299D XHP or T870 I cant decide

pafarmer · Feb 4, 2016

KSSS said:
The CAT mulcher is actually an FAE. It took a while before CAT got the variable pump on their version of the FAE mulcher. I think the FAE is an excellent mulcher.

Bingo ! Same exact unit.....Fecon supplies CAT.... There are a few mods you can make to the 299 XHP to get more than advertised or what most consider stock I. Terms hydro power to the head. speeds recovery times and also wears bits out quicker as well. Whatever you get for a mulching head keep it out of the rocks and it will serve you much longer in between services on the bits and running gear on the head itself...Most folks running these forestry heads would know Fecon and CAT are one in the same as common knowledge. Just an observation ....

Buying direct through Fecon in volume offers the end user a much better price point than CAT could ever dream of offering on the very same head..

Digdeep · Feb 5, 2016

pafarmer said:
Bingo ! Same exact unit.....Fecon supplies CAT.... There are a few mods you can make to the 299 XHP to get more than advertised or what most consider stock I. Terms hydro power to the head. speeds recovery times and also wears bits out quicker as well. Whatever you get for a mulching head keep it out of the rocks and it will serve you much longer in between services on the bits and running gear on the head itself...Most folks running these forestry heads would know Fecon and CAT are one in the same as common knowledge. Just an observation ....

Buying direct through Fecon in volume offers the end user a much better price point than CAT could ever dream of offering on the very same head..

Fecon does not supply Cat their mulching heads. FAE is supplying Cat branded heads to Cat. Both are good mulching heads, but IMO FAE is a better head based on using both on land I help manage for QDM and feedback from former customers of mine.

furu · Mar 5, 2016

Late to the thread.

I ran a Cat 299XHP with a HM315 head for a week back in fall 2014 while I was evaluating where I wanted to go.

I was not that impressed with the recovery time or the overall power and traction of the unit.

I looked at several units but ended up with an ASV/Terex PT-110 forestry model running a Fecon HDT variable speed head.
Very impressed with it and it has much better capability in every way than the Cat 299XHP.

There are folks that are pretty negative on the Terex unit since they bought out ASV. Of course who owns what has changed again and ASV now owns 51% of the company again. I can tell you that so far I have been very satisfied with my PT-110 with the Fecon.

COBullhog · Mar 30, 2016

Hi all, new to the site, but may have a fresh perspective as I am the Fecon guy in the west. Any CTL is a great multipurpose tool, but they are not designed to run a mulcher of any brand all the time without shortening their lifespan considerably. For not much more money a Fecon FTX128 is a purpose built forestry mulcher with SS quick attach to run a variety of attachments and with 60 gpm and 4500 psi blows any CTL out there away. We also offer multiple rotor and tools choices to best suit your needs and terrain conditions. We do not make the Cat mulcher, FAE does and it has smaller bearings and shafts than we use, and less choices for rotors. We are also made in the USA not Italy.

redwine75 · Mar 30, 2016

MrDigOR said:
Hello fellow operators!! I'm in a bit of a patch right now. I can't decide between a Bobcat T870 or a 299D XHP. We currently run M series Bobcats in our op, so bringing in an 870 is nothing new and everything familiar. That's a huge plus. There was a dealership change in our area recently...and well that's a huge minus.

Enter the Big Cat. I've yet to demo one. Talked to the salesguy almost two weeks ago to arrange...and have not heard from him since. So, service about on par with Bobcat. What I know about the machine I have only compared on paper to the 870, and the biggest differences I can come up with are these:

The 299 weighs a little less than the 870.
Steel undercarriage option, big plus over the 870.
The 299 has Higher hydraulic flow than the 870 +4 gpm difference.
The 299 has a back up camera.

The biggest difference: the price. I was quoted $155K for the 299D xhp with land management package + steel undercarriage and the 415 cutting head. About $45K higher than the 870 Forestry with Fecon mulcher (but no steel undercarriage, get with it Bobcat).

When that comes out on paper, it is obviously a substantial difference. I'm basically picking between the lesser of two evils as neither dealership has a service advantage to flock to. Already having Bobcats in the stable, I know what to expect. Not being able to test the 299 before writing that kind of check is fairly difficult to justify the difference when the two are so close on paper. :beatsme

If anyone has any insight or experience and you are willing to share I am willing to listen.

Stay safe!

G

Often i see a bobcat with 2000 hours on them and theyre wore out while Ive seen Cats over five thousand hours and still operating. Cats seem to last longer and seem to have better hydraulic pumps. After operating Bobcat brand machines for over twenty years and nearly ten years with cat I will never go back to Bobcat. Cat seems to offer service. Most any dealer will let you demo a machine for thirty days after youve had a credit approval. Well you have to ask they wont necessarily offer. I own a 279D and a 305.5 cr excavator. No problems in nearly three years at all. Just going to a cat garage you get a better over all professional feel than bobcat. Seems noone at Bobcat knows whats going on or what you need.

mcm67 · Jan 3, 2017

HM 415b premature wear?

Hey guys,
I'm new here. I've been searching the internet for any info and you guys seem to have some experience with the hm415b mulcher. I bought a 299d xhp and 415b together as a package and have about 700 hrs. on the machine. Less on the mulcher because I use other attachments as well. While changing out my first set of cutters I noticed the deflection shield (fender well) is worn paper thin and already has a 2"x4" hole worn completely through in the mid section.
I have contacted CAT and am supposed to take the unit to them tomorrow. They admit it is premature wear and have seen this on another hm415b. They have agreed to cut the piece out and replace it with better steel for half of their cost, which leaves me paying $1750.00. I'll say it for you....DAMN! A major repair by the first tooth change!?!?
Beside the whole argument of premature wear, have you guys heard of any similar issues?

Thanks in advance for any input.

299D XHP or T870 I cant decide

pafarmer

Senior Member

Digdeep

Senior Member

furu

Active Member

COBullhog

New Member

redwine75

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mcm67

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