555D -- need advice

[HKSawyer]

Any owners, or experience with the 555D LB? I am looking for something in an LB that is reasonably priced. Would love to have a brand new NH of course, but most of the time this unit will be sitting. Need some advice on what LB to consider. I want reliability and ease of operation, strength.

 

[jinman]

Horace, I think you better hold your breath if you price a new one. NH has new models called LB75 & LB85 (I think), but the old 555s are not being made new. I think there are several of them that can be purchased in the $10k to $20k range depending on condition and hours. I've been keeping my eyes open for one that may not look too pretty but works okay, but I probably need a dozer a lot more than a LB. Good luck.

JimI

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Here in the NE USA, the past 2 or 3 years, I've seen the avg. price hover around $15-17k for any 555x TLB. This past summer, one was $8k with "antifreeze in the oil"... {running real nasty...}

Good luck on finding one...

 

[jinman]

I think you are right, John. If I saw one below $10k, I'd be suspect. It's likely to have problems and I don't need another "project" tractor. I've already owned enough of those and It seems you spend two hours of maintenance for every one hour of use. I'm just too old to do that anymore....sigh!

JimI

 

[HKSawyer]

Thanks, Gentlemen. Yes, I have to admit I went to the local Chattanooga NH dealership and climbed into some brand new ones, and was indeed aghast at the prices when I returned to earth. (up to 50K for EROPS w/ air) Air conditioning . . . now that's the life, isn't it? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif But, if I had to make a living with one, I think the NH would earn that money. I've never owned an LB before, so its hard for me to tell what's worn out that may otherwise look okay. Hours scare me. For example, 5600 hours on a 91 model seems like alot of time. Knowing how some operators treat equipment that does not belong to them concerns me. But what the heck, guess I can't worry about everything. : )