This could be an interesting thread...Back in 2012 when I was shopping for a SSL/CTL for snow plowing & working on my soft, wet ground, I first got interested in ASV, then Terex. I quickly discounted them because of the lack of a good dealer near me & the "primitive" cab. So, I'm now very intrigued by the fact that ASV, LLC seems to have new life/focus now that it's been liberated from Terex (but who I think still has a non-controlling interest). Who would want a white machine anyway??
So, I studied the ASV, LLC website for a bit & offer these observations:
The website is "fresh", but is still feeble regarding specifications. The most serious omission IMO is the lack of ground clearance numbers, since ASV has always had the largest ground clearance of all SSL/CTLs. And a length & height is also missing.
Engines in the 4 CTL models, RT-30, RT-60, RT-75 & RT-120, are listed, respectively, as Perkins 403D-15, Perkins 404D-22T, Cummins QSF2.8, & Cummins QSF3.8. Does anyone have any good or bad to say about these engines?? I'd be most interested in the Cummins QSF2.8 in the RT-75. What does "R" stand for, maybe "revised", "revived",...??
All the engines are listed as Final Tier 4, but there is no info on how they achieve that, whether or not with DEF, DPF, DOC, SCR, what ever. I assume they are all common rail, but it's not listed.
The RT-75 & RT-120 appear to be same size (track contact length=71", max. track width=20", undercarriage wheel size=15" F & R with 10" rollers overall width=71", alternator=120 amp), but the RT-120 is much heavier (11,265 lbs vs. 9,180 lbs) due to the larger engine & the addition of high flow aux. hydraulics. There is also a RT-120 Forestry with add-ons specific for that use. The 75 has a very low ground pressure of 3.2 psi with the 20" tracks, nearly as low as the 30 @ 3 psi.
All the models have reasonable HP to weight ratios (gross HP/1,000 lbs) of greater than 8 (the 75 is the lowest at 8.1), & the 120 has an outstanding ratio of 10.7. By comparison, my NH L220 SSL is 9.3, a JCB 260T CTL is only 6.9, & Cat MTLs are a 257D @ 9.2, a 287D @ 7.5, a 297D/D2 @ 9.7/9.2, & a 297D/D2 XHP @ 10.2/10.1.
The cabs appear to be much better (less "primitive"), but there is not enough visual info to judge. Interestingly, the joystick controls on all models appear to be ISO only (not a problem for me), & on the 30 thru 75 models are listed as "pilot hydraulic Joysticks", vs. the "electronic joysticks" in the 120. To me this means real hydraulic pilot controls vs. E-H (electric over hydraulic) on the 120. Since IMO no one has done E-H perfectly yet, & certainly they don't have the "feel" of real pilot controls, the availability of real hydraulic pilot controls is a plus, albeit a little "old school".
It's not clear if any of the models still have the built-in rear receiver hitch that the older ASV's had. I would hope so, since IMO that was a stroke of genius not duplicated by any other manufacturer.
At least the 60 & 75 models list 'bucket positioning" as an option. But it's not clear what this means, whether "load cushioning", "self leveling", "return to dig", or some combination.
And finally, the current dealer listing shows NO dealers in NY state, with only a couple in the entire NE US. I would love to actually look at these new RT models up close & personal, but it doesn't look promising yet. Maybe some of the parent company (Manitex International) dealers will handle them. Has anyone actually touched one??
