[A to Z]

OK here we go –

I am looking to add another piece of equipment to my operation. I currently own a Kubota L5030 w/loader and a Rotadairon on the 3 pt, a New Holland LS160, and a Kubota RTV. I need to be able to access forests with soft ground for small brush jobs, degraded job sites after rainfall – normally we don’t work when it rains – but I need to get back to the job site faster. Something that treads light over lawns to auger holes or move mulch and materials, etc… The skid loader works great on new construction but not so well in established landscapes. The Kubota tractor works great on established landscapes but is just too big half the time. We are getting more and more into stamped concrete and accessability into backyards with the larger equipment is becoming a problem. What do you think would be the ideal machine for the situation. I need something small. Something small and very maneuverable. I have used the walk behind or stand on compact track loaders and just don’t like them. But I am open to hearing why you like them and overall impressions. I would like to hear what people think about my equipment needs – such as What you think would be ideal??? I have narrowed down the field to the ASV Rc30 and the Power Trac line of compact articulated loaders. I would like a really small machine. I think the Rc30 would fit the bill but I would like input on everybody’s likes and dislikes about a certain piece of equipment. Your advice is greatly appreciated…

Aaron

[Bill Schwab]

We had an RC-30 a while back and it was to wide for many places we access. It was a great machine and could easily load trucks from the ground but if you can't get it back to the work, it's worthless. We then went to a Bobcat 463 and wiuth a 36" kit, we could access everything we needed, but it was slow. Carrying 6 cubic feet of materials and not having anything get excavated was a waste of time and resources.

So, modeling our methods off large scale mass earth moving companies who use either off road, or Mack powered on road end dump style trucks and 10 meteric ton (Caterpillar 350 and 345 excavators) to move and shape the earth, we use the following:

Caterpillar 301.8 mini X with an 8, 12, and 16" bucket, and a trencher attachment home made and fabricated from a wasted bucket hinge, a Dingo implement adapter plate, and a Dingo 24" trencher. To transport we use Ingersol-Rand 21 cubic foot steel bodied power buggies. As a result, I under estimated how productive this equipment is, and had to lay off 3 guys last week.

Salaries of 3 men was 10K per month plus benefits, continuing as long as they stay employed. Payments for a 301.8, and 2 Ingersol Power Buggies is $1,200.00 per month for 4 years with nothing down, plus maintenance, and they should remain in service for 7 years before rolling them over on new machines.

Do the math. In the situation of gooey soils, I would look hard at a couple of the Kubota track drive off road buggies, you can get them in a 36" wide version but their cost will dance at $25K a piece and then the cost of a Mini X of sorts. My personal choice is the 301.8 over other brands, it has more power and actually can get alot more done than others in this size/weight range, plus you can't compare their service record.

If you can use the RC-30, (46" wide I beleive) it will do what you want, but keep in mind you are carrying 6-8 cubic feet with nothing going on in the mean time each time the bucket fills.

[A to Z]

Bill

In your case size and productivity are sometimes major obstacles. I can see your system of moving materials is top notch. A mini-x purchase is soon to follow but currently renting the machine for when I need it is the most cost effective for me. My jobs are very labor/people intensive not equipment intensive. If the job requires major excavation and hauling I simply knock down any fences in my way and replace them when completed.

When you owned the Rc-30 did you experience any problems? I'm looking at the turf edition. I will only be putting on 100-200 hrs a year - so I expect a service life of 10 years or longer... Any other comments and ideas about the Rc-30 would be greatly appreciated!!!

Bill - thanks for the sytems you use and the education you provide, myself and others are thankful...

[Bill Schwab]

WE did not have any real major problems other than track tensioning and the usual maintenance associated with track drive equipment. This was long before Caterpillar installed the ASV systems on thier machines, so, the education involved with ownership was less than what anyone really needed to maintain the machines. Bacially, the 30 is a little work horse, and learning proper MTL usage is critcal to how long it is going to last you.

The biggest thing I can offer, is grease, oil, and track tensioning, along with keeping the drive system clean, particularly when you have freezes on their way. More years ago than I want to admit, I can remember lighting logs on fire under an old 933 to loosen the tracks because some kid who knew more than he could be told decided track cleaning was no necesary, after all, you have all that power to break the mud and ice with... Boy was I dumb!

The other thing, three pointed turns. Don't run it like a skid steer and do 180-360° turns. And last, when digging, keep all the track on the ground. Don't do like skid steer operators tend to do and lift the front end with the bucket. You will wear tracks faster, and you won't get the torque to the ground you need to break anything loose. If yopu are getting your ASV through a CAT dealer, ask them if they are offering a CAT MTL class in the future. It's worth every penny paid.

[johnkeegan]

A to Z, I've had great luck with the RC 30. I too looked at the articulating machines before I purchased it but they seemed a little awkward to operate. The ASV is very nimble and will work in any terrain from delicate sod to swamp. And it's built like a little piece of construction equipment not like a piece of "garden" equipment. And I've had no problems in the first 2 years of use, though I did heed Bill's advice on the track tensioning.
Also, because the RC30 is so small and light (3K#) we can haul it in our 6 ton 16 foot dump trailer and still have room to bring 3-4 yards of material (soil, sand, mulch etc.) And on the return trip I can load the spoils (sod, rocks, wood..) into the dump trailer along with the RC 30, therefore freeing up the haul truck for other material or pallets, plants, equipment etc.
P.S.- If you but the RC30 buy the "light material" bucket. It holds about 15 cubic feet and is hardly "light." We use it constantly for excavating, prying etc. and it's held up fine and it holds much more than the "dirt" bucket.

[A to Z]

Glad to hear the ASV is working well for you. Not hearing many negative comments on the Rc-30. Do you run any other attachments for yours? Or just the light bucket. Tracks holding up well? Thanks for the advice... Now that you've owned the ASV for a few years could you be without it?

[johnkeegan]

I also have the auger with bits ranging from 12 to 30," which is good for planting small trees and shrubs. I plan on getting a 4 in 1 bucket and perhaps the backhoe attachment, harley rake and/or rototiller after I demo them. And yes, it would really stink if I had to do without the RC30 now that I've become aware of all it can do. Most days its loaded on the trailer to go somewhere, whether its excavating walkways, grading, cleanup on larger jobs, loading the bark blower, backfilling smaller retaining walls, planting or removing trees and shrubs etc. And now the larger machines I have (Bobcat A300 and S250) are either left at the shop or allowed to stay at a site where they're really needed.

[RHPL]

I just got a Yanmar VIO-17 and am very pleased with it so far. It contracts down to 3'1" for easy access through most gates and with it's thumb can easily pick up and place rocks up to aboput 1000lbs. I'm trying to decide on a piece of equipment to pair it with. I have rented the Yanmar material carrier, but find it to be to big at almost 9 feet long. I used the Kabota trcked material carrier a number of years ago and remember that it got beat up pretty quick. I know a lot of guys are using the smaller power barrels like the Muck truck lately. Less than $3k each but you need an employee for each one I guess.

I think a miny ex is a must in bad access situations, but I'm still not sure about the best solution for material transporting. Any suggestions?
Ryan