Current Skid Steer and Mulching heads

[WGTactical]

Quotes I have for the basically option for option has ASV (Terex) just under $1k less than the Takeuchi...but then again, ASV doesnt have a radio either :laughing:

 

[ripntear]

WGTactical ......... you did better than I could with the Tak ........... they wanted 15/20K more for their machine when I started shopping ......... they didn't seem to interested in a sale so I went with the Terex( I preferred the Terex from the start anyhow ) ........ I get it next week .... :thumbsup:

 

[WGTactical]

Thanks for the continued input guys:thumbsup:

Understanding that failures with any machine can and will happen, it seems that ASV's most noted weak link is related to the undercarriage. What I havent seen are posts about a common weak link found in the Takeuchi...but either there are fewer Takeuchi machines in this environment, or they simply holding up better?? A couple of you guys evidently have (or had) both, and your opinion obviously has more weight than someone who has never had the opportunity to make the comparison.

With that said, if you were put in the position to pick one or the other based on cost of upkeep, ease of maintenance, reliability and efficiency...which would you choose?

 

[DIRTROAD]

With that said, if you were put in the position to pick one or the other based on cost of upkeep, ease of maintenance, reliability and efficiency...which would you choose?

Dealer location and service are very important. I would have to travel a couple hours for TAK or TEREX. With fuel around $3 a gallon a local dealer makes good sense.

You are getting better pricing than I have gotten in the past!!!

 

[WGTactical]

I have considered the Fecon 140 as well, but since I am only using the mulcher to do limited clearing on my 65 acre property, a CTL would probably make more sense, because I can use it for other tasks as well. Naturally, I would want a machine that is as rugged and reliable as possible, so I lean toward the professionals to help me decide which machine that may be. It is obvious that theres been some hard lessons learned with these types of equipment, and I appreciate all the input. One thing that seems to be consistent with ASV and CAT is the poorly designed undercarriage. As a matter of fact, I've heard these stories for some time now and have heard some CAT rental fleets use the VTS track system because they evidently hold up better than their own factory installed track system...not my words...theirs.
I am certainly closer to a decision as a result of visiting this site, and your valuable input.

 

[Terra Firma Scott]

WG-
Hey there!- As a Cat owner, Id like to add that my ASV undercarriage has been flawless and have had zero problems with it..all i do is grease it.....However, my machine is the smaller frame track loader/ CTL....It is BY FAR a dedicated mulcher..

I have seen and heard from fellow operators that alot of the larger frame CAT/ASV undercarriages (different design) fail....267,277,287 and up....

So, as a daily dedicated machine goes the larger machines are the way to go...but if you are only clearing 65 ish acres..Perhaps with extra TLC and ritually cleaning out all the debris mulching produces you could get by with a CTL and also use other attachments on your property...

Whatever your brand of choice is -My advice would be = ) Dealer location, Support and Parts availablilty ...They are SOOOOOOOOO a piece of mind if and when your broke down... And even a NEW machine versus a used machine will leave you in the woods pissed off and broke down..

So....My .02 cents..GOOD LUCK on your decision!...

 

[treeman40]

buy a machine thats built for the woods.tigercat ,barko, john deere.hydro ax

 

[Eagleview]

Thanks for the continued input guys:thumbsup:

Understanding that failures with any machine can and will happen, it seems that ASV's most noted weak link is related to the undercarriage. What I havent seen are posts about a common weak link found in the Takeuchi...but either there are fewer Takeuchi machines in this environment, or they simply holding up better?? A couple of you guys evidently have (or had) both, and your opinion obviously has more weight than someone who has never had the opportunity to make the comparison.

With that said, if you were put in the position to pick one or the other based on cost of upkeep, ease of maintenance, reliability and efficiency...which would you choose?

I would buy a low hour High Flow TL150 or TL250 if your budget will allow . They are as tough as nails and will do all the other tasks you have in mind with a few different attachments . Also at the end of all the work you need done , you will find you will only lose $10k on the price of the machine when you sell it and you have saved thousands and also used the loss against your tax .

I myself am waiting for a look at the steel track TL250 when they hit the yards for light mulching duties . I have found it is a state of mind the land owners have , price is all they hear . A local guy here charges $660 per hour for a PT400 track mulcher , the boss of the company who he contracts for told me it works out at 70 cents per square metre/yard for clearing . It is the cheapest clearing method available in his words and he has a 1000 hp tree grinder and his own machines . But if you tell a land owner he is going to owe you $6,600 at the end of the day he would have a heart attack on the spot . With a small machine , it may take 2 weeks to do the same amount of work but the land owner will be OK with a $6,600 bill at the end of the two weeks . I really believe now that smaller is better in a lot of ways . Freight on a big machine is a real killer on top of the hourly rate , where as a little machine can be brought to the site with a small truck of your own for free as you need to get there anyway .

 

[WGTactical]

Thanks Iron Horse, I am leaning toward the TL250. The CAT rep has been out four times already talking about the 297, but I really dont want the electric over hydraulic controls.

So far, everyone I've talked to has good things to say about TAK

 

[WestshoreConstruction]

Thanks Iron Horse, I am leaning toward the TL250. The CAT rep has been out four times already talking about the 297, but I really dont want the electric over hydraulic controls.

So far, everyone I've talked to has good things to say about TAK

Cats electric over hydraulic controls are just as good as any pilot controls, Bobcats are a little less refined lets say.