Re: time to buy a back hoe...advice??

Posted by ShepFL on June 11, 2003 at 08:21:28 from (155.14.78.80):

In Reply to: time to buy a back hoe...advice?? posted by Lynn Kasdorf- Leesburg, V on June 10, 2003 at 13:26:48:

Lynne -
I was in the same boat a few yrs. back. I went out to the local dealers seeking trade in rigs. I ended up with a 1973 MF 50C TLB. I gave little over $3k for it and had offers for $5k plus. Rig just ain't for sale just yet!

I would recommend full size over compact, extra HP is always nice to have in reserve vs. needing it and not having it.

My rig has done everything I have asked it to do. Recently it has been sitting idle for some time as most of the tasks have been done.

Considerations:
How to haul it home? Will you need to haul from place to place? Can you hire it out, use a friends trailer or do you have a trailer big enough?

I would get the push/pull hyd. cylinder type on the boom bucket. I have a swing motor that works but not as smoothly or accurately as the hyd. cylinder rigs.

4WD - optional, I see little need for this. I know my limits and tend to err on the side of caution. Can't say the same for my Oliver 550 as I tend to push it very, very hard at times.

Shuttle shift with hi/lo range.

Power steering a must on full size rig

Check all the pins and bushings. Some of mine are badly worn but since rig is used for farm work accuracy is not that critical. I have approx. 1 foot overswing in my rear boom. Dogs have learned to stay back a little further. Front end is tight.

Others may disagree but I like prefer a DSL over GAS.

Makes sure ROPS is in good shape - no evidence of damage.

Check boom and frame for welds - for a used machines I would expect some welding. If welding in critical areas such as web, frame, spindles, boom pole etc. proceed with EXTREME caution. You will not know who did the welding and last thing you want is a rig that breaks itself in half due to poor welds.

Check condition of all hoses and tires. Tires can be spendy. I had to replace a rear to the tune of $300.

I would not buy one without a demonstration of its ability. Listen to it, watch for leaks, operate all controls. Ask if you can drive it and get a feel for it.

That's all I can think of right now.

Best of luck and let us know what you end up with!
ShepFL

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