New 148 Pics and a Video Link.

WestshoreConstruction · Nov 7, 2009

ClearViewGroup said:
now THAT is a good looking 148

I agree on the carrier quality....I am a big fan of the 148...just not the head

I hope your joking because thats a Cimaf cutter on it

I have the BH85 for the carbide tools as not every site is best suited for the Cimaf.

ClearViewGroup · Nov 7, 2009

WestshoreConstruction said:
I hope your joking because thats a Cimaf cutter on it I have the BH85 for the carbide tools as not every site is best suited for the Cimaf.

haha no i meant the head that usually comes with them...i was saying that THAT 148 looked good BECAUSE of the head

cbturf · Nov 8, 2009

APSmulching said:
So on paper it makes the tractor better than the competition I suppose. The numbers sound impressive though. I guess that's the point. Not only is 140 HP not enough to pull that kind of load but the tractor must soak up at least 25 or 30 HP to move the tracks and hydraulic cylinders. I'm not knocking the 148 by any means, I would like to own one someday. Does anyone know if the 148 uses a two speed hydraulic motor to drive the head? I heard that they make a difference.

I will take a stab at this question. The FTX 148-L does have a 60 GPM pump and does operate up to 6000 psi, just not both at the same time. As you engage the material and your head starts to slow down so your flow has to slow too. At the same time the pressure starts to build. With the two speed motors like in my head the motor downshifts at 4000 psi or so. I have rarely stalled my head with the 6000 psi system when the motor is in low gear. But since the pumps start to de-stroke at higher pressures the 60 gpm at 6000 psi is not a problem even though it surpasses the 140 hp engine.
The decision to go with a 140 hp engine in the machine was to fill a hole in the mulching machine market. The machine is designed to be twice the machine as a skid steer and still be moved without a large tractor trailer. I tow mine behind my F-350 and F-450 and I am legal with the DOT (Barely, I am within 500 lbs of the legal load when I am full of fuel and tools in the F-350.) This is a huge advantage over the guys that need $1,000 to get off of the couch if they move with a big truck. I LOVE my 148 and tell everyone who asks me about it even those who do not ask that they should also buy one (just ask Westshore!!!) The specs on the machine are not just to make it look better than the competition, it is way better than the competition, this machine is the real deal and I clear 5-10 acres with it every day that I turn the key.

WestshoreConstruction · Nov 13, 2009

Not to hi jack this thread but WOW after a few days now mulching all day long all I can say is holy crap does this machine cut ! I mulched with the chipper tools for a bit on another site and then changed to thee carbide tools. Man I'm mulching in the same area as I was last winter and I am doing over double what I was before and that was with two skidsteers. I have tried the supertrak as well and sorry but it isn't in the same class as this machine. They can cut but nothing like this. Comfort, quiet you can talk on the phone while mulching like nothing. CB why didn't you come up here and slap me in the back of the head for not buying one sooner. LOL

cbturf · Nov 13, 2009

DUDE!!! How many times did we talk? Every time we spoke I told you to buy it. From the day after I brought mine home I have been yelling from the mountain tops that this machine is the real deal. Not only does it have the power to cut it has the comfort that allows you to work more hours further adding to what you are able to accomplish. I won't even mention the fact that it runs every day, we have had some little things act up but all machines do we have never missed more than an afternoon of work to fix stuff.

WestshoreConstruction · Nov 13, 2009

LOL we sound like Fecon emplyoees.. Yeah I ran the Supertrak and thought it could cut but its nothing compared to the 148.. Every machine will have problems doesn't matter how new or how old its the nature of the beast. Just look at what were doing. In any case working great, making money (Paying for it self) and having fun.

QwikDraw · Nov 15, 2009

Dang! Now I want one

WestshoreConstruction · Nov 15, 2009

It'll make that ASV look like a play toy, it made my Bobcats look like they were. The only thing it has for competition in my stables is the excavator and in smaller material eg under 4" I think it will out cut it although the material will not be as fine as the Cimaf. Any kind of hills or uneven ground or real swamp and the excavator wins.. Don't get me wrong the skidsteers do have there place and can cut pretty good but bigger is always better.

mulching consultant · Nov 24, 2009

Thank you everyone for the kind words about the FTX148L. Again I am a Fecon rep so you should consider my opinion somewhat biased but I was so glad when we came out with the FTX148L. This machine was developed from all the feedback of our customers over the years. We listened and I sure believe we got it right. CB is correct in his assesment. The FTX148L has 142 hp and 61gpm at 6000 psi. Yes the math for this formula exceeds engine hp and hydraulic hp is a theorhetical number but if you put this machine to the test you will understand that it is also a very REAL number.
One other huge advantage of the FTX148L and why the system is so powerful is Fecon's power managment system. This is a microprocessor that delivers information in real time to the engine and hydraulic system providing constant hp while minimzing engine wear and fuel consumption. When you combine this technology with the variable displacement hydraulic motor in the head you have an unbeatable combination.
I sure am glad we came out with this machine. I am proud to offer it to my customers and I know that I am providing them the most productive and dependable machine in its class ( and maybe a class or two higher).
As far as the Cimaf heads go they cut very well and in an excavator application they are stiff competition but since Fecon released the HDT rotor for ground machines (and soon to be released for excavator mulchers) I believe the Fecon head will cut with anyone. With 4 different tools choices on the same rotor a contractor can pick the best tools for their application for any specific job. (no rock and no need to mulch into the ground-use chipper knives, if there is rock or it is beneficial to mulch the material into the ground a bit-use the double carbides, severe rock-use the stone tools, a fair amount of rock and you want EXTREME tool life-use the single carbides.)
With any of the above tool choices you still get the legendary durability of the FECON Bull Hog design. As I tell my customers, "There are competetitor's mulching attachments that are as productive as the Bull Hog but NONE that come close to the durability.
As was stated earlier in this thread by a happy Fecon customer Demo an FTX148L-You'll buy one.