ASV VT-100 MAX vs ASV VT-80
Quick take: The ASV VT-80 costs $16,000 less; the ASV VT-100 MAX has a higher rated operating capacity (3,500 vs 2,800 lbs); the ASV VT-100 MAX has more engine power (104 vs 72 hp).
| Spec | ASV VT-100 MAX | ASV VT-80 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $98,000 | $82,000 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (110) | 4.4★ (120) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 3500 lbs | 2800 lbs |
| Engine HP | 104 hp | 72 hp |
| Operating Weight | 10835 lbs | 8955 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 10000 lbs | 8000 lbs |
| Lift Height | 132 in | 126.5 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 23 GPM | 24.7 GPM |
| Engine | Yanmar 4TNV94FHT | Yanmar 4TN86CHT |
| Tracks | Yes | Yes |
| Vertical lift | Yes | 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 VT-100 MAX
- ✓The 3,500 lb rated capacity and 132-inch hinge pin height put pallets and heavy loads over tall truck sides that stop mid-frame machines cold.
- ✓The 103.5 hp Yanmar turbo makes 291 ft-lbs of torque, giving mulchers and cold planers real authority when paired with the 41 GPM high-flow circuit.
- ✓The MAX-Series cab is a genuine step change for ASV - roomier, quieter, better sealed, with a modern display and creature comforts that finally match the price.
- ✓The suspended Posi-Track undercarriage floats this 10,800 lb machine over ground conditions that swallow rigid-undercarriage rivals of the same weight.
- ✓Ride quality at speed is the best in the 100 hp class, letting operators keep material in the bucket across rough sites.
- ✓MAX-Series touches like bucket positioning control and dual-direction return-to-position speed up repetitive loading cycles.
- ✓Dedicated coolers and direct-drive pumps sustain continuous high-flow work in summer heat where competitors derate or overheat.
- ✓The 2-year/2,000-hour warranty with ASV's no-derailment track guarantee covers the undercarriage that skeptics worry about most.
- ✗Undercarriage maintenance is multiplied on a machine this heavy - wheels, bearings, and rubber tracks all wear faster under 10,000+ lbs.
- ✗Track replacement costs are substantial, and abrasive or rocky ground shortens track life dramatically.
- ✗ASV's dealer network is thin for a flagship-priced machine, so many buyers are far from warranty support.
- ✗Resale lags the Cat 299/Kubota SVL97 crowd because used buyers discount the unfamiliar undercarriage.
- ✗At 23 GPM the standard flow is ordinary - you need the high-flow option to justify this machine, which pushes the price six figures.
- ✗The Yanmar 4TNV94FHT is newer to North America, and parts plus service familiarity lag Cummins and Kubota.
- ✗Ground pressure is low for the weight, but it's still a big machine - tight residential gates and trailering under CDL limits get tricky.
- ✗Loaded weight plus trailer exceeds what most 3/4-ton trucks should tow, so factor a bigger truck into the total cost.
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.