99 863 good for dirt work?

[Jimmy192]

Looking at a 863 with 1600 hrs to buy and use to maintain our motocross track. Noticed tilt bucket hydraulics only has one cylinder instead of two. Any one have any pros or cons to the single cylinder set up for moving dirt around. any thing else to look for? thanks Jimmy

 

[thetool]

I'm no operator, but the 863 is a good digging machine.
Don't be fooled into thinking that because a machine has only one tilt cylinder, it is weaker than a machine with two. It all depends on the pump, volume of the cylinder and area of the piston or pistons.
The single tilt cylinder on an 863 is BIG compared to the twin cylinders on an 873. The advantage of two tilt cylinders is to make it easier to get in and out of the cab, without that big single cylinder tower on the cross-beam.
The 863 won't load high like a vertical-lift machine. If you're going to keep low most of the time, the 863 is good. Go for it.

 

[Tazza]

I'm no operator, but the 863 is a good digging machine.
Don't be fooled into thinking that because a machine has only one tilt cylinder, it is weaker than a machine with two. It all depends on the pump, volume of the cylinder and area of the piston or pistons.
The single tilt cylinder on an 863 is BIG compared to the twin cylinders on an 873. The advantage of two tilt cylinders is to make it easier to get in and out of the cab, without that big single cylinder tower on the cross-beam.
The 863 won't load high like a vertical-lift machine. If you're going to keep low most of the time, the 863 is good. Go for it.

Seconded.
The extra weight and power will make digging much easier than a smaller “7” series machine.
The other advantage i can see for the twin tilt cylinders is they are attached closer to where the load is applied to the bobtach ie. the top 2 angled points. The modern bobtach's are pretty strong and don't fail like the old ones did (cracks).

 

[Jimmy192]

Seconded.
The extra weight and power will make digging much easier than a smaller “7” series machine.
The other advantage i can see for the twin tilt cylinders is they are attached closer to where the load is applied to the bobtach ie. the top 2 angled points. The modern bobtach's are pretty strong and don't fail like the old ones did (cracks).

Thanks for the info. I picked it up last night. I've read on here the controls on these machines are a little more jerky than the new machines. That does seem to be the case. Be it is not that bothersome to me. 2 other questions I have are he told me the timing belt has not been replaced. I was wanting to do this my self. Could someone provide some insight on this before I get in to it? Looks pretty straight forward? Second was the digital display has Part of a number not showing up on the hour meter, It reads 1674 hrs but the bottom tail on the number 4 is missing. Any one know the cost to replace the board? Pretty easy? Thanks again for the help Jimmy

 

[Tazza]

Thanks for the info. I picked it up last night. I've read on here the controls on these machines are a little more jerky than the new machines. That does seem to be the case. Be it is not that bothersome to me. 2 other questions I have are he told me the timing belt has not been replaced. I was wanting to do this my self. Could someone provide some insight on this before I get in to it? Looks pretty straight forward? Second was the digital display has Part of a number not showing up on the hour meter, It reads 1674 hrs but the bottom tail on the number 4 is missing. Any one know the cost to replace the board? Pretty easy? Thanks again for the help Jimmy

This runs an oil cooled duetz rite?
From memory you will need some special gear to set the tension on the new belt, another user was lucky enough to be able to hire one to get his done.

 

[Jimmy192]

This runs an oil cooled duetz rite?
From memory you will need some special gear to set the tension on the new belt, another user was lucky enough to be able to hire one to get his done.

Yes, it is the deutz engine. Local dealer said they would replace belt for $170.00 parts and around 4 or 5 hrs labor ($70.00 per hr). Figure $550 to $600 total worst case. Is it worth it to have them do it? My biggest problem is the boss digital readout . It appears after opening the box up the board is in pretty bad shape. From what I am reading on the forum these are hard and expensive to come by? Jimmy

 

[siduramaxde]

Yes, it is the deutz engine. Local dealer said they would replace belt for $170.00 parts and around 4 or 5 hrs labor ($70.00 per hr). Figure $550 to $600 total worst case. Is it worth it to have them do it? My biggest problem is the boss digital readout . It appears after opening the box up the board is in pretty bad shape. From what I am reading on the forum these are hard and expensive to come by? Jimmy

My timing belt broke on my T200 (same motor as your 863). When the belt brakes it bends all the push rods and then they have to be replaced too. So, yes it would be a good idea to get it changed. I think it cost me about $1000 to have the push rods and timing belt replaced.

 

[Tazza]

My timing belt broke on my T200 (same motor as your 863). When the belt brakes it bends all the push rods and then they have to be replaced too. So, yes it would be a good idea to get it changed. I think it cost me about $1000 to have the push rods and timing belt replaced.

I'm not sure if the actual display is THAT expensive or hard to come by, the main BOSS controller i believe is.
I'm assuming you are talking about corrosion?

 

[Jimmy192]

I'm not sure if the actual display is THAT expensive or hard to come by, the main BOSS controller i believe is.
I'm assuming you are talking about corrosion?

Yes, Water seeped in to the box and there is corrosion on the board. The corrosion started to eat a couple resistors on the board. It is only the bottom corner of the board. that the water effected. I will be making calls today trying to find one.
Jimmy