demo'd a CAT 297c today

[cbturf]

My dealer is getting me one of the first 5 148s that are to be sold (I hope!!). I ran the prototype and loved it, my only concern is the steep terrain out here. Our first 180 acres was 30-50% slope. It was to steep to head down forward you had to mulch as you climb and then back down about 500 feet to an area that you could change direction. We have not finished our first job yet and we already have another 100 acres added on. To answer your ? I am not quitting I am growing. If it gets to big I am going to add a Barko 930 too.

 

[QwikDraw]

Great. I got to sit in a Geo Boy at a local show...maybe you should look in to one of those....

PM sent.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Land- so far how do the hydraulics- pump,pressure,head recovery, moving while mulching- seem on the 297? you are right 100% on the asv problems <we all know i've had my share> just wish i too could find the perfect combination without having to speend an arm and a leg. Cat still has my vote on fit and finish so far. My little cat has had a hard life and is still kicking. anyone know if super is going to build a 140hp steel tracked 297c? that has my vote!

Not to hijack but...

CB- try this site before you settle on the Barko. I am looking at the 822M -SWEET has its pros and cons over an excavator. Tigercat land clearing equipment: M822C mulcher check out the 36" tracks! Get-er-did!

 

[DirtyWorks]

Sorry duplicate post

 

[cbturf]

Tigercat is awesome I have looked at them as well. The reason that I like Barko is the fact that my current Fecon dealer is picking up Barko. I have the best dealer that I have ever even heard of. He is in KY and told me that if I have any problems he will put a mechanic on a plane and send them out to get us running again! And he means it, not just blowing smoke. Where I am working now excavator type machines are to slow. Each tree is only 10-15 feet tall and takes less than a minute with the 140. In this environment tires or tracks that can move fast are the ticket. Once we finish this first job the steepness should go away, that will eliminate the need for a boom machine.

 

[Landwise]

I have heard rumor that Super is going to build a TAK TL150 with a 140hp engine by the end of the summer.

I do like the CAT, and it is $6000.00 less, but I think I am going with the reliablilty of the TAK. That CAT scares me. Too new and they run the same engine in three models, which means the 297 is stretched out......

Cat still gets kudo's on their cab though, it is awesome.

 

[cbturf]

I do not want to speak out of turn but I agree with Robbie that a converted machine will only be jumping out of the pan into the fire. As you probably have figured out by now I have a 140 hp machine and the stress that comes through the head to the tractor is tremendous. You know that the Fecon is a red Rayco C140 with just a few changes. The skid steer style quick attach was falling apart after less than 40 hours on the early machines. Fecon now has a three pin system with 1 1/2 pins to hold the head to the machine. You run your machines now and already know how much mulching beats on them, add 40 more horsepower and you will quickly destroy a machine that is made to scoop and carry dirt and gravel. I know what you are thinking, it is torque not horsepower, at 2500 RPM there will be over 80 lb/ft of torque increase. I would not buy one of these machines before I am able to demo or rent one with 500-600 hours on it. As my man Robbie would say tha's my .02 worth.

 

[cbturf]

Sorry guys I am on a roll. A few more things that I would like to mention about a converted skid steer to a mulcher are the fuel capacity and the hydraulic cooling and capacity. I was looking at the Supertrak 140TR and the roof mounted oil cooler is tiny. They mention a fancy radiator but how much bigger can it get in an already cramped small chasis. When I had my ASV it was starting to run on the hot side and it was only 85 degrees out. I was mulching in July and August in Nashville TN in my 140 when it was 107 degrees and had NO problems with either the engine or hydraulics running hot. I also noticed that the Super still runs the BH74SS. Will the head hold up under the increased power? It is made for the 100hp and below machines, go from 210-lb/feet of torque pushing it to almost 300 and I bet you will find the limits just before you call the repair tech. Also I think it is important to be able to run all day on one tank of fuel, you loose a lot of work time running to the truck to fuel up. Not just the drive but all of the extra junk you do when you are at the truck and not in the woods. Just a little more to chew on.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Sorry guys I am on a roll. .

PREACH ON BROTHER, PREACH ON!!!

 

[cbturf]

Thanks for the backup dirt!