Review: CAT 299D3 for Mulching / Land Clearing by Dirttraxx Land Clearing
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- Опубликовано: 25 сен 2022
- First off, this is my first video I’ve made like so it’s a little shakey. This is a basic overview of what I feel like sets the ASV RT-120F, the John Deere 333G, and the CAT 299D3 apart from each other from a mulching standpoint. More videos will come on the other 2 machines in the near future!
Dirttraxx Land Clearing is an Oklahoma based mulching company operating since late 2020 servicing the entire state. Feel free to contact us in the comments with any other questions regarding these machines.
Excellent review,. Can't wait for the other two. Thinking about starting my own clearing business. At the moment tornen between cat and Deere
Thanks! I’ve been so busy lately, but hoping for some more time to get that done later this week!
Do you guys buy or lease your machines? Also you should review your mulchers
Good review. I have all the same complaints about our cat. I also feel it’s easy to throw a track when the mulcher is on it because of the weight out front.
Our machine had AC issues too and it wouldn’t blow cold ac even when it had new filters and clean condenser. It ended up being a electronic control that switches heat to Ac and the valve would get stuck sometimes more to the heat side or vice versa. I believe it was under the cab. The new Asv 135 cab is amazing. Trying that demo next week. Cat dealer support is top notch.
Yes, I’m planning to get a couple 135’s, but waiting for first year flaws to get worked out.
Hey nice 2 see! My cat 255 had a radiator fan that return every 10 min and browser out the dust and leaves it was een option. Gr
Yes, a reversing fan is a must with mulching for sure with all that debris and dust flying around. I believe a reversing fan comes standard on just about all of the 100hp+ machines these days.
Many years ago, I was a logger of evergreen timber. I liked select timber logging because it gave other trees nearby a better chance and growing into a nice tree. I didn't care for cutting hardwood as they are a lot harder to find for good straight trees and not full of defects. I changed my mind after becoming a sawyer and seeing pretty different figurines. That's when I got hurt in logging and I started making bowls or other nice stuff for inside a home. I also started cutting firewood and other things to keep from drawing money for being hurt. I thought that its my fault for getting hurt so pay my own way. I started to make my own wages and it was addictive..... very much so and so many of my used to be hobbies were now ways to make a living. I did my own mechanicing and boy oh howdy, it was as easy as falling off of a log to earn really good money fixing automobiles. I finally picked on one brand of vehicle and then is when I got very wealthy and so when I started taking care of people who were old and needed someone to help them..... well lets just say that I got real stupid. A older gentleman was outside trying to clean his gutters and I went over and told him to come down, I would do that for him. His operation was totally dangerous. I asked him quite nicely and all but he says "I am just fine, stands on one leg on one rung of this wooden ladder, that rung broke because he bounced on it with his large frame, comes sailing down and I reached out and caught him!! It tore the pocket on his tee shirt but otherwise he was well and fine and although his fall was only fifteen feet to the sidewalk, I was not okay at all. I remember asking him if he felt okay and he was laughing, saying thanks for catching me! I passed out but came to in a hospital room..... several days later. My neck was broken in several places which required two of those vertebra to have to be fused or I might die from that alone. Going on down was the thoracic vertebra which were fine but a few broken ribs. Now comes the end of this horrible day... every lumbar vertebra was crushed and was of need of correcting in some manner, which over the next five years of intense surgeries, cost me every dime I had, I lost my home, my garage, my automobiles, tools, everything but a couple shirts, a pair of pants, my shoes on my feet and two dogs... which by this time were twelve.... and in another six months my worst day ever happened! I had to have them put down because of being poor, no one would help me to save them saying..... "They are really old dogs" and do not need money thrown to them so have them put down!!! I still cry as I am right now thinking about the fact those two dogs had saved my life so many times and yet when they needed me, I couldn't help them. I am crying now and finding it too hard to type this too long comment so this seventy three years old foolish man shall sign off
That Cat will run its heater all day in December, January, and February!
You forgot the seal coming off around the bottom of the door. Other than that... YES! Especially the lack of power to the tracks. A lot of times when I'm mulching, I have to back up and go forward to turn instead of being able to rotate the machine or turn the mulcher off to rotate and then turn it back on. REALLY frustrating in tight spots on hillsides! Now if CAT will actually watch your video!
I actually have not had that problem on the 299 unless the bottom of the door chipped which this one is and once that happened, the seal definitely doesn’t hang on anymore. Thanks for the comment and feedback!
Thank you for putting this video together. Appreciate your insights.
Is there a higher rpm radiator fan that pushes more air for cooling?
It’s possible although I doubt it as it sounds like a jet trying to takeoff. The CAT mechanics told me it’s pretty normal to overheat when mulching with them in the summer. He said they get sent out for it all the time but not much they can do. On one of them, they did install a new radiator with wider fins and it seemed to help a little bit. They did also reprogram the fan on all my machines to kick in earlier and stronger.
Hey thanks for making this video. I felt compelled to share some thoughts from my experience and also ask a question.
1). There is definitely something wrong with your AC. My 299XE has always been able to run you out of the cab. I actually had my AC go out at one point in the machine and took it in and it was fixed under warranty, compressor went out. Ice cold again so definitely get yours checked.
2. I did a demo on a new TL12 when I demoed my 299. I actually was leaning towards the TL until I got some field time with them. The CAT beat it in every category (mulching power, comfort, cab was more quiet, more track power, etc.). If you don’t like the track power when mulching with your 299 you definitely wouldn’t like the TL. I do like the look of the TL12 more though.
3. The only difference in my setup is I don’t have the saddle tanks. Kinda regretted not getting them but it was nother 8k. I actually talked to another 299 owner and he said that their not as stable doing dirt work or grapple work with the saddles so I’m glad I have the counter weights as I do both. Would you get the saddle tanks if you bought another 299 or would you opt out like me? The only benefit I see is that the saddle tanks open up the engine compartment so it breaths a little more.
Great review… from a practical user point of view… not nit picky at all!
Thanks!
CAT and Takeuchi both have Kubota motors, you just pay a hell of a lot more for yellow paint
We are using a Kubota SVL 95-2 with a Diamond mulching head. Works really well together. Had a question the blue diamond forestry head how do you like it? we're looking to buy a forestry head but there are some many out there, and for what they cost we would like to get one that's reliable.
First of all, Diamond Mowers and Blue Diamond are two different things. I actually sold that Diamond Mowers head seen in this video. I would go with FAE or Cimaf personally. I had a lot of issues with bearings on the Diamond but I’ve heard they’ve fixed those issues now.
Someone said you can change the speed of the engine fan on the CAT , check with your service department on that ! Just ordered a new one myself.
You’re correct on that. Mine has been turned up to the max but the problem is….it made little to no difference cooling wise except that it sounds like a jet engine everywhere you go which is kind of cool I guess.
Ah man , that sucks. I've heard of a few people with the same problem. I'm in PA so I don't get that southern heat. Never had issues with my deer getting too hot except in the August heat a few times. Have to see about this new 299 .. that's a lot of engine stuffed in a tight spot , what can you do I suppose.
Did you make the other reviews on the ASV and Deere?
The Deere review is done and I’ll be posting it in the next couple days!
Review the others plz🙏🏾 Also deere has suspension option.
How comes u use CTL over dedicated unit?
To my knowledge, the Deere “suspension” option is really just a feature that allows the boom to float up and down while moving which does help, but I could be wrong.
To answer your other question, we are getting a dedicated unit soon, but just how it worked out to start with the smaller, easier to transport equipment. Once we have dedicated equipment, I intend to sell all the CTL’s except one.
Stay tuned and subscribe as we are going to be working on doing another review this week!
So you have run several different brand machines mulching. Which do you think is the best for mulching. It seems like from what I have read that all of them have cooling issues except the ASV and it has track issues LOL I was leaning toward an ASV but now I am a little leary of the track issues AND the dealer network is nothing near what Cat & Kubota has. I love John Deere equipment...just got rid of a 650 dozer but I have not seen great reviews on them being used for mulching. Why do you not use the JD for mulching anymore?
ASV is by far the best. I’ve not really had any track issues except a snapped undercarriage which you can see in one of my other videos. Wasn’t a big deal, just added a plate to it and it’s been fine. ASV tracks are superior in my opinion as I’ve never had the track pop off an ASV but have had them pop off numerous times on CAT and Deere. It’s really nice just not having to worry about then coming off. ASV’s have had axle trouble which I believe may be what you’re referring to, but the newer they are, the better built the axles are as older machines had a lot more problems with them. Finally got my editing software up and going so I will be posting full reviews on ASV and Deere soon.
The Deere just overheats way too much to be practical for mulching in the summer in addition to not having as much power as CAT and ASV
@@dirttraxx Thanks for the reply. Yes I was referring to your post on the axle problem and I have seen several other videos on ASV undercarriage issues. (Should have said that rather than track issues) I guess CSTK is the only ASV dealer here in the state (I live in Oklahoma too). How has their customer support/service been for you?
My '18 299xhp will straight up freeze your legs in the summer time... you may need a charge top off on the ac system.
CAT came out and checked it and had the same issue on both machines. It could just be the machine isn’t able to keep it cool when running the mulcher when the whole machine is generating so much heat itself. The other issue with the air was it just blowing so slowly which I realize is a dust issue getting in somewhere and clogging the system but I would replace filters frequently with little change. I realize it must be clogging somewhere else in the system, but our ASV’s have never needed blown out anywhere but the filter so that’s really the basis for the complaint with the air.
Believe that is specific to mulching only. There is a ton of extra heat from the hydraulic under constant workloads.
@@littlefinkle7757 you’re 100% correct. If it was having issues with other work, something would have to be wrong with it.
Thanks for the review. Now, I am more confused. As everybody shared, there’s no perfect ctl for mulching.
You’re exactly right. You really just have to choose which one has the fewest drawbacks
Thanks
No problem!
Try cleaning out the coils under the cab. When my coils get clogged it doesn’t blow worth a crap.
You’re right for sure. Just a pain to have to deal with as other machines you don’t ever have to mess with it on.
I work at a facility that builds these and I did not know of all these flaws. I have noticed the radio position is not ideal.
Yeah, like I said they aren’t huge things for the most part, just things I believe were designed by a guy in an office rather than someone that lives with the machine. And also, a lot of these aren’t really flaws if you’re using the machine for anything besides mulching.
@@dirttraxx that is true in every industry. When I worked on Volvo's you could tell it was designed by committee and not by someone with real world experience.
Do you have any experience with the Takeuchi TL12? If so, how does it compare to these?
I wish I did! Have talked to quite a few guys that do run them, but never run them myself
The AC not cooling well is a big deal. Nothing worse than roasting in the summer.
For sure
Unless they put another radiator for the engine on top with the hydraulic cooler
While I do believe that would help, that can’t be the only issue as our ASV’s run cool all day long and they don’t have anything on the roof except the AC so I’m sure CAT could figure out a way to make the current setup work.
I would love to see a bobcat t870 vs the cat 299
I’m working on getting a hold of one for a test as I don’t own and have never used a Bobcat.
@@dirttraxx i have a t870 for mulching and have had horrible luck with it. constantly breaking down. Electical problems, computer problems, hydraulic leaks constantly. have about 2500 hrs on it now. Had several major component failures while under warranty. they said they changed entire hydraulic system at one point. its horrible to work on, everything is so tight you cant even get to the hoses that leak behind the engine. mulching without an secondary cooler, i never got high hydraulic temps surprisingly except for the 2 times that the hydraulic fan motor was going bad so i was loosing rps on fan speed. however, we do constantly fight high fuel temperatures. Fuel temp has been out biggest problem since day one while mulching. the machine has been ultimately unreliable and i think we will be getting rid of it soon for another brand. thats why im watching your video.
Cat has by far the best cab. Can’t speak to running a mulcher but in the dirt car is superior, if the tracks stay on. Not a cat fan either. John Deere is an ok farm machine and that’s it.
Excellent review mate! Id love you to compare my TL12V2.
I’d like to run a Tak to see how they compare myself actually!
Do you have a review of the ASV?
Unfortunately it’s not complete yet!
A lot of what you say is true about the machine.
Ford dodge or gm the most important is dealer support
100%
Was the thing on top of the cat??
It’s the hydraulic cooler!
Not to be rude or anything but you may want to read the specs on the machines before you start telling people about the machines because those tanks are 52 gallons total. The machine makes 110 hp on the cat anyways.
Good catch on the horsepower. I actually just looked it up after you commented, and we are both wrong on fuel capacity as the CAT website says it’s 58 gallons. Thanks!
Shame that Cat is a leader in the industry and yet know their machine can’t run cool enough to get the job done.