input wanted on potential purchase of a case 1845 with Isuzu c201

I live in WI and found a case 1845 late 70's, not sure of exact year yet, that is for sale. Its listed for $2850 and has a bucket and forks, the seat has no cushions and the tires are weather checked but hold air. The unit was originally a diesel and is not currently running but a repower was started with an Isuzu c201. I haven't gone to look at the machine yet but am scheduled to this weekend. Supposedly the Isuzu is installed completely minus reinstalling the radiator and reattaching the hydraulics. The gentleman states the engine turns over but he couldn't get it to fire. The local case dealer is also an Isuzu dealer and another local mechanic is also familiar with Isuzu engines so I'm confident between the info I've read on other posts on here, my knowledge, and talking to the mechanics that we can get the machine put back together and running. I was interested in this machine to replace a smaller tractor with loader that is used mainly for manure and moving round bales. The specs I found showed the working load of this machine was 1700# and we make large round bales that can get up in that weight range and the tractor sometimes struggles with these bales. I should be able to get about $3-4000 for my tractor so I'd like to keep my investment to under $5000. My questions are as follows. 1) Do you think this is a reasonable price, or what would be a reasonable price 2) Given my price range are there any recommendations of another skidsteer that might fit my needs 3) Are they any specific things I should inspect or look for when I go to look at the machine 4) The specs I found show the original unit had a 45 horsepower engine. Another thread on this site stated the Isuzu could get up in that power range but other sites I looked at only list the c201 as a 27 to 28 horsepower engine. I'm worried that at 27 horsepower the 1845 will be underpowered and bog down and won't have the same lift capacity. Do you think the Isuzu c201 will be a powerful enough replacement for this unit and maintain my lift capacity and speed. Thanks for the info Matt

The thing that you need to remember here is that the machine is no longer stock, so some parts will not be available through standard means. It sounds like you have a good support system here, so that may not be as much of a risk.
The only way that I would pay anywhere near $3000 for that machine is if it was running, and I could see the thing drive / loader operate. Otherwise, who knows what other issues there may be with the machine. If you can't hear the motor run, one has to assume that it may need work. Same with the hydraulic system.
Based on that, I wouldn't want to pay more than $1500 for this unit, unless you are really looking for a project. It would also be good to know how many hours are on it, and what happened to the original engine. It may give you some indication of the level of care that it recieved.
As far as the size category goes, a 1700lb ROC should do everything you want. We have a BC773 out at the farm (also 1700lb ROC) and do all the same work with it that you want to do. It has lots of capacity.
With respect to the HP difference, this will not affect the lifting capacity of the machine, assuming the engine weighs about the same. What it will affect is speed and pushing power.
Since your budget is $5000, and you think you can get $3-4000 for your tractor, go look at some $8-9000 machines, that should get you a nice one. We paid about $8500 for the 773, and were able to put is straight to work.
HTH

SkidRoe said:

The thing that you need to remember here is that the machine is no longer stock, so some parts will not be available through standard means. It sounds like you have a good support system here, so that may not be as much of a risk.
The only way that I would pay anywhere near $3000 for that machine is if it was running, and I could see the thing drive / loader operate. Otherwise, who knows what other issues there may be with the machine. If you can't hear the motor run, one has to assume that it may need work. Same with the hydraulic system.
Based on that, I wouldn't want to pay more than $1500 for this unit, unless you are really looking for a project. It would also be good to know how many hours are on it, and what happened to the original engine. It may give you some indication of the level of care that it recieved.
As far as the size category goes, a 1700lb ROC should do everything you want. We have a BC773 out at the farm (also 1700lb ROC) and do all the same work with it that you want to do. It has lots of capacity.
With respect to the HP difference, this will not affect the lifting capacity of the machine, assuming the engine weighs about the same. What it will affect is speed and pushing power.
Since your budget is $5000, and you think you can get $3-4000 for your tractor, go look at some $8-9000 machines, that should get you a nice one. We paid about $8500 for the 773, and were able to put is straight to work.
HTH

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The original engine in an 1845 was a Case 155 at near 50 HP . The c 201 is mostly used as a refer motor and I think the HP is near or under 40 and that would be at hi rpm 3500 mabey my c223 is set at 4400 rpms 58 HP . Gearbox