RC100 has just over 300ft lbs of torque and the T320 is probably in the 220-230 range based of the fact that it is a 3.8L engine. The RC100 is far superior to the T300, and since the flow and pressure remain the same with only the torque and engine displacement changing the T320 would be better than the T300, but I still don't see it being close to the RC100. Torque to drive the cutter is key!

I guess I don't see how engine torque would affect the hydraulics of either machine. Both engines put out far more hp and torque from the engines than the hydraulics can effectively use. Both have nearly the same hydralulic flow and pressure. I would guess around 40 hp from the hydraulics based on flow and pressure, if the hydraulic efficiency is similar for each machine. If the higher engine torque is true of the RC100, then I could see an effect if it was digging and lifting at the same time. With mulching, it would seem the effect on that task would be negligible since not much else is required from that machine such as pushing, digging etc which would require more engine torque/hp.

 

[Digdeep]

Lots of skidsteers have hi-flow, many with nearly identical flow, yet everyone talks about how one brand is better than the others. It is easy for a hydraulic pump to put out 37 or 38 gpm without any load on the pump or engine. Lets assume that a T320 and an RC100 are cutting an 8" tree. All of a sudden there is as big load on that cutters hydraulic motor. Remembering that flow (37 or 38 gpm) is "speed" and psi (3300 in this case) is "power" it makes sense that the engine with more torque (the engine powers the hyd. pump) will run the cutter head better because as the pressure increases (load on the cutter motor) and the flow starts to decrease (once again load on the cutter head) the extra engine torque allows the hydraulic pump to maintain maximum flow and pressure. Engines bog down under heavy hydraulic load, and an engine with higher torque won't bog down as quickly. Torque is what turns things under load, flywheels, hydrostatic systems, tires, tracks, etc.

 

[radman1]

Digdeep
What you say makes sense, if the engine bogs down with the hydraulics under load. I have a bobcat 873 about 71 hp (duetz engine) and standard flow. I can't tell any change in the engine at normal speed if the hydraulics are completely under load. I can certainly kill the engine however, if I am digging. Granted, the other machines are high flow and somewhat heavier but they also have 40-45% more hp. If high flow can bog the engine down under hydraulic load, then what you say would be correct. I don't have any experience with a high flow machine. The engine hp even in these larger machines with high flow well exceeds the hp from the hydraulic system. With mulching it would seem, nearly all of the available hp is for the hydraulics. A little hp is needed to slowly move the machine, run the a/c, move lift arms up/down etc...

 

[Digdeep]

radman1
You are correct, not only does the engine have to power the Aux. hiflow circuit for a mulcher, but it must also provide the power to drive the hydrostatic transmission, A/C compressor, etc.

 

[jmfox]

If a machine has hi and lo flow is it always better to go hi? I'm thinking of getting a lo flow brushcat to keep the vibration down but I don't want to significantly cut down the chopping ability.

jmf

 

[Digdeep]

jmfox
Just remember that flow=speed. Most of the rotary cutters rely on the "tip speed" and the centrifical force of the blades for their productivity. Faster tip speed= more productivity. Of course psi and engine hp and torque help to keep the tip speed high when cutting into thicker material. The swinging blades on rotary cutters also help to keep the hyd motor from slowing/bogging down when you get into thicker material too.

 

[Mowermoney]

Thanks for all the input, guys. Since my original post, I have had the chance to demo an ASV RC 100 with a Carbide Cutter generation 2. I'm sold. I was able to demo it on my job so that I could compare it to the Cats. The grind was mure complete with one pass. Felling speed was faster, less stuffing, and the ASV moror compartment was much cleaner after a run than any machine I've ever used. I have'nt heard back from the Bobcat salesman, but he would be wasting his time at this point.

 

[DirtyWorks]

ASV has 38gpm and 3300 psi...unless Dirtyworks wants to tell you his secrets...

99 Hydraulic Horses !! I'll take on your Bobcat T-whatever head to head anyday. Especially when mowing uphill with the A/C wide open. Let the little chips fly!

This post ment to be fun, informational, and in jest. No harm was done to actual bobcats during this filming.lol