Compact Track Loader, whos the best?

   / Compact Track Loader, whos the best? #1  

TheRealWorld

Bronze Member
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Dec 7, 2010
Messages
89
Kind of a simple question, and I could not find anything like this so I am posting a new link. I would like to know opinions and facts about the overall reliability and design features in your opinions and if you have unbiased comparisons. Thanks a bunch, this is a great place to expand one's knowledge!
 
   / Compact Track Loader, whos the best? #2  
Kind of a simple question, and I could not find anything like this so I am posting a new link. I would like to know opinions and facts about the overall reliability and design features in your opinions and if you have unbiased comparisons. Thanks a bunch, this is a great place to expand one's knowledge!
Been out of the market for a while, but I'll throw one that is nowadays overlooked, but I would look at first, the Gehl. There machines seem less tech heavy, and atleast 10 years ago, really were very good, if not that popular machines.
 
   / Compact Track Loader, whos the best? #3  
The best one is the one that operates economically, does the required job quickly without mess, doesn't break down or have excessive wear and tear, and lasts your working lifetime and you can sell it for more than you paid for it.

1736412575011.jpeg
 
   / Compact Track Loader, whos the best? #4  
So, you ask an impossible questions; a simple This One is Best.
So, let's try to have a couple key features that we judge; and I'm assuming commercial use, not weekend warrior/diy/homeowners
1) Parts availability/support
2) Reliability, that's actually going to be hard to judge,
3) Hydralic flow
4) Pushing power
5) Operators station
6) Novel features/stuff only available on a few
7) Total expected ownership cost for 2000 hours

If we have CAT, Deere, Case, Kubota, Bobcat, JCB, Takekuchyi, Gehl, Kioti, Komatsu, Terex, New Holland, Wacker Neuson, Volvo, and I'm not sure is Sany, Ditch Witch, Vermeer, or some others have a CTL. You also have Possitrac that I thought got purchased, but I'm not sure on that, and if that affects anything

So parts support (by that i also mean Speed), Cat is definitely best, but you also need to consider what is close to you. If your in the UK, maybe Volvo and JCB are faster to get parts. If your in Alaska or Texas, it might be different. If you already have to go to the Deere dealer several times per week, maybe a Deere is best for you.

Reliable; I'm not sure if want to pick one, it depends on a combination on information the company won't share, your specific use if the machine, ect. What might be most reliable in a mulching environment, might not be the best in dirt, or rock, or an loading role.

Hydralic Flow; the CAT high flow machines are towards the top, ASV's largest do have excellent flow, and you can't compare a low flow Kubuta model vs a High flow deere. or vice versa

Push Power; That kinda depends not only on the weight/HP, but also the design of the tracks, and all, the larger ASV are undoubtedly able to Push an amazing amount, but I can't say for sure it's the most

Operators station, some of this is 100% preferences, up vs out doors, (if going enclosed), how your arms rest, how tall you are, ect. If you are running something like TopCon, how/where you place the screen, all that,

Novel Features; JCB Robot has some things that just aren't available anywhere else; they have "teleskid", side entry door, ect. Case, i have seen some of their bigger CTLs with steel tracks. I dont mean track overs, I mean purpose built, CTL, with steel, tracks. I believe they are non-cleated, basically track hoe (or HDD) steel tracks

Total Ownership cost; I'm not going to do that, but You should. Figure purchase (or lease, or lease to purchase) costs, known maintenance (tracks, rollers, filters, fluids, ect) for a fixed period, With the options you want
 
   / Compact Track Loader, whos the best? #5  
Kubota's are pretty good. Not all the bells and whistles of a Cat but not many complaints.
One I haven't tried but many contractors rave over is Takeuchi. I keep hearing they are very good.

Just like tractors though, I'd would say pick your best local dealer's brand. Because SO MANY companies these days give you any or good support.
 
   / Compact Track Loader, whos the best? #6  
I've run a lot of them and I like the Kubotas best. I think the cabs are roomier and easier to enter and exit than other comparable size machines. Plenty of power and smooth controls. Takeuchi would probably be my second choice.
 
   / Compact Track Loader, whos the best?
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Been out of the market for a while, but I'll throw one that is nowadays overlooked, but I would look at first, the Gehl. There machines seem less tech heavy, and atleast 10 years ago, really were very good, if not that popular machines.
Thanks for the input, Gehl was either built by or a clone of Takekuchyi, is that still the case? It would be interesting to see a list of 70 horsepower units with features and list prices along with specs.
 
   / Compact Track Loader, whos the best?
  • Thread Starter
#8  
So, you ask an impossible questions; a simple This One is Best.
So, let's try to have a couple key features that we judge; and I'm assuming commercial use, not weekend warrior/diy/homeowners
1) Parts availability/support
2) Reliability, that's actually going to be hard to judge,
3) Hydralic flow
4) Pushing power
5) Operators station
6) Novel features/stuff only available on a few
7) Total expected ownership cost for 2000 hours

If we have CAT, Deere, Case, Kubota, Bobcat, JCB, Takekuchyi, Gehl, Kioti, Komatsu, Terex, New Holland, Wacker Neuson, Volvo, and I'm not sure is Sany, Ditch Witch, Vermeer, or some others have a CTL. You also have Possitrac that I thought got purchased, but I'm not sure on that, and if that affects anything

So parts support (by that i also mean Speed), Cat is definitely best, but you also need to consider what is close to you. If your in the UK, maybe Volvo and JCB are faster to get parts. If your in Alaska or Texas, it might be different. If you already have to go to the Deere dealer several times per week, maybe a Deere is best for you.

Reliable; I'm not sure if want to pick one, it depends on a combination on information the company won't share, your specific use if the machine, ect. What might be most reliable in a mulching environment, might not be the best in dirt, or rock, or an loading role.

Hydralic Flow; the CAT high flow machines are towards the top, ASV's largest do have excellent flow, and you can't compare a low flow Kubuta model vs a High flow deere. or vice versa

Push Power; That kinda depends not only on the weight/HP, but also the design of the tracks, and all, the larger ASV are undoubtedly able to Push an amazing amount, but I can't say for sure it's the most

Operators station, some of this is 100% preferences, up vs out doors, (if going enclosed), how your arms rest, how tall you are, ect. If you are running something like TopCon, how/where you place the screen, all that,

Novel Features; JCB Robot has some things that just aren't available anywhere else; they have "teleskid", side entry door, ect. Case, i have seen some of their bigger CTLs with steel tracks. I dont mean track overs, I mean purpose built, CTL, with steel, tracks. I believe they are non-cleated, basically track hoe (or HDD) steel tracks

Total Ownership cost; I'm not going to do that, but You should. Figure purchase (or lease, or lease to purchase) costs, known maintenance (tracks, rollers, filters, fluids, ect) for a fixed period, With the options you want
Wow, this is a great list of things to consider and lots of valuable thought. Thanks for the info!
 
   / Compact Track Loader, whos the best? #9  
   / Compact Track Loader, whos the best? #10  
Kubota's are pretty good. Not all the bells and whistles of a Cat but not many complaints.
One I haven't tried but many contractors rave over is Takeuchi. I keep hearing they are very good.

Just like tractors though, I'd would say pick your best local dealer's brand. Because SO MANY companies these days give you any or good support.

I demoed a brand new Tackuchi before I bought my Kubota machine and I’ve ran a few older ones on jobs and I wasn’t impressed. A Kubota cab isn’t exactly luxury but the Tackuchi cab was sure enough basic. The Kubota 75-3 actually has a much improved cab over the previous models. The Tackuchi step into the cab is too big and significantly impairs the visibility of the bucket edge. The Tackuchi controls are loose especially the steering to the point it was difficult to accurately place pallet forks in the pallet. I used 2 brand new ones and they were both like that as well as the older ones. I’m not saying they’re a bad machine, they aren’t and I’d buy one if the deal was good but they certainly aren’t industry leading like some people seem to think. I looked at a Tackuchi mini x as well and it was fine but the Kubota price was better and the Kubota dealer was offering a better trade for my used Kubota as well so I bought another Kubota.
 

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