Avant 528 vs cast 33d

[Brando CalPankian]

We've got dealers for avant and cast close by. I know there's a recent thread that has some info on the art topic, but I didn't want to derail it.

Folks with avants, are they universal plate mounts? It's over $10k cheaper than the cast with the attachments I want. This dealer is a bobcat dealer, and their rep is amazing.

Folks with cast, is the dual speed a big winner? It seems like a more powerful unit. I don't know much about them. The dealer who has these sold us our lift.

Anything I'm missing on this topic? I've only ran an avant a few times years ago. I know this is what I want for versatility, ease of use, and with a bmg to feed the chipper. It'll be better than our tractor now and lift more.

Thanks!

 

[cody willard]

We love our Giant 254/1200 Tele HD

-All metal body.

-In business since 1996.

-They use a universal attachment plate.

-The engines last longer because it’s a automotive style foot pedal, usually during the day we are not using more than 10-25% of the throttle, even during heavy operations.

-It’s very quiet all day because of the small percentage of throttle needed. (it’s not wailing away all day wide open).

-We are getting it around 18-22 hours per tank of fuel.

-8° of oscillation (One of the only machines on the market with this capability), with the center pin pulled. This allows much better traction, less ruts and a way less bumpy ride. The pin can be dropped in to make the frame rigid again for heavy loads.

-Front articulation gives a better load chart.

-The HD versions drive motors are 20% larger (398 cc’s), and more powerful than a Avant 528.

-The booms do not see failures because from the self-leveling system getting in a bind.

- Options for up to a 52 inch stance which can convert to under 36 inches with outer wheel removal, “duals”.

-No tail swing that could hit the side of the house.

-Tighter turn radius vs Avant 528.

- It can be ordered with a second auxiliary hydraulic pump that increases flow to 18 GPH.

-Most Kabota dealers will work on them.

 

[96coal449]

I don't know squat about Cast but fuck Avant. Outfit I work with has the 528. Thing looks like it's been rolled twice and fallen of the trailer 5 times. Plastic is for dirt bikes and 4 wheelers.

Another company I work with has the Lil Giant mentioned above. Night and day difference. Awesome in every regard to the above post. And, for the record, it did fall of the trailer at 45-50mph. It was snowy and strapped down on top of 2 matts. One strap out of 4 broke, allowing slack in the remaining 3. Lil sucker rode the matt to the pavement and never flipped. Stayed on the tires without damage. They learned an easy lesson and switched to chains.

Over all, a much better piece of equipment. Local dealer does need to be more knowledgeable though.

 

[cody willard]

With all eight tires foam filled, this thing can lift a lot!

 

[cody willard]

I don't know squat about Cast but fuck Avant. Outfit I work with has the 528. Thing looks like it's been rolled twice and fallen of the trailer 5 times. Plastic is for dirt bikes and 4 wheelers.

Another company I work with has the Lil Giant mentioned above. Night and day difference. Awesome in every regard to the above post. And, for the record, it did fall of the trailer at 45-50mph. It was snowy and strapped down on top of 2 matts. One strap out of 4 broke, allowing slack in the remaining 3. Lil sucker rode the matt to the pavement and never flipped. Stayed on the tires without damage. They learned an easy lesson and switched to chains.

Over all, a much better piece of equipment. Local dealer does need to be more knowledgeable though.

No jokes, this is a local tree services Avant that’s roughly about the same age as my Giant 254 Tele. Mine after three years looks brand new minus some scuffs.

The whole Giant is thick metal, and pretty much can’t be dented.

 

[cody willard]

Even Cast is reverting away from the European style mini loader, their new version is set up like a Giant with a rear cab.

 

[Luzl78]

Giant or intrepid is the best go to for residential tree work. Must have the dual wheels on both cause they get squirrelly and tipsy with alot of weight hanging out front. Dual wheels foam filled and weight kits.

 

[96coal449]

No jokes, this is a local tree services Avant that’s roughly about the same age as my Giant 254 Tele. Mine after three years looks brand new minus some scuffs.

The whole Giant is thick metal, and pretty much can’t be dented.

Mad Max machine......

Giant or intrepid is the best go to for residential tree work. Must have the dual wheels on both cause they get squirrelly and tipsy with alot of weight hanging out front. Dual wheels foam filled and weight kits.

Forgot about the Intrepid....

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Giant or intrepid is the best go to for residential tree work. Must have the dual wheels on both cause they get squirrelly and tipsy with alot of weight hanging out front. Dual wheels foam filled and weight kits.

My tractor has beer juice filled tires. What's the benefit of foam???

 

[Lupin_IV]

if the cast is from top notch equipment steer clear. Based on memory, I don’t recall any other cast dealers around, sorry if someone else. They are not great to work with unfortunately.

We have a giant and indeed, machine is much more durable but the throttle system takes practice. You push a lever with your foot to disengage driving and have power solely to the grapples hydraulics almost like a clutch. My brother is great with it but it’s not exactly user friendly I.e if you need a newer guy to run it and be successfully independent. I’m constantly pissed at it whenever I have to hop on lol. Avants have a lever that you just throttle up and it stays operating to both. Little faster to feed into chippers and stuff also. If you go avant just rip the plastic fender off right away before a log gets it lol.

But honestly either way is a great purchase, the articulated loaders are truly the best. Haven’t laid plywood for a very very long time, even when lawn is soft. Look forward to hearing what ya get.

Edit : forgot about the dual wheels. We took ours off to stay a little more compact. Adds a little muscle also tho. They are an easy on and off as well. Might really be nice if you have the space for it.

P.s I totally derailed my own thought thinking about the giant when you asked about cast, yikes! Good luck!

 

[chiselbit]

I have a giant 254 tele and my experience with Top Notch Equipment has been great. They have always been very helpful even though I’m on the opposite side of the country. Never ran an avant but I can make the giant dance

 

[Brando CalPankian]

I'm glad the giant is getting mentioned. @Lupin_IV Yeah top notch. Nate has been good to work with, since I bought the lift there. My tractor has the lever. It's dummy proof.

@cody willard thank you for the insight. It's just the info dealers don't really have. I didn't know they could fit through a 36" gate. Cast doesn't make one that small.

 

[Serf Life]

@oceans and @Treetopflyer iirc you folks have experience with Avants?

 

[Mick Dempsey!]

I run an Avant, second one, had Multiones before.
I rate them, but never had a Cast or a Giant so can’t really give you an insight as to which is best.

 

[Treetopflyer]

Can’t speak on cast but our head to head comps with giant and ditch witch all left us totally thrilled with what Avant can do vs others in the same weight , size class we had regular tires no duals no foam filled and the giant was ass up no lift on little gum logs the Avant 528 lifted and moved without question
Operationally speaking like @Lupin_IV said with that foot and hand action using grapple and moving in direction of choice had good experienced operators and newbs all agree Avant had better feel and use ability
If your beating the crap out of it and plastic panels matter that much your not working the machine well imho
Only thing that I didn’t like was that I wanted another so bad after I got one

View attachment IMG_5031.mov

 

[oceans]

Sorry, @Serf Life , yes I have no Avants. My brother does own a Giant 254 Tele. I can’t compare it to anything in the same class. The closest thing by function that I am familiar with is a CAT 545 Grapple Skidder, so that shows what I know. He is still happy with his purchase, but he also has no comparison.

 

[Treetopflyer]

-The booms do not see failures because from the self-leveling system getting in a bind.

Hi Cody I kept searching for this on interwebs when I herd you say this in another thread just haven’t found it or anyone to reference its occurrence ..
did the giant dealer tell you this cause it sounds like something a salesman could say ?

 

[Mick Dempsey!]

Yes I didn’t understand it either.

 

[RyanCafferky]

I run my Avant 528 hard. No mechanical issues so far. The plastic panels do take a beating so if you have a crew that doesn’t take care of things maybe you should go with an all metal machine. That said, every time the panels got damaged it was because someone was doing something they shouldn’t have and they knew it before the damage occurred. I think someone should make aftermarket panels for Avant and sell them to the tree care market.

 

[96coal449]

My tractor has beer juice filled tires. What's the benefit of foam???

They add weight down low. Helps with counter balance and stability too. Doesn't require a bunch of air pressure for a stiff side wall. Seems the foam maintains that and allows a bit of tire flex. Almost like airing down for better traction. No worries of a flat either.

The giant crew I contract to has foamed their tires after a couple years of use. Night and day difference. they also have a bunch of counter balance on the rear bumper. That's probably the only benefit of the Avant with the engine behind operator. It's already counter balanced. I have seen the Avant crew break beads on the tires twice. Theirs are not foamed.

It cripples the work day when you loose the machine. Like the chipper being down.....same affect. Avant lost air due to the terrain and work load. No fault of the machine.

One thing I will add. I've operated the Giant but not the Avant. I found the throttle natural to me. Just like a full sized loader. Being made of steel, it's slimed down and has better visibility, although the footprint is the same. I also like the boom being centrally located.