[ppl]

I was looking at a 257 skid steer on line and did a search on here to see what everyone thought about it. I read alot of negative things, but nothing specific. Is there anyone here that has owned one. IF so what are the problems that occurred. Is it mainly the ASV undercarriage or more than that?

 

[ksss]

They are weak. The track system is what it is, but the 257 is underpowered and underspeced for its size. QPS on here had one, he's a dedicated CAT guy and he had nothing good to say about it. He turned his in for a 297C, sounds much happier now.

 

[ppl]

After posting I found a review site that said the same thing. The first generation has wiring problems, hydraulic problems and under powered. Thanks for the reply

 

[bobcat_ron]

The new B2 series are really nice, I even let a former Cat skid steer owner run mine for 2 minutes and he noticed a big change, I didn't tell him about turning up the injection pump though.
There's 4 257B2's on CatUsed.com right now:

http://catused.cat.com/en/Equipment/CATERPILLAR/Skid-Steer-Loaders-ASV/257b2/For-Sale.aspx

 

[ppl]

Bobcat ron Have you ever run an ASV 60? If you have what did you think? Or is the 60 and 257b2 comparing apples to oranges?

 

[Scag48]

The 257BII is better in terms of power than the the 257/257B, but it's still underpowered. Just not enough juice for that machine.

 

[bobcat_ron]

Bobcat ron Have you ever run an ASV 60? If you have what did you think? Or is the 60 and 257b2 comparing apples to oranges?

The ASV and Cat 247B2 are fair game against each other, the 257 is too heavy to be in the RC60's class.
I looked at an ASV last year about 6 months after buying my Cat, and I wasn't impressed, kinda cheap looking and I hate the whole engine "bonnet" thing over the engine, give me a huge thick steel door to open every day over the ASV style, and at least my fuel tank is in the bottom of the machine, not wrapped around the front and outside like the ASV.

 

[BOBCATZZ]

ASV style, and at least my fuel tank is in the bottom of the machine, not wrapped around the front and outside like the ASV.

Your kidding wait till your tank gets **** int and needs a clean out.

 

[bobcat_ron]

Your kidding wait till your tank gets **** int and needs a clean out.

Well at least I won't have to worry about a wayward piece of rebar hitting the tank or a side roll over onto a rock and it punctures, and I can see my tracks from the sides of the cab!

 

[Petiewolf]

I have a 257B, last week the head gasket went, causing the turbo to pull a seal. Oil then leaked into the engine causing the machine to "run away", meaning it redlined and would not shut off. I had to cut the fuel line to shut it off. 500 hours on it and no warranty. I hear there was a letter to the dealers to replace the head gasket, but it was not a "safety issue" so no recall to the owners of these machines. I did love the machine and depending on what CAT does, I may still be a CAT fan and stockholder.

 

[bobcat_ron]

I have a 257B, last week the head gasket went, causing the turbo to pull a seal. Oil then leaked into the engine causing the machine to "run away", meaning it redlined and would not shut off. I had to cut the fuel line to shut it off. 500 hours on it and no warranty. I hear there was a letter to the dealers to replace the head gasket, but it was not a "safety issue" so no recall to the owners of these machines. I did love the machine and depending on what CAT does, I may still be a CAT fan and stockholder.

So are you fixing it or dumping it?

 

[Petiewolf]

Not sure yet. It's a lot of money that I don't have. Any advise?
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[KPS]

In my experience using both the 257B and B2 series I will agree they could use some more balls. For finesse work, comfort, and all day use on a variety of terrain I will take the Cat any day of the week, but if staight-up dirt hogging, pushing and heavy tasks are the order of the day (on dirt, no pavement) I still have a place in my heart for our T190. It really depends what your primary use of the maching will be.

 

[bobcat_ron]

Not sure yet. It's a lot of money that I don't have. Any advise?
Posted via Mobile Device

Do the work yourself if you can, I don't think you need to pull the engine out.

Or swap a Kubota in, there's pics here of that conversion from another member.

 

[Petiewolf]

In my experience using both the 257B and B2 series I will agree they could use some more balls. For finesse work, comfort, and all day use on a variety of terrain I will take the Cat any day of the week, but if staight-up dirt hogging, pushing and heavy tasks are the order of the day (on dirt, no pavement) I still have a place in my heart for our T190. It really depends what your primary use of the maching will be.

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[bobcat_ron]

In my experience using both the 257B and B2 series I will agree they could use some more balls. For finesse work, comfort, and all day use on a variety of terrain I will take the Cat any day of the week, but if staight-up dirt hogging, pushing and heavy tasks are the order of the day (on dirt, no pavement) I still have a place in my heart for our T190. It really depends what your primary use of the maching will be.

3 simple little fixes to the machine can make it work just as hard as a T190, turning up the injection pump, turning up the anti-stall and turning up the relief pressure on the loader/bucket valves.

I did 2 of 3, just the injection and anti stall, and I love the power, my 247B2 is an insane little animal now.

 

[Petiewolf]

I was looking into a 304 mini excavator, but depending on how this plays out I may be looking into kubota or takauchi. What do you guys think?
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[KPS]

3 simple little fixes to the machine can make it work just as hard as a T190, turning up the injection pump, turning up the anti-stall and turning up the relief pressure on the loader/bucket valves.

I did 2 of 3, just the injection and anti stall, and I love the power, my 247B2 is an insane little animal now.

I saw your video and was more than impressed. The dirt rolling in the bucket was quite a sight to see, I think I might do a little tweaking in the off-season. I will have to dig up your post on that, the pics were very good.

 

[bobcat_ron]

I saw your video and was more than impressed. The dirt rolling in the bucket was quite a sight to see, I think I might do a little tweaking in the off-season. I will have to dig up your post on that, the pics were very good.

You will have to change the engine oil more often if you crank up the injection pump, go from every 500 hours to 400 or less to be safe.

 

[ksss]

I was looking into a 304 mini excavator, but depending on how this plays out I may be looking into kubota or takauchi. What do you guys think?
Posted via Mobile Device

Get a Takeuchi would be my advice.

On the 257. Look at what they are bringing on the used market (which is next to nothing). You will likely need to do the work yourself or find an independent mechanic that does not charge a $100 an hour to make the repairs, without being into the machine more than you would probably like to be. The engines according to other forums are going for 10K new.

Alot of these engine issues seem to be coming to light. HEF has posted a rash of them as well. A friend of mine who bought a 226B a couple years ago ( try as I did to prevent that) had major engine problems. The machine was out of warranty but only had 300 hours on it. CAT pulled the engine and replaced the crank and bunch of other stuff. They initially said they would not warranty it, but after the guy threatened to tell everyone he knew that CAT and the Dealer sucks they reconsidered and covered everything. I have talked him into trading on a CASE. Some guys just have to find out for themselves.

It really says something if you have to try and get a 257 to work as hard as a T-190. I have never run a 257 but if the standard is the T-190 I can only imagine what a dog it must be.