ASV Posi track RC30

[Hendrik]

I am half thinking about buying one of these track loaders, they can be gotten for between AU$20-30K depending on condition and hours.
I seem to be missing out on a few jobs where the dingo is just too small for the amount of dirt that has to be shifted and from what I gather the RC30 can do about twice the work of a dingo (bigger bucket and faster travel speed) and is only 20cm wider and 500kg heavier than a dingo (actually with the tracks it has way lower ground pressure than the dingo).
Speaking of tracks I do realize that the ASV undercarriage has a reputation for being high maintenance as compared to wheel skid steers and the traditional steel and rubber undercarriage that most tracked skid steers use.
The other drawback of the RC30 is that it's quick hitch system is unique to it but that is not a drama as I will only be using it to shift dirt, I may buy a standard bucket and convert it to a mulch bucket.
My question is a. has anyone used one of these machines and b. is there anything (apart from the undercarriage and quick hitch) that is bad about the RC30.

 

[Hendrik]

74 inch shovel send me a pm because for some reason he is having trouble posting, but I'll post what he said as it may interest other members

74 inch shovel wrote:
Srry, not letting me post-I have about 1450 hrs on one, that I bought new about 3 1/2 years ago. It is a money maker, hands down. I wont go into all the details, but spend some time on one, you will be hard pressed to figure out why you did not buy it sooner. Do buy it new- they are not a particulary long lived machine.
The bad- failed seat switch, failed seat bar switch, replaced a controller, lift cylinder, fuel shut off solenoid, to sum it up, mostly electrical problems. Higher than normal repair costs, to be sure. None of the wear points are bushed, makes for some expensive machine work. With the notable exception of the rear wheels/rollers/boggies the undercarraige has been fine. The back wheels are a definite problem, they have lasted 275-750 hrs. Bair wheels did not help. I might have a solution to this, time will tell. Did try the Bair " Larry Lugs", was quite impressed. Machine shed its 1st lug the other day. All the wear on my back wheels is on the inside seal, where it is very hard to see. If you buy used, the outside of wheels may look fine, inside they could be shot. Good luck

 

[stuvecorp]

I bought the Polaris version of the ASV back in 03 and have just over 1200 hours now. It has been awesome and do not know how I would live without it. That said it does drive me crazy sometimes but has been mainly reliable. The Perkins motor is crap, have had some electrical glitches and have had problems with the sprocket/birdcage thing. It still has the original tracks and are doing very well, I wouldn't be scared of that. I would prefer to have a 'regular' quick tach as we have had to buy a set of forks and an adaptor plate so we can use our Eliminator on it.

I love the little thing but think they are way over priced and am dreading the day I have to update as it will cost me. I also do not like Terex as parts have gotten worse it seems?

 

[Hendrik]

Oooh yeah I had to google 'larry lugs' http://www.redroosolutions.com.au/

 

[Hendrik]

With the notable exception of the rear wheels/rollers/boggies the undercarraige has been fine. The back wheels are a definite problem, they have lasted 275-750 hrs.

Looking at the design I can see why the rear rollers are a problem, they are essentially in a continuous loop of dirt from the tracks falling onto them and then that same dirt gets spun around again and again. I guess that is why it is important to clean the tracks, other wise as the dirt/mud on the other rollers dries out it falls onto the track and ends up in the loop at the end.

 

[Digdeep]

I can't speak for the maintenance or reliability on the machine, but I have rented them and spoken to quite a few owners (one who switched to a Bobcat T110 and quickly back to a PT30 due to performance). You will be really impressed at what the machine is capable of doing for its size- [ushing, digging, finish grading, etc.

I would also add that ASV (Terex) has made some big improvements in the newer version of the machine. I do know that they have beefed up the undercarriage (PT50/60 wheels and bearings), bushed all of the pivot joints in the undercarriage and loader arms and gave it more lift height and ROC (I think about 20" and another 150lbs).

 

[Hendrik]

Can't afford new paint, specially now it's black and white but yeah they did some improvements to the RC30 in lift height and such.
Anyway I think I got onto a RC30 with just over a 1000 hours and the owner assures me that money has been put into the undercarriage, we'll have to see if that pans out.
I was looking at the T110 because it is the only other machine in that size but is a lot heavier and not any used ones in my budget around the place.

 

[Hendrik]

Well I got one, 2001 model but has low hours, needs some work on the drive sprocket and loader arms but is in pretty good nick.

 

[Hendrik]

And a few more, I was a bit worried about whether the RC30 and KX41 would fit on the truck together, according to my measurements they would but.......anyway the fit nicely on there but the ramps presented a problem, while standing there pondering the problem I noticed the large amount of ground clearance the RC has, bingo I thought, grabbed a ramp and slid it under there, grabbed the other and.......bugger........1/2 inch too short, off for a beer and more thinking, bingo a couple of bits of wood under the front bogies should do the trick, find a couple of nice, thick and solid bits of timber, use bucket to lift machine and slide them under the tracks, tah dah job is done
Anyway I am thinking of modifying the bucket to get rid of those holes and extend the top of it by a few inches to give more capacity and stop stuff falling over the top and into my lap.
The other thing is, are these machines supposed to hold on the side of a hill, mine tends to roll unless I switch it off and engage the track brake?

 

[stuvecorp]

Looks good. I like that 4N1 bucket. How heavy is that weight bar on the back?

 

[Hendrik]

Looks good. I like that 4N1 bucket. How heavy is that weight bar on the back?

Dunno, haven't taken it off and weighed it.

 

[greyim]

Drive train is a wear item(s) - signifigant time and cost involved

 

[Hendrik]

Had a breakdown with the RC30 the other day, stopped dead, no hydraulics. Did some checks and it turned out the hydraulic pump drive coupling has gone.
Also the rear oil seal on the engine was leaking, a lot of dollars later it's back in action.
However after using it for an hour, found a bolt lying on the road next to my truck, turns out it is one of the two bolts that holds the hyd pumps to the engine.
I think I'll write to the general manager where I got the work done, not too happy!!

 

[cartzblown94z]

i have had good luck with the 2 i have owned, the current onw ( polaris asl ) has 1400 hours and is hard starting, takes about 2-=3- seconds of cranking before it fires and blows white smoke while cranking. glows plugs are new and working. once its warm it will fire right up. i havent figured this issue out yet, and when i got it it wasnt greased and i had to strip the undercarriage and weld on new brackets to mount it on the axle since they were frozen. basically due to lack of prev owner maintainence otherwise a great machine i loved my previous one and had no issues with it and plan to keep the one i have now forever, its a great money maker and for its size cant be beat

 

[gem56]

I have RC 30 Bought from ASV Qld was to be serviced and in good condition ???? It has cost me over $8000 in reapirs in 10 Months and now the final drive roller system has failed
I,m looking at a further $2000 in repairs but now the drive unit will not come off
Any surgestions I need help

 

[Hendrik]

I have RC 30 Bought from ASV Qld was to be serviced and in good condition ???? It has cost me over $8000 in reapirs in 10 Months and now the final drive roller system has failed
I,m looking at a further $2000 in repairs but now the drive unit will not come off
Any surgestions I need help

Do you have the service manual?
www.asvparts.com/Manufacturer/ASV/ASV-RC30/ASV-RC30-Service-Manual.pdf

 

[gem56]

Yes I have a manual the special tool required will not work the thread on the outside plate has been stripped out

I don,t know what to do , Ive contacted Brisvegas machinery last Wednesday and still waiting for a fitter to turn up , I have been in contact with ASV Head office still waiting for a reply

This is the first and posibly the last Posi track come terex I,ll buy

I,m lost for answers

 

[Dirtgirl]

I'm new to this site, but have you tried Red Roo Solutions? They distribute aftermarket upgrade parts for the RC30

 

[gem56]

Rc 30

I'm new to this site, but have you tried Red Roo Solutions? They distribute aftermarket upgrade parts for the RC30

Yes mate parts are not the problem its getting service fitters to repair
I have found the final drive sprocket was Plug Welded on

 

[gem56]

Problems asv RC 30 DO NOT BUY ONE In Queensland Australia there is no back up for servive
I have just been told by ASV Australia that if you buy a used machine once it leaves the sales yard they don,t what to know if there are
any problems and ASV are not willing to offer any help, NO Warranty , No Promises , No Support
So in reality if you buy a machine from ASV once you drive it on to the footpath outside the dealer and it breaks a Hydraulic Motor
a repair which could cost Thousands of Dollars to repair they will not help the repair cost is yours

For me I am now looking a Bob Cat T110 or a case machine Definently NO ASV

Moral of the Story DO NOT BUY A POSI TRACK