Cat 272c, 299c, Gehl CTL85/Tak 250, which one?

[vpexp]

I have narrowed my choice down to these. I will be using it on my ranch to cut Cedars and Blackjack Oak, some dirt work, move stuff around, post holes, etc. If I go with the 272c I will use OTT steel tracks. I will use a tree shear, auger, dirt bucket, and root grapple. The property is in SE Oklahoma and the terrain is varied, pasture, rocky hills, timber, creek bottoms, etc. The 272C setup is the cheapest, the gehl or tak 250 is about 10k more, and the 299C is another 10k more with all the machines configured about the same. The Cat have their anti theft option and forestry guarding packages which adds to their cost some. Please let me know which way I should go, your help is appreciated!

[bobcat_ron]

The 272 or the Takeuchi would be my choice, tires are nice for the long haul with out rattling your teeth loose.

[stuvecorp]

I'd say a wheeled skid with OTT. It doesn't sound like you're on manicured lawns and you would save a yak load of money on maintenance costs. Flat tires would be the only drawback. I ran OTT and was happy with the performance.

I'd say look at some other brands too.:)

[BigDigger]

The 272 or the Takeuchi would be my choice, tires are nice for the long haul with out rattling your teeth loose.

I would agree with both of these guys. I would say go with the wheels. For the work you are doing OTW tracks make sense. The cost to maintain will be less and if you want an agressive tread and no flats to worry about check out this thread.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=273507

I love my 246C...I think the 272C would be the cats ass...you don't need much more machine then that. The comfort and suspension of the air ride seat will make long days MUCH easier......trust me on this....this alone has been worth every penny....

[AWJ Services]

I doubt you will put enough hours on a dedicated track machine to make it a so called maint nightmare.
They will go 1000 hours on the tracks and that will more than likely get you 4 years or so of use in your environment.
If you will use the machine to haul material over a great distance they are not made for that.If you will uses primarily on asphalt/concrete then they are not made for that.
The Tak would be my choice just because they are simple, tough and strong.
They now offer High Flow as well so no need to bother with anything else in my opinion.
The TL250 will out dig any skid steer out there and is designed from the ground up for excavation as it's primary job.
Good Luck.

[BIGBEN2004]

I would have to agree, go with the tires. Tracks are only good in heavy dirt moving applications were weather conditions don't always agree with your work schedule but are far more pricey to buy and upkeep and also are never fun on hard surfaces. Even a Posi-track and cats MTL's aren't as nice on pavement as a good old tire machine.

[vpexp]

Thanks guys, I have it narrowed down to the Tak or the 272C. I am leaning toward the Cat. I will almost never be on concrete or asphalt but we do have some rocky areas and I will be using it in the Timber. Although with as much rain as we have been getting I keep thinking I could use the tracked machine more, and if I go with the Brawlers the cost of the two machines gets close. The Cat does offer better service and support, but everyone says you won't need it with the Tak. I guess I need to flip a coin and put one of them to work.

[BigDigger]

Thanks guys, I have it narrowed down to the Tak or the 272C. I am leaning toward the Cat. I will almost never be on concrete or asphalt but we do have some rocky areas and I will be using it in the Timber. Although with as much rain as we have been getting I keep thinking I could use the tracked machine more, and if I go with the Brawlers the cost of the two machines gets close. The Cat does offer better service and support, but everyone says you won't need it with the Tak. I guess I need to flip a coin and put one of them to work.

Oh you will need it with the Tak....they are good but all machines have their issues. Have one good problem and bad support and you wish you had the better support....*wow that was deep eh?* :laugh:

[ksss]

Demo a Case 465. You will throw rocks at the 272.

[AWJ Services]

Oh you will need it with the Tak....they are good but all machines have their issues.

How many Taks have you owned?

[BIGBEN2004]

Oh you will need it with the Tak....they are good but all machines have their issues. Have one good problem and bad support and you wish you had the better support....*wow that was deep eh?* :laugh:

My local dealer in my area can have parts if not stocked by the next day equal to Cat. Also they have to be the most friendliest dealers I have ever worked with. They will bend over backward to make sure I am a happy customer and will and have take a brand new machine off the lot to let me use if mine is in the shop.

[BigDigger]

How many Taks have you owned?

Exactly zero. but I know 2 guys that have them TL140 and a TL150. They say they are great machines...I have driven them. they have power.....but they still take them to the shop for repairs some times.

I did not mean to insinuate that you will NEED the shop all the time for those machines....not at all...just that like any other machine you will need good service. It only needs to break down once and have $hit service to begin to regret your decision if you don't have any other service options.

To say you won't need a good dealer or support because they don't break down is just nuts. You need it when you need it and it does matter that it's good. That's my point anyway. Consider the following point.

Kryptonite for any machine is Time and Use. Service still matters.

[AWJ Services]

I agree.

However someone in a farm situation are not as time stressed as us guys who depend on the machine everyday.

Ideally all machines should run 100% trouble free for at least 1000 hrs other than maint.

Time to go play in the mud.:)

[Duffster]

[QUOTE=AWJ Services;2975699]However someone in a farm situation are not as time stressed as us guys who depend on the machine everyday.QUOTE]

Unless your on a dairy farm:rolleyes:

[Treemow]

It's my experience that the "Impeccable Cat Service" always comes with a very large bill attached. You cannot go wrong with the Takeuchi.

[vpexp]

The reason I was concerned about the Tak service is that the dealer does not have any service trucks. to get any work done I will have to take the unit back to them which is about 230 miles round trip, or 460 including return assuming I have to leave it over night. I don't have a truck that will pull a trailer with this machine, so I will have to have them pick it up at +$1.50 per mile. Cat on the other hand has service trucks and while they are not cheap (I have had them work on other equipment so I know what to expect), the $700 of transportation cost will go along way toward paying for a service call, especially on any warranty item.

[Scag48]

100 miles 1 way is the most I would ever recommend for dealer service for a guy the relies on his equipment for a living. 230 one way for parts is hard no matter who you are, that almost isn't worth it. However, Tak's have a great track record, that is undeniable, it might almost be worth the risk for a Tak. I look at Tak like I look at Honda's cars, ever talk to an owner of one that DIDN'T like it? Very, very few and far between. With other brands, you can get a mixed bag when it comes to owner approval. Tak is building equipment the Japanese way; perfectly. Rarely will you come across anyone who owns a Tak that has issues with the machine.

[vpexp]

Well, I have decided to go with the Cat 299C. I know it was the one that I had decided against earlier, but I really think I want a track machine and I just can't get past the idea of the Tak dealer being so far away and not having a service truck. Cat has a drop box for parts that is only 5 minutes out of my way along with on location service if I need it. The Cat dealer also moved on the 299C price so that it is now just about the same as the Tak. Thanks for the advice and help each of you provided. I'll post some pics and a review after I have worked it a bit.

[YellowDogSVC]

Well, I have decided to go with the Cat 299C. I know it was the one that I had decided against earlier, but I really think I want a track machine and I just can't get past the idea of the Tak dealer being so far away and not having a service truck. Cat has a drop box for parts that is only 5 minutes out of my way along with on location service if I need it. The Cat dealer also moved on the 299C price so that it is now just about the same as the Tak. Thanks for the advice and help each of you provided. I'll post some pics and a review after I have worked it a bit.

drop box is nice even if they charge an extra $25 for the part. In most cases, you can have the part the next morning even if it is out of the area when you order it.

[BigDigger]

Great choice.


Now let me say this once. WE WANT PICS....let us down and we will never respond to a thread again :canadaflag:

[stuvecorp]

Well, I have decided to go with the Cat 299C. I know it was the one that I had decided against earlier, but I really think I want a track machine and I just can't get past the idea of the Tak dealer being so far away and not having a service truck. Cat has a drop box for parts that is only 5 minutes out of my way along with on location service if I need it. The Cat dealer also moved on the 299C price so that it is now just about the same as the Tak. Thanks for the advice and help each of you provided. I'll post some pics and a review after I have worked it a bit.

Sounds good, was hoping you would have a chance to try a 450/465 to compare it. What does a 299 run for if you don't mind.

[vpexp]

There were not any Case dealers close to where the machine will be and the closest one has not returned my call twice, thought maybe he lost the first message so I tried him again. If you go to cat.com and work your way through machines to the ctl's and click on their build and quote application you can price one out. My experience is that you can expect to pay about 75% of that price. This way you can spec one out how you like. A loaded out one with hi-flow, CHA, bucket, counter weights, debris guarding, etc. will be under 60K.

[stuvecorp]

There were not any Case dealers close to where the machine will be and the closest one has not returned my call twice, thought maybe he lost the first message so I tried him again. If you go to cat.com and work your way through machines to the ctl's and click on their build and quote application you can price one out. My experience is that you can expect to pay about 75% of that price. This way you can spec one out how you like. A loaded out one with hi-flow, CHA, bucket, counter weights, debris guarding, etc. will be under 60K.

I hate too hear that about the Case dealer, it will likely be the reason I am driven to drink. I think it is time for the Shane and Ryan PowerTan Revival Meetings coming to a dealer near you, there will be some blunt instruments involved.:hammerhead:

The price does seem much better than has been talked about before. Remember to share pictures with us.:)

[vpexp]

After I have a chance to run it a bit I'll post the pics and let you know what I think. The Case dealer did not return my calls last year when I was buying a wheel loader. I have never been to their store so I'm not sure what's up. I will also include the opinions of two gentlemen who have combined experience of over 100 years running heavy equipment. They will give it a thorough test and at this point in their careers they say exactly what they think. The Cat actually ended up being less than the Tak 250 but a bit more than the Gehl version of that machine. The Cat has a few extra things like a theft prevention key system, counterweights, and the debris guard (which it probably needs more).

[ksss]

I hate too hear that about the Case dealer, it will likely be the reason I am driven to drink. I think it is time for the Shane and Ryan PowerTan Revival Meetings coming to a dealer near you, there will be some blunt instruments involved.:hammerhead:

The price does seem much better than has been talked about before. Remember to share pictures with us.:)


I will tell you what. Simply amazing. Tell me when your ready to leave Ryan. Its been a while since I have seen Ok.

[ccstrebe]

Well, I have decided to go with the Cat 299C. I know it was the one that I had decided against earlier, but I really think I want a track machine and I just can't get past the idea of the Tak dealer being so far away and not having a service truck. Cat has a drop box for parts that is only 5 minutes out of my way along with on location service if I need it. The Cat dealer also moved on the 299C price so that it is now just about the same as the Tak. Thanks for the advice and help each of you provided. I'll post some pics and a review after I have worked it a bit.

Right on brother!! You wont be sorry. There are some very vocal Cat haters on this board, but after owning both Case and Cat, I'm here to tell you that you will be happy with your choice.

[Tigerotor77W]

they say exactly what they think.

I'm looking forward to their comments.

And congrats with the machine! I think you wouldn't have gone wrong with any of the choices, but certainly I hope that the 299C lives up to your expectations.