Current Skid Steer and Mulching heads

[WGTactical]

I have been watching the threads here for some time now and will be making a purchase shortly. Some of the threads are a bit old, and depending on how well the various manufacturers addressed concerns, will more than likely have an effect on how they would be recommended now. I am trying to figure out which machine (Cat, ASV or Bobcat) and which head seems to would be the most durable, maintenance friendly and best overall performance. With that said, which machine/head combination would you recommend as of today?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[LPitt]

Of those 3, the Bobcat is the only way to go IMHO.

 

[QwikDraw]

For skid steer Takeuchi TL250 high flow is far above those three.

 

[DBLR]

In my experiences I've heard really good things about the takeuchi high flow machines. They seem to hold up to the conditions best out of all the skid steer carriers but it is still just that, a skid steer, so plan on having a few issues. As for the head I've had good luck with my FAE 150.

 

[WGTactical]

Thanks for the input.

Well I started looking into the Takeuchi machines, and it appears they are certainly worthy of consideration too.

From what I gather, ASV and Takeuchi seems to be more popular than CAT and Bobcat of similar capacities, with the primary weakness on the ASV and CAT being the undercarriage and weight being a consideration with the Takeuchi.

Of these brands of equipment, does any seem to clearly stand out above the rest for durability, performance and factory support? I welcome any good and/or bad experiences with any of them.

I am wanting this equipment primarily for the maintenance and upkeep of the 70 acre property here...mostly wooded. There are wet areas as well as some hills to deal with. Among the areas needing clearing maintenance has plenty of Privet and as well as some trees/branches already on the ground. I dont mind buying equipment that it a bit overkill for what I am doing, and I would like to buy it right the first time (if such a thing is possible):laughing:

 

[ARPlante]

After running a Bobcat T320 for over 840 hrs in mulching conditions with the Bobcat branded Fecon head, I can't say that I'm disappointed. The machine is a tank and (so far) has had excellent reliability. The forestry package is among one of the best for protecting the machine and keeping debris from becoming a fire danger in the frame of the machine. The only thing I don't like, is the access to the stacked radiators. When mowing in grassy situations, plan on stopping at least once a day to let the machine cool down and lift the radiators up to blow them out. Other than that, I'm very impressed with my company's T320.

 

[WestshoreConstruction]

Give it till next Tuesday, Bobcat is releasing 3 new machines and one is gonna be a big one. I have a few bobcats and havent had a problem with them yet all running mulchers and brushcutters. The Tak is a tank for sure, the debris and cooling I have no idea. The Cat 299C I had continuously overheated.

 

[WGTactical]

Thanks for the continued feedback guys! Any input is appreciated:thumbsup:

 

[coastalcutter]

Look at pt 100 forestry pkg with cimf head, it has more power than bcat. they all have problems you need to look into extented warrenty it is worth the extra $. The asv holds up better just from 10yrs exp. Tac 150 might be ok
they have a really good extended warrenty from factory. The rest machines extended warrenties are after market and the ones I had on my bcats were better than factory warrenty it covered rollers which on bcats are $600ea. But next machine will be pt 100

 

[palmettobrush]

Just give it a couple weeks im hearing rumoprs asv is releasing a new pt with electronic controls higher pressures and more flow than anything in its class as usual. The combination of a gyro trac head and a pt is by far the most productive skidsteer mulcher on the market. It is also has the fastest ground speed of anything on the market. i have two pt 100s on with 1700 hours on it and the other has 1400 on it and have been very good machines.

 

[WGTactical]

Thanks palmettobrush. I am in no real hurry, probably like to pull the trigger in July on a new machine. Just trying to do all the homework that I can between now and then.

 

[WestshoreConstruction]

One thing to consider, no matter how good the machine is.. if you don't have dealer support you got nothing !! Around here the only support is from either Bobcat or John Deere. The rest are no where to be found when something is wrong and don't kid your self no matter what anyone says they all break !! I have had other than the white machines and so far Bobcat has the best support around here. Our ASV dealer is a joke. Along with the NewHolland dealer.

 

[palmettobrush]

Thats all fine but its no longer asv now it is TEREX and they have a larger network of dealers

 

[WestshoreConstruction]

Im saying in my area, Terex or not there's still no support. Same dealer same stuff.. They all break trust me.

 

[DIRTROAD]

Get one of these


or one of these

 

[111222]

Absolutely correct about dealer support! Here in the Norheast Terex does not seem to be on the map. It's all Cat, Bobcat and Deere and Deere is not in the forestry market with their track loaders in my opinion. The ASV has a lot of dealers, but they are all small in comparison to Cat and Bobcat. Takeuchi was for years a United rentals thing. Good machines, but no support at all in the Northeast. All dealers are very small and good luck with trying to find a stocking parts dealer. Any yes, they all break in time.

 

[WGTactical]

Good point...I guess it doesn't matter how good the warranty is if there is nobody around to do warranty work.

Are there any machines out there that you guys would say to avoid? And reasons why?

 

[Dieselman]

Bobcat T320 with joystick controls, roller suspension and a BH72 Fecon head. I have 1900 hours on mine. Been through one set of tracks, another set is due about now. Anything from CAT or ASV has a plastic bottom end and junk. Takeuchi is just garbage. Ancient, lumbering goofball machine. A friend has one with 800 hours and all the pins are shot, boom is twisted and it rattles your fillings out. Not sure about Case, no one sells them anymore around here. No opinion on Deere, no one around here has those either.

 

[Digdeep]

Bobcat T320 with joystick controls, roller suspension and a BH72 Fecon head. I have 1900 hours on mine. Been through one set of tracks, another set is due about now. Anything from CAT or ASV has a plastic bottom end and junk. Takeuchi is just garbage. Ancient, lumbering goofball machine. A friend has one with 800 hours and all the pins are shot, boom is twisted and it rattles your fillings out. Not sure about Case, no one sells them anymore around here. No opinion on Deere, no one around here has those either.

And I can tell you of Bobcat salesmen that avoid selling the new T320 with the roller suspension because they can't even get 650 hours out of the tracks up here in Wisconsin's good soil due to the flex in the tracks. Why do you think Bobcat added the extra roller some years ago to their undercarriage? To get rid of the track flex between the rollers to increase life. Makes sense to take it out again and let the track flex even further! And why can't Bobcat put a Tier III engine in the machine? It's only Tier II.

 

[murphy777]

check skidsteer solutions. com they have a number of great attachments and some pretty good prices also....Some Fencers I know just got an ASV and it is a tank they like it alot, yet it already went into the shop for repair, but they are pretty rough on equipment, I hear the ASV rides really smooth.