Ford 555 TLB purchase/inspection

[ktrout]

Kevin,
Don't let the threat of cavitation drive you away from an older machine. There are dozens of old Fords that have been in my local area, and I know of only a couple that have had the problem. Every brand/model of machine will have some weakness. The "Triple Nickel" Fords were known to be one of the best diggers in their day, and are much simpler than other brands. You could probably repair a cavitated block on a Ford for what you could spend on the hydraulic system on other machines. Keep looking for that 555 - you will find the right one eventually.

I won't quit on the current prospect. I need to learn a bit more about it and make a fitting offer. There are a couple of other 555x types available in the area, too.
Thanks for tips.

Kevin

 

[ktrout]

All the 555s I see have the swinging outriggers, except for the machine I'm looking at. It has the vertical extender posts. Are the swing-out riggers really any better?

 

[RickB]

All the 555s I see have the swinging outriggers, except for the machine I'm looking at. It has the vertical extender posts. Are the swing-out riggers really any better?

Sounds like you have found a side-shift hoe as opposed to the more traditional center-pivot design commonly found in North America. Not sure that is a plus by any means as there are exactly zero of these style machines in my neck of the woods.

 

[EddieWalker]

All the 555s I see have the swinging outriggers, except for the machine I'm looking at. It has the vertical extender posts. Are the swing-out riggers really any better?

I've only heard of those in Europe because of how tite it is to work on their streets. Is it a US machine?

Have you been to your local dealer?

I can't speak for the older machines, but my 555E has a Perkins engine.

Where are you located? There are dealers all over he place, as well as auctions. If you have cash, I'd sure go to an auction before looking at a rebuilt machine with unknown hours on it for top dollar.

Eddie

 

[RickB]

I can't speak for the older machines, but my 555E has a Perkins engine.

.

Eddie

I don't know what your 555E has in it now, but it left the factory with a Ford engine built in Basildon, England, just like every Ford TLB built from 1965 until after the Ford decals came off. Not the first time folks have confused the two engines, although I admit I can't figure why. Other than sharing a Lucas/CAV fuel system, they are very dissimilar.

 

[ktrout]

I left a voicemail a couple of days ago- offered anything around 10k, mentioning the age, condition, unusually low-hours reading, comparable cost of newer machines......... no response. Done with this one.
I'll just watch the local ads/auctions & maybe check with a local Raleigh area dealer.

 

[ktrout]

I've only heard of those in Europe because of how tite it is to work on their streets. Is it a US machine?

Have you been to your local dealer?

I can't speak for the older machines, but my 555E has a Perkins engine.

Where are you located? There are dealers all over he place, as well as auctions. If you have cash, I'd sure go to an auction before looking at a rebuilt machine with unknown hours on it for top dollar.

Eddie

The seller doesn't want to entertain my offer.
I never heard where this 555 was from. By chance, this one did have the sliding/offset backhoe and 4-in-1 loader, but I'm wasn't wanting/looking to lay out extra $ for those features. Continuing to watch in Raleigh region... cash ready.