Why are Volvo backhoes so cheap?

[fried1765]

I ran a case 580 extendahoe for years.....years ago. Good, strong dependable machine. But i do love excavators also. Hard to choose one over the other. The older machines have 4 hoe control handles and could be a challenge to learn. But becomes second nature after a bit.

"The older machines have 4 hoe control handles and could be a challenge to learn"

That is funny to me!
I had a 4 lever machine for 33 years...until last year.
Now....I have the two lever style.
I am nowhere nearly as proficient with it.

 

[Peter 315]

"The older machines have 4 hoe control handles and could be a challenge to learn"

That is funny to me!
I had a 4 lever machine for 33 years...until last year.
Now....I have the two lever style.
I am nowhere nearly as proficient with it.

Practice makes perfect in ten years you will be a pro....

 

[fried1765]

Practice makes perfect in ten years you will be a pro....

Yeah..... right....
When/if I am 90 years old, that machine will be owned by someone else, and could be digging a hole for ME!

 

[TractorGuy]

I think parts cost and availability is what shoots the Volvos in the foot.

I have an older New Holland and given the choice now I would have looked for a different brand. I got my machine cheap so at the end of the day it has been an okay value for me.

New Holland didn't keep up with what kit went in what cylinder through the years and started changing pistons and glands. Finding an exact kit to reseal my cylinders has been a total pain. When you look at reapair kits for the 1998-2001 models they tell you to buy a new gland nut and piston plus the related kits. Turns a $50 job into a $500 job if you follow their advice. The kits listed for my stabilizers were close but the wiper seal was .050" larger than the hole in my gland and the wear bearing was about 1/2" wider that what was in my gland. I ended up turning the wiper opening on my gland in a lathe to use the seal from the kit and I reused my wear bearing.

Just did my crowd cylinder and ran into the same thing. The piston has molded in wear bearings and one was damaged so I HAD to replace the piston. I bought three possible kits thinking I would have it covered before I tore it down. Two of the kits had no resemblance and the kit with the right rod seal had the same issue with the wrong wiper seal and rod wear bearing. I found a wiper seal on eBay that would fit and reused the rod bearing. I got through it for a couple hundred bucks but the machine was down for two weeks while I jumped through hoops. Had I just bought the new gland nut, piston, and associated kit I would have been out about $700 for what should have been a $50 repair.

I would like to find a 98 print date paper parts manual for my machine to see if I could get compatible kit numbers.

I have run into several other parts that are just flat no longer available. I am a pretty resourceful guy and so far I have managed to keep it going.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Everything one always had to watch out for is still there. Now add a ton of electronics, computers, miles of wiring and connectors. I'm GLAD I don't have to shop for such a used newish machine!

 

[Hay Dude]

Yeah..... right....
When/if I am 90 years old, that machine will be owned by someone else, and could be digging a hole for ME!

Bahahahahahah :laughing:
OMG thats funny
:yuck:

 

[Jim Nelson]

One thing rScotty mentioned that I put top priority on is seeing a cold start when I go to look at a used machine. You can tell quite a bit from seeing and hearing an engine started dead cold. There are a lot of smoking problems, rattles etc. that can be hidden by pre warming an engine before the prospective buyer gets there. I also check all the oils and coolant before that cold start.

 

[SonomaJoe]

Hey to everyone who responded I cannot thank you enough , If anyone has time and wants to take an hour or so and educate someone who really wants to finally buy a piece of heavy equipment at the age of 36 after dreaming of it all of his life doesn’t know **** about it I’ll send you beer

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have wanted a JD 450 dozer since I was twelve. The Internet has shown me how bad an idea that is.

 

[groundcover]

Hey to everyone who responded I cannot thank you enough , If anyone has time and wants to take an hour or so and educate someone who really wants to finally buy a piece of heavy equipment at the age of 36 after dreaming of it all of his life doesn’t know **** about it I’ll send you beer

If you add your location to your profile a member in the area might be willing to look a potential machine with you for that beer. I'm thinking you're more toward the left coast with that handle.