asv

[jimmyjack]

anyone have experience with them. maybe looking into getting one, ive ran bobcat and cat track machines and imo the cat is way a head of the bobcat. so bobcat is out of the question and so is every one that as the similar track system, they ride like crap. the cat is pricy but i really like how smooth it is. so i looked at asv still pricy but they have the same track system ( i know they make it for cat) and they use cats pilot controls, and sitting in one they seem the have better visablity. just looking for pros and cons

 

[KSSS]

The nice ride comes at a price. The nonsuspended machines have fewer moving parts and are much simpler. The suspended machines have many wear points. They are quiet and ride nice they just cost much more to maintain in most applications. Some guys are willing to pay that price, others after running the suspended machines will probably never again own one. All depends on what your applicaton is and whether it is worth the extra cost. If you want one try Iron Planet. They move them out cheap.

 

[Bob Horrell]

The new SR70 and SR80 as well as the new CAT "C" series uses a new suspended track system. All the bogie wheels articulate. It really puts the power to the ground and is a smooth ride. I have no idea how well they hold up compared to the previous models. I have demoed them and really like how they work. Time will tell if they are reliable under most circumstances.

 

[Digdeep]

I own two machines, an ASV RC50 and a Bobcat S220. I was a Bobcat salesman for over 8 years and I've seen/heard and experienced both sides of the fence now. My first suggestion would be for you to demo the machines that fit the size, ROC, hydraulic flows, and engine hp's that best fit your application. The argument of which type of system (nonsuspended and suspended) costs more, is more complex vs. simple, etc. has been beaten to death on this and other threads. I will give you my opinion and experiences so far, and I'm sure others will too.

I don't completely buy into the fact that the ASV system costs more to operate compared to the unsuspended system. I sold the Bobcat tracked machines and maintain close ties to many of the salesmen I used to work with who still sell them, or have moved on to other dealers that sell other brands, most notably CASE and JD. All of them get pretty much the same track life(750-1000 hours) since they all come new with the Bridgestone tracks. I have over 1500 hours on my RC50 tracks and ultimately bought an ASV based on what I was seeing in the field and selling against. Of course, much of any track life can be controlled by the operator in the seat. Additionally, my ASV salesman just returned from the annual dealer meeting in which ASV released a program that reduces their undercarriage costs by as much as 40%. I am still waiting to see the details from him so that I can make my own determination. I will be the first to say that the ASV cabs are not as nice as the CAT of some of the others, but they are perfectly comfortable and in my opinion perform better than most of the others including CAT. I think it is because ASV focuses only on building tracked machines and not adapting a skid steer to fit to tracks (widths, ground clearances, hp to weight ratios, ground speeds, etc.). Once again, I think you need to check the machines out in the type of application you would be using the machine in. And of course, these are only my experiences. I'm sure others will chime in too. Good luck in your search.

 

[580bruce]

IMO the ASV is lighter on its feet than all other compact loaders.The cycle times of the RC-60 are great.They are real quick.The fit and finnish is not as good as the cat,but you pay for that too!I think ASV's are a great machine

 

[Tigerotor77W]

All the bogie wheels articulate.

They can, but that isn't given. ASV designed two UC for its SR series -- the ISR-4 and FSR-4. The ISR is completely independent suspension (bogies and torsion axles), but the FSR-4 has four-track roller frame-mounted bogies (much as the four rollers on any competitive machine are firmly-mounted to the UC). FSR-4 does, however, retain the torsion axles, so there still is one level of suspension.

 

[stumper120]

I have run every size asv made. rc30 to the monster rc100 plus both sr70 and 80 models. these things are awsome. the ride is great and the power is smooth. dont let the rubber undercarrige parts intimidate you. they hold up well even on pavement. and if you run in the woods you can get aluminum bogie and idler wheels. that last longer. hey. lets not forget these are track loaders i never got more than 1,800 hrs of a metal undercarrige on my case 450. check out the asv challenge video at the mbtractor website.

 

[Pushblock]

Asv Rc30

I have owned an RC30 for almost 3 years and I'm still in love with the machine. I can't count the number of jobs I've done that my RC30 was the ONLY machine that could do the job. Even with just the torsion bar suspension the machine is extremely stable, and the ride is much more comfortable than any of the competition. ASV is the only company that offers a machine the size of the RC30, and on many of the cluttered jobsites I've worked, size does matter.

 

[Squizzy246B]

I don't buy the assumption that the new suspended undercarriage will be more expensive to maintain....not in the least. To my mind the suspension will reduce the shock and impact load on many components as well as improving the effective tractive contact area.

I think my spine would be worth it.

The guys I have met running on rubber tracks all have said the same thing...it depends more on the nut behind the butt than the brand of machine.....and if you drive it the same as a skid you will pay.

 

[KSSS]

It is true that much depends on the operator. The new undercarriage may be more robust, time will tell. The last generation of undercarriage is weak. Plastic idlers, the tension system was ridiculous.

 

[hugh]

backing up

I have a bobcat and was thinking of an ASV. I walked around their dealership and noticed three in for radiator repair or replacement from backing into stuff. There's no protection back there. I'm going to the Cat guys tomorrow. They have the big heavy door on the back like the Bobcats.I'm constantly backing into trees and brush so thats important to me. Doesn't matter what suspension you have if you are crashing thru the woods like we are and stick a limb thru the rear end. also that plastic is too fragile for us. Maybe I should just be more careful. Anyone running a Cat 297c out there?

 

[Digdeep]

I can imagine that in a brush cutting environment the radiator/cooler would be a concern, but I have seen ASVs with factory brush guards for machines used in the woods and brush cutting. I've seen and talked to an old Bobcat customer of mine that is running a new CAT 297C. He loves the cab, but said the ground clearance is terrible, just over 8 inches. He uses the CAT mulcher and is constantly hanging up on things. The CAT salesman told him that the machines flotation wouldn't make the ground clearance an issue. He also said that the machine's width has been an issue a few times in the woods.

I have only tensioned my tracks 4 times in over 1,500 hours. I was skeptical too of the "turnbuckle", but because of the way the system is designed you just don't need to tension the tracks very often, and when you do it only takes about 10 minutes for both sides. I can also tell you that I replaced plenty of Bobcat "steel" idlers in the 800-1,000 hour time frame (I've replaced 4 rear "plastic" idlers in 1,500 hours at about $100 each). The problem with the steel idlers was that they were so blasted expensive, $500+. One of the salesmen I used to work with at the Bobcat dealership now works for a Case dealer, and the timeframe on their steel idlers is still around the same before you start to see some of them go bad. I think its the impact that they absorb at 7mph without a suspension. I can't imagine a D5 undercarriage lasting too long at those speeds either.

 

[Tigerotor77W]

The CAT salesman told him that the machines flotation wouldn't make the ground clearance an issue.

No one has the ground clearance of an ASV (or even Takeuchi, for that matter)... it's kinda sad.

But either way, that's an interesting comment... not always true.

 

[jimmyjack]

thanks for the replys.
i have been to a dealer and sat in the machines the rc30 looks like a nice little machine but if i get one it would be more the rc85 or rc 100 size. the bigger ones are the ones i was saying i think have a nicer cab than cat. now for the sr70 and 80 sitting in them i did like the gauges in the lap bar but the cab isn't as roomy.

for the clearing brush statements thats all i've ever seen asv's doing and the forestry package looks like it keeps everything covered nicely.

this is one of the thing i'd like to do if i get one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpLS87mOnNI

 

[DuraMaxMan66]

my boss was just looking at buying a new CTL he demo'd an 08 Cat 257 B2 and it was nice but the track system isnt the best....costs too much to replace and they say you have to power wash the crap outta the tracks out of every use which would be a pain.....it was also lacking power....he ended up buying a new Case 440CT which has nice guards around the tracks like a dozer and its alot cheaper to replace....it also has alot more power...this is like 86 horse and the Cat was low 70's......Case has an option to get the "Cat ISO Control Pattern" all your movement in left joystick and bucket functions in the right if your not a fan of the normal "H" pattern....i will be posting pics shortly

 

[CascadeScaper]

In all honesty, the 257 was garbage in every series and I don't think the BII series has changed that. Underpowered was the biggest complaint heard from owners, my dad could have picked up a 257B with a cab, no air, 200-300 hours that was '05 or '06 for like $22K and I talked him out of it. 257's were junk the day they left the factory. The 277B, I feel, is the best MTL Cat produces. The 287 is vertical lift, it's way long, substantially heavier, not a bad machine but with the same powerplant as the 277 all you gain is the ability to load trucks. The 277B is just perfect IMO. Radial lift, lots of ground clearance, decent visibility for a machine its size and plenty of power. We had a 277B but sold it, just too much machine for our landscape crew. When I was using it on excavation jobs I loved it, when it was coupled with our 312 it basically replaced a backhoe and could go more places, faster, and smoother.

 

[DigDug]

Duramax, i think you made a good decision. I had a 257B and it was numb on power . Have a 445CTL Case now and its got all kinds of power . I realize these arent in the same class. But i think you will like the power of the Case machine.

 

[Klutz]

I did a little searching but I couldn't find any comments about these videos here on the forum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjYT8lQN6YU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--4p49ESIEo

Is it the sophisticated suspension of the ASV that makes the difference?

Or is it a totally different rubbercompound in the track that is the secret?
(I do know that "snow compounds" for car tires makes a huge difference!)


Either way, Edgar Hetteen, founder of ASV probably has the answer as he is also the founder of Arctic Cat and Polaris...
http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/ASV-Inc-Company-History.html

I have zero experience with skidsteers and ctl's but I find the discussion here very good and interesting.

 

[GeeVee]

I can tell you that nothing pushes soft sand like an ASV.

I do a lot of beach renourishment. The ASV payloads and pushes three times the bucket capacity up 3:1 slopes all day. Other machines in side by side couldn't even payload through the transition let alone climb the same slope with a load. Pushing? forget it.
This would be fine silica, round, with difficult lock up.

 

[Willis Bushogin]

ASV 100 in trouble

I can tell you that nothing pushes soft sand like an ASV.

I do a lot of beach renourishment. The ASV payloads and pushes three times the bucket capacity up 3:1 slopes all day. Other machines in side by side couldn't even payload through the transition let alone climb the same slope with a load. Pushing? forget it.
This would be fine silica, round, with difficult lock up.

I know this is not the place to put this, and Im not knocking ASV, but I heard a funny story today. A guy in my area just bought a new ASV 100, he had put about 20 hrs. on it himself, so he decided to hire a new operator, about 4 hrs in the first day, the owner got a call to bring a wrecker. The new hire was cutting around a ditch and he was aproaching the ditch, with the head all the way up, Yep!!! head first in the ditch, BUTT end looking at the sun, engine still running, until it ran out of oil and the engine locked up. For some reason the ASV wouldnt warranty the engine, operator said I guess I messed up. Around $12,000.00 later, it was back in operation, Yep!!!! new operator
I really dont think thats funny, but just another story about what us owners put up with.