New compact track loaders for mulching

Coz · Dec 22, 2016

Cat 299D or Bobcat T870

f311fr1 said:
I have a CAT 299D2 XHP with the mulch package and roof mounted cooler. If you get sideways on a hill with a 2000 lb mulch head and turn tight it WILL try to de track. I do run triple flange reont and rear idlers.

Do you know much about how the T870 compares to the 299D as far as strength and reliability are concerned ?

f311fr1 · Dec 23, 2016

No idea about the Bobcat. Due to their issue of using electrical powered attachments not of their manufacture we tend to shy away from them. It is bad enough with 8 pin vs 14 pin hook ups. Look at Skid Steer Genuis for an idea of the hook up variations. A Cat 299D and 299D2 and 299D2 XHP are three different machines.

Coz · Dec 23, 2016

f311fr1 said:
No idea about the Bobcat. Due to their issue of using electrical powered attachments not of their manufacture we tend to shy away from them. It is bad enough with 8 pin vs 14 pin hook ups. Look at Skid Steer Genuis for an idea of the hook up variations. A Cat 299D and 299D2 and 299D2 XHP are three different machines.

What's the main difference between a 299D and a 299D2 ?

Digdeep · Dec 24, 2016

f311fr1 said:
Terex sold the management team of ASV controlling intrest.

Terex still holds 49% of ASV and Manitex (a bucket truck company) owns 51% so ASV is not independent, but owned by two companies.

f311fr1 · Dec 25, 2016

Coz said:
What's the main difference between a 299D and a 299D2 ?

View attachment CAT 299D specs.pdf View attachment CAT 299D2 specs.pdf See attached. A quick glance shows 71 HP vs 95 HP.

XFireTree · Dec 25, 2016

Tracks

Corey1966 said:
I currently run a Cat 299D with a Fecon mulching head and a brush cutter. I'm done with the Cat due to the tracks coming off all the time. I work alone in allot of swampy areas and I'm tired of bringing in a excavator to pickup machine to put a track back on!
Now I'm looking at a new machine. Anyone have any favorites out there?
I work in allot of low land areas, have my share of rocks also.

I'm on my 2nd bobcat and wouldn't run those mulching without someone else there to help put tracks back on. We have 1400 hrs on a TL12 (all forestry) and the operator can usually slip the track back on without getting out of the machine. Very rare that a track pops though.

Corey1966 · Dec 26, 2016

Sold the 299d with fecon. New ASV with fecon is coming next week.

XFireTree · Dec 26, 2016

Asv

Interested in knowing how the undercarriage holds up. I can't figure out why they dont rediesign. That's really the only weekness they have that I know of, and it has prevented me from buying one. Too rocky where we are. I'm hearing of guys having to rebuild every year or two. $10k-$15k.

Corey1966 · Dec 27, 2016

I don't have that much rock, gravel, or pavement. I also am not putting thousands of hours on per year so I believe I'll be just fine. Can't wait to get the machine.

THContracting · Dec 31, 2016

Corey1966 said:
I currently run a Cat 299D with a Fecon mulching head and a brush cutter. I'm done with the Cat due to the tracks coming off all the time. I work alone in allot of swampy areas and I'm tired of bringing in a excavator to pickup machine to put a track back on!
Now I'm looking at a new machine. Anyone have any favorites out there?
I work in allot of low land areas, have my share of rocks also.

Ive had a 297C (same running gear as the asv) for the last year to run my davco and gyro track head on which is an upgrade from my JCB 190. Its the only way to go. I swapped two of the stock front rollers to the aftermarket steel and it is a chore to get the track off! But, one less worry in the bush so a guy can concentrate on watching for rocks etc. I spent alot of time putting tracks back on that JCB. Just the wrong kind of running gear. Even feeding horses in the winter the frozen piles of manure can be enough to drop a track. Ive brushed, mulched fenced and plowed snow with the 297....great traction and the only worries was working on gravel. Try to avoid turning, but, thats good practice for brushing anyhow

mdr · Mar 30, 2017

yeah i just bought a 299d2 xhp and we only have put 33.7 hrs on it and the tracks are constantly trying to pop off over my tripple flange fronts and rears, i keep it greaesed to cat specks what is going on? Im so disappointed with cat also bought an afe eco,sent IT back and it will never be on another job that i do its just tooooo!!! dangerous. Throws debris over 500ft. though second story window of a house....) looking at the asv 120 or maybe making cat get me a new machine.....please any help would be greatly appreciated.

mdr · Mar 30, 2017

Corey1966 said:
I don't have that much rock, gravel, or pavement. I also am not putting thousands of hours on per year so I believe I'll be just fine. Can't wait to get the machine.

HEY HOW IS THE ASV 120 DOING IM LOOKING AT ONE MY SELF
BOUGHT CAT 299D XHP FULLY LOADED TRACKS POP ALL THE TIME AND I HATE IT really wanting an asv how is it doing...

rutwad · Mar 30, 2017

mdr said:
yeah i just bought a 299d2 xhp and we only have put 33.7 hrs on it and the tracks are constantly trying to pop off over my tripple flange fronts and rears, i keep it greaesed to cat specks what is going on? Im so disappointed with cat also bought an afe eco,sent IT back and it will never be on another job that i do its just tooooo!!! dangerous. Throws debris over 500ft. though second story window of a house....) looking at the asv 120 or maybe making cat get me a new machine.....please any help would be greatly appreciated.

mdr, is the track tension adjusted properly? A loose track will cause problems.

Tones · Mar 30, 2017

A word of caution. The teir 4 engines are a fireball waiting to happen. I had my very first fire in a rented ASV PT110 and belive it started when the regen went off. There's no way I'd own any of these engines in any mulching machine. Farmers over here are also very connserend with the very same issue on harvesting equipment including any problems with insurance companys

THContracting · Mar 31, 2017

mdr said:
HEY HOW IS THE ASV 120 DOING IM LOOKING AT ONE MY SELF
BOUGHT CAT 299D XHP FULLY LOADED TRACKS POP ALL THE TIME AND I HATE IT really wanting an asv how is it doing...

Try and find a good used Cat 297 or or ASV without the regen emissions crap. When i bought my 297 i was really hoping to find an ASV as they have a much higher ground clearance and seemed better balanced but i am happy with the 297. That regen stuff should be illegal. Logging truck burnt up here a year or two back...driver smelled fuel and got out to look at what was going on....didnt even have time to get back in to get his wallet etc....truck burned up instantly.

mdr · Apr 1, 2017

A cat tech came out and realigned the tracks and tighten to spec I bet it wasn't four or 5hrs. The we're loose again. I told my salesman that we were going to be mulching full time and he specifically said we didn't want the the 297 because the undercarriage was nothing but the a problem...wonder why he sold me the 299d2 xhp for mulching wtf.....

THContracting · Apr 1, 2017

Ive only put maybe 800 hours on my 297 but i know in the 800 hours on my jcb with the same style uc as your 299 i spent a fair bit of time putting tracks on. My one employee dropped one just turning in a field and caught a rock. There are a ton of boggies on the 297 but mulch isnt abrasive like sand or gravel. More footprint on the ground, more stable, tracks are impossible to drop,....id be curious what your sales guys logic was?

catman13 · Apr 2, 2017

if you guys are only mulching why not try steel tracks

THContracting · Apr 2, 2017

I fence lots too so steel is out. Rubber rides better too, especially the 7 series i found. And the steel tracks would be easier to drop than the 7 series as well. When your dealing with logs and stumps etc you just need rollers to keep the outside of the tracks from flexing/twisting off. At least thats my opinion/experience with it. I know im extremly careful where my hoe tracks are when im mulching with it cause i dont wanna drop one of them.

Tones · Apr 2, 2017

My dedicated mulcher on steel tracks ,3500hrs,and half the price of rubber.Most of the work is in steep hill country where rubber tracks are usless. It's never thrown a track because of the terrain in 5500 hrs total time

New compact track loaders for mulching

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