Wacker Neuson ST35 CTL & 38Z3 Mini-Ex?

SeaMac · May 3, 2015

I'm combining a thread to accommodate both machines in an effort to save time and confusion. I've recently taken a position with a company that focusses on high-end residential work mostly excavating, grading and yard drainage. The company has existed since 1982 and some of the equipment is basically scrap metal at this point. Two machines that still run but on one leg and limping are a Deere 35c Mini-Ex and Cat 257 MTL. The company is now under new ownership and money is a little tight but decent machines are required if revenue is to be maintained.

I've been doing some research and have found the WN's to be much more reasonable in price as compared to legacy brands aka Cat, Deere, Kubota etc. etc. WN is by no means new to the industry and well known for making quality products just curious how their compact equipment and especially the new US designed and manufactured SSL/CTL's are doing?

We're interested in adding grade control to the CTL & Mini which ain't cheap in itself so we've got to be smart in our purchases but agree that new with a warranty is the way to go. Any input is appreciated, thanks...

ST35

38Z3

KSSS · May 3, 2015

I was asked to provide end user feedback during the development of the WN SSL and CTL machines in Austria where these were designed. They also shipped a pre-production model for me to run for a couple weeks here in Idaho last Spring. It was the ST35. I spent a lot of time in the machine, cleared a two acre building site, built 2000' of road, using the CTL to push over Cottonwood trees and do all of the initial site work that could be done with a loader.

My personal machines are 90 hp, this machine is 74.5 hp Perkins. I thought the productivity was good given the 74.5 hp rating. The tractive effort was excellent. Pilots are tuned well for feel and response, although the boom down function is a little faster than what I personal care for. The only time when I found myself wanting more power was when multifunctioning doing certain tasks. The build quality is excellent and very robust. Maintenance access is ok but not as good as some other machines like CAT and CNH.

There are a couple oddities in the cab. The angle of the foot throttle is too high and not as ergonomic as I would like. The heat control valve for the cab model is located by the seat and I think needs to be moved. The display is informative, perhaps a little busy visually.

The machine production has now moved to Wi. The team of engineers that they have assembled for this project is very impressive and are the same responsible for building a lot of very popular competitive machines (models we are all familiar with). WN is very serious about this project. There are some additional lines of CTL's and SSL that are about to release. Those machines will have been engineered completely in the USA. A lot of excellent product will be released from WN soon.

These machines have been successful on the roll out. I would get a machine for a demo and see what you think. WN is an excellent company, never had much interaction with them until the last three years and I am now a fan and when their 100 hp machines release, I will own one. If you are in the Seattle area, and need help I can point you in the right direction.

SeaMac · May 3, 2015

Thanks KSSS,

I saw your video regarding the SSL/CTL roll out. Having used WN's generators, light towers, trash pumps and plate compactors for years I can attest to their quality that and Germans are generally very good at engineering. As far as my proximity to Seattle, if South Florida's considered close then, perhaps! Thanks for the feedback though!

KSSS said:
I was asked to provide end user feedback during the development of the WN SSL and CTL machines in Austria where these were designed. They also shipped a pre-production model for me to run for a couple weeks here in Idaho last Spring. It was the ST35. I spent a lot of time in the machine, cleared a two acre building site, built 2000' of road, using the CTL to push over Cottonwood trees and do all of the initial site work that could be done with a loader.

My personal machines are 90 hp, this machine is 74.5 hp Perkins. I thought the productivity was good given the 74.5 hp rating. The tractive effort was excellent. Pilots are tuned well for feel and response, although the boom down function is a little faster than what I personal care for. The only time when I found myself wanting more power was when multifunctioning doing certain tasks. The build quality is excellent and very robust. Maintenance access is ok but not as good as some other machines like CAT and CNH.

There are a couple oddities in the cab. The angle of the foot throttle is too high and not as ergonomic as I would like. The heat control valve for the cab model is located by the seat and I think needs to be moved. The display is informative, perhaps a little busy visually.

The machine production has now moved to Wi. The team of engineers that they have assembled for this project is very impressive and are the same responsible for building a lot of very popular competitive machines (models we are all familiar with). WN is very serious about this project. There are some additional lines of CTL's and SSL that are about to release. Those machines will have been engineered completely in the USA. A lot of excellent product will be released from WN soon.

These machines have been successful on the roll out. I would get a machine for a demo and see what you think. WN is an excellent company, never had much interaction with them until the last three years and I am now a fan and when their 100 hp machines release, I will own one. If you are in the Seattle area, and need help I can point you in the right direction.

KSSS · May 3, 2015

I took a chance with your user name and you being from the Seattle area, guess I missed.

Wacker Neuson ST35 CTL & 38Z3 Mini-Ex?

SeaMac

Senior Member

KSSS

Senior Member

SeaMac

Senior Member

KSSS

Senior Member