Gale Hawkins
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2009
- Messages
- 11,733
- Location
- Murray, KY
- Tractor
- 1948 Allis Chambers Model B 1976 265 MF / 1983 JD 310B Backhoe / 1966 Ford 3000 Diesel / 1980 3600 Diesel
Saturday morning we looked at an Ebay sourced JD 310 B 25 miles away then the same model that evening 125 miles away that was found on Craigslist. The Ebay unit sounded powerful but was one major patched up BH with the RR wheel missing a lug bolt and was working (not tight) causing a popping/clucking sound from time to time. It was the kind you would hid behind an outbuilding. 
We expected the same from the one sourced from Craigslist so the kids had their heart set on a visit to Opry Mills Mall (Nashville) to bounce then eat.
It turned out we ate at McDonald's in the first town on the way back home at about 10 PM. Both the son and daughter (12 year olds) said BUY IT so the inspection and dealing got serious.
We got there just before dark and when we walked up to it I knew if we were serious about getting an old BH this one needed a serious look. It had not even been washed or steamed so you could judge the leaking issues quickly and while being used with dings, etc was was straight looking with OK paint/decals for that era and the only welding was on the buckets due to wear. Most pins and bushings are fine for private farm use except for about 4. Some hoses were new some where old and only one needs to be replaced before it sees much use.
The owners had purchased it three years ago from Craigslist and put together a 24 acre place including site prep for building. Since they did not plan to use the BH much anymore they wanted to get just a loader for their newer Kabota.
I rode down with the truck driver yesterday to pick it up and finish the business deal and we unloaded it at the house at 10 PM and the kids had to test out the hoe. Our son wanted to dig a hole but I said NO since it was set up in the middle of the rock covered driveway.
Being 27 years old we expect it to need some things but it starts, runs, moves and stops well. I have read the manual twice and hope to fine a parts and shop manual but unlike for Case and others they are not floating around on Ebay, etc for JD it seems.
Time will tell but we are happy today. We got a straight looking 1983 JD 310 B and expect to keep it for 10-20 years if it does not develop major power train issues.
After some soap and water, rubbing compound and wax plus a new seat the general appearence will be fine. Appearence is somewhat important to us. It will be visable where it is parked and most likely the only loader/backhoe we will ever own but even more important I think it indicates the kind of past care it has had. I noticed it had NAPA Gold line of filters which indicates to me service was of concern for the past owners.
If you are in the market I feel for you. It is really hard to know what to buy. Being a cleaner older BH made it jump out at us but spending three hours with the owners/operators of it for the past three years sealed the deal. Too many have been bought at auctions with no history.
The owners stood and watched us pull away after helping load and boom it down well. They kept thinking of things to tell us about its care and how to use it right up until we were getting into the truck.
We expected the same from the one sourced from Craigslist so the kids had their heart set on a visit to Opry Mills Mall (Nashville) to bounce then eat.
It turned out we ate at McDonald's in the first town on the way back home at about 10 PM. Both the son and daughter (12 year olds) said BUY IT so the inspection and dealing got serious.
We got there just before dark and when we walked up to it I knew if we were serious about getting an old BH this one needed a serious look. It had not even been washed or steamed so you could judge the leaking issues quickly and while being used with dings, etc was was straight looking with OK paint/decals for that era and the only welding was on the buckets due to wear. Most pins and bushings are fine for private farm use except for about 4. Some hoses were new some where old and only one needs to be replaced before it sees much use.
The owners had purchased it three years ago from Craigslist and put together a 24 acre place including site prep for building. Since they did not plan to use the BH much anymore they wanted to get just a loader for their newer Kabota.
I rode down with the truck driver yesterday to pick it up and finish the business deal and we unloaded it at the house at 10 PM and the kids had to test out the hoe. Our son wanted to dig a hole but I said NO since it was set up in the middle of the rock covered driveway.
Being 27 years old we expect it to need some things but it starts, runs, moves and stops well. I have read the manual twice and hope to fine a parts and shop manual but unlike for Case and others they are not floating around on Ebay, etc for JD it seems.
Time will tell but we are happy today. We got a straight looking 1983 JD 310 B and expect to keep it for 10-20 years if it does not develop major power train issues.
After some soap and water, rubbing compound and wax plus a new seat the general appearence will be fine. Appearence is somewhat important to us. It will be visable where it is parked and most likely the only loader/backhoe we will ever own but even more important I think it indicates the kind of past care it has had. I noticed it had NAPA Gold line of filters which indicates to me service was of concern for the past owners.
If you are in the market I feel for you. It is really hard to know what to buy. Being a cleaner older BH made it jump out at us but spending three hours with the owners/operators of it for the past three years sealed the deal. Too many have been bought at auctions with no history.
The owners stood and watched us pull away after helping load and boom it down well. They kept thinking of things to tell us about its care and how to use it right up until we were getting into the truck.