I just rented and used a brand new Kubota SVL75-2 ( 8 hours ) I also rented a Volvo EC220D ( 2000 hours ) for assistance in tearing down a burned Log House/debris.
I also used a wheeled skid steer/metal bar tracks also Scat Trak 1700C. Hand/foot controls.
Kubota SVL75-2 ( ran 6.5 hours ) was cabbed/air/heat.........pretty loaded up.
Likes - adequate power - foot throttle - cab if working in area of dust/dirt - descent room in cab - servo hydro controls vs manual sticks - aux thumb rocker switch - hydraulic attach/detatch for implements -
Dislikes - poor traction working debri - rolls like marbles under tracks - rough ride working debris - noisy inside cab even closed up - didn't keep dirt/dust out well - no recirculate option on heater/ac so sucks outside smells/smoke inside - low head clearance when window up and opening/closing - poor locking mechanism on windows - horrible reflections on glass when trying to work with lights on - looks like objects are close to you when they are actually reflections so had to work with windows open to not be confused - controls are not lighted well for identifying at night - dome light is tucked behind door when open so cant see it well much of its light is blocked ( need more than one tiny dome light or lighted switch panel. heater/ac controls not lighted at all to find in dark. Poor traction on concrete - high fuel consumption - low back seat
Scat Trak 1700C ( have ran 1000 hours ) currently at 2500+ hours
Likes - American made workhorse - perkins engine - reliability - superior traction when working in debris - Fuel Consumption - better for pushing/digging - high back seat
Dislikes - old - manual sticks wear you out - hydraulics not as good
Volvo EC220D - ran 35 hours appx
Likes - cab was laid out nicely - controls/hydraulics - pedals/buttons/options of changing - lighted switches easy to find at night, backlight dash, great cab lighting, radio/speakers perfect for working noise, controls for all at your fingertips, power center by leg, exterior lighting, serviceability things were easy to get to and check, and the best of all - this thing is quiet like a car, NOT KIDDING, so quiet it is unbelievable, I ran with door open for half a day and it was amazing. I haven't ran any other hoes but BOY, I was impressed with this Volvo, they have this down very well. I thoroughly enjoyed running it and was not tired or stressed after doing so. IF anyone knows of a good job I would love running one of these daily. Fuel consumption was VERY good I was surprised!!!
I have ran an ASV PT80. IT was a nice machine, very smooth but poor traction as well was using to put in a couple culverts and push brush. The rubber tracks just don't get traction like my wheeled loader on dirt or mud. They are very poor on concrete. I believe they would be great for grading, finishing, maybe snow but definitely not packed hard or ice. I used my steel bars for that also or rubber tires. I don't use my rubber tires or steel tracks on yards it will either leave ruts or tear up the grass with the tracks.
I liked the hydraulics better on the ASV than the Kubota. I did not like the progressive valves and sensitivity of the Kubota. I liked the feel of the hydraulics on the Volvo the best, very good feel and sensitivity. I wish the Hoe had better power when trying to rotate the hoe to move debris side to side - the hydraulic rotation motor seems to be lacking in that area, I didn't like having to swing the hoe like a baseball bat to get things to move. I realize the power lies in directly away and toward you but still its nice when moving dirt to not have to pick it up first then rotate to dump etc.....
The Scat is manual so its all about how you handle the hydraulics. No servos to feel with there, its all up to you. Those are great but also more physically demanding and not quiet as sensitive.
Hope this helps someone who might be thinking or using these items. My neighbor needed to buy another machine for his landscaping business for his company and came and checked out the Kubota as well as a Deere and ended up buying a Cat 262D wheeled loader. I want to run it and check out the cab features and such on it as well as quietness.
I will let you know. If anyone else has any input on cabs and ergonomics and use let me know.
I have a gripe for Kubota, The door that swings up.........because of all the reflections of the lights working at night I had the front door open. I went over the lip of the stub wall on a walkout basement and one side of the door was not secure.....SOoooo when the loader smacked the floor coming over the lip the torque of that downward motion torqued the glass enough it shattered above my head. Fortunately I have several layers of clothes on plus a hat to shield me from the glass HOWEVER - the front door handle runs on cabled with promptly swung into my face and hit me as well as the wiper motor and blade fell into my head and the back handle dropped on my head also. Mind you a different latching system would be easier to use/see and secure the pins are spring loaded so if you miss the hole they will settle lower and not be secure. Also, the only dome light in the cab is in the far back corner behind your head to the right only about 2-3 inches from the window when it is up so very difficult to find in the dark and it is only operable from a little toggle switch, needs to be more interior lighting as well as a button to turn it on that you can see on the control panel not up in the back of the machine behind your head covered up.
They should be more save in their latch/cables/handle and wiper, they should not fall on a person. I do not like the reflectivity of the glass when working at night, it looks like there is a tree or something beside you when its actually just an object reflecting from the lights. I do not have this kind of troubles with my plexiglass on my other machines but then again they don't have as powerful of lights.
Just some other info I thought I would pass along.
Kubota is a descent machine but refinement is needed as well as some safety if you ask me.
I have ran a 763, 873 bobcat as well as a T185 and they were ok machines. I didn't get to spend the time on them like I have others but my biggest gripe on the 763 was power, the 873 was much better. I just don't seem to like Track machines for what I use them for. IF I was into finish grading or landscaping that is probably what I would have, at least one mid/small sized one. I liked the hydraulics on the Bobcat units they seemed fine.
I ran an 963C for about 2 hours once and I liked the hydraulics on it but it had the same bit of delay was it eased forward/backward not an instant feel.
Kubota SVL75-2 & Volvo EC220D
