RC-30 All Surface Loader

[Leighdavis]

Check out these machines.
Really cool, RC-30 All Surface Loader
http://www.asvi.com/rc_30.cfm

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

It does look cool, but I wonder about the claim that it won't tear up the turf. I've watched a Bobcat with tracks move a prodigious amount of dirt, but it tore the grass up whenever it went any way but dead straight. So far, I've not seen anything more gentle on grass than Power Tracs for equal weight and power.

 

[bubenberg]

hi,
let's have some races, you don't live too far from me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

i have been looking for tracks/tracksolutions for quite a while and no one seems to have the right stuff. a friend off Charlies and mine is investigating this subject for a machine that is in the R&D stage that develops some problems of doing it's job on wet ground. we will keep you posted, if we find something that really does not "turf"

 

[eambrose]

Charlie - these are very cool machines - plus the benefit of skid steer implements - of course I can't see anyone ever use one for mowing

But check out the website - they have videos - it does not tear up the turf - especially the "turf edition" they show it on a golf course green and pull a zero point turn - then they show the turf close up and it is unmarked

 

[bubenberg]

<font color="red">But check out the website - they have videos - it does not tear up the turf - especially the "turf edition" they show it on a golf course green and pull a zero point turn - then they show the turf close up and it is unmarked
</font>
sorry, but that is astro turf, i have seen the machine, also talk to someone that just viewed the demo at a golf/turf show in San Diego, CA. the THING T U R F S, especially at the speed that the demo shows.
in our testing of tracks for our topdressing equipment, where tracks would be the ultimate for weight carrying purposes, we have not found any non turfing tracks YET. our next endeavor is looking at a Cushman patent. we will keep you posted.

 

[MossRoad]

I just don't see how a tracked vehicle could not twist the turf when turning. It has to.

What's neat about the Power Trac is that even when you are stopped, if you crank the steering wheel to the left, the left wheels roll towards each other while the right wheels roll away from each other. No turf tearing, ever. Really nice.

 

[eambrose]

Hans - I have not actually tested the machine - but I plan to - Richard just bought one - maybe he can tell us about his experience thus far

As far as that being astro turf in the video - (the turf edition with the green smooth tracks) I have to differ with you -

I spoke to the guy (Lance) at ASV - he was the guy actually driving the machine in the video - It was real grass on a golf course fairway and green - The machine traveled at 8-9 mph and then pulled a hard zero point turn - pretty impressive - The turf was untouched

I think Lance is telling the truth - plus if you look at the video you can tell it is real grass.

The way they accomplish this is very low PSI (I think like 2.5psi vs say a PT 425 which is probably like 20 to 25 or almost ten times as much - They spread out the machine weight to accomplish this.

The turf tracks are smooth, soft and have a radius edge - so the turf is not damaged when twisting sideways on a zero point turn. Of course you can always turn softer as well to further protect your turf which is what I do with the Walker ZTR that I use for mowing.

They even show the turf tracks in dirt with good traction which really surprised me. Of course the machine is not cheap.

I have checked these units out and I have to say they are very well designed and have many benefits -

Of course it always depends on the application - As I said - I would never try and mow with one and the PT may be better in certain other applications - but i have to tell you - this thing is pretty neat

 

[eambrose]

OH - the other thing I forgot to mention is that the ASV
R-30 and R50 weigh much less than a CAT or Bobcat
track unit

Not sure exactly how much less but I think most of the conventional construction units (Cat , Bobcat) weigh
something like 8000 to 10000 lbs - so the PSI are probably double the ASV

The RC30 weighs around 3000 lbs - has over 1500lbs lift capacity near tip load - ie similar to the way PT rates lift and has 7.5 lift height

The RC50 weighs 4750 lbs - has 3000 pound lift capacity (at near tip) and has 9.5 lift height

Anyway the RC30 is small to take on conventional skid steer attachments but they offer tons of stuff

The 50 I think will take conventional skid steer attachment

 

[waterglyn]

I received a video tonite on the RC's. It showed the turf editions doing a complete 360 on a golf course green and a 180 on the fairway. You could hardly tell the RC had even passed over the turf. It appears to be a very versatile machine and offers a heated and air conditioned cab as options.

 

[bubenberg]

as long as we were comparing the pro and cons of the pt lines and the RC-30 i think this was the right place but now we are having a discussion about what qualifies as "All Other Brands" and therefore should move over there /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ?Moderator?

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, there are a few people with these units on TBN now. And I appreciate the comparrisons between different types of tractors...

Anyone got any more comparrisons between these units?

 

[eambrose]

Hey David

I really have nothing more to add other than to clarify that my comments were primarily for comparison of these machines to the PT - the machines (PT vs RC30 or RC50) are really very different with different applications but do cross over into PT territory with the "turf edition" -

I was pointing out was that in certain applications on turf - it may be a viable alternative vs a PT
for someone that still needs a very compact machine (like a PT) that will not tear up turf and does not have the weight of a construction trac machine (so you can trailer it) and the person needs tight turn capability - needs high lift capacity & height - dealer support - etc,etc.

Of course I pointed out that there is a cost for all of this - they are expensive -

For me (as an owner and lover of the PT) these units are very interesting because I had not encountered units (other than PT's and others like it) that would not tear up turf which was one of the most important factors for me in deciding on a machine.

So I thought it was important to make sure we got it correct when discussing the units performance on turf. We want to make sure our members are reading the best information we have according to our research.

With that all said - again the person making the decision on the PT when comparing to other machines as always needs to look at the application - I doubt you are going to MOW with this thing as most of us use the PT for.

Cheers

 

[RobertN]

I don't own them, but have used them. I have posted on it before, I believe in the "Buying" section.

I have used two skidsteers; the Bobcat S185 56hp turbo, and the Bobcat 463; 36" wide machine for limited access. I have used two track-laoders, the RC30 and Cat-247.

For dry stuff, the skid steers work great. A little wet, and they make a big mess. They can move large amounts of dirt or material very well. The 463 got me through a 36.5"' gate where I had to remove material and bring it around front. I have used the S185 for grading, moving material and running a trencher. The hi-flow trencher on that S185 CRANKS! it is impressive! About the S185 and wet conditions, it is parked at the house now(belongs to a buddy). I was moving dirt, and dumping it in a big hole on a slight downslope. I was running up and down the slope properly, but it tore things up fast with wet conditions. I got stuck and used the loader to pull forward; I could not back out. It got sideways on the slope and tippy! I had to finally use the loader to pull forward down the slope, while trying to straighten out. I did it, but it was not fun, and I had to drive way down the property to find a way out.

I have used the RC30 and Cat-247 for digging, grading, and loading a dump truck. The RC30 was a bit short for loading the 8yd dump truck; I had to make a little ramp of dirt. I did grading and digging in damp conditions where the Bobcats would have to be parked. It worked great, with little mess. The same with the Cat. I had to dig and grade in a back yard, and load a dumptruck out fron. Had to go across the grass... I loaded 8 8yd dumps using a 1/2 yard bucket, over wet grass. It did leave some minor indentation that will fix up easily. Man, a skidsteer of similar size woulda made a mess; would have had to park it.

The track-loaders had joysticks. I liked that. The steering control on the Bobcats has a long throw. It's easy, but you move more to steer and manuever. Bobcat does offer that option on many of its tractors.

Both track-loaders had ASV track system. The RC30 had the torsion suspension, not sure about the Cat. Boy, they rode much smoother than the skidsteer. The track loaders were nice to drive.

The RC30 could manuever pretty tight with standard tracks and not tear up the grass. I have seen the video on the putting green with the turf tracks; it is believable. The Cat, I did not manuever as much with it in sensitve area's. On the grass, I made a point to move straight forward and back, 'cause it was rather wet...

One note, with a local Bobcat dealer, they rent cheaper than the regular rental shops... I have not rented from the Cat/ASV dealer, although I noted thier price compared to the local rental shop. I could not justify the 45 mile pickup, and then delivery to go get it down in Sacramento. When I rented the Bobcat 463, and the Bobcat Hi-flow trencher, I was working not far from the Bobcat dealer.

I want to sell my B8200 Kubota and get a RC30. I need to save up the balance; the Kubota would be about half the price. I am looking at low hour dealer offers. Looks like a RC30 with 2-300 hours, with a clamshell bucket and trencher, would run about $22-23k.

My biggest worry is the price of putting a mower on it to replace the capabilty of the Kubota for mowing the property. I am thinking of selling the Farmall-A, and upgrading to a Super-A with 3pt.

 

[RobertN]

The Bobcat track-loaders run 7k-9.5k-lbs. T300 says 4.1psi. T180/190 are 5psi.

The ASV RC30 is 2.7psi; considerably lower when considering turf work. The RC50 is is 2.7psi also; not bad for a 50hp machine. The RC100 is 3.5psi.

I do not know anything about the PT's, except some folks here really like them /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif