Backhoe Older excavator Fate? to harvest, re-build or flog.....

[blakester]

Alright everyone, I have a question. I have been weighing the choices. I have an old excavator, Komatsu pc20, great little machine. I have gotten 3 good years out of it, and considering I only paid 500$ for it it has MORE than paid for itself with all the work I have done. Currently it get hot quickly (improper airflow, it has too small a radiator and is not sucking through the fan housing properly), it blows white smoke like a bastard, takes ether to start, the dozer blade is half bent to ****, one final drive is busted to I have to crutch it along (which actually works ok-ish) and I feel like it's on it's way out with the diesel engine. Low power, though it still does a decent job, and one of the tracks has snapped. I replaced all the seals last year, but it still leaks in some areas as the cylinders are slightly scored.
The question is what do I do with it. do I re-build the engine and get a new final drive? That's probably going to run me 5k (hard to find a final drive for less than 2500, even used). Do I sell it, possibly worth 3-4 k even in it's state, and put that towards a 3 point back hoe for my kubota b2320 (2 years old). OR, do I take on a huge project and maybe take the arm of the machine and DIY a setup to put the excavator arm as a custom 3 point back hoe arm. That is certainly a big one, and would take me years with the time I have. I'm open to any suggestions as to what you guys think makes sense.

 

[bcp]

With many projects, it is cheaper to sell, then buy what you need, instead of converting. Rebuilding may or may not be cost effective, depending on your time, skill, shop space and tools, and part cost and availability.

Bruce

 

[hosspuller]

Don't get a 3-point BH or convert your excavator arm. You will be sorely disappointed after your Komatsu. Check your starter with an ammeter, The starter might be dragging and not allowing full RPM... hence the need for ether. Happened to my backhoe. New starter made starting a breeze.

Either fix the Komatsu or buy another mini-ex.

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

Scrap it and find another for $500 (what a deal!)

 

[blakester]

Yeah I realize that pairing down will be a major downgrade from what I have now, which does suck. However, I'm not sure I need one so big. I will check that starter though that seems like low hanging fruit. It's also neigh impossible to find a shop manual for it, so I'm reluctant to start pulling things apart engine wise. I'm definitely away it could turn into a money pit, hence the thought to get a 3 point. I'll keep mulling it over, no hurry for now.

 

[farm boy00]

Instead of scrap pull off what you want or stuff that's nice like hoses valves cylinders then part it out and what's left scrap

 

[Cord]

I've done that in the past and still have the junk laying around the shop. Before long those pieces will be going to the scrap yard as well.

The excavator won't be worth much in scrap because it has to be torched. You might do better selling it for $500.

 

[pat32rf]

Shouldn't be too hard to get $1000 for it if it will start...

 

[blakester]

yeah 2500$ just sold it. Thinking about getting a 3point for the tractor, the ebay one for 3k seems like it would be alright. trench digging small earth moving projects, reliable ect...