ASV30 vs ASV50

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IATreeguy

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This year is looking like the year that I finally get a tracked skidsteer. I have demo'd the 30 & the 60 at my dealers location (just before winter finally caught up with us in the Heartland). The 30 seemed to be a neat little machine. The 60 was awesome. Smmmmmooooootttttttthhhhhhhh.

Back to reality. A recent year model 30 is probably affordable and the 60 is not. I keep looking at the 50 and wondering if I will be short on versatility if I restrict myself to the smaller machine.

Application: Tree service mostly takedowns and trims. Machine would be utilized to move the large chunks from restricted job sites to the street for loading in dump box equipped 2500HD.

Company motto is tread lightly. Damage to turf is absolutely not acceptable to me or my clientele.I am a one person operation with part time assistance from family member.

I would appreciate feedback form anyone who might have experience with these machines in a tree service or related application.

Thanks!
 
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I've got a cat 257 track machine that I bought for the exact reasons you want one.They do less damage than a regular skid steer,but try not to do too much turning on lawns because they still do more damage than advertized,and tread VERY lightly on the pavement,the tracks wear out pretty quick,and they are expensive to replace....I've never had much experience with the ASV machines,but if you have tried one and like it,thats all that matters
 
i am personally looking for a rc 30 for smaller jobs. i am looking into getting one just for little back yard jobs and what not that i cant use my 4500 on. but for every day use i would go bankrupt and get the rc50 lol..cuz for a all arounnd machine the 30 is gona be way to small
 
Dealers want to sell these machines, ask about a demo unit!, they will usually bring a machine with about 100 hrs on it. Offer to buy the demo unit with a scheduled maintenance(fluid change, grease, and electric systems check), and a pair of turf tracks included. Chances are they will jump at the chance to sell a machine, and you will get the deal you were after! Don't forget these things aren't jumping off the shelves these days!
 
dealers are very willing to deal right now most co blow thier wad in late dec. and most dealers are very slow with sales till about april so make them work for the sale ask 4 the world !!!!!!!
 
Asv30 Vs Asv 50

Thanks for the commments and suggestions. A Cat would be great but even the 247 is a tad large for my operation. Now if there were to be a "237" or "227" I would expand my search beyond the ASV. I am totally sold on the ASV/CAt undercarriage. Engines for both Cat & ASV are built in the same plant in Griffin, GA by Perkins Shaubarua (sp?).

I agree tht the RC 50 would be a better choice for a single machine. My dealer suggested that I might like to purchase both the 30 and the 60 when I demo'd them. Some merit to that but not reality. The little machine will probably do what I think I want to do now but will have no expansion capability.

Guess I had not thought too much about the fact that this is proably a very good time of the year to be a buyer. Thanks!

The larger RC 50 apparently can use all the rental attachments that are available but will not fit the little RC 30. that could be a big deal in the future. So I will keep in touch with my dealer and watch eBay very carefully. As I said before I have a RC 50 appetite and a RC 30 budget.

Back to the Cat 257: Would you tell me a little about the attachment? Are you using a GP bucket with a thumb on top, a full toothed grapple that looks like a root rake with a hinged lid or just a plain bucket to move tree debris to the street. I hear you on the issue of turf damage. Flotation is superb. Just don't turn!!!! I do lay plywood if there is any possibility of damage. Lots of work but my clientele appreciates the service. No advertising for me, just referrals.

Thanks again!
 
I don't even have a grapple on it.I only have a set of forks and a bucket for it.I have seldom needed a grapple because I have an International truck with a 20ft. bed with a Prentice F90 grapple on it.
 
Am I missing something? If you're on turf and don't want o leave a trace I've found compact tractors to be the way to go. I'm using a 4610 JD . Its got almost 2000lbs of lift and you can turn all you want with 4x4 and turf tires. I'm putting a log grapple on this winter. In the bush or on a construction site I'll never touch the production of a track skid steer but the name says it all when it comes to turf. By the time you finish picking up plywood I've cashed the cheq and am on to the next job.

Just my two cents. I had a hard time deciding myself but after demoing both and realizing where I do most of my work compact tractor was the way for me.

Rich
 
No lawn damage, lots of attachments to rent or buy, has never been stuck, even when trying.
 
This year is looking like the year that I finally get a tracked skidsteer. I have demo'd the 30 & the 60 at my dealers location (just before winter finally caught up with us in the Heartland). The 30 seemed to be a neat little machine. The 60 was awesome. Smmmmmooooootttttttthhhhhhhh.

Back to reality. A recent year model 30 is probably affordable and the 60 is not. I keep looking at the 50 and wondering if I will be short on versatility if I restrict myself to the smaller machine.

Application: Tree service mostly takedowns and trims. Machine would be utilized to move the large chunks from restricted job sites to the street for loading in dump box equipped 2500HD.

Company motto is tread lightly. Damage to turf is absolutely not acceptable to me or my clientele.I am a one person operation with part time assistance from family member.

I would appreciate feedback form anyone who might have experience with these machines in a tree service or related application.

Thanks!

I have an RC30 and am very happy with it. That being said, I'm not trying to make a living with it. It's a gutsy little loader for its size...the operable word is little. If you need to squeeze into tight spaces and can handle about a 1000# max loading capability then it fits the bill. The RC30 is not going to grab a 24" diameter X 10' long trunk and pluck it on a trailer. There are times when I wish I had a heavier machine but it does 90% of what I need to do and it was a bargin when I bought it. Lightly used (47 hours) with bucket, forks, auger with 2 bits, and grapple for 14K. Looks like Elmnut has the setup that you need...but probably 40K. What is your budget? Whatever machine you get, I think you need a grapple unless you enjoy getting in and out of the machine a lot.
 
ASV 30 vs ASV 50

Great feedback! First I agree that a compact tractor has many advantages on turf. But I want to have the capability to go beyond that working surface. Yes turning without damage is a learned skill but Elmnut seems to have the hang of it and I think I can as well. Also the available attachments for rent are awesome.

Good to hear from Leebo with the RC30. My main machine is a Genie TMZ 50/30 towable aerial. Next is my Vermeer BC1000XL. My point is that the loader will be an additional tool and not the main program. A high dollar unit is out of the question. The equipment package and purchase price that you described would fit my operation and budget very nicely. Elmnut suggested a demo unit with several extra goodies could be bought this time of year quite reasonably.

I can see the need to carry out 24 inch diameter and larger material but in lengths not to exceed four feet. No I am not wild about climbing in and out of the cab and usually I do not have a helper. Any particular grapple that you are thinking about here? I will be loading into a Del Hydraulics Little Tipster mounted on a 2500HD.

Several years ago I rented a Bobcat T250 with the hydraulic pins for attaching the bucket & forks. Sure liked not having to clamber about to unlock and relock pins. I feel that the ideal machine would be an ASV RC40? Size and weight wise I can not go larger than an ASV50 or 60.

Thanks again Everyone!
 
Asv30 Vs Asv 50

Great pictures Dogdad. Move the setting to the Midwest on turf in a confined back yard and my vision of where I am going with this equipment is getting clearer by the minute. A couple of questions if you would:

What kind of a grapple is this? The specs on the ASV web site suggest that their grapple will only open 27 inches. Do you have the "ASV grapple and if so is the opening confining for your operation? I noticed that the opening on the grapple for the 50 was about 36 inches(sorry, senior moment here).

Is this grapple capable of tipping forward and picking a log off the turf without tearing up the grass? Picking a log in said manner seems less destructive than sliding forks under the log (or easier than clambering out and struggling the log onto the forks manually).

I can relate to the dump height issue. I have 24 inch sides above the dump box on the 2500HD. The 30 I demo'd just could not quite get up high enough to clear but the 4 foot width would readily load from the rear. The 60 could easily dump over the side but the 63 inch width did not work for rear loading. Not good to drop the big stuff frm any significant height. Typically I would envision loading the big stuff from the rear and then top out the load with smaller material.

A quick question for Leebo: Was your purchase recent or several years ago?

Thanks!!!!!!!
 
After reading all of this and seeing these comments on this machine,I am going to check one out myself.I will not buy another CAT.The parts are considerably higher compared to my 865 New Holland.I am possibly thinking about down sizing to a smaller unit for getting into tighter places when my grapple truck won't reach,that is a rare occurance,but it happens at least once or twice a month.I found an ASV dealer very close to me as well.
 
Asv30 Vs Asv 50

Timberhauler:

I have certainly been encouraged by the feedback received from owners of the ASV machines on this forum. Here in Central Iowa the machines are well thought of and respected. I really apprecited the pictures posted by Daddog.

The ASV machines are built way up North in Grand Rapids, MN. I can't remember if we are allowed to give web site addresses for non-advertisers but will err on the safe side. Check with your dealer for the web site address. Excellent information and specifications available. Also an 800 number is on the web site to call for literature and DVDs.

IATreeguy
 
Treeguy,,I do have a ASV grappel bucket ,,modelR3TG48. However ASV does not make this ,,,,Sully Steelfab does . phone # 641-594-3777. I am not sure of the opening width( top to bottom) but I wouldn't want any other one. I will measure and let you know. Yes you can pick up from the top or bottom. I have seen other grapple for the 30 and didn't care for them. Remember the heavier the attachment you use on any machine,,,the less you can pick up. Example a grapple that weighs 500 lbs vs one that weighs 300 lbs. Both will work the same but i can pick up heavier objects with the 300 lb er. it gives me 200lbs more capacity. If i couldn't pick up a log( very rarely) i would roll it out to the street.
Also look at ASV website at the attachments available.

Remember ,,the ASV uses cat engines,,cat joy sticks ,,,,,,,and cat uses ASV's tracks. I have seen numerous ASV machines and everyone has been real happy with them. They are the lightest tracking machine available,, which means less turf messed up. I also didn't have to buy a new truck or trailer to tow it. My 04 tundra does just fine.

I have also started getting numerous jobs moving -spreading dirt,, gravel,,cleaning construction sites,, ,, I also have a Vermeer 352 stump grinder . If it is a HUGE stump( one that is halfway over turned with a rootball halfway out of the ground,,,,I'll grind the roots loose and move the stump out and roll it away,,,as one of my pics show. My largest stump to date took me 2 hours to work at grinding, then moving, and made me $750.
 
What kind of a grapple is this? The specs on the ASV web site suggest that their grapple will only open 27 inches. Do you have the "ASV grapple and if so is the opening confining for your operation? I noticed that the opening on the grapple for the 50 was about 36 inches(sorry, senior moment here).

Is this grapple capable of tipping forward and picking a log off the turf without tearing up the grass? Picking a log in said manner seems less destructive than sliding forks under the log (or easier than clambering out and struggling the log onto the forks manually).


A quick question for Leebo: Was your purchase recent or several years ago?

Thanks!!!!!!!


I bought mine about a year and a half ago...1 owner who was a commercial airline pilot who was laid off after 9/11. He used that time to build a fence around his backyard. The neighbors saw the fence and wanted him to build them a fence...so he started a small fence company. The ASV was leased right before he was called back to fly. He sold off most of the equipment but kept the loader thinking he would do some odd jobs. I found out that he wanted to sell the package...I was looking for a used skid steer at the time and had never heard of ASV. He let me demo it for a couple of days and I was sold.

On your log grabbing question. Yes and No. I have the factory tine grapple. It is sturdy and well-built. The unit will reach over and grab a log...but depending on the weight will probably want to tip if you lift it straight up. You could just as easily come straight in and finesse it on the tines and keep it low and close to the machine...and handle more weight.
Like I said, the RC30 has its limitations. But if you need to scoot into a 50" wide opening and can handle the weight limits...it is a good reliable (so far) machine.
 
I magree with Leebo.....however you can still go from the top to grab a log and then just tilt the grappel up and roll back a little . it would have to be a heavy log to tip yoo and if you start to tip forward ,,release it and grab it from the front.
 
Asv 30 Vs Asv 50

Elmnut:

I was just looking at your RC50 with the green tracks. Talk to me a little about these. I looked at the DVDs from ASV yesterday. Most impressive. I can see where the green tracks would be the cats pajamas on turf. But will they function (at least minimally) for some work in tougher applications like pushing snow, working on a slope, or other places that are less than smooth level turf. Is there a performance or safety issue here?

The flip of that question is can one survive on turf with some judgement and finesse with the standard tracks. Yes I am still in the chase for an ASV. No final decision on the 30 vs 50 question. Either would work OK. More of a matter of what is available for purchase within my budget considering this machine will be an accessory and not the main feature of my operation. Some model of ASV will be in my shed in the near future.

One final question: If I go with the 50 I need a grapple no wider than 4 feet to rear load the dump box on the 2500HD. In your opinion would the following be feasible? Is the ouside width of the arms less than four feet? The grapple fabricator for ASV is 50 miles East of my location. They build custom units. It seems like the grapple for the 30 could be built on the standard mounting plate and used on the 50. Does this make any sense? Upgrading to a larger truck is not an option.

I appreciate that you posted the photo of your machine.

Thanks!

IATreeguy (born and raised in Livingston & Ontario County, NY)
 
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