1550B JCB 1985

I JUST BOUGHT IT YESTERDAY, SOUNDED TO GOOD TO BE TRUE, DROVE 300MI WITH TRAILER THEY SAID IT HAD 2395 HOURS IN THE AD, WHEN I GOT THERE THE HOURMETER DIDNT WORK AND PROBABLY HAD NOT FOR SOME TIME. IT RAN WELL SO I BOUGHT IT,9900.00 + 7% TAX. DID I PAY TO MUCH?????

What's the overall condition of the machine? Location?
In good condition here in my area of IL that machine would likely sell in the $6500-7000 range. I've seen them advertised for twice that but I don't see them selling for that.
That could just be a regional thing though. Not allot of JCB's in this area.
Time to ask is before you buy, but if it's in exceptional condition it could easily make up the difference in value.

I have an '85 JCB 1550. I'd say you paid all the money and then some for it. But that really depends on condition. Im my opinion, if you manage to find a really nice one with minimal wear and tear and/or completely rebuilt, then it could be worth that much. Otherwise one in good condition should be available from a private seller for about $6500-$7500 give or take a thou. That same machine a dealer will probably ask about what you paid for yours (after slapping on a 100mph yellow paint job, of course).

One thing to remember about JCB's in the US though: these are very well respected machines abroad and they generally are very well built. But there are peculiarities being a foreign (British) machine that can make them more expensive to maintain and at times make parts availability a problem.

For instance, the hydraulic hoses on your machine have British ends on them. If you blow a hose or want to replace your dry rotted ones with new ones, you usually can't just go down to the local hydraulic shop and have them made up (like you can for a Case, Deere etc). Nope, you gotta get them at the JCB dealer or find and order the specialized fittings from somewhere else and then have someone join them to hoses for you. Gonna be more expensive than common hydraulic hoses on American machines.

On the other hand, the Perkins motor is easy starting, plenty of power, runs fantastic and is very reliable. The shuttle shift transmission is the same (or nearly the same) as that used in Case machines of that time. Overall it's a good machine. The extradig hoe extender adds value if you have that.

A few more thoughts: parts prices can vary according to foreign exchange rates between the British pound and the US dollar. Our dollar is steadily losing value due to our $17 Trillion debt (and climbing), but then the pound is being debased as well (along with the euro). But if the dollar really starts to slip, expect prices to go up accordingly.

Also, "1550" means the hoe can dig about 15.5 feet deep. The JCB numbering system they use generally refers to depth the hoe can dig. "JCB" stands for John Cyril Bamford, a british guy that is generally credited with inventing the tractor loader backhoe. In fact, the name for "backhoe" in UK/Europe is "JCB."

Good luck with your new machine.

People saying parts are hard to find and more expensive, not sure that is correct. If you have an early case and try and find good parts is impossible. One reason is that they far more cheaply built than JCB. I have one from 1977 3C MK2 and can still get parts from AIS, a MI. based company but send parts all over the US.

JCB made and sold more backhoes last year than all others combined, they must be doing something right.

Where do you get those sales figures from? I doubt N. American sales would be included in selling more than all competitors combined. JCB makes a good machine but the early JCB's were very crudely built with the bucket about a city block in front of the grill.