Price Check NH 758C Backhoe

[SevernDH]

I have come across a used 758C for sale by an individual for $3900. Going to look at it tomorrow, but wanted to get some opinions on what to look for and if the price sounds good.

The story so far: Have talked to the seller who says he bought it from a friend and was going to modify to fit his compact JD tractor. He found a smaller backhoe that was a better fit for his needs and no longer needs this one. It has been sitting idle for ~6 months, but was in working order before parked. He says the paint is faded, there is surface rust on the 24" bucket, no cracks or welds in the steel, but the seat has some weather cracks (like that is a shock).

It comes with the subframe that his buddy had with it on his TC33, which the dealer tells him should fit any of the TC series tractors rated to handle this backhoe.

From what I can tell, it sounds like a decent price if things are solid, but I am not exactly a grizzled veteran of tractor ownership. I don't expect to work it all that hard, but have a couple projects I want to do that should save me most of the purchase price if I am able to do them myself.

Thoughts?

 

[LowerSlower]

Sounds like a pretty fair price to me. I have the same one on my TC35 and love it. I just saw one for sale on craigslist in NJ for $6500, so that one sounds pretty good if it is in working condition.

I am no hydraulic mechanic by any means, but I would look at all the lines to see if they are in good shape and see if it looks like he has greased all the fittings when he was using it, thought they will probably look pretty crusted if it has been sitting for that long. Good luck with it. If not, I have a case 580C for sale with an extend a hoe I'll sell ya for $7000.

 

[tawilson]

I think mine was around $7000 new with the subframe. I've got mine on a 2120 and have worked it hard. Sounds like a fair deal. I figure somewhere around half of retail for used stuff, just for a starting point.

 

[SevernDH]

I saw the one in NJ as well. It was a 759C, which is a little big for the TC40, so I did not look at it too seriously. Though before I realized it was too big, I did some comparison shopping and saw another of the same model listed on TractorHouse.com for $4900 (don't recall where it was, though).

Also, thanks for the offer on the Case, but I will hold off on that one. I won't need a backhoe for a while yet, as those projects are down the list a bit, so I am only pulling the trigger if I find something that looks like a good deal.

Will let you all know what I find tomorrow

 

[AndyMA]

I ran a 758 on my Ford 2120 for about 15 years and pushed it hard. It held up fine. The 2120 is basically the same tractor as the TC55 so the 758 is certainly strong enough for your tractor. The price seems ok.. check the valves, hoses, cylinders and pin looseness. There should be grease coming out of every pin.

Andy
Antec Energy LLC Home Energy Saving Services

 

[LowerSlower]

I saw the one in NJ as well. It was a 759C, which is a little big for the TC40, so I did not look at it too seriously. Though before I realized it was too big, I did some comparison shopping and saw another of the same model listed on TractorHouse.com for $4900 (don't recall where it was, though).

Also, thanks for the offer on the Case, but I will hold off on that one. I won't need a backhoe for a while yet, as those projects are down the list a bit, so I am only pulling the trigger if I find something that looks like a good deal.

Will let you all know what I find tomorrow

I didn't realize the Jersey one was that big, so maybe his price justifies itself. I hear you on the Case, I was semi kidding about that one, though I would like to sell it. I will be listing that on craigslist soon, shouldn't be a problem selling, I hope.

Unless you are really in need of a long reach, the one for the TC40 will work perfect around the house. Good luck with it.

 

[SevernDH]

Well, I made arrangements to buy it. There is a fair amount of surface rust, but does not to be any significant pitting. All of the steel looks sound, and for the most part, the hoses look like they are probably OK, with the exception of the feed lines that seem fairly messed up from laying on the ground while it was outside. The zerks look like they have been greased, though the grease obviously does not look fresh.

Am not much of a negotiator, but did manage to get him to deliver (about 125 miles) without a price increase. It will be a couple weeks before he is down this way, but I don't need it right away, and my little Toyota is probably not the best option to move it with. Specs say my truck can handle the weight, but it would be difficult to get it strapped in safely.

 

[Hematite]

You'll be very pleased with the 758C. I have one and it works very well. They are easy to learn to use and the controls are nice. I had to lube the valve levers on mine with a dry lube to get a smooth operation but that is part of the maintenance. Get an operators manual for the unit and follow the maintenance schedule religiously and it will last for a long, long time.

 

[SevernDH]

Thanks for the info, Hematite. Found a manual online, so I have that going for me. The fun part is going to be installing the subframe, since the manual does not cover installation. Hopefully, the bolt holes line up well enough that things are pretty obvious.

The seller was going on vacation, so it will be another week or two before it arrives, but that gives time to keep digging for installation instructions. I have some idea what to expect from a thread or two found on this site, but still no formal install instructions.

Wish me luck!

 

[Hematite]

If you want, I could take pictures of the mechanical and hydraulic hookups on this tractor and you can get an idea from that. Just PM me with your email and I'll send the pics directly to you if you think that will help.

 

[SevernDH]

A couple things ...

First, thank you for the pictures, Hematite. They have been very helpful in understanding what I need and how things are designed to fit together.

Second, what I thought was a decent deal has turned out to be one of my less intelligent purchases. On the plus side, it came with the proper subframe for my tractor. On the minus side, none of the bracketry that bolts to the tractor is there. I have now ordered everything I need from Partspring, except for a handful of hydraulic fittings and couplers ... NH sure is proud of their bent metal .. ouch! Just over $1500, but at least the shipping is free ... LOL!!

 

[joes_427_vette]

Your lucky to have the mounts included. When I last checked between both mounts and shipping for a Bradco 611 to a TC 55 was as much as I paid for the hoe. Should work great with your size machine.

 

[dave1949]

Yikes. I certainly would not have thought it could add up to that much. They are very proud it seems.
Dave.

 

[Hematite]

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that the brackets weren't included!

More than happy to help with the pics. If you need more I'll try to take different perspectives. I will say that you will get a LOT of work out of the 758 so that will offset the cost, ultimately.

I've asked my dealer for the torque values for the brackets but he hasn't gotten back to me, yet. I'll let you know when I find out. I wanted to know them so that I can check my unit from time to time.

 

[joes_427_vette]

Sounds like you "assumed " too quickly. Like I said they get gold for the mounts. I had less than 300 in steel to fabricate my mounts. I didn't see anything special in Bradco preformed steel.

 

[Stualx]

I am looking at buying an old 758C ( 2000-2001 vintage) for my Ford 1700. It comes with the subframe but it's for a TC series so I will have to fab up brackets etc. If anyone has any manuals or photos showing how it should mount I would greatly appreciate any help in this area.
Thanks
Stu