Comments on loaders that have least and most repair problems

Wondering which compact tracked loaders by "manufacturer" and by "model number" that have the least repair history records and which have the most repairs.
Many of you reading this have personnel experience with these machines I would appreciate it if you would share your comments on your experience.
Thinking of purchasing a used machine and do not want to get burned with a lemon machine.
I will "not be working" this machine as a daily work or as my main machine, if it would get 100 hours a year usage I would be very surprised.
That's why I am looking for a used middle to large size machine. I know the physical locations of the various equipment dealers in my area.
I am familiar with the wear problems with the ASV undercarriage in rocky soils.
The loader will be used in rocky soils not just sand soils. Main usage is moving sand, gravel, small rock 2-1/2 inch sized, grading, etc. no scrap yard or demo or ruff work.
Have rented in the past
ASV RC60 experienced no power to the bucket really disappointed, maybe rental store turned down the Pressure?
ASV SR70 liked the machine
ASV SR80 liked the machine
CAT 257C it was ok machine do not like the lock out system if door is opened and the boom is in the air.
CAT 299D liked the machine powerful, used it to move rock over the edge of a swamp area it has power never got stuck.
TL8 2018 model; one hour in it and I was exhausted, that door shaking over head and the ruff ride. I still will consider a Takeuchi since I do not use one that much, hear good thinks about the make.
I have read a lot of the posts on Heavy Equipment Forums, still undecided, hope your information will help in deciding.

I don't think anyone can really answer your "least repair history record" question. To accurately answer that you would have to have percentage of warranty claims for each machine and to gain access to what issues were problematic while the machine was under warranty. If you have researched what has been talked about here that probably helps to some degree, but it certainly is not inclusive to all machines and all issues that owners come across. Especially when buying used, your also subject to what care and consideration the machine received by the previous owner(s). I think that is why finding a dealer you feel you can trust and work with is important as the machine is itself.

You don't mention snow removal being something your doing with it, being from Mn that could be important, and the ASV is pretty hard to beat in that application. Your aware of the ASV/MTL issues when working in rocky conditions so enough said about that.

At 100 hours a year, I don't see how having an SCR (over 75 hp) machine would pay off. Burning more fuel, DEF issues to consider, while the additional power is always nice, probably a luxury you don't need to pay for with such low hour usage. They (SCR machines) also seem to run better when you work them harder, and your usage seems like it would be on the light end.

I would find something that was under 75 hp, hopefully DOC only without a DPF. Unless snow is a consideration I would go with a CTL, just to keep your costs down. At 100 hours a year, repairs and upkeep are not spread over many hours, making those expenses even more painful. I have no suggestions on what color. Find what machine and model you want to run and then try and research that specific model to see what issues it may or may not have.

I've got Takeuchi TL150s and Kubota SVL75 and SVL75-2 machines.

The Kubotas win in every category except HVAC. The HVAC units plug the core from dirt sucked around the inlet ductwork.

heymccall said:

I've got Takeuchi TL150s and Kubota SVL75 and SVL75-2 machines.

The Kubotas win in every category except HVAC. The HVAC units plug the core from dirt sucked around the inlet ductwork.

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How is that TL150 does it have power, a power horse digging and pushing, any problems with it, how many hours on yours?

If you are going used, and have good parts and service fairly local, you might want to look for a Bobcat T300 with low hours. A local landowner bought one for me to use back in 2008, used also. Ran that machine until last fall with very few problems over the 10 year ownership. It had 3500 hard hours on it when we traded it in. Mechanic told us it was in for big repair costs soon, so landowner bought a new Bobcat. Non DEF engine of about 75hp.

They're monsters. They can destroy any bucket, harley rake, broom or rockhiund I put on them. In the right hands, they are the cat's meow.

As for durability, one took two engines before 2000 hours. First time, defective air filter housing from new. That one made 500 hours. Second one (new, not reman) smeared the piston skirts all over two bores. Someone full throttled it at startup on a 10°f day. Also, the pilot filter collapsed at the same time.

I still have 2 of them.
First two took injection pumps by 1500 hours. Takeuchi (and Yanmar) fitted 15 micron fuel filters. Once the low micron filters came about and I added a true fuel water separator (instead of just a bowl), I've never touched the injection systems.

We feed rocks and straw into the fuel tank, and the bottom suck fitting and separator inlet would plug up.

V-belts need tightened every service.
Engine mounts break.
Aluminum pump housings crack.
Hydrostat pumps fall off the flywheel housing.
Relays fail due to cold solder joints.
With that said, I traded one @ 9k hours due to upgrading and it was an early swing door enclosed cab.
I still have two, one has 7k hours and the other is over 10k.
When we use them, it's for 10 hour shifts, and with multiple operators, they do seem to take the abuse.

I could go in and on about them, but...

The one i've heard tons of bad is the PT30, rented one tons and rental companies HATE them they say they only rent them hoping customers will come and rent other stuff too and they really only break even on them because they have so many issues. Only problem i've had with one on rent is blowing a hydraulic hose in the belly somewhere.

At 2500 hours on my Deere 319D, when I got it aux hydraulics didn't work, was broken wire and bad solenoid, had to reseal both arm cylinders, air filter restriction sensor is really sensitive, and now have a leaking final drive. Overall I can't complain, I bought it at 2000 hours and it was a rental machine before so probably been abused as most skidsteers/CTL's are. My only big regret is not getting 2 speed, the thing is SO slow unless it's reved up high and then it burns so much diesel. It'll push a ton, but it's really annoying if you're just moving material around or what not and don't need RPM's so high.

mowingman said:

If you are going used, and have good parts and service fairly local, you might want to look for a Bobcat T300 with low hours. A local landowner bought one for me to use back in 2008, used also. Ran that machine until last fall with very few problems over the 10 year ownership. It had 3500 hard hours on it when we traded it in. Mechanic told us it was in for big repair costs soon, so landowner bought a new Bobcat. Non DEF engine of about 75hp.

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The t300 had lot of drive motor issues. I would not recommend.

heymccall said:

They're monsters. They can destroy any bucket, harley rake, broom or rockhiund I put on them. In the right hands, they are the cat's meow.

As for durability, one took two engines before 2000 hours. First time, defective air filter housing from new. That one made 500 hours. Second one (new, not reman) smeared the piston skirts all over two bores. Someone full throttled it at startup on a 10°f day. Also, the pilot filter collapsed at the same time.

I still have 2 of them.
First two took injection pumps by 1500 hours. Takeuchi (and Yanmar) fitted 15 micron fuel filters. Once the low micron filters came about and I added a true fuel water separator (instead of just a bowl), I've never touched the injection systems.

We feed rocks and straw into the fuel tank, and the bottom suck fitting and separator inlet would plug up.

V-belts need tightened every service.
Engine mounts break.
Aluminum pump housings crack.
Hydrostat pumps fall off the flywheel housing.
Relays fail due to cold solder joints.
With that said, I traded one @ 9k hours due to upgrading and it was an early swing door enclosed cab.
I still have two, one has 7k hours and the other is over 10k.
When we use them, it's for 10 hour shifts, and with multiple operators, they do seem to take the abuse.

I could go in and on about them, but...

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I would have fired that person.

Pretty much just avoid the asv machines and the cat machines with asv undercarriage. They are the least reliable track system, and cost big bucks to repair.

heymccall said:

They're monsters. They can destroy any bucket, harley rake, broom or rockhiund I put on them. In the right hands, they are the cat's meow.

As for durability, one took two engines before 2000 hours. First time, defective air filter housing from new. That one made 500 hours. Second one (new, not reman) smeared the piston skirts all over two bores. Someone full throttled it at startup on a 10°f day. Also, the pilot filter collapsed at the same time.

I still have 2 of them.
First two took injection pumps by 1500 hours. Takeuchi (and Yanmar) fitted 15 micron fuel filters. Once the low micron filters came about and I added a true fuel water separator (instead of just a bowl), I've never touched the injection systems.

We feed rocks and straw into the fuel tank, and the bottom suck fitting and separator inlet would plug up.

V-belts need tightened every service.
Engine mounts break.
Aluminum pump housings crack.
Hydrostat pumps fall off the flywheel housing.
Relays fail due to cold solder joints.
With that said, I traded one @ 9k hours due to upgrading and it was an early swing door enclosed cab.
I still have two, one has 7k hours and the other is over 10k.
When we use them, it's for 10 hour shifts, and with multiple operators, they do seem to take the abuse.

I could go in and on about them, but...

Click to expand...

I am surprised, all I have heard is Takeuchi loaders are no problem machines, thank you very educational.
This is the type of information I would like to read, learn of.
Anyone know the average component life of engines, hyd pimps, drive motors, on a typical skid steer or tracked loader.
I could then have some useful information to use in selecting an individual machine.
Yes the over all condition of the machine also comes into play, if the machine look's like it was taken care of then it should last longer then a hard used beat up machine. But if the nice looking machine has high hours on it still the major components at some point need to be repaired or replaced.
So does anyone have ball park hours when major components need to be repaired replaced?

KSSS said:

At 100 hours a year, I don't see how having an SCR (over 75 hp) machine would pay off. Burning more fuel, DEF issues to consider, while the additional power is always nice, probably a luxury you don't need to pay for with such low hour usage. They (SCR machines) also seem to run better when you work them harder, and your usage seems like it would be on the light end.

I would find something that was under 75 hp, hopefully DOC only without a DPF. Unless snow is a consideration I would go with a CTL, just to keep your costs down. At 100 hours a year, repairs and upkeep are not spread over many hours, making those expenses even more painful. I have no suggestions on what color. Find what machine and model you want to run and then try and research that specific model to see what issues it may or may not have.

Click to expand...

X2 on the no-DEF, it's the reason why we have 2 - 279D's instead of 299's and we put 500-700 hrs a year on them.

The major brands are all good machines, the only difference is parts availability, service and the price the dealer charges for both. The dealer is just as important as the manufacturer.