used cad digger

[justJeff]

I have a chance to purchase a used cad digger from a neighbor. He built it about five or six years ago. It looks most like the model 628 that they have now. It has the tires and outriggers that swap places for working or trailering. It has a 5' dig depth and is in really good condition.

He said he'd sell it to me for $2,000. In looking at the kit component price and the price of the plans this seems like a pretty good deal. What does everyone think?

We're a general contractor that builds mostly spec homes and just need something for utility trenching in the sand.

 

[mrcaptainbob]

Compare it to Northern's.........I think they want over $4500 for theirs. Although there are differences in them, I think $2000 is reasonable....IF!!!! it's in good shape. I think the 628 plans and kits would go for around 1500, throw in the labor (CadPlans claims about 50 hrs., I think) .....
I have a 628 and am very pleased with it. Although there are times when I wish I bumped it up a size. But then...If I did, I'd probably still be wanting to have bumped it up a size!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[justJeff]

thanks mrcaptainbob. Is the 628 comparable in size to the trencherman unit that Northern sells? What do you use yours for?

We just need to dig utility trenches in sand and think something like this might be perfect.

 

[DK35vince]

The unit Northern sells is comparable to the Cadplans 728 model size.

 

[mrcaptainbob]

Here's some things I've used my unit for. It has taken quite a beating pushing the boulders around. The pics of it digging the dirt...that dirt was actually hard clay.

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mrcaptainbob/album?.dir=/dirt-digger&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mrcaptainbob/my_photos

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mrcaptainbob/album?.dir=/Heart+Rock&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mrcaptainbob/my_photos

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mrcaptainbob/album?.dir=/Rocks+and+boulders&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mrcaptainbob/my_photos

The skid steer wouldn't get into it unless forks were used to first loosen. The dirt-digger got right into it, though! I have three buckets: 6", 12", and 15".

 

[justJeff]

Thanks for the info DK. mrcaptainbob, thanks for all of the great pictures. Your unit looks reallynice. Was it your idea to enclose the engine and pump area?

 

[mrcaptainbob]

Most of the fabrication was done by my son-in-law. We colaborated on all the other features. That encloser is lockable, by the way, (grandsons). It also houses the fuel tank. It serves two other functions, as well. It helps abate the noise, plus, since it has a cooling fan on the one wall, it helps draw the heat from across the engine and exhaust to keep things cool.