[PSUscaper]

the machine was 25k.........has fully enclosed cab/door, heat, AC, and the high flow set up aux hydraulics. Had 1100 hrs when purchased, with brand new tracks and brand new track tension pistons. I don't really know what they go for used, so the priced seemed right, especially considering the guy who sold it to me paid close to 50k for a brand new t300.

I have to remind people one thing......the track loader will still tear up a lawn nicely........and just as quick for that matter if you have a bad operator. If you are very cautious however, you will do less damage than a wheeled machine. It is not a 'magic carpet' that will float over grass though. Even my dingo rips up lawns after a few slight turns.

steve

[BJR]

Try an ASV track loader. I have just found out that there is a series 2 RC30 which I will be upgrading to in the near future.

I have been told that the series 2 has had the problems, the RC30 series 1 had, ironed out.

I could never go back to a tyred skid steer.

Grading is far superior and done in 1/4 of the time. Also a lot more break out power.

[jwholden]

Jeff,

The T200 I rented was listing at 29,500 with high flow hydraulics and no fancy cab. The machine has under 400 hours and is a rental unit. The tracks are pretty beat and probably have 100-200 hours left in them, though this depends where they do the work.

The controls were EXACTLY the same as my 763 (hands are forward/reverse and feet control the bucket). Learning curve of approximately 5 minutes to judge the increased size of the machine.

Cost of comppleting a new lawn two days after 3" of rain, Priceless!

[Stonehenge]

BJR - there's a dealer somewhat near us that has a RC30 and RC50 for sale. They both look to be on the small side, but that might be just what I'm looking for.

It looks like the aux hydro flow rate on the 30 is 10gpm, which is less than what's needed to run our Harley Rock Rake. The 50 has enough flow to run it, though.

[dan deutekom]

OK
You guys have me convinced. I have a lawn job that has been stalled for 3 weeks now because of rain. The old Case just can't get into the place it is so slippery. Every time it finally gets dry enough it rains just as I am going to start again. (or the pool guy drained the pool on the work area) I am going to see if I can find a rental shop with a track loader in our area.

[Paul]

I have steel tracks for my loaders that can be changed out in about 10 minutes each side. They now have them with rubber inserts. They cost less than replacement tracks for the machines that you all talk about.

[jwholden]

Dan,

Call sooner than later when the time comes to rent the machine. The one I got was pure luck, dealer said nothing available but someone got done early. I suspect we all overestimate the time the job will take when comparing a skid steer to a track loader!

[BJR]

Jeff

RC50 is a better machine by far. But if you want to have a smaller tight machine the 30 is the one. But make sure that it is a series 2 machine.

They have just given me a new set of tracks for my machine for nothing. My RC30 has a tendency for the tracks to slide across to the back plate on the sprocket drive and then rides up on the plate. This causes the teeth to be broken away eventually destroying the tracks. I believe that ASV has made modifications to the track system on the series 2 machine. I have yet to see one.

I had a Bobcat 453 before the RC30. The RC30 leaves the 453 for dead in almost every aspect.

If you want a big one get a RC100. Huge machine.

Paul

There is no comparison between the track system on an ASV and clip on tracks on a skid steer. I have had both.

[BJR]

Hay everyone,

I just have to tell you that I received a FREE set of tracks for my RC30.

This is the second set in 2 years.

The company hasn't said that my machine is faulty, but a second set of $4,400+ tracks for nothing says something to me.

Thank's for listening ASV.

Haven't had much time to spend on the computer lately. This is our mad season. Everybody wants their job finished before Xmas.

[Stonehenge]

I was wondering where you went!! Glad to see you back, and nice to hear you got a free set of tracks!! Though you are right, thet don't pony those up unless they think there is some kind of problem.

[BJR]

I have a huge amount of work ahead and everyone wants it done by Christmas. I've had to put on 2 extra men to help.

[jwholden]

BJR,

Two free sets of tracks, wow.

When I looked at the Bobcat machine the dealer said, rather matter of factly,

"It'll throw a track every once in a while. They go back on like when you put a chain back on a biclcyle"

How often do you throw one of those puppies?

How hard/easy is it to get it back on?

[PSUscaper]

Ya......JUST like a chain on a bicycle!!!!!!!!!!!

I love those crazy salesmen!

They never tell you about how, when you do throw a track, you mostly likely are sitting in a giant bowl of mud that, if your lucky, can make it to safe ground just to make a phone call to call them up and yell at them.

[BJR]

JW

Never thrown a track yet. I don't believe it would be possible to do so.

It is time consuming, but quite easy to replace a track.

I have to lower the sprocket drive to take the tension off, then remove the back or front wheels, inside and out, then the track just slips off. It would be a hard job if you were on site and on an uneven surface.

I have however thrown the tracks on my excavator, which is literally like replacing the chain on a bike, A BLOODY BIG CHAIN. You just make sure that you don't keep on traveling so that the track stays near the teeth of the drive wheel. You then raise the track off the ground with blade and bucket. Then use a crow bar to lever the track back over the teeth whilst someone else is winding the track on with the controls. Happens quite often.

[Bill Schwab]

We have over 1500 trouble free hours on the ASV-30. The early models had a few issues which when Cat merged with them were rectified.

With any track drive machine ( we have had several a 953, 955, 977, D-3A, D-3D, D-6G, D-8N, and D-9F models. Cat and any good reputable maker of trace drive equipment will provide for you, a wear chart by which, the user is expected to have failure. You have to factor this into machine time charges and recover this in overhead, just like replacement of skid steer tires. We charge $90 per machine hour portal to portal for ours. Cost on track wear should be no more than $2.30 per machine hour, per Cat specs. I am finding our numbers pretty darn close if not a tad under that to that....Now having had several other track drive machines by Cat, let me say this to you all....There is one thing that tears up tracks more than any single thing you can do with that machine...Backing up at high rates of speed. You will do more under carraige damage this way than any other. And for the most part, that is ANYONES track drive machine..So, if you can turn around running material, you are best doing that...

The cool thing about this machine is out here, after a rain, ground turns into oatmeal, as we have an expansible clay. With the ASv, excation jobs are doable where with tires, they would not be....