Mulching w CAT299XHD or BobcatT870 or TerexPT110G

[HenRut]

We're a private farm operation considering a high-flow tracked machine to handle a number of chores on our 100+ acres. We've narrowed down our choices to the above machines and would much appreciate expertise from veteran land-clearing, grey-beards on this forum. I've done a fair amount of research on all three models, but as a noobie who's never ran anything that doesn't resemble a tractor, even demo joy-riding in any of them will not help me much. (I don't have any seat time in any CTL's, so they'll all feel foreign with no basis for comparison). Here are my thoughts and questions (based purely on paper specs and what I've read in other forums).

Right out the gate, Terex wins on price, then Bobcat, then far back, the Cat. As I'll be running a mulching head (Fecon, Magnum or Cimaf) I like the hydraulics of the Terex, followed by the Cat, then Bobcat. Bobcat, then Cat appear to have the edge in build quality. Ride quality appears to go to Terex, followed by Cat (w suspension option and air-ride seat). Dealer support would favor the Terex as I've a well-regarded dealer within 12 miles of me, followed by Bobcat (26 miles), and Cat at 30 miles). As mentioned, ours is not a commercial land clearing or rental business with the expected harsh and varied operations. If the machine breaks, it will be more of an expensive inconvenience than a payday lost many miles from home base. That said, for the kind of money any of them will cost, I don't need a fragile creature that I have to baby.

Now, the dilemma, on paper the edge goes to the Terex, but Terex/ASV gets no love from land clearing vets who curse the machine's existence. Most of the bad reputation appears to come from earlier ASV incarnations and primarily with the undercarriage. Is this still the case with the new "G" model PT110's? Have folks been so burned by older ASV's that the newer ones get tarred with the same brush? Is the Terex CTL still made by ASV? Is the reputation deserved in this latest model? Right now the race for me appears to be between the Terex and Cat. If I was doing commercial work with multiple operators I would go with the Cat. But, for what I would spend for the Cat alone, I could get the Terex and have enough left for a mulching head and another attachment or two. Thoughts?

 

[Mike L]

We've got a terex pt100. We won't have another one. It's never something big but it's always something. Hood latch is a joke- we had to take it out and put rubber hold downs on it. A/c is constantly plugged, Hyd lines under head have been ripped off numerous times. The boss now uses it around the ranch with a bucket on it. And it's 100 times better than our rayco mulcher.

 

[HenRut]

We've got a terex pt100. We won't have another one. It's never something big but it's always something. Hood latch is a joke- we had to take it out and put rubber hold downs on it. A/c is constantly plugged, Hyd lines under head have been ripped off numerous times. The boss now uses it around the ranch with a bucket on it. And it's 100 times better than our rayco mulcher.

Wow. Doesn't say much for the Rayco. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Mike L]

The rayco is great as long as it sits in the yard. As soon as somebody turns the key my phone rings and I may as well park my service truck wherever it's trying to mulch. Worked on a guys fecon, it was almost identical to the rayco and just as reliable. Good luck with your search

 

[PDG X]

As far as tracks go for mulching, you need to go with one of the harder tracks like the Cat CTLs (289/299) as the lighter ASV/Cat MTL tracks will get destroyed. If you want indestructible tracks, I see Cat will now install steel tracks on the 299D at the factory for forestry application. In the past, ran a 299C with those tracks - great application with all the power of a D3. The tracks are actuall made by SuperTrack for the Cat CTLs. I think Cat also just released their own mulcher matched to the 299D XHD machine.
I think the Cat hydraulics are the best especially the XHD. Any high flow mulcher, but the Fecons are great with the Cats.
JMO

 

[HenRut]

As far as tracks go for mulching, you need to go with one of the harder tracks like the Cat CTLs (289/299) as the lighter ASV/Cat MTL tracks will get destroyed. If you want indestructible tracks, I see Cat will now install steel tracks on the 299D at the factory for forestry application. In the past, ran a 299C with those tracks - great application with all the power of a D3. The tracks are actuall made by SuperTrack for the Cat CTLs. I think Cat also just released their own mulcher matched to the 299D XHD machine.
I think the Cat hydraulics are the best especially the XHD. Any high flow mulcher, but the Fecons are great with the Cats.
JMO

Great info on tracks. Steel won't work as machine will probably be doing 40% mulching in field/woods with the rest in and around acreage that will sometimes be finished grass. Heard good things about the Fecons. Again, thanks.

 

[PDG X]

I believe the standard steel grouser is a triple grouser excavator track shoe. The single grouser is the optional aggressive shoe.
Here's the article I was looking for :
http://www.equipmentworld.com/cater...racked-299d-xhp-with-land-management-package/

 

[pafarmer]

The CAT 299XHP is the biggest and baddest mulcher in the land...nothing better. You need full forestry package to keep it clear and we use run Fecon head on ours....I equip our 299's with metal tracks for long wear and rugged terrain....

 

[HenRut]

The CAT 299XHP is the biggest and baddest mulcher in the land...nothing better. You need full forestry package to keep it clear and we use run Fecon head on ours....I equip our 299's with metal tracks for long wear and rugged terrain....

Based on what I've read here (and on other forums), it appears CAT is the smarter bet. I'd prefer to go with steel tracks (and probably should given most of the ground beneath it will be rough and rugged and that one of it's chores will be cutting roads and trails). I understand the Terex machines have been known to throw tracks with little provocation. Is this an issue with CAT and are steel tracks more likely to stay on than rubber?

 

[pafarmer]

Based on what I've read here (and on other forums), it appears CAT is the smarter bet. I'd prefer to go with steel tracks (and probably should given most of the ground beneath it will be rough and rugged and that one of it's chores will be cutting roads and trails). I understand the Terex machines have been known to throw tracks with little provocation. Is this an issue with CAT and are steel tracks more likely to stay on than rubber?

There is not a better machine period. I clear for huge tracks of land and miles of right of ways for a Living and have used every peice of equipment under the sun and CAT surpasses them all in the tracked skidsteer type machinery line...we run triple flanged front and rear on all of our machines , be it rubber or metal and have never tossed a track...single rear and double front are the standard equipment but useless in rough terrain....the complete forestry package is an absolute must. Don't let anyone talk you out of it...mulchers fill with debris quickly causing overheating and fire so you need the forestry package which will give you far superior protection from flying debris...you get turbo pre cleaners etc with the pavkage...Fecon is what I have had my best luck with, that being said there are others equal in quality in my opinion but Fecon makes a good mulcher...as far as the Terex machines , stay away from them is my advise...they will nickel and fine your straight todeath..I .always fixing something on those units...The 299XHP is the mark to beat ....I own and operate a dozen of them daily across multiple job sites and a with solid maintenance you will have many trouble free hours of use....my .02

 

[HenRut]

Thanks for the valuable info. You've saved me many hours of digging (and possibly boatloads of money).

 

[pafarmer]

Thanks for the valuable info. You've saved me many hours of digging (and possibly boatloads of money).

No problem ....Happy to help. That's what HEF is all about.....

 

[Shimmy1]

Right out the gate, Terex wins on price, then Bobcat, then far back, the Cat. As I'll be running a mulching head (Fecon, Magnum or Cimaf) I like the hydraulics of the Terex, followed by the Cat, then Bobcat. Bobcat, then Cat appear to have the edge in build quality. Ride quality appears to go to Terex, followed by Cat (w suspension option and air-ride seat).

Henrut, what and where were you reading to make the statement Bobcat has the edge over Cat in build quality? Just curious. We are going to run a T770 today and see if we like it.