HI! unfortunatly we don't have any ASV dealers in Europe, soo there arent any machines either here. But i would be really interested in a machine in the same size as the bobcat763, would it be RC50 then? how good does these hold up? do you need to have another one for spareparts? what i know is that you can go about 1500-2000h with a set of tracks, maybe not on demolition sites where we would use it... how much do they cost to replace? I heard also some rumor that they DON'T have hardened steel bushings in the pivots??? could that really be true? the machine would wear sloppy before the first oil change im refearing to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7otULc71jw look at the comments ^^ how about the climbing ability? it will probably climb stairs better than a wheeled bobcat? and be othervise more stable. does bobcat equipment fit on the ASV quick coupler?
They don't seem to use good steel in the bushings, I've read alot about that, and the quick couplers are all industry standards. I own a Cat 247B2 MTL and I see some wear only when working in gravel where the gravel falls into the track and gets ground up between the rollers, the rubber just flakes off and over time, the rollers need to be replaced or just rotated with the inside ones. There is an option to get all steel rollers with the front idlers being the plastic/rubber and that will definitely increase the roller life, but how you operate it will be the biggest factor. I am one that is convinced that all the work I get now can only be done with this machine, the rigid frame just would have dome too much damage and I can't have a high ground PSI anymore.
If you don't have anyone there than can support the machine, I would pass on it and look for something else. Your downtime will be measured in weeks I am sure. The ASV is a fine machine but they are a high wear item, and I would not want to buy one without having access to someone that can work on when needed.
My ASV ( RC 30 ) does not have hardened steel inserts. Period. Nor does its replacement, the PT 30. Makes for some expensive and unneccessary machine work down the line. Some early RC 50's were the same, but every other machine by ASV is bushed. Yeah, it was sloppy around the second oil change. Fixed the worst point and added bushings, but there are many more to go. Frankly, for the price of the machine this is inexcusable. The tracks do last, mine have 600 hrs, and are looking to go 2000, along with the whole undercarriage. If you are thinking to use the machine strictly for demo, you may want to rethink. An ASV will outclimb anything out there, more track and HP per pound of machine weight.
I have an asv 2810. It is a turbo and I think it is great
This is the reason i'm interested in a ASV! The CAT could also be fine, but retail price here in Finland is the same as a NASA rocket... And the rumor says that CAT machines are using undersized ASV UC on there models, that results in high track wear ointhead And if the ASV would break, i could always bring in the Bobcat! :usa
The rumours are true, but only the 247 and 277 models are the closest to the weight ratings on ASV's machines (PT50/60 & SR70/80) so you won't get the abnormal wear and tear, ASV's weight distribution is different too, they have a 50/50 whereas Cat (and others) use 60/40 or 70/30 for their distribution. ASV's are a little front heavy if you have a decent sized bucket and that would cause more wear and the Cat is perfectly balanced when they are loaded up front, it's all about the applications.
Hey thanks Ron! this was usefull info! strange that they have 50/50 weight distribution?? that could be better for pulling and pushing, not for loading! no wonder why RC50 outpushes a bobcat T250 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjYT8lQN6YU and the track tread desing looks better on the ASV as well. our skid steers are pretty heavily abused, all the time going full bucket, or with forks and really big concrete slabs on them. The record so far is when we carryed out a 3 ton bank wault trough 3 building (to get it out), we had a 763 in one end and the BROKK 180 in the other end, both machines was running on the toes this combo was the highest combination of weight we could bring inside the buildings.
The RC 50 out pushed the Bobcat just because of it's softer rubber and the lower weight. Downside to softer rubber is they are easier to cut, but they are very "sticky" in slippery conditions.