Price Check Ford 555B Price Check.

[Gale Hawkins]

I think you did right. Shucks, re-reading your posts, I KNOW you did right to walk away. Not only is that way too much money, those things wrong with it are exactly the kind of things that shouldn't be wrong with any hoe regardless of age.

IMHO, hours don't mean as much as care and maintenance. Other's may disagree.
I turned down a rental Cat hoe with 2000 hrs and bought my present JD310 with 6000 hours put on by the original owner - and the price was roughly the same for each. Actually I think I paid more for the high hour machine. In fact I know I did, as I put rear tires and two new batteries in it. But overall it looked and ran like an old machine that had been cared for. I've had it 4 years now and it was the right choice.

I know this is going to sound trite, but you sound like the kind of guy who will know the right machine when you see it - and driving it around will just confirm what your gut is already telling you. If you have to ask yourself questions, you already know the real answer.

Don't overlook JD310 and Case 580. Both of those are excellent machines, too. For the homeowner I kinda lean to the Case 580 myself because like the old JD310D&E, the Case 580s are slightly more "home mechanic friendly" than later model JDs and Cats. Good used 580s are scarce here. The few I've seen are either not for sale or beat up.
rScotty

We picked up a 1983 JD 310B 8 years ago that was very worn. The old tires had some tread but were hard with no bite so we replaced them and a lot of hoses and the starter and battery. I may have over paid at $7200 but it starts and runs after setting for up to six months and we have done a lot of ground clearing and ditching so I am pleased with it.

Any old stuff needs to be bought cheap because if much goes wrong like say a major blown engine selling it for salvage may be the best option and just going with another backhoe.

Getting all of the old fluids out took a while but since it has worked fine. Before it would quit pulling in high range after working it a couple of hours. Next time I would change out the fluids first thing but after I blew enough lines it was kind of self changing. There are both good and crap out there in the $5K-$10K range. If the owner is in love with his equipment do not bribe him to sell it too you. There are too many of us getting rid of good backhoes or estates are selling them so do not over pay.

We did fine a local former pipeline welder that reworked the buckets on both ends shortly before he died suddenly. On that note if I have old equipment that I want to keep and can find quality and affordable service at some shop out back of the house I often go overboard and fixing optional stuff that could wait like I did on the buckets on this backhoe. Old time service techs are next to impossible to find now. When I was kid they were everywhere.

 

[TractorNH]

I would pass on the $18k Ford 555. There are others that pop up for far less. I have a 1970 Case 580CK that has been reliable in the almost 20 years we've had it. It is old and worn but it works and doesn't owe us anything. We also aren't using it to make a living. Not sure where in NH you are but this one is in southern NH close to me. Don't know the owner or anything but it's a very low hours 1999 Deere 310e 4x4 for $28k. Might be worth a look.

1999 John Deere 31e 4x4 backhoe - heavy equipment - by owner - sale

 

[rScotty]

That is a nice looking rig.

That sure is a nice looking rig. And it's a great example of how far your money can go if you buy 2WD instead of 4WD. I like 4wd, but if I was cash-limited and needed a tractor that could do the work, the first place I would look would be at older 2WD machines.

Richard, what did you fix/do for $2000? BTW, that's about the figure that experience has led me to expect to put into any used machine I buy.

And if you don't mind me asking, what do you value that 555A at as she is right now? What would you expect as a selling price?
rScotty

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I would pass on the $18k Ford 555. There are others that pop up for far less. I have a 1970 Case 580CK that has been reliable in the almost 20 years we've had it. It is old and worn but it works and doesn't owe us anything. We also aren't using it to make a living. Not sure where in NH you are but this one is in southern NH close to me. Don't know the owner or anything but it's a very low hours 1999 Deere 310e 4x4 for $28k. Might be worth a look.

1999 John Deere 31e 4x4 backhoe - heavy equipment - by owner - sale

That 1999 JD 310e while some $$$ up front maybe one of the best buys I have seen if one needed a working backhoe for another 20-30 years.

 

[TractorNH]

That 1999 JD 310e while some $$$ up front maybe one of the best buys I have seen if one needed a working backhoe for another 20-30 years.

I agree. There are good deals to be had if you're patient and know what to look for.

 

[ovrszd]

That sure is a nice looking rig. And it's a great example of how far your money can go if you buy 2WD instead of 4WD. I like 4wd, but if I was cash-limited and needed a tractor that could do the work, the first place I would look would be at older 2WD machines.

Richard, what did you fix/do for $2000? BTW, that's about the figure that experience has led me to expect to put into any used machine I buy.

And if you don't mind me asking, what do you value that 555A at as she is right now? What would you expect as a selling price?
rScotty

Manuals - $100. Front axle parts - $465. Cylinder repair kits - $100. Torque Converter dump valve - $580. Added a bucket thumb - $235. Misc - $400.

I'd ask $12,000.

 

[ovrszd]

I wasn't looking for a Ford. Mostly looking for a JD.

Did some searching for Case but wouldn't buy one with 4 stick and foot swing. That just doesn't work for me. Hard to find one with joystick.

My 555 is the only thing I own that's 2wd. Would rather have 4wd but wasn't going to spend money to get it. For personal use I can't justify that. If I need 4wd for that one moment and the hoe won't get itself out, I bought the wrong hoe.

We're building a new house and shop at the farm. A year from now I figured the 555 will have paid for itself.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

We have gotten unstuck 100% of the time with only using our 2WD JD 310B but it took two of us working the buckets in sync to climb a steep bank to get back to solid ground. We are talking swappy too.

As long as our 1983 JD 310B starts and digs OK with either end I expect it will be the last one that I will buy. Just hope a hot deal does not tempt me.