Value of 4344 HST with 32 hours?

[historic]

**** Folks,

I'm new to this site, found it while doing a little research on Montana tractors. There is a 4344 HST with 43 hours on it that is going up for auction this week. Assuming it's in great condition, what is it worth? I don't absolutely have to have it as I have a couple of other tractors, but it would be nice for some of the stuff I need to do on my properties. I figure if I get it for the right price, I can use it and sell it whenever without taking a big hit like a new machine.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[historic]

Hey Guys,

Quite a few looks but no comments. The auction is tomorrow. I'm thinking I might go up to about 10k for this machine, maybe a little more. Any thoughts or comments about the value of this machine or the wisdom of purchasing a Montana would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[MtnViewRanch]

That tractor would be hard to pass up for 10K, especially if it has a loader on it.

Good luck at the auction, and let us know what it goes for.

 

[Sackett2]

I paid a bit over 20K with 10 hours on mine.

 

[historic]

Thanks for the information, that was what I was looking for.

The tractor went for $8,500.00. They started out bidding at 15k, dropped down to 3k before the first bid. Not a lot of interest in it. It was a 4344 HST with the skid steer attachment on the loader with a regular bucket, canopy, 2 rear remotes and a box scraper with rippers. Everything in brand new condition, but looked like it was new old stock or possibly a lightly used demo. Paint was a little oxidized and the plastic parts need some TLC. I noticed one small hydraulic leak under the floor boards.

So all in all, it was a great deal. I don't know how high the winning bidder would have gone if I would have bid on it. I chose not to bid on it primarily because I didn't care for the HST tranny. I live in the mountains and deal with steep slopes at times and would prefer a standard trans with shuttle.

Here is a link to the auction site, they usually post the results a few days after the auction: http://www.martellaauction.com/auction/38925_TiptonCalifornia.asp

Thanks again for the comebacks!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

To bad that you decided not to get it. I'm guessing that you have not used an HST much if at all. HST works great in hilly terrain. I have both and if I had much work to be done on our slopes, I would prefer to use the HST. That set up went for about 40% of what it would cost new at a dealer.

Thanks for getting back and letting us know what it went for.

 

[historic]

I'm having some mixed emotions and probably should have gone for it anyway since it was such a good deal. No way of knowing how bad the other bidder wanted it either. I have been watching the auctions for a year or so and most of the other compact tractors have gone for far more than this one did, usually 12-14k with 300-800 hours and 35-55hp. Probably could have used it and sold it later if I didn't need or like it.

I do have considerable experience with hydrostatic drives in larger equipment. I have a Case 570 LXT 4x4 that is fully hydrostatic with 4 gears and just a single range. It generally does well on the steep stuff but sometimes I wish it had a low range. Just stepping on the throttle and not having to deal with a clutch is nice too.

How about working on the HST tranny's? Can it be done by a handy person or does it have to go to the shop?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I'm having some mixed emotions and probably should have gone for it anyway since it was such a good deal. No way of knowing how bad the other bidder wanted it either. I have been watching the auctions for a year or so and most of the other compact tractors have gone for far more than this one did, usually 12-14k with 300-800 hours and 35-55hp. Probably could have used it and sold it later if I didn't need or like it.

I do have considerable experience with hydrostatic drives in larger equipment. I have a Case 570 LXT 4x4 that is fully hydrostatic with 4 gears and just a single range. It generally does well on the steep stuff but sometimes I wish it had a low range. Just stepping on the throttle and not having to deal with a clutch is nice too.

How about working on the HST tranny's? Can it be done by a handy person or does it have to go to the shop?[/quote]

We have a Case 580 also, that tranny seems more like an automotive trans to me. Nothing like the HST tranny in these compact tractors. I have a Mahindra 3215HST( next size down from the R4344) and I am surprised at how much that I am liking it.
As far as working on the HST, don't know first hand, haven't had to so far, but we do all our own maintenance and repairs on our equipment, so if it ever breaks, I guess we'll find out.

 

[historic]

Based on the comments about HST trannys, guess I'll give the compacts a try to see how I like them. There is another auction coming up in Feburary and I can always rent a tractor to try out the HST to see how they perform for my applications, mowing, grading, moving dirt and rock,etc.

Thanks again

 

[mwb]

Based on the comments about HST trannys, guess I'll give the compacts a try to see how I like them. There is another auction coming up in Feburary and I can always rent a tractor to try out the HST to see how they perform for my applications, mowing, grading, moving dirt and rock,etc.

Thanks again

Once you try HST you probably wouldn't consider a gear. For the mixed uses you have listed the HST is so fluid (no pun intended) when changing directions and speeds that it would run circles around a gear machine. The only time I would prefer a gear is for long draft loads (i.e. plowing). The whine is irritating (compared to a gear) but the efficiency is worth it.