Which Backhoe?

[drgrant]

I wouldn't be surprised if that machine would go 12,000-14,000 hours, no joke.

If you don't plan on a gazillion hours/yr, give it some thought. If you get it cheap enough and it should ever break, you'll have lots of $$ left over to fix it. If it never breaks, you can laugh at all the jokers driving new $87,000 machines and eating bologna sandwiches for lunch.

I saw that machine too and was practically salivating over it.

Another factor is that with Backhoes, Hours aren't always a sole indicator
of use/abuse. You can have machines that have high hours but not a
lot of abuse, and vice versa. That 780D looked pretty solid for something it's
age, in general.

-Mike

 

[jfh0jfh]

I saw that machine too and was practically salivating over it.

Another factor is that with Backhoes, Hours aren't always a sole indicator
of use/abuse. You can have machines that have high hours but not a
lot of abuse, and vice versa. That 780D looked pretty solid for something it's
age, in general.

-Mike

I think this is a factor with much equipment. You look at a row-crop and a utlity tractor side-by-side. The RC is ready to work at 4000 hours; the utility is worn out - the kidsand the hired guy run it, meintenance is less, no time to warm it up n the winter, ....

It's certainly true w/ backhoes. I've been looking for one for a few months. I looked recently at a 3700-hour Case 580 (worn out); a 2500-hour NH (worn out); a 5500-hour JD (tight); a 6000-hour Case (tight). That's why I always ask about ownership history. Most of the used equipment dealers only know that they got it at auction. (and, yes, I realize that 3700 hours on an older machine may mean 3700 after the 8000 hour-meter was replaced).

 

[Rara Avis]

If you're still shopping check out JD110...
John Deere commercial products: Features for 110 TLB

Checkout New & Used farm equipment, tractors, combines, and other used and new machinery by Fastline Publications to find reasonably priced used equipment...

 

[Rara Avis]

Duplicate

 

[jfh0jfh]

If you're still shopping check out JD110...
John Deere commercial products: Features for 110 TLB

Checkout New & Used farm equipment, tractors, combines, and other used and newÂ*machinery by Fastline Publications to find reasonably priced used equipment...

Thanks. I am still looking but the 110 is too small for me. It's a Yanmar I think.

 

[kmdigital]

Personally, I would get a 580 Case, preferrably a 580K Phase I. Starting with the 580K Phase III (no Phase II), they all have Italian transaxles in them, with integrated shuttle-shift transmissions. Read $$$$$$. The 580C through 580K, Phase I all use the same nearly indestructible and easily repairable rear transmission with a separate shuttle shift transmission. On all later versions it costs at least $8k to rebuild the transaxle, while the earlier versions can sometimes be repaired for < $2k, depending on what's needed.

On the transaxle versions, they use wet brakes, which last a long time, but.... When they need replacing you have to lift the rear of the TLB, loosen the transaxle and then remove the entire stub axle. On the earlier versions, the brakes are dry, and can be replaced in an hour or so.

For TLB that you just want to use and not do commerical work with, the older ones are better, IMO, because they cost less to buy, maintain and there are tons of used parts availalbe when needed.

 

[Rara Avis]

Thanks. I am still looking but the 110 is too small for me. It's a Yanmar I think.

Then check here...

Backhoe design changes affect Caterpillar, John Deere, JCB, Komatsu backhoe models

 

[jfh0jfh]

Then check here...

Backhoe design changes affect Caterpillar, John Deere, JCB, Komatsu backhoe models

Thanks, good article. The newer ones with electronics and pilot controls are sweet but not for me. For farm use I want manual controls, solid sheetmetal, simplicty in maintenance & repair. Electronic controls are for people who spend 8 hours in one and worry about operator fatigue & productivity. I worry about durability and reliability.

 

[jfh0jfh]

Personally, I would get a 580 Case, preferrably a 580K Phase I. Starting with the 580K Phase III (no Phase II), they all have Italian transaxles in them, with integrated shuttle-shift transmissions. Read $$$$$$. The 580C through 580K, Phase I all use the same nearly indestructible and easily repairable rear transmission with a separate shuttle shift transmission. On all later versions it costs at least $8k to rebuild the transaxle, while the earlier versions can sometimes be repaired for < $2k, depending on what's needed.

On the transaxle versions, they use wet brakes, which last a long time, but.... When they need replacing you have to lift the rear of the TLB, loosen the transaxle and then remove the entire stub axle. On the earlier versions, the brakes are dry, and can be replaced in an hour or so.

For TLB that you just want to use and not do commerical work with, the older ones are better, IMO, because they cost less to buy, maintain and there are tons of used parts availalbe when needed.

Thanks.

1. Yes, I've looked at several Cases (mostly SKs & SLs) but can't find one that I like. When I put them up against something the power just doesn't seem to be there. There are low (3-4000) hour machines so I think it must be me.

2. So right now I'm down to JD & one JCB. I'm not against Case but I have to say that the JDs feel much better.

3. I agree about the older machnes - more electronics = more problems - but there's a balance. A sweet spot if you will. I've had mostly older machines and often spend more time working on them than running them. In principle they're easier to repair but they're also well-worn.

So I'm looking in the 1995-2000 era: JD 310D & E; Ford 655/665/675 D; Case K/ SK & L/SL. No New Holland, no Case SM.

I take your point about the Case transaxle. I did know about that and maybe I should even stay away from SLs. I didn't know the Ks had the Italian unit though. I crawl under all of them and look for the separate units.

Older JDs have wetbrakes and I do prefer them. I assumed any tractor after the mid-1970s would have wet brakes.

 

[jfh0jfh]

Personally, I would get a 580 Case, preferrably a 580K Phase I. Starting with the 580K Phase III (no Phase II), they all have Italian transaxles in them, with integrated shuttle-shift transmissions. Read $$$$$$. The 580C through 580K, Phase I all use the same nearly indestructible and easily repairable rear transmission with a separate shuttle shift transmission. On all later versions it costs at least $8k to rebuild the transaxle, while the earlier versions can sometimes be repaired for < $2k, depending on what's needed.

On the transaxle versions, they use wet brakes, which last a long time, but.... When they need replacing you have to lift the rear of the TLB, loosen the transaxle and then remove the entire stub axle. On the earlier versions, the brakes are dry, and can be replaced in an hour or so.

For TLB that you just want to use and not do commerical work with, the older ones are better, IMO, because they cost less to buy, maintain and there are tons of used parts availalbe when needed.

Thanks.

1. Yes, I've looked at several Cases (mostly SKs & SLs) but can't find one that I like. When I put them up against something the power just doesn't seem to be there. There are low (3-4000) hour machines so I think it must be me.

2. So right now I'm down to JD & one JCB. I'm not against Case but I have to say that the JDs feel much better.

3. I agree about the older machnes - more electronics = more problems - but there's a balance. A sweet spot if you will. I've had mostly older machines and often spend more time working on them than running them. In principle they're easier to repair but they're also well-worn.

So I'm looking in the 1995-2000 era: JD 310D & E; Ford 655/665/675 D; Case K/ SK & L/SL. No New Holland, no Case SM.