skid steer question

[dondiesel444]

I am looking for another skid steer. it's been about 6 years since I've owned one. I am looking for a slightly older one, but the ones I seen seem to have high hours on them. the ones I owned both had less than 1500 hours. at what point should the hours concern me? I guess it's like everything else, even a higher hour machine that was taken care of could be in better shape than a low hour machine that was abused. any help appreciated!!

[hillbilli]

It all depends on how well they were maintained. Skidsteers are built like mini tanks and can take alot of abuse. We have several 05 bobcat A300's with around 1000hrs each and they all look and act brand new. They are only used in the winter, but they are usually ran all out with a snow bucket or snowblower when they are used. Oil and filters are changed yearly and they are greased on a regular basis. There probably gonna last another 10 years 2000hrs here or so before there even thought about being replaced. Just try to get as much information and maintainence history about them as you can and get a good mechanic to look them over and you should be fine.

	Dads Intercooler Tanks

[bmoeller]

Depends on maintenance and a good operator that cares about the life of the machine.

Seen 1000hr machines look as rough as a 5-6k machine. I'd be leary of a DuPont overhaul. No telling what has been hidden/covered up.

[dondiesel444]

I've seen a couple nice looking machines with over 3000 hours, one had 4000. they all look, ran and operated good, but something with that many hours still scares me. I dunno how long those little 3 cylinder engines last, and at that many hours drive motors and pumps could be at the end of their service life and I know they aren't cheap. I think I should stick with something in the 2000 hour range? or would one of the 3000+ be OK? I would definatly have a mechaninc look at whatever I am serious about buying.

[peaystruckshop]

What brand are you looking for. Caterpillar makes some good ones.

[bmoeller]

Looking at a machine that has good service records with it would be ideal. Then you'll know what has, or hasn't, been done to it. Just a crap shoot otherwise.

A 2000hr machine could still be a POS, if it was neglected/abused.

Having a mechanic looking it over would be a good idea. Have him do pressure checks on the hyd system (maybe compression check on the engine on a higher houred machine). Whether the hyd pump may be weak and do the cylinder leak down tests. Then you'll know the condition of the valves and internal cylinder seals. The are specs for that.

Get the wheels up off the ground and see how sloppy the chains are between the front and rear wheels, on each side. And to see if the wheel bearings are sloppy or not. With the wheels off, one can look to see the condition of the wheels seals.

If by chance you get an older Case loader, make sure it has covers over the chain boxes. The ones that don't, are a REAL PITA to get the wheel bearing housings off. Later ones, you can get the sprocket nut off and slide it out. Make sure the cover seals are good too. Don't water in there.

Stay away from a Case 1835 (any of them, gas or diesel). 1840 and bigger are better.