Wheel loaders?

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member
I was considering getting a wheel loader to speed up work on my property. I have an MX track so there will always be work for it. One place I looked has an 87 Dresser 520B with 7400 hours and a Cummins 5.9 listed for $23,800. Looks to be in very good condition with good tires but I think has been painted. They also have a 74 Timberjack 1900 with 3388 original hours and a Detroit engine. I think a 4-71 but not sure. Everything looks original and tight but the tires are weather checked. They're asking $21,800 and I think they bought it from an auction for $15,800. I think the 520B is a much better deal and probably a lot easier to get parts for.

Just curious what some of you guys think. Is it sometimes smart to buy older low hour machines? Mind you 7400 hours isn't a lot for a wheel loader or a 5.9 Cummins if the meter is correct.
 
Nothing wrong with the dresser other than the cab is on the front of pivot pin. I hate running loaders like that. I like riding with the engine instead of the bucket. the money seems a little steep on both.
 
Should see if they will let you try the machines out for a week or so before buying.

Personally I'm with 8v92guy in that I like riding on the engine half of the machine as that's what I've almost always run and just what I'm used to.
 
Dresser is a decent loader... I think it would be my choice of the two you're looking at.
That said... my preference would be a Volvo. Either an L70 or L90 depending on how much brute you need. The L90 is probably closer to that dresser. Cat is always nice too but you'll pay for it...

Rod
 
I think an L series Volvo would be a lot higher price because it would be a lot newer? Cat's seem to be a lot higher price too. I don't think it makes a big difference which end the cab is on. They both have advantages. Dresser's seem to be more reasonably priced for the same size and you don't hear too many complaints about them. Some people even consider them one of the best loaders ever made. The Timberjack must have a 4-53 and noise would be a concern along with parts support. LoL I'm not in a hurry but just looking for opinions. Any loaders to avoid in the 2 1/2 yd. size?
 
There are lots of Dressers up here in the North that move mountains of snow -- never realy hear of any major problems . Never heard of a Timberjack loader only skidders -- would like to see a pic. of that.
 
I'd avoid the TJ... I didn't even know they made loaders. I can't imagine that support would be great for them today given their probable production numbers and the fact that it's owned by Deere today.
The Volvo's have been around here for 25 plus years now as either Volvo or Michigan branded loaders. An L70 would be in the price range of that Dresser you're looking at. In terms of wheel loaders in this area... Michigan/Clark was long the standard so when Volvo acquired them they more or less brought the business along. You either had the Cat guys or the clark guys... and still do. There's always some others around but Dresser/Komatsu are kind of an orphan here. I'm sure they're a decent enough machine but there's just not many around. Cat is probably a second in wheel loaders here in the utility size market compared to Volvo.... while Cat has the large market for the most part. Volvo's were the first in this area with good 4 speed auto transmissions, LONG life engines and tight nimble hydraulics. If you have a good presence out there with Strongco... that's the way I'd be leaning if I could find one reasonably.
What I would probably avoid is something like the old Ford loaders.... A-62, A-64, A-66. Not that they're bad loaders.... but their support is sparse today. A lot of stuff in them is common components and what you see in the parts system is the goold ole' 'procure locally' which boils down to a wild goose chase...
I'd avoid some of the ancient Cat stuff too as some of their parts support is starting to get thin.


Rod
 
Stick I follow a lot of auctions and nothing wrong with the dresser 520 but the price. Nice ones around here bring 12 to 15 thousand with some older ones getting down in the single numbers. Check around before you pay that for one.
Or click on my name and send me an e-mail and I will hook you up with one.
 
A 520B probably came with an IH engine and was switched to a Cummins. A 520C came with the Cummins. I have had a 1990 520C for 10 years with very good luck. I don't have a problem at all with the steering.
The price seems a little high, but if the loader is tight and has good rubber that would make a difference. The IH was a good engine, but the 5.9 Cummins is what I'd prefer.
DWF
 
BUT machinery trader is ASKING price, most units on there do not sell for the price asked. Better to check auction prices to get a fair estimate of what something is worth. Just my thinking it is your money so if it is worth that to you that makes it worth it. Any appraisal of a units worth is a sale between willing seller and willing buyer, can,t argue that.
 
These are asking price too at a used equipment dealer. I've talked with them in the past and they seemed to be on the up and up. I can't say that about all used dealers I've talked too.
 

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