White/Oliver Backhoe

icesweeper · Dec 15, 2016

Hello, I have a chance to buy a White 4-78-15 backhoe, 3200 hr., in pretty decent shape. Unfortunately a few hundred miles away. Would be used very occasionally on a farm, digging up tile lines, removing trees, minor excavation, pushing snow, etc. What can everyone tell me about these? Were they good machines? Parts availability? Anything to look out for? Believe it has the Waukesha engine in it, how do I tell if it's one of the iffy ones? Or the fact that it hasn't blown up yet means it's okay?

We are used to Whites & Olivers, only tractor every used here. Talked to Tom at OBCI, he wasn't real hip on them, they never sold one or dealt with one.

Thank you for your help.

Dieseltech · Dec 15, 2016

I have a 4-78 diesel forklift, and my brother has the same one that's gas. Ours looks like the 1655 tractor with the reverse-O-torque in place of the over-under drive unit. I can tell you mine is HEAVY, has a 28 foot mast..

johns · Dec 15, 2016

If the price is right and the revotorq works I would buy it. I also have a 4-78 forklift and yes they are heavy duty and well built. I had to do some repairs on the steering, engine overhaul, and new seal kit in the mast but otherwise its been well worth the money. The engine is the same as a 1655, 283 ci direct inj and 265 ci gas. Very good engine in my opinion, esp if it has been updated to the one piece wrist pin bushings and 12 point rod bolts. The revotorq design was made by Funk Transmission, which is now owned by John Deere so some parts may still be available. The one your looking at is a 15 ft hoe, they also made a 17ft. As much as we use our Case 580B backhoe, I wouldn't farm without one. Wish it was an Oliver/White but its better than nothing. Get it bought and post some pictures.

hd6gtom · Dec 15, 2016

Father in law Had 1 -- good hoe, I tried to buy it many times. one day I stopped in and the hoe was gone. I never knew what he did with it.

J. Schwiebert · Dec 15, 2016

Reverse-o-torques were made by Funk as well as Borg-Warner.

Centerplate · Dec 17, 2016

If the intake manifold looks like this one, it is a late 1650 engine. Mine does not have the valves set up with the proper protrusion, so it starts hard in the cold.

2150man · Dec 17, 2016

I have a 4-80-17 and I love the machine it's big but for digging drainage ditches were there is room would be easy for that and their are still parts available look up aj Bellners in Ohio other than the transmission for forward and reverse everything thing else is pretty much olivers the cylinder kits you can get at a local hydraulics shop. The things that I would check would be the coupling from the reverse o torque and the coupling from the hydraulic pump is hard to see but see if it's really worn those two pieces were hard to find

2150man · Dec 17, 2016

I have a 4-80-17 and I love the machine it's big but for digging drainage ditches were there is room would be easy for that and their are still parts available look up aj Bellners in Ohio other than the transmission for forward and reverse everything thing else is pretty much olivers the cylinder kits you can get at a local hydraulics shop. The things that I would check would be the coupling from the reverse o torque and the coupling from the hydraulic pump is hard to see but see if it's really worn those two pieces were hard to find

Oliverfan · Dec 17, 2016

You are asking about a model 15 backhoe, not the model 17 that others are talking about. There is a big difference.

The model 15 uses a hydraulic motor to swing the boom. That is a poor set up. After a while the hydraulic motor gets weak, so that is a big thing to check.

Centerplate · Dec 18, 2016

(quoted from post at 17:29:20 12/17/16) You are asking about a model 15 backhoe, not the model 17 that others are talking about. There is a big difference.

The model 15 uses a hydraulic motor to swing the boom. That is a poor set up. After a while the hydraulic motor gets weak, so that is a big thing to check.

So, was the model 17 a later setup than the 15?

White/Oliver Backhoe

icesweeper

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Dieseltech

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johns

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hd6gtom

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J. Schwiebert

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Centerplate

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2150man

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2150man

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Oliverfan

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Centerplate

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