1976 Case 580CK

paulharvey · Jan 27, 2014

So, there's a guy not far from me (35 miles) is selling a 1976 Case 580CK. He says not running, tires hold air for a few hours or days, all hoses need replaced. He says "make an offer above scrap value". I'm considering offering a 2002 dakota 2nd no ac, 189,000 miles (maybe a $1500 truck) for it. What would a running case 580 be worth. How heavy is it, cause as much as anything dragging it onto a trailer and pulling home would be a major part of the challange. I don't need a back hoe, but I would love to upgrade to a loader and shuttle shift. The hydraulic cylinder rods all look bright and unpitted, looks from pictures to be intact. He says it was parked years all go cause the starter was bad, but he has not idea what all it needs now.

Any thoughts? Runaway? Try to get it cheap? What is scrap value per pound on used construction equipment, cause I think plain mixed steel scrap is all go round $8/100#.

2458n · Jan 27, 2014

Our carbody scrap is still above 10.00 / 100#. Probably has foot swing on the back hoe. These were very popular in the light weight hoe application. A pipeline company I worked for bought them a 100 at a time and in 5 years sent them all to India. The company did well doing this and of course they were all rebuilt over there with cheap labor. Now of course you would like to get this hoe for nothing , but the guy already knows what this hoe weighs and the price of scrap. You have got to provide him with a profit, or a reason for him to sell to you and not the guy in the paper offering fast cash and free towing.

DJ54 · Jan 28, 2014

I'm thinking the operating weight of them is right at 14,000 lbs. Being it's a '76 model I'll assume it's a B series.

Does it say if it's gas, or diesel..?? There were two gas engines available, and I'd say a lot cheaper to get ruinning. And if it's not an everyday user, it wouldn't be that bad on fuel.

If all hoses need repaired, I'd guess you'd have either side of $1500.00 in hoses, if made at a hydraulic's shop. IF you decide to get it, I'd advise investing in a set of crow foot wrench's. The hoses are pretty close together in the swing tower, and make it a LOT easier.

The starter can be rebuilt, if you have a good shop near where you live. And it also could be something as simple as it just needs a new $3.99 relay. That was the problem on my 480C. I say any auto parts store has them. It's just a 30 amp Buss brand relay. Case wants 3X that for the same thing.

Gary Fowler · Jan 28, 2014

I have seen those in operating condition sell for $8,000 so figure from there. Not knowing anything about it, I wouldn't go much above scrap metal price 14,000 lbs would bring him 1400 bucks if he got top dollar scrap price and he would have to haul it to the nearest scrap dealer. $1500 would be above scrap value. Don't forget the tires would need some tubes at least and possible new tires if the tread is gone or they are dry rotted. $1000 each would be my estimate for the rears and maybe 300 for each of the front ( just guessing on those big industrial tire prices as they could be more than that). If every hose is needing replacement, I don't think you could get them all for $1500, hoses are about 3-5 bucks a foot but the real money is in the fitting ends.
You could easily spend more on fixing it up than buying one that is running and in fair condition. At least you could check one of those out for transmission, rear end, hoses , cylinder leaks etc. which reminds me, you could end up having to repair every cylinder to stop leaks around the seals another not so cheap repair. Just getting some of those cylinders off is a big deal ie swing cylinders and boom cylinder.
I wouldn't take the chance on it myself, but if you love to tinker and do heavy mechanic work it may work out for your providing the motor and transmission are good.

paulharvey · Jan 28, 2014

I think Gary is right. What worries me is the transmission. I would probably strip the hoe and just use it as a heavy industrial tractor. I don't mind a bit of labor but I think it could be a money pit.

D7E · Jan 28, 2014

2 stick 580b Diesel cab running well sell for $7-8000 on auctions all the time . Have seen non-runners make $3000 . Impossible to value it without looking at it . Tyres are'nt that bad , I put one on my 580b last year for somewhere around $400 same size as our combine rears and front were about $160 .

RodSerling · Jan 28, 2014

I would pass, I think you would spend more money fixing it up then it is worth. Sounds like scrap or parts tractor at best.

kevin37b · Jan 29, 2014

Money pit .

EddieWalker · Feb 1, 2014

The old it's not running, but easy enough to fix it ploy scares me more then just about any other story out there. It might not be true in every case, but by far, most of the time, the owner knows what's wrong with it and he knows it's more expensive to fix it then it's worth. Since it's not running and you don't really know what's wrong with it, you will be chasing ghosts and putting money into it without really knowing where it will end. Is it just the engine? is it the transmission? what about the hydraulic pump? Do the brakes work? power steering? The list goes on and on, and it's not too hard to spend more money fixing it then to buy one that works without spending how many hours of your time working on it or tracking down parts?

Don't just walk away from this deal, RUN!!!

Eddie

paulharvey · Feb 1, 2014

Pretty sure I've been talked out of it. I don't mind work, but unless I completely lucked out, I would be at best a couple grand to get it running; or worse, a couple grand, and still not running....

Besides if I really need to waste some money I found a Gas JD dozer that needs an ignition switch, and "one track sticks" for $3500... lol