Fecon Bullhog vs. Loftness Carbide Cutter Comparison

[Robbie Hegwood]

Now that demo puts you in an interesting spot. New 100 with magnum, or Good deal on used 100 with timberax.

Knowing what I do now and dealing with starting a mulching business. I believe your saftest bet is the new 100 with warranty and better finance options. And the magnum, also with warranty, dealer support and you shouldn't need any teeth for a while. Probably could get a few teeth thrown into the deal for good mearsure.

Just my .02 cents but that route the best chance of limiting your down time.
Plus with winters in your area your "season" is alittle shorter. A good advantage of being down south is we can mulch pretty much all year. I'm almost as busy now as I was during the summer. Summer jobs were bigger.

There is a Vermer dealer 10 min. from my house that I think sales magnum. I'll have to stop by and have a look. The teeth price is still hard to swallow..

Robbie

 

[QwikDraw]

All I know I left the demo and went right back to the orchard and worked late. Now I more motivated than ever. 38 trees to go. The new unit with warranty is the best route but the 15K savings on a used machine in real good shape will help a lot in getting that head! I might just get the used machine and rethink the Timber AX.....

Ted

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

We've been deming a loftness timer ax on the front of a 180Hp New Holland tractor... that head can take up to 400hp!!! Its amazing, it sucks in tree's and turns them to nothing in seconds.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

I've demoed a TV-145 with a carbide extreme. That was an interesting approach and package. It addressed some issues not even thought of for track machines. I was pretty impressed with the tractor and it ran the head well. Being pto driven it had alot of torque.

Now 180 H.P. tractor, I would like to see that. The loftness rep said he's seen a Timberax on the 145 and said I would probably like it over the carbide since I prefer the timberax anyway. Now add a 180 H.P. tractor and buddy were talking. The TV-145 with carbide extreme was in the ballpark of 180k, What kind of price are you looking at with the 180 H.P. tractor and head.

Is it a bi-directional tractor??? I would really like to see one. I demoed the 145 soon after demoing a gyrotrac GT-25 and for the price the 145 was a great value compared to the GT-25.

Thanks for posting. Robbie

 

[JDSkidsteer]

I like the Bradco Magnum.

 

[rutwad]

FWIW Loftness is about to release a new carbide cutter.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Here's a new twist. I was at a friends shop today ordering a 1/2" piece of plex for a windshield when I realized I forgot the measurements. just so happens the place next door sells ASV's also so I went over a measured one of there 100's. While doing this I saw a salesman I have spoken with in the past and long story short asked me to demo his last year model magnum head. He said he doesn't run them he lets the customer do the driving and didn't have good feedback of it's capabilities. He would like me to run it against my timberax and take notes. Talk about a win win setup. I'll see what there made of and build a good working relationship with the guy. I asked about the new magnum with new pump and said they would bring one in in the near future and I could demo that one as well and give a report against them all. Sounds cool to me.

All this after he mentions they are becoming a gyrotrac dealer. I said good and bad. Expensive as heck but very capable machines. I said for the money I couldn't buy a gyrotrac head for my ASV just for the price alone. I told him of my demos with gyrotrac and that along with my wide open liking of mulching is were I think the desire for me to run these heads came from.

The teeth on the magnum head were very different then any I've seen, the had a gap between the carbide tips. I think I just might have to pick that little unit up and give it a few hours to see what I think. Plus his off the hip price was pretty good, both on the older model and new.

Ted you will have to PM me your prices again. There is a definite difference between your and my prices...

Very interesting turn of events!!! Caught me off guard. But it has potentional.

Robbie

 

[QwikDraw]

SENT!

I assume it is the 165-5, 60" cut. That will be good to get your opinion on that.

The Bradco has 45 teeth compared to the Fecon which has 30 but the Fecon has the "counter combs" which act like fixed teeth on the inside of the unit. I still want to try both.

Used machine is probably out. Going NEW, just for thye new machine smell...and I might have some good size jobs already!

Ted

 

[paco]

quikdraw,

The new machine route is probably your best bet. It is also the same issue I have struggled with. I cannot see enough separation from a GOOD used machine and new to justify buying used. No warranty on used. I have beat myself to death over it and should be signing the papers on a new rc100 with forestry package next week. I cannot deal with the stress of a used machine with no warranty and keeping the machine busy. If I buy new the only stress to deal with is keeping it busy. A used machine in this application can easily have it's life reduced with lack of proper care. New is the only way I can get in the business and feel good about it.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Hey Ted

I was a 60" wide cut. If I bought one I would prefer a 72" cut but that down the road a bit. I mainly would like a carbide for trees larger than 8". But am having a hard time justifying another 20k head for that. But I would like to run the magnum to see where it stands and it will atleast save my blades from wear and tear for one job. I mainly would like a good working relationship with the dealership to see where it could go. It could lead to anything.

I asked him about the two sided teeth and he hasn't sold any as of yet. To pricey.

I have seen on the fecon what you refered to as "counter combs" but had no idea what they were. Looks wierd. I personally would not consider fecon for there nearest dealer to me is supertrak in Florida. I need close service support.

Robbie