I have been through 2 ASV’s and they’re literally the worst option on the market. They will not stay running and then their sales and service is subbed out. They are only a manufacturer. The sales and service is separate and dealers are privately held and you can’t hold them accountable. My dealer usually took 7-10 days to even look at the problem and then would hardly ever fix the problem. Dealer has 1 tech for the entire market and he’s brain dead and lazy. You can tell he doesn’t like the small stuff and does not like getting dirty and is full of excuses. The managers are absolutely clueless on customer service. The reps are awful at sales and communication. Steer clear of the Asv. Cat 299 is the best option. Definitely not as much power but it’ll stay running and the sales and service is in house and corporate.

Man I'm glad I watched this video! I am trying to decide what machine to get, needless to say ASV is no longer on my short list.

There is price gouging going on all over the place. Prices went up when supply was low during and after covid and they have not come back down. Greed is exactly what it is.

Thank you for your extremely honest feedback. We ourselves are looking at purchasing one of these units. I will certainly use your notes here and consider our options. God bless you sir for this post.

Another great video, i really like ur honesty on these reviews. Look forward to the next video. Week done. Cheers

Awesome video! I really hope ASV listens to your feedback!

Great review. I have ~ 400 on mine running 90% Mastodon Mulcher. Fortunately no AC issues. You could hang meat in my cab even on a warm day. You hit several of my big issues. Diesel fill tube. I hear they have a warranty fix for this an will check out. DEF Tank cap. ARGHH. Easiest thing in the world for them to fix - use same style cap as the diesel cap. the stock locking one is cheap and tough to get back on tight. Get one with ears to lock if you want, but not required. And the biggest pain for me is checking hydraulic fluid. My eyes aren't what they used to be, and even using red hydraulic dye in my oil I still can't read it easily. I loved the one on my old 75HD that was mounted on the rear firewall. Easy to see level. All that said, the machine is a beast. You can run all day in the TN summer and it won't overheat. Just as you said it's important to blow out at the end of the day, but that's true on all mulching machines. I will add that the emergency hatch is multiuse. No need to replace any gaskets. That wire you show is a retaining wire. It keeps the hatch from falling to the ground when you exit. Much better to go out through top than over hot engine with rear window hatch. I have done it a couple times when stuck. No big deal to get it and out, aside from getting dirt or mud on your armrests and seat. I like this design. Lastly I am 6'3" and haven't had an issue with in cab light. Frankly forgot it was there. Agree on winch issue. Way too much money and should be mfg optioin. Appreciate the time and effort you put into this. While sorry to hear about your AC issues. Hope your dealer can fix under warranty promptly, and once and for all. I am very happy with mine overall, but you hit on some of the small issues that have been bugging me. I hope they fix them all on future builds.

100% thank you for making this. Helped me a lot.

I looked after a pt100g forestry machine here in australia for 7yrs. The only good thing i found with it was that it kept me employed.

Cant wait for the next videos , was fixing to pull the trigger on this machine , im pumping the brakes a little now , thanks

People are not really willing to pay the prices, there is actually no choice but to pay to their demands. Good honest video. Thankyou.

lol I love the fact that on ASVs website they say that the Bobcat T870 doesn’t have SJC controls. What a flat out lie 😂

Thanks for your input. I’ve been looking for a true review.

Boy that is a good looking machine. All the drawback and inconveniences you’ve experienced make it a tough call to justify the price in my opinion. I hope it serves you well enough for a long time. Thanks for sharing your experience and great video! 💪🏽🤠👌🏽

Im in Nebraska too and was really thinking about an ASV to shred trees. Thank you for this video. I'll go with the Cat 299 instead. I really appreciate your review.

I do foresty mastication/ mulching and love takeuchi tl12 high flow. Same weight . No problems and very comfortable to run all day. Fuel up at end of day.

I really enjoy this channel maybe you could pump out more videos thanks again for sharing

I really hope ASV sees this video and makes improvements. For the price, they better watch this video.

Well, this is a very credible review. ASV will lose a ton of sales from this 1 video. Very thorough, GREAT JOB!

Highly useful detailed and useful review based on real life experience. Thank you very much for taking the time and effort to providing this review. I have been considering the RT-135 for about 6 months as I prepare to clear. Most of the issues you highlight can and should be addressed as part of updated design. Strategically they need to embrace the RT-135 as a multi-purpose CTL. It’s too expensive for small operations to require yet another expensive piece of machinery to pick up the slack that the RT-135 is perfectly capable of performing.

Case just quoted me a tv620b for $116k. 115hp. Don't know how it compares to that size wise. I have tr340b and am happy so far

Cut a old tire iner-tube and stick in the frame to protect the hoses .

On the hydraulic oil light, pull the hose off of the fan box and you’ll be able to see it easily. But yes I agree it’s not in a good spot.

Whats the fuel consumption like with that attachment? Bought one and curious what to expect

I would love to hear what you would say about the JCB Teleskid

In the first minute of the video you said something about government grant being messed up. Can you go in to details it?

Same here, our Rt-120, hurry up and get something done before it breaks again! When it runs, it’s pretty darn good but,,,, that dealer screwed you, poor customer service.

So does the positive out weighs the negative? The asv forestry escaped roof is a great feature. It has backup camera, a full view of your surrounding with all around glas view. Thats a winner in my books.

I have an ASV 120 and both drive motors and tandem pump went out around 1000 hours with 477 miles on it. Warranty had expired so $25,000 to repair. The drives and pump should last a lot longer. They have plastic pieces in the drives underneath the plungers that disintegrate. The quality is horrible especially for how much you pay for these machines.. The visibility is also horrible so its easy to hit stumps while mulching because you can't see. From hitting a stump it tweaked the frame a little. Now the bucket doesn't sit level. My last ASV was a PT100 and was 100 times more reliable than the 120 but the undercarriage parts didnt last long and were expensive to replace. I'm done buying ASV skidsteers.

Thanks for the review! I placed an order for one just about a year ago. They wouldn't lock the price, so I refused to put down a deposit. Glad I did. I will probably pass on the machine (if it ever actually arrives). Way too long to wait (I've already bought and received 4 other machines in the interim) and their business practices seem to be pretty crappy.

Bummed at 5four you are hitting your head? Im a foot taller. Thanks for a honest review,

Love my little RT40.. no way compares, but gosh durn, it will climb a wall. I live in the middle of a forest, and it's perfect for me. can lift and move a 25' 25" diameter tree trunk. Weighs only 4300. Never threw a track.. Engine is a Kubota 3 cyl with a Tiny Turbo.l. 1.5L I believe. No Complaints..

Thanks for reviewing I see these ASV's in use a lot here in Alabama (CAT's and JD are more prevalent). I've used a Cat machine with forestry head on it (drum style). They are very expensive. I have a John Deere 320E wheeled skid steer for my property with foot controls, I am an amateur and I look for reliability and serviceability above all else. I love machinery but when the bean counters and engineers go crazy, you end up with the problems you are having.

My dang nozzle clicks off constantly on my truck and tractor. I carry a screwdriver and shove under handle. No more clicks off. Just have to watch when getting close to full

Buenas tardes amigo me encanta este mini cargador forestal como lo ago para comprar quiero para Bolivia muchas gracias.

what was the problem with ac?

That is what asv mowers do they spend more time in the shop most guys have tool truck to go around with you

I'll never be able to afford one of these, but I would say they sell you on the power and tell you to go have a nice day on quality or ergonomics. I'll be watching your video on the problems next.

They need to fire their marketing team and just hire some actual users to tell them what is wrong with their machine. 160 grand and all they got right was a cup holder.

Dude… I have one more payment left on my 120. I really enjoyed your complaints and they are the same I have. I really would like to give a handful of words to the ASV engineers. I have 1350 hours on mine and it’s been a OK machine. I wouldn’t buy a 120 or 135. If I continue mulching I would highly consider a lamtrac or a 299. However… the ASV 75 is not bad to have to push dirt and bushhogg.

I would not keep a new CTL with so many problems early on. My lawyer would make ASV buy it back. I have a Case DL550 with a Fecon head and I’ve had zero problems. I previously had a 333G which I liked a lot but when the Case TV620B came out it destroyed Deere specs in every way. When I ordered the 620, my dealer told me about the DL so I went that way.

Sorry for all of the pain you’ve been through. No excuse for that kind of performance. Good luck to you. Think I’ll stick with my Deeres

Ah interesting here angle can operate on is 30, yea an inclinometer could be handy, you could get a analouge ball type mounted somewhere ?

Precision armor is the best option for a winch and bumper. The extra weight eliminates a lot of the front end diving.

I own two 135s I haven’t had much trouble with it

How is the pushing power? Can you push thru a full pile of gravel or dirt without stalling the tracks?

Hey, Not a fan of ASV the undercarriage in that sidebar for tension I do not like one bit I know people that have been. Just going over a curb on the street it's it's built mainly just for brush cutting it's not even even it's not designed to do dirt work I've been looking at the Hyundai the new TCL unit and it looks pretty good so far I would probably stick with either cat or the case or the Hyundai the Hyundai excavators aren't bad at all

There's a reason why Kubota still dominates this market segment is I imagine the lesson. John Deere making noise now too and who isn't these days at these prices. The bad news is the US tractor market is so over-retailed now being forced to compete on price now. Doesn't sound like there is any good news here..

1922 weld a lip on those knife edges. Use pipe. One minute gasket is amazing.

Big New Holland Boys only way to go , bloody ASV is built like a caravan out of parts from multiple manufacturers, never know who you have to deal with, and as for that track system more moving parts than the coke canning plant and it’s all in the dirt what do you reckon is going to happen , any how back to the video By the way good luck with it but if it was me I would unload it and buy something solid before you start Cheers from Aus

You mentioned a grant. We there assistance to help Buy this unit?

Wow this company basically told you, you’re buying this machine. I’ve walked of auto dealerships when they talk to me the way they talked to you! There are many brand skid steers out there that are as good as asv!

great video, where is part 2??

3 weeks ago still no info on actual problems with the machine

Nice Vid!

I heard Bobcat was #1. What do you pros think?

Damn, do you have anything good to say about it? My father just picked this exact model up but haven’t put it to work yet. You make me feel like we’ve made a mistake lol

Did you ever try a Takeuchi?

Does your fuel usage work on the job clock screen?

Bruh no way id spend 135k when i was planning on spending 80k, thats freakin crazy.

so, after a season of use, what's your opinion on the track system? I've read several reviews talking about the ASV's undercarriage. More negative than positive. I'm taking this with a grain of salt however, as more people tend to use the internet to bitch, not praise.. swaying the perceived 'poll results'. Besides being more expensive to replace typical rollers, tracks and sprockets- My main concern is how it's handling the blizzard of wood shrapnel getting in the rollers/drive sprockets/lugs and tearing things up..Does it show any signs of issues at this time?

I’ve had a ASV PT50 since 2009, everything you touched on is exactly what I’ve experienced. I’m sure Buck isn’t happy about this video.

CASE TV620 is bigger and heavier btw

Don't worry once you start getting hours you'll be rebuilding boggy wheels and new tracks

Tried a 135... Not worth the price because of breakdowns.

Manufactured in. ??

Well i will not buy a ASV !! Looking for a used Trac loader can't swing a new one for sure.

Sounds like more problem than use with this thing.

Normal people can not afford one and the company has no integrity. . Seems like for that much money, they would be perfect . I would be way beyond infuriated. What a shame. Disgusting. The price definitely relates to pure greed We the people coukd solve this problem but ruch bots with more money than they have sense refuse to boycot with us for several years until they come down about $30,000.which would at least allow someone other than the government and people in businesses that make $1,000 a day to buy one. Maybe Yanmar will solve these problems.

If you had to do it all over again what would you buy?

Double nut torsion rod, use additional jamb nut

Why ASV When There Are Better Brands Like BOBCAT CAT JCB VOLVO And KUBOTA And More ? If I Needed A Machine Like That I Would Choose VOLVO Just To Be Different And The People Using Them Really Like VOLVO !

70% of the cost of this machine was profit

Law suite, send it back Go with a different brand

Buy a Cat 299 D3 XE- Save money, time

so you telling this machine is not perfect great sign me up for 2 of them....in all words nothing is perfect. if its man made its going have problems...I'm not auger back and forward. and like you said no machine out there is better than that machine.... I agree.

If you play in the trees you will tear the crap out of the machine

Thank you for the review. I was considering this unit, but I'll pass. What a pile of shit

I have one. It’s garbage compared to my cats.

you should have bought a John Deere 333 g.

Buy the new 335 deere

Buy a johndeere if you want a ctl

Yikes! Your intro implies it's a piece of junk that is more a garage queen than a productive pece of equipment. Sorry I stopped watching when you said it broke down "again" after 5 hours. Going back to FAEs and Prinoths

So the take on this machine is rubbish and deserves a rubbish review.

It’s bad enough for the contractor paying high prices buying/fixing equipment, it’s excruciatingly painful for the contractors customers because those costs have to be passed on, especially on small jobs. I’ve rented three different brands of small loaders and excavators for work on my property. All accomplished the tasks well but I’m glad I rented cause I found many quirks that would anger me if I had to buy. I laughed about refueling. It’s even more of a pain in the ass refueling from five gallon cans.