The $24,000 question

[catvet]

So I went to my local Terex dealer yesterday since they are the ones which replace Hydraulic hoses around here. Managed to have a limb rip a hose off my grapple on the Kubota L39.

I made the mistake of starting to talk to the owner and one thing led to another and he tells me about a Terex TC48 excavator a customer is looking to sell so he can buy a bigger machine. It has 1300 hours on it (forgot to ask the year) and has been serviced by the dealer all along. Says it is in good shape. has a Hydraulic Thumb on it. Owner wants $24,000 for it.

I've been looking for something with more digging power than the L39. From what I can gather the Terex would do that. My thought would be to keep the L39 to move dirt and use 3-point stuff on (and occasional backhoe work) and sell my Kubota B7800.

Any feelings on the price? Any one have experience with these machines? I sort of like the fact that the dealer has known the machine through it's life.

 

[atgreene]

Sounds good, but depends upon overall condition.

Cab? A/c? Steel or rubber? Quick connect bucket?

Once you have run an excavator you'll never look at a backhoe again.

 

[catvet]

Thanks for the quick answer.

Cab Yes. A/C no. Heat yes. Steel tracks. Don't know about bucket.

 

[atgreene]

Tracks should still be good with that low of hours on them, but take a look. See if the sprokets look ok or if they are pointed or worn. Check the track pins for wear as well.

Look at the cutting edge on the blade to see if the bottom is worn through to the bottom of the blade yet. Lift up on the blade when it's in the air, see if there is any movement in the pins.

Set the boom on the ground, with outer arm perpendicular (as if digging) with the bucket in a natural position. Put down pressure on the bucket, see if the yoke where the boom attaches to the bady of the machine moves. Those bushings are common to wear, same with all the boom rams. See if there is any movement in them or the main pin where the bucket attaches to the stick.

Ask when the track motor oil was last changed. Oil will stink to high heaven if they haven't changed them often and used 80-90w oil. If you get it change those asap and put synthetic in them. Run for a 50 hours or so and change again to get rid of any gunk.

All the pins and bushings can be fairly easily fixed, so not a deal breaker. Track motors are big bucks, so make sure they are ok. Tracks are also big money, if they are worn bad (I doubt it) they will set you back 7-10 k for a set. Just some stuff to use to try to lower the price when it comes to negotiations.

Good luck.

 

[mike69440]

PRICE SOUNDS OK FOR A FAIRLY NEW MACHINE. Warning, Excavator part prices will give you a heart attack.

I have a Komatsu PC75UU2-e @ 18,000 lbs to go along with my L39. It was broken down with bad track rollers for 1-1/2 weeks and I missed it.

An excavator digs much faster than a BH although the L39 BH is great for its size. I still do small stuff with the L39 hoe.

Does the terex have Pilot controls? I love them.

 

[catvet]

Yes the Terex has pilot controls. I've never used them but will hopefully get the chance. Fortunately?? the Terex dealer is 3 miles from home rather than 30 miles for the Kubota dealer. Don't want to have problems but at least the relative hauling costs should be less.

I love my L39 and still amazed at what it can do for it's size. I've had a number of locals who know equipment wide eyed with it's capablilities by I figure they still don't compare to a reasonable sized excavator.

She who will be obeyed (hope she doesn't read tractorbynet when I'm not looking ) has tentatively okayed exploring the possibility of buying the Terex. First step is trying one out from the dealer.

 

[mike69440]

Yeah,

My excavator was a hard sell to my wife.

She my finally let up if I get through the year witout any major problems.

I boils dow to this. If lucky, in the end the excavator will be free. If not, it could turn out to be a pile of expensive scrap.

 

[catvet]

Went back to talk with the dealer about the excavator yesterday and he had found another home for it. Good for him and the seller, not so good for me. Had convinced the wife it would be a reasonable addition to the equipment fold but now no machine. Bummer

 

[mike69440]

There are others out there, be patient.

I thought about doing this trench with the L39, naw.

Glad I didn't as it was hard wet clay and some big boulders, glacial till next to ledge, etc.

 

[catvet]

Mike,

Looks like quite a trench. How long is it and how long did it take to dig? I dug a 500 foot trench 4 ft. deep last year for electric. Took me most of a month with the L39 with some time off for rain delay. Always exciting digging in Vermont soils. I've been using the rocks I removed for stone walls.