Went yesterday to check out this loader. Found it with the engine out of it so I couldn't tell about it's running condition. He is putting rings and bearings (.010 over) in a 530 Case tractor engine to replace the original engine that tossed a rod thru the block. What I noticed wasn't too bad but I wanted opinions from you guys who know tracked machines better than I do. Both rear leveling cylinders appear to have been leaking some and one lift cylinder too. Repacking them is probably no big job, I assume? The dump linkages are pretty loose and "floppy" when you push them side to side. I'm guessing the bucket pins are loose too, but with it down on the ground I couldn't tell. Can the bushings and pins be replaced and how expensive and how tough is the job? The undercarriage appears pretty decent. The left side is likely original, with a spoke sprocket and idler. The track is a bit loose and the adjuster shows about 3 1/4 inches of thread exposed. The right side has solid a sprocket and idler, track looks about right tension, and 2 1/2 inches of exposed thread on the adjuster. The sprockets looks like they are aligned about the same (measuring from the frame to the sprocket teeth) on both sides. Both tracks have 33 twelve inch pads with good grousers. The underside of the tracks (is that what is called rails?) has alot of meat left. The rollers all have good shape to them and none are showing any signs of loose bearings or grease seeping out. How much adjustment is left with this much thread exposed? Is it likely that the adjusters will be frozen as the threads are rusted and only somewhat pitted. Will it hurt to heat the adjusters to free them up if they are frozen? He said the gas tank is rusty so he cobbled up a 25 gallon tank on a frame welded to the big rear weight. I'd be worried about backing into something with that tank sticking out like it does. It has a 5 foot bucket with a nice cutting edge bolted underneath, no teeth. Hourmeter shows almost 6300 hours and the machine has paint on it but it's pretty faded. He said it has had the steering clutches replaced, but he didn't say when. He is asking $4400 for it. I think that might be a bit on the high side. What is your opinion and what have I missed that I need to check when he gets it running?
sorry I have written a book here, but I wanted to get everything in so you all would get a good idea of what it is. Many thanks!!
Mike
sorry I have written a book here, but I wanted to get everything in so you all would get a good idea of what it is. Many thanks!!
Mike