• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

which big mtl to buy?

aaron762

New Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
1
Location
Australia
HI, this is my first time on the forums and i am looking to replace my case 1845c. it is a great machine and can handle everything i throw at it, however the time has come where i must purchase a multi-terrain loader. I am from Australia and do a lot of skidsteer work such as backfill, rubbish removal, pad levelling and other odd jobs. The machines that have peaked my interest are the bobcat t870 and the takeuchi tl12, however i have also heard good things about the terex pt110 aswell as the kubota svl90. With this new machine i will be expanding the jobs i do such as mowing, clearing small trees, driveway cuts as well as any other jobs that come my way. Money is not really an issue as long as the machine is reliable and i get 5000+ hours out of it. Any all input on the above machines would be greatly appreciated.
 

Shimmy1

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Messages
4,260
Location
North Dakota
Hey there Aaron. Welcome to HEF. I just bought a new T770 this fall. We tried a Cat 289D, Case TV380, Kubota SVL90, and Bobcat T770. I can give you opinion on the Bobcat and Kubota. Power , smoothness, hydraulic function, and visibility are all very comparable. The only problems we found with Kubota were serviceability and a louder, less operator friendly cab.

One thing I have to mention for you is the T870 is kind of in a class by itself, so comparing a SVL90 and PT110 is really not a fair comparison. I'm not sure about the TAK. THE 870 is the heaviest, highest operating capacity loader made. It is also too wide to fit on a car trailer.
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,319
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
Just for clarification. The term MTL refers to the ASV/TEREX/CAT suspended under carriage combined with a track that does not utilize steel in its construction. CTL refers to the more typical track loader utilizing heavier tracks that contain steel. There are rudimentary suspension on some models, BC has an option for a leaf spring type suspension and CAT has a Torsion bar suspension on their CTL's

I bring that since as you compare different makes and models, getting the verbage and understanding the differences is important in getting what is best for your application.
 

snocrete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
64
Location
illinois
Occupation
concrete, light excavating, snow & ice management
As far as getting the "biggest CTL" on the market....Tak blows everyone away IMO...and that's coming from a die hard Bobcat owner. Outside of that, Bobcat & Cat (in that order) would be my next choice. But, dealer support is important, and that should play a big part in your decision.

As far as "MTL's" go (KSSS already clarified this for you), your options are limited....and they come with a MUCH higher operating cost. If the bulk of your work was brush hogging/mowing (tread lightly work), then Id say go with a MTL for sure....but if your doing heavy/hard digging, and especially any demo work, go CTL.
 

Shimmy1

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Messages
4,260
Location
North Dakota
Outside of that, Bobcat & Cat (in that order) would be my next choice. .

Glad to find someone else that thinks that. Side by side, we also thought the Bobcat was a better machine than the Cat. Hopefully we will feel the same after a couple thousand hours. If not, the next one WILL be a 299.
 

snocrete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
64
Location
illinois
Occupation
concrete, light excavating, snow & ice management
Glad to find someone else that thinks that. Side by side, we also thought the Bobcat was a better machine than the Cat. Hopefully we will feel the same after a couple thousand hours. If not, the next one WILL be a 299.

Performance wise, its a close race with the major brands IMO. Some are better at some things over another....but when comparing cabs, other manufacturers arent EVEN CLOSE to these two(Bobcat & Cat). I recently went to the farm show here locally, and it has to be embarrassing for JD, NH, Case, Gehl, and every other major brand that was there with a CTL/SS. I sat in every single one(all fully decked out cabs, btw), and again, Bobcat & Cat are on another level compared to the rest.
 

Shimmy1

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Messages
4,260
Location
North Dakota
Performance wise, its a close race with the major brands IMO. Some are better at some things over another....but when comparing cabs, other manufacturers arent EVEN CLOSE to these two(Bobcat & Cat). I recently went to the farm show here locally, and it has to be embarrassing for JD, NH, Case, Gehl, and every other major brand that was there with a CTL/SS. I sat in every single one(all fully decked out cabs, btw), and again, Bobcat & Cat are on another level compared to the rest.

Amen, brother. It's kinda funny though how the Cat guys refuse to believe it. The thing that really surprised me was the smoothness/feathering ability of the Bobcat. Have never been on a Cat machine that I could honestly say was not as good as its comparable model. But the controls on our T770 are absolutely flawless.
 

rockman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2009
Messages
158
Location
Australia
the TAK TL12 is a very nice machine , alot of power , good fuel economy , lots of room in the cab , but you will to be charging correctly for running such a machine
 

JGibson

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2014
Messages
218
Location
Ct/Vt
Honestly I am not partial to them. Cat, Bobcat, Kubota, Takeuchi are all equally good machines, we have Cats, but if we get a CTL it will be a Kubota, but thats because I like the machine but I love my dealer. Like all machines they have good and bad points. Just go with what machine you like the best and which dealer you like the best. Good luck!
 

denalidigger

Active Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2012
Messages
34
Location
Wisconsin
We purchased a case tr320 last year. I absolutely love it!! I have it turned up from the service department and use it as a mini dozer! We did try the bobcat t770, I had it for two weeks and I was amazed how far bobcat has come in the last few years! If my case dealer didn't treat me so great and give me a great deal I would probably have a bobcat t770 on my trailer!
 

Shimmy1

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Messages
4,260
Location
North Dakota
We purchased a case tr320 last year. I absolutely love it!! I have it turned up from the service department and use it as a mini dozer! We did try the bobcat t770, I had it for two weeks and I was amazed how far bobcat has come in the last few years! If my case dealer didn't treat me so great and give me a great deal I would probably have a bobcat t770 on my trailer!

How much did you have to give for the 320? We got the 770 this fall for $66000. Had 7 hrs on it, we put on 4 of them.
 

Equip Junkie

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2014
Messages
64
Location
Alberta
I have run the T770, T750 and T870 back to back. I own the T770. The 750 is obviously smaller and obviously has less power. The 870 is noticeably wider and longer than my T770 and I didn't find that it was that much in the way of power. It was heavier so a little easier to dozer with it. I noticed the difference between the solid and roller suspension right away. I run the solid and I find it way nicer for grading and running the dozer blade. I have had some issues with my machine, but the service at the local dealer has been amazing for most things. It has been a while since I have run any other machine. Another operator runs a couple of smaller CAT machines and he mentioned that he is lucky if he gets a winter out of a undercarriage. (not sure of models) I love the M Series forward cab visibility and the joystick A91 option is amazing. I have done 12+ hours in one day in the seat and it is a dream compared to the hyd controls. I wish my dealer was a little closer, but no closer options for anyone else either. Test as many as you can.

Equip
 

denalidigger

Active Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2012
Messages
34
Location
Wisconsin
How much did you have to give for the 320? We got the 770 this fall for $66000. Had 7 hrs on it, we put on 4 of them.

The tr320 had 11 hours on it, full cab,ac/heat, hydraulic bucket coupler etc.. $50,300.00. To me that was a great deal. The t870 I priced out was $84,000.washttp://www.arcticinsider.com/Article/Better-Than-Marginal-First-Ride-of-the-Season
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,319
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
I don't see that the CAT or BC cab have anything over the CASE cab. There are things on all of these machines that I like. I think BC does attachment integration better than anyone, bar none. I like the new CAT display on the D series, but I have not run the D series. I have always liked the CAT switches better than the buttons on the CASE machines, but over all I don't see one being head and shoulders above the other. Perhaps years ago you could say that but not any more. CASE has been building the cab as a pod since the Alpha, CAT just started with the D series. The differences I think largely come down to what individually you think is important. I am happy with my TR320, certainly there are things that could be done better. I like the dealer, I like the machines, they are comfortable and productive and have great resale. Other OEM's could likely also provide this, I chose this one.
 
Joined
Dec 20, 2014
Messages
23
Location
Fleming, co
Have a Mustang Mtl25, it has been a good machine, chugs the fuel though. but plenty of power. I am a small contractor and had to go with something I wouldn't have to work on too much. It is really hard on buckets too. lots of breakout force.. just my 2 cents
 

pafarmer

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2010
Messages
883
Location
Somewhere in the woods !
Occupation
Land clearing, demo, site prep etc. Ex Pro Motocro
The CAT 299 is the biggest and baddest track loader on the market today. The most HP and hydro power that just is not matched by any other presently on the market. Outstanding and unmatched machine with an outrageous price tag to go along with it.
 

barklee

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2009
Messages
903
Location
ohio
I just have to say that i find it incredible that a new skid loader of this size is 60-80K! For that price there has to be something or combination of something better for each application, maybe used but in the same price range. I guess im just asking, not telling anyone......?
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,319
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
The price on all these large CTLs is crazy, and with T4F they go up another 10%. They are certainly capable and with a degree of productivity that is impressive for a machine of that size. Personally I think they have about reached a tipping point, where there is little more useable capability left to be extracted. The prices keep going up but they will only lift so high and have so much available tractive effort.
 

pafarmer

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2010
Messages
883
Location
Somewhere in the woods !
Occupation
Land clearing, demo, site prep etc. Ex Pro Motocro
The price on all these large CTLs is crazy, and with T4F they go up another 10%. They are certainly capable and with a degree of productivity that is impressive for a machine of that size. Personally I think they have about reached a tipping point, where there is little more useable capability left to be extracted. The prices keep going up but they will only lift so high and have so much available tractive effort.

Agreed. Well put my friend....I own a small fleet of 299XHP CAT, metal undercarriage , full forestry package and over 100k when delivered....it's insane what they can do....I tell my guys that XHP stands for Extra High Price....I have to run these unit 6 days a week at an average of 10 hours a day to make a living and pay the note at the end of each month. CAT basically priced themselves out of my market...I normally buy all new each year but I can't continue that practice at todays prices ...once I finish up on the current contract I plan to sell everything and retire...
 

apetad

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2012
Messages
384
Location
Leander, Texas
Occupation
Compact Construction Equipment Sales
Mustang has some GREAT dealers in Australia. Mustang 2100RT second generation is fantastic! AND self-adjusting tracks too!
 
Top