Which Backhoe?

[jfh0jfh]

I have been shopping for a used backhoe $15-$25K. I started out at $25K but there seem to be lots of deals there: big contractors don't use TLBs anymore, business is slow.

This is for farm use and some ciustom work. I've had mostly JD but also Case & MF.

Some advice I've gotten is to stick to < 2001 Case or NH as the newer ones are redesigned around Italian parts and are harder (and more expensive) to fix. Haven't really looked into JCB as hear parts hard to get. Found a couple of low-hour Terexes. Cat seemed overpriced; Komatsu don't know; Kobelco is Fiat; Volvo too new to be affordable.

Have run some NHs recently and the trans seems to slip in high gear. Could be my lack of experience with them. But Cases w/ similar hours seem much crisper.

Preference is Ford 655D/E, JD 410 E/G, Case 590 L/ SL. Prefer a heavier machne as often used more gently and cheaper due to transport costs - small operators don't want to move them around. Ideal machine was the Deere 510 we had but they're no longer made.

The best prices (given good hours eg. <=3500) so far are Ford 655D, Case 590L and Terex.

Any advice about good/ bad machines from a durablity/ repair standpoint.

 

[john_bud]

From what I have heard, those are all good choices. Maybe someone, like Builder, with direct experience with those machines can chime in.

I do like your thought process. Heavier machine possibly being in better shape.

jb

 

[jfh0jfh]

Thanks for the comments. Yes, the heavier machines have worked well for us.

 

[AlanB]

I would try and find a dealer that would support you, and support that brand with parts etc when the need arose, and as you know, it will come up.

I went with a Ford 555C becuase I had several avenues to get parts and support and they seem pretty common.

The Case machines have great support as well, but all I tried were VERY tired.

I was assured repeatedly that JCB had good parts support, but just could not take that plunge. The support here came out of a JD dealer, who always felt to "uppity" to talk with me when I went in. Always made me feel out of my leauge when I went to speak with them (heck, I guess I was when I looked at thier prices )

By going to the bigger then standard machine, I would think that would narrow availability a lot, or increase travel time to go see it.

Hope you find one that suits you well. We have been very pleased with ours.

It was kind of nice, even the wife yesterday said she was really glad to have it.

 

[tlbuser]

Opinion only, given the choices I would go the Case route. From my experience, parts (JD vs, Case) Case parts were easier to get and usually cheaper too. I don't have any experience with Terex, but they do spec. out to be pretty nice.

 

[jfh0jfh]

Thanks for the comments.

I've had good luck w/ JD, partly because I have a friend at JD ag who can often get parts for me - at 1/2 or less than the gougers at JD yellow.

My experience w/ Case is limited. Dealer network is certainly strong.

It's true, there are fewer of the larger machines. But what I've seen is that the smaller ones are either tired or overpriced. it's easy enough to haul a 6.5-ton machine around behind a one-ton but it's a little motre effort to haul 8-9 tons.

But generally I've found the larger machines to be in better shape.

Right now the nicest machine I've found is a 655; the best deal is a low-hour Terex. We'll see tomorrow at the Ritchie auction ~ 20 TLBs, mostly newer case.

 

[jfh0jfh]

Thanks. I expect I'll go w/ Case or Ford unless a strong JD appears out of the mist.

 

[Builder]

I would go with Case for the simple reason that they're still in the business of building backhoes. You never know when parts for Fords will start getting scarce. Scarce=expensive. You'll also need more parts for the Ford. I've owned both and the Ford was a good, solid machine, but nowhere near as powerful or ergonomic as a CASE 580 or 590. The 590 is a 100HP machine, but I think you'll find the 580, even with 8 less HP feels like it's got more azz to it. It might be because the extra weight of the 590 slows it down. The 590 is better suited for heavy hydraulic fluid demands, like running a breaker, tamper or setting heavy septic tanks. My Ford dipperstick was really high up there. It constantly hit low limbs and scared me going under bridges. The Case dipper is a LOT more compact the way it snugs up to the back of the machine.

Case's are built in Racine, WI or Iowa. Fords are built in Belgium, unless they're really old then they might be American made. My Ford 555 4x4 leaked more oil at the seals than I would have liked and it was only ~75HP. My case is ~92HP turbo and feels a lot stronger. The push button locking differential mounted on the loader stick is really nice, too.

Either one will serve you well. Don't hesitate buying a good used Ford. Me personally, I just always had a dislike for buying things that were no longer made. Ford's been out of the B/H biz for ~10 years now.

Don't count out JD, either. They hold up well and I see a lot of older JDs for sale that were former township machines. I really wanted a Deere 310SG, but just couldn't find one in my price range.

Good luck! let us know what you end up buying.

 

[Richard]

I'm just an itty bitty homeowner (about 2 acres). I've owned a JCB 1550B for maybe 7 years now.

I've blown a hose (couple actually ) replaced seals on crowd cylinder, new muffler, new fuel sending switch (so my gauge would work), transfer pump and I think I had the alternater looked at (was fine)

Oh and I have replaced all the tires.

This thing runs smooth as a watch and I've been able to get anything I"ve needed done taken care of at the dealer.

I'd say not to shy away from JCB "just because". If you have other valid reasons to do so then fine...shy away. But I'd at least give it a fair look and make sure the merits are all weighed properly.

 

[Builder]

Thanks for the comments.

I've had good luck w/ JD, partly because I have a friend at JD ag who can often get parts for me - at 1/2 or less than the gougers at JD yellow.

My experience w/ Case is limited. Dealer network is certainly strong.

It's true, there are fewer of the larger machines. But what I've seen is that the smaller ones are either tired or overpriced. it's easy enough to haul a 6.5-ton machine around behind a one-ton but it's a little motre effort to haul 8-9 tons.

But generally I've found the larger machines to be in better shape.

Right now the nicest machine I've found is a 655; the best deal is a low-hour Terex. We'll see tomorrow at the Ritchie auction ~ 20 TLBs, mostly newer case.

Terex always gives you the most bang for the buck. I almost bit on a new 760, but decided a slightly used Case is better than a new Terex. The Terex did dig deeper, had bigger front tires and had more FEL lift strength.

I really like the Cummins (Consolidated) diesel in the Case hoes. It's just downright unbreakeable.

Larger B/H's can be actually cheaper than the mid size machines b/c they appeal to a much smaller group of buyers. Most of the time a Case 590 sells for slightly less than a Case 580 with similar hours & condition.