New ASV PT-100 forestry package

[Robbie Hegwood]

Very well put Landwise. You are dead on and those observations are what lead to machine innovations and /or future machine purchases. You get to the point where you can walk up to a machine and notice immediately what will not work.
That's what makes excavators so neat. Just move the tractor back 15' and mulch away.

 

[Landwise]

Yep Robbie, you are right. I hope to have some new pics up tonight of the Kubota working.....

 

[Digdeep]

I have had my rounds with ASV, and quite frankly, I am glad they have been sold. If you read the history of the guys that started ASV, you can tell they know nothing about mulching.

I wish that they would fly a few of their end users up to the factory and have a users forum where we could beat, i mean, meet the engineers that design this product.

In a purely dirt moving, landscaping business, these machines would be awesome. And the RC 100 is probably the strongest out of the box, off the shelf 100 hp mulching machine made. I hope you can stand downtime, as I have learned that it takes two machines to keep one running in the woods.

I don't think ASV probably ever intended that their machines would be used in the mulching market. It may have just happened that there is nothing out of the box close in price or hydraulic capability. I see many of them up here in Wisconsin brush cutting, but I don't see many Fecon or Rayco machines. I guess that for the price of either of those two machines you could almost buy two RC100s. Who knows maybe one day they will come out with a purpose built mulching machine and not a dedicated construction machine that they've had to jerry rig just so that guys could brush cut with them.

 

[Landwise]

Dig Deep ,

I agree and I hope that is the point taken from my last post. I just think that the 100 has been adopted by the mulching industry, just as the 4810 was, and maybe they could have done a little better job adapting for the use.

 

[Digdeep]

Dig Deep ,

I agree and I hope that is the point taken from my last post. I just think that the 100 has been adopted by the mulching industry, just as the 4810 was, and maybe they could have done a little better job adapting for the use.

No offense taken. I only own a RC50 and it wouldn't run a mulcher if I wanted it to. I figure that since ASVs core business is earthmoving that the mulching side of things has probably taken a back seat. I did hear though that they were working on an improved cab. Who knows maybe they are working on a mulching kit that will work better for you guys. I know that the RC100 has plenty of hydraulic hp compared to the other rubber tracked machines. I always admired ASVs focus on rubber tracked machines when I sold Bobcats against them-so much so that I ended up buying one when I stopped selling.

 

[Maka]

I too believe there is always room for improvement in products but out of the box the RC100 is the best base machine out there for mulching. It has evolved into this by market demand and will surely improve.

There are other machines out there that are purpose built for mulching but try and do a spot turn with those tracks and you make a huge mess. On sensetive soil the RC-100 is the only real viable alternative for many jobs.

I like Rayco but a 100 or 140 is an apples to oranges comparison to the
RC100. For more production jobs where finish work is not important those purpose built mulchers excel but where you need a machine for a cleaner look that you can throw many attachments on what is better than the RC-100?

One could go in do many jobs with the one RC-100 and leave with a parked out look that is exactly what many people want. Those people don't want a steel tracked machine or even an excavator with rubber tracks. So, for the price, versatility, low impact, speed and high specs it is a strong and right now maybe the only alternative.

I find many folks expect to much either by a dealer over selling the product and it not living up to the end user expectation or end user just trying to do more than the machine is easily capable of.

We educate the purchaser and give them a reasonable expectation and then they are pleased with ther results. If I over promise them then it is not the machine at fault but the selling dealer.

The RC100 Forestry package is great and yes, there is always room for improvement but there is no other rubber track loader that performs with a mulcher like the RC100.

Maka

 

[Cat_Driver]

I wish that they would fly a few of their end users up to the factory and have a users forum where we could beat, i mean, meet the engineers that design this product.

Wouldn't that be a great concept, think about it.

ALL manufacturers should have an end user day at the factory to meet with engineers for input. I mean they can all use help - Ford, GM, Chrysler, Motor Home builders, boat builders etc.

On most of the sites I visit end users all have brilliant ideas that never ever get implemented, or get implemented, years down the road.

I have HINO trucks and what they do is get feedback from the field mechanics and the next years the changes are made. The mechanics wanted the filter location changed - BAM it was changed next year, and hundreds of other improvements. In fact they changed from over the cab design to conventional design because of one customer - Pensky Truck Rental.

They sold more trucks in one month than they did in the last previous year. Looks like it's also smart business to listen to end users.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I'm sure I would be on the "do not invite" list due me speaking my mind. Especially when they ask for it!

 

[TMTS]

when we are done with our time in BC, my plan is to buy a pick up truck down in Spokane and drive back home to New Hampshire. One stop for sure along the way- ASV, Inc. in Grand Rapids.

I want to get face to face...one to thank some of the guys who have answered my many phone calls over the years with excellent customer support for my 4810, but also to get some answers about the new forestry package...Landwise, can I share some of your input? Obvious question to me is why no pressurization- and are they working on that, and if not, where to start looking to do that myself.

I may stop off at Hahn and see if they are still doing retrofits on the RC100's.

with any luck, I'll be dropping in on Fecon as well in Ohio...Probably should stop at Maka's dealership while I'm at it also...

 

[cbturf]

Other than the paint what is the difference between the PT and the RC. All the specs seem the dame to me, even the undercarriage looks the same.