[tractornewbie]

From everything I've read so far CAT is a better supplier and makes a better machine. Controls are superior, machine is quieter, service is better, etc., but not by alot.

So, given two *NEW* like machines from each of the above suppliers, which would you go for if the Bobcat sales/service center was 15 minutes away vs. 1 hour for a CAT?

Also, I've also been reading good things about the Bobcat A300 all wheel steering i.e., how it's very gentle on the ground in AWS mode.

Sounds like a very versatile machine because of the two modes. No? The more versatile the busier it will be I assume.

Does CAT have an equivilant model?

Also, is there any risk buying first year model equipment like there is in first year automobile models?

How well do they ring out new model construction equipment before they start selling it?

Just curious if the rules are the same as cars.

Thanks,

David T.

[Stonehenge]

I'll preface the all-wheel-steer by saying that I've actually had no experience on it. That being said, I saw a dealer wreck a trailer trying to load the Bobcat on it in all-wheel steer mode. It seems like the all wheel steer is something that has some learning curve to it, and you might be asking for problems in tight spaces. Now there may be others w/ experience with that machine that can prove me wrong, but that's what I've seen so far. If you really want to minimize turf damage, all reports seem to indicate a tracked skidder might be worth a demo.

[tractornewbie]

I'm looking at the ASV RC30 but it's small and everything I've read so far says buy as big as your wallet will allow.

Stonehenge I read your post on the other thread about the sales guy who screwed up driving it onto the trailer but that's easily solved with this unit by switching the mode from AWS to skid-steer and then loading it. After you come upto speed on it either way is probably as easy as the other.

Assuming of course it works as advertised.

From what I've read it seems that the A300 may be even less destructive than a tracked loader, and also more versatile in the sense that it can operate in two different modes. Also sounds like it may be even less destructive on the ground than a light tracked unit.

Seems to make sense to me, but what do I know...

What about the dealer/service proximity? Any thought on that?

Thanks,

DT.

[Stonehenge]

We have an Aussie member who can't say much good about the ASV, but I should mention they also make an RC 50 and RC100 - saw the RC100 at the last MidAm I attended in 2004. It's a pretty beefy machine.

[Bill Schwab]

Cat makes a 906, 907, and 908 articulated compact loader. They start in the low 50's and weigh over 9,000 lbs all the way up to 14,000 lbs. The few reviews I have seen on the A series Bobcats have been good, but I always question a multi function design as to weather it works Ok in both modes, but is just not like a dedicated version in either style.

The distance a shop is from your location is a small consideration, simply because when it breaks, you will be in the field and you don't know what direction or how far it will be from whatever dealership. That is why service vehicles have tires...

[tractornewbie]

The larger RC's are too much dough.

40k+-~5k is about my max.

No opinion on the dealer/service proximity? Seems like that couold be significant based on what I've read so far.

...

[tractornewbie]

OK Bill thanks.

Like I said, I'll max out at ~40k so the bigger CATS are out of my league for the moment.

DT.

[jwholden]

I just had my 763 towed to the dealer who was about 45 minutes away. Towing companies rates ranged from 175 to 300 dollars. The work could get started sooner by me getting the machine to the dealer as opposed to waiting a couple days for a field tech to have an open slot. They would have come out, just take longer to get to the machine back in service.

A hydraulic hose to one of the drive motors sprung a leak. Apparenty these hoses are supposed to be changed every once in a while (before nine years). The parts are being overnighted and the machine should be back in service tommorow afternoon.

I believe that dealers remember who you are when the machine is new and clean. If a machine breaks, it is telling the buyer that they just spent tens of thousands of dollars and got a piece of junk, dealers are motivated to fix it quicker to keep the egg of their face.

My machine is nine years old now, and the people at Bobcat have yet to give me a reason to search for a new service place. I'll admit that it is taking longer to get this repair done than I would like, but I know I make my customers wait when they don't want to at times as well.

Another option was to call Hose-Medic or Pirtec. I havn't used them yet, but prefer to have someone who works on the machine all the time when it comes to replacling a major hose(s) like that. I would hate to see a bandaid type repair on a hose as important as that.

[tractornewbie]

Thanks JW, good info!

DT.

[Pelican]

The distance may not be as much concern as the abilities of the facility. Caterpillar has guaranteed overnight delivery of parts that aren't in stock, I don't know Bobcat's policy. Check the two dealers' shops out and see how they are equipped, can both handle any job that comes their way? How about field service, do both offer it and how many trucks does each have? How well is the parts room stocked at each? How many repair bays does each have? These items will determine how quick they can turn you around more so than the distance required to travel to them.

[Mark Oomkes]

One other thing about tracked vs AWS, AWS may not tear up as much as tracks or do the same amount of damage, but ground PSI is going to be much higher with the AWS compared to tracks. So you have the potential to rut the lawn a lot more with tires than tracks.

I've been very happy with our Bobcat dealer as well. We've had some electrical issues, but they have been caused by corrosion from loading salt.