Why are Volvo backhoes so cheap?

[SonomaJoe]

If you add your location to your profile a member in the area might be willing to look a potential machine with you for that beer. I'm thinking you're more toward the left coast with that handle.

Just joined a couple days ago. I値l do it now. And yup. I live in Sonoma county Ca.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have wanted a JD 450 dozer since I was twelve. The Internet has shown me how bad an idea that is.

I had leased a small 450 years and years ago when my brother and i were building custom homes in california. That and a backhoe. Used quite extensively and had next to no issues with them. When economy tanked i was able to cancel lease. Was sure glad i didnt own them. After economy really tanked i bet i could have bought those pieces of equipment for peanuts. No one wanted anything to do with the smaller units.

 

[rScotty]

Hey to everyone who responded I cannot thank you enough , If anyone has time and wants to take an hour or so and educate someone who really wants to finally buy a piece of heavy equipment at the age of 36 after dreaming of it all of his life doesn稚 know **** about it I値l send you beer

OK. Here goes. We can get around to the beer later. Here is how to buy the TLB (Tractor/loader/backhoe) that you are looking for.

First of all, stay away from from dealers and advertised TLBs for sale. You know what you want; keep it simple. You want a Case 580 or JD310 in the 1990 to 2012 range that is in good working order for price you can afford. Older is OK. Good working order is a requirement.

So just go around your area and walk into the maintenance dept. of your local school district, parish, small town, or utility contractor, find the shop foreman, and tell him what you are looking for. If he doesn't have one I bet he knows where one is.

Of course this only works if you have cash available. But it works right now because this is the last month of the last quarter of the year - and it is the time when every business is legally required to finalize their budget for the next year. If he can sell his old machine to you, he can put a line item for a newer one into the budget he is probably working on today.

What have you got to lose?
You can do a lot of work with an old 2wd 65 hp backhoe with a manual shift. Even more so if it has a F/R shuttle. And the good ones will go for longer than you will. Expect to need $1500 to $2000 for for lube, filters, tools, batteries, tires, and hoses.
rScotty

 

[fried1765]

Hey to everyone who responded I cannot thank you enough , If anyone has time and wants to take an hour or so and educate someone who really wants to finally buy a piece of heavy equipment at the age of 36 after dreaming of it all of his life doesn稚 know **** about it I値l send you beer

At about your age I bought a crawler loader.
Bad idea!
If you do buy something, but a machine in VERY good condition with low hours.
Spend more money than you planned to.
Then sell it, when you are done with your projects.