Takeuchi CTL recommendations

Guys,

I’m a homeowner with 40 wooded acres, I bought a TB250C a couple years ago and a S/A dump truck. I’m now looking for a CTL and am blessed to be able to get about whatever I want within reason.

I’ve been looking hard at the TL12v2, TL12, TL10’s mostly something with no more than 2500 hrs on it, but the more I read about tier4 DEF issues, the more I’m now thinking TL230/240 or 250.

I’d prefer EROPS, but more importantly tough and dependable. I won’t consider another brand at this point, but if your willing to give me your opinion, I’m more than willing to listen.

btw, I’m a pretty big guy at 6’1” 290 to 300 lbs so cab space matters.

Primary uses are moving dirt, grapple for logs and brush in my woods, maintain trails, and likely grader for gravel driveway that’s about 800 ft.

Thanks in advance.

Brad

Both my SVL75 & SVL75-2 have exceeded my expectations, save for the sucky HVAC system. Anything under 75 horse will not have DEF, but my -2 does have a DPF. I'm '65", 280, and the cab just as roomy, if not more so, than my TL150 machines. I also prefer the vertical lift over the Takeuchi's radial lift.
Both brands have the self storing windshield, which I see on no other brands.

We talked a bit here https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/new-to-ctls.83086/#post-891606 about it.

Brad-

lots of experience on here...and I'll tell you straight out I'm not the most experienced with different brands. I've only owned Bobcat, Komatsu and Takeuchi. I've run Cat, Kubota and Deere. As a homeowner/user, I like my older Tak (2008 TL130)a lot. The opinions here are very true... the machines are spacious, tough and simple. Not the most comfortable or smoothest, and not without some niggles, but man , they are just an anvil. Simple and strong. Side by side I'm always struck by home much beefier Tak builds their machines. For me I find it useful that class for class they tend to be a bit narrower and taller than the other machines which means I can get into tight spaces easier and I made my new garage door taller so the height isn't an issue. The Tak would not fit my old doors height-wise where the bobcats did easily. I also find the Tak pilot controls excellent once you get used to them. Controllable and quick- even during compound moves which did some others. My .02c- , as a homeowner, I wanted to avoid electronics and modern emissions that require specialized tools to service.

If I was using the machine 8 hours a day, 5 days a week... I might be willing to trade some of the simplicity for comfort and productivity features but for my type of use, hard to argue with an older tak.

Thanks @heymccall and @jav for the feedback, as I said, I'll be sticking with Takeuchi for now and just trying to narrow down which model primarily. I'm bidding on a TL12v2 now, but hopefully I will not win it

I'll take anymore feedback/experience on model's anyone has and thanks again.

1 month ago, I bought a 2012 TL230 with 1500 hrs. I was a little skeptical because it was originally a rental machine. I got it with a bucket, grapple and forks. Radio didn't work (fuse) and the heat and AC didn't work (again fuse near battery for AC). I've run Bobcats, Cats and Gehl. I wanted pilot controls so my son could run it easily (like my excavator). This machine is strictly for homeowner use. There are several aspects that brought my to Tak. Wrap angle on drive sprocket (reduced wear), tractive effort and stowable front door. Tak was first to introduce the CTL in the US and from talking with owners - they are bullet proof. Service is much easier than some other brands, as well. I did a complete service on the machine in under 4 hrs. Radial/vertical lift wasn't really an issue for me. I can load my single axle L9000 with no problem. The TL230 is equivalent to a Cat 259D which is touted as the best power to weight ratio in its class. I have 50 hrs on it and couldn't be happier.

Not knocking the TL230, but, I can service two SVL75 in the time it takes to service one TL150. The cab MUST be up on my Takeuchis to change the oil and fuel filters, and the shocks to aid cab lifting have only lasted 3 years at best on the Takeuchis. I, however, have a crane on the truck.
Track "wrap" on the drive sprocket appears similar, and both Takeuchi & Kubota have track frames that don't "shroud" the final drive sprocket. Therefore, dirt falls away from the sprocket, unlike many other machines (my 864H and the deere I saw the other day). For us 4 season folks, dirt packed around the sprocket means no movement in the winter (frozen mud).

ACBJohn said:

Tak was first to introduce the CTL in the US and from talking with owners - they are bullet proof.

Click to expand...

Bullet proof, my butt.
In owning 3 TL150 machines, there are some things that just suck about them.
Had to change 1 injection pump at 2k hours because their filtration sucked (you'll see that today's Takeuchi fuel filter is not the same as it was 12 years ago, nor is the micron rating).
Had the hydrostat pumps shear the bolts off their mounts at last 6 times between the three. Upsized and and converted to 12point heads.
Had the auxiliary pump fracture at least 5 times, requiring a new gear pump.
Replaced umpteen relays for intermittent gremlins, only to have them come back 2 years later (I now just resolder them).
Did I mention that the cab must be up to change the oil and fuel filters, which leads to the inlet barb to the fuel filter fell out of all 3 of them. The new part is revised.
I can't keep fan belts tight to save my life (same on all my Yanmar engines).
The hydrostat outlet Tees all leak. It's not a matter of If, but rather when. After the 3rd or so Oring set, the fittings need changed.
Looking at a good 10 hours to R&R a fuel tank, because they are bottom suck units, and anything, even a little grass will plug the outlet.
On the manual attach frame, the latch pins bend their tips, and, unless greased every shift, are a PITA to operate.
The AC switches fail every other year (Red Dot blue button), and the blower switches every 4 years or so (also Red Dot).
Had a hydraulic tank welded poorly and oozed oil (warranty picked that one up).
Had the under cab hydraulic filter sucked (technically, blown shut) at least a dozen times.
I lost count a long time ago as to how many exterior cab door handles I've had to change.
Had to reengineer the self storing windshield roof latch to ensure that it latches. Even new latches don't have the return spring in them.

I tried to only list the most common failures, but there are far too many other shortcomings to label them as "bullet proof".

Heymccall-

that's funny and reminds me my AC switch needs replacing. It also re-enforces something I read (here I think). When looking, I remember reading to avoid the TL150. I can't remember the specifics but it was something to do with the machine being so strong, it tended to tear itself apart.

I think all machines have their issues and Tak is no exception. I have had some electrical and hose/pump issues but all easily traceable and with simple tools. I hear you on the cab struts, and did just replace mine but the flip side is, my other machines were also hard on struts but the Tak Cab struts (which are quite large 450 pound lift units) only cost about $50 ea versus some other brands smaller weaker struts costing 3x as much.

My point is for a home owner- the (smaller-older) Taks are about as simple, tough, capable and serviceable (without special tools) as they come. My old Bobcat 843 was also simple, tough and serviceable but the improvement in pilot controls over direct mechanical is pretty profound IMHO. And yes- the overhead door can get stiff but I've never heard of one being ripped off by a bucket mistake... I bet we all know of a few guys who's damaged a swing out door or have to pull them off the machines to avoid wrecking them.

I agree...mine work hard, many times on 10 hours shifts, and they're still relied on, 10k hours later...but, they're certainly not "bullet proof" or without shortcomings.

If it wasn't for the Kubota durability (and certainly not the Kubota support network), I'd get another Takeuchi.

I have more time, money, and failures in 2500hours in one Takeuchi than in both of my Kubotas.

Traded in my 11k hour TL150 on a SVL75-2, mainly due to it being an early EROPS with a swing door.

I've had a 2010 TL230 now for the last 7ish years that I picked up from a buddy when he went to a TL10. It's just about to turn 2900hrs (sat mostly for the first 4yrs I had it) and it's been great. I've put a set of tracks and 1 track roller on it at 1650hrs, a battery, gas door struts and it needs them again, everything else is just normal maintenance. I do a little bit of everything with it from grading to power raking, brush mowing, clearing work, etc. For being a smaller machine I don't have any complaints of what I can do with it. I'd buy another of the 200 series without much concern.
The TL230 with the Yanmar engine is pretty simple to service imo. Yes the cab has to be flipped up for the oil filter but it gives a good reason to look everything else over, clean out the belly pans, etc.