ASV RT-75 vs ASV VT-80
Quick take: The ASV RT-75 costs $8,000 less; the ASV VT-80 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,800 vs 2,650 lbs); the ASV RT-75 has more engine power (74 vs 72 hp).
| Spec | ASV RT-75 | ASV VT-80 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74,000 | $82,000 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (220) | 4.4★ (120) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 2650 lbs | 2800 lbs |
| Engine HP | 74 hp | 72 hp |
| Operating Weight | 9180 lbs | 8955 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 7570 lbs | 8000 lbs |
| Lift Height | 125 in | 126.5 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 22.6 GPM | 24.7 GPM |
| Engine | Cummins QSF2.8 | Yanmar 4TN86CHT |
| Tracks | Yes | Yes |
| Vertical lift | No | Yes |
| High-flow | Yes | Yes |
| Enclosed cab | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed | Yes | Yes |
| Self-leveling | Yes | Yes |
| A/C & heat | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yr / 2000 hr | 2 yr / 2000 hr |
Pros & cons
ASV RT-75
- ✓The Posi-Track undercarriage with independent torsion axles delivers what owners universally call the best ride in the industry, floating over ruts and rubble that hammer rigid-undercarriage machines.
- ✓Ground pressure as low as the mid-3 psi range lets it work wet turf, bogs, and snow that would strand a Bobcat or Cat, which is the whole reason many owners buy ASV.
- ✓The 15-inch ground clearance is roughly double most competitors, so it crawls over stumps and rocks without high-centering.
- ✓The Cummins QSF2.8 is a proven, widely-serviced engine, and owners like having a common powerplant that any diesel shop can support.
- ✓The open-rail undercarriage design sheds mud and debris instead of packing it, cutting daily cleanup time in sloppy conditions.
- ✓The 125.5-inch hinge-pin height is unusually tall for a radial machine, so it loads trucks better than most radial-lift rivals.
- ✓Track speed tops out well above most CTLs, and operators moving material across big sites appreciate the genuinely fast travel.
- ✓ASV's rubber tracks run cooler and are backed by a strong track warranty, and turf-focused operators report minimal lawn damage.
- ✗The Posi-Track undercarriage has far more moving parts than a steel-embedded design, and mechanics grumble that wheels, bearings, and bogies add up to serious rebuild costs at high hours.
- ✗Replacement tracks and undercarriage components are expensive and more specialized than commodity CTL parts, so owners must budget for them upfront.
- ✗ASV's dealer network is much thinner than Bobcat or Cat, and support quality varies a lot by region — a recurring complaint in owner forums.
- ✗The radial lift path limits reach at full height compared to vertical-lift competitors, making high-sided truck loading less convenient.
- ✗Resale value trails the big brands because the used market for ASV is smaller and buyers fear undercarriage rebuild costs.
- ✗Winter freeze-up in the undercarriage is a known headache, with owners in cold climates reporting ice-packing issues the design can't fully avoid.
- ✗The cab, while improved in the Max-Series, is still judged a step behind Cat and Bobcat for fit-and-finish.
- ✗Derailment can occur if track tension isn't maintained diligently, and inexperienced operators report throwing tracks in aggressive side-hill work.
ASV VT-80
- ✓The 2,800 lb rated capacity finally gives ASV a machine that out-lifts the mainstream mid-frame competition instead of trailing it.
- ✓An 8,000 lb tipping load and vertical lift path make truck loading and pallet work stable and predictable at full height.
- ✓The 24.7 GPM standard circuit is bigger than most rivals' base flow, and the 34.3 GPM high-flow option runs mulchers and blowers that choke mid-frame competitors.
- ✓ASV's suspended Posi-Track undercarriage smooths rough ground so operators can keep speed up without spilling or fatigue.
- ✓Low ground pressure for a near-9,000 lb machine means it works soft, wet, and finished surfaces heavier rivals tear up.
- ✓The 71.5 hp Yanmar turbo needs no DEF and makes its 193.8 ft-lbs of torque low in the rev range where digging happens.
- ✓Dedicated hydraulic coolers and direct-drive pumps support continuous attachment duty in summer heat.
- ✓The 2-year/2,000-hour warranty with no-derailment track guarantee backs the undercarriage other brands make you gamble on.
- ✗The undercarriage's many wheels and bearings need disciplined cleaning and maintenance, and rebuild costs sting when it's skipped.
- ✗Rubber tracks wear fast on rock, concrete, and demo debris, so mixed-surface contractors pay a premium in track replacement.
- ✗ASV dealers are sparse in much of the country, making parts runs and warranty service a logistics problem for rural owners.
- ✗Resale values trail Bobcat, Cat, Deere, and Kubota because the used market discounts the unfamiliar undercarriage.
- ✗At 74 hp it gives up peak power to the 90-110 hp machines buyers cross-shop for heavy mulching work.
- ✗Yanmar engine parts and diagnostics are less common at independent shops than the mainstream brands.
- ✗The model is new enough that long-term durability data is thin, which cautious fleet buyers will notice.
- ✗Purchase price lands at the top of the mid-frame class, and the flotation premium only pays off if your ground conditions demand it.