JCB Skid Steer

[jbailey52]

Serious problems with brand new skid steer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey everyone... Im not a common poster on this side of the forum, but I think this thread is best posted here. Last December we purchased a new skid steer. For now I will leave out where, and what brand name, I really dont want to start the "Well thats what you get for buying that machine VS this machine. The problem is this, is has a little over 200 hrs on it. It has been back the the dealer (an hour and 15 mins away) about 7 times. It has blown various hydraulic lines on job sites, spewing 12 gallons of hydro fluid over customer yards and driveways about 4 times. Had to either sit and wait for the parts to be flown into the dealer and fixed on site, or had to be towed away. Last week it actually died in the middle of an innersection on a road, do to some electrical failure. The police actually had a backhow up the street and drugged it (is that a word?) to the side of the road. It was about 3 hours until the machine was picked up. So my question is where do I stand with this machine? If there was no problems, the dealer would never hear from me. I purchased this expensive, new piece of equipment so I would not have down time from breakdowns of a used machine. Yet I have had multiple with only 200 hours on the machine. The dealer told me the first couple times that with a new machine its "Common for the machine to work out its kinks from manufacturing" Well I think I should be well past that point. The dealer has accomodated me. They have given me a machine to use the last two times it has broken down, but I still feel something needs to be done with the machine. I guess what im asking from you guys, is your opinion or experiences with this. I hope I dont get to many "Man if that was my machine I would be in his office holding him up by the neck until I get a new machine". I would probably say that also if it was someone else's problem but its not practical/professional. I checked into lemon law in PA and it doesnt cover machinery, only automobiles. So far the sales man said he would talk to the manufacturer but I have heard anything yet. Thanks in advance for your help. Jeff

 

[reaperman]

Well, first off, I feel bad for your troubles. You lay down hard earned $$$ for a machine your trying to make a living with. As much as you dont want to spend any additional money you may want to "upgrade" by trading it in on another brand new skid loader. With only 200 hours, a trade in shouldnt cost much too much to get rid of the lemon. Perhaps one of the dealers will chime in and give a idea what kind of $$ you could expect to get on a trade in. I've heard it isnt as much as you may think. Good luck

 

[Mikefromcny]

Well, first off, I feel bad for your troubles. You lay down hard earned $$$ for a machine your trying to make a living with. As much as you dont want to spend any additional money you may want to "upgrade" by trading it in on another brand new skid loader. With only 200 hours, a trade in shouldnt cost much too much to get rid of the lemon. Perhaps one of the dealers will chime in and give a idea what kind of $$ you could expect to get on a trade in. I've heard it isnt as much as you may think. Good luck

does your dealer sell anything besides jcb? Maybe you can trade it in and get something different. If not, Pick another brand you like, or a machine with good reviews. Unload it at that dealer and move on. Not much worse than a untrustworthy machine and I don't depend on one for a living. I dont think jcb has been in the game for that long, and might as well let someone else own it while jcb figures out how to correct the issues. My 2 cents.

 

[SkidRoe]

does your dealer sell anything besides jcb? Maybe you can trade it in and get something different. If not, Pick another brand you like, or a machine with good reviews. Unload it at that dealer and move on. Not much worse than a untrustworthy machine and I don't depend on one for a living. I dont think jcb has been in the game for that long, and might as well let someone else own it while jcb figures out how to correct the issues. My 2 cents.

I would have to agree with Mike. I don't know if there is much more you can do other than trade it off while it is still relatively new. And I don't really care who's brand it is, JCB or otherwise, you should not have those kind of break downs on a new machine. JCB has been in the construction machine business long enough, they should have their act together. FWIW.

 

[Tazza]

I would have to agree with Mike. I don't know if there is much more you can do other than trade it off while it is still relatively new. And I don't really care who's brand it is, JCB or otherwise, you should not have those kind of break downs on a new machine. JCB has been in the construction machine business long enough, they should have their act together. FWIW.

Sorry, i moved your post before i finished reading it.... Moved it back though.
Normal to work kinks out? what a load of crap, if it was built right, there would be no problems for many many hours. There is no excuse for lines to blow if they were made and installed right.
Over here, we have consumer affairs. You bought a new machine to earn money, it has been costing you money in down time and travel time too. You should see if there is someone like that in your state to tell you what your rights are. I'd harass the manufacturer more, call constantly till you get an answer. The dealer may not be the best for that, but they did sell the machine and make their proffit, so they should be doing all they can to keep you happy.
I really hope you get it sorted out and get rid of that POS machine, or drive it off a cliff and collect the insurance! (if it didn't break down first)

 

[mahans7]

I would have to agree with Mike. I don't know if there is much more you can do other than trade it off while it is still relatively new. And I don't really care who's brand it is, JCB or otherwise, you should not have those kind of break downs on a new machine. JCB has been in the construction machine business long enough, they should have their act together. FWIW.

Well if its not feasible or economically favorable to trade it then maybe it could be fixed.

The main problem seems to be blowing hydraulic hoses, which were 4 of the 5 problems you've had. What did the dealer do to fix the hose problem (other than replacing the hose) and what was the electrical problem?

 

[mahans7]

Well if its not feasible or economically favorable to trade it then maybe it could be fixed.

The main problem seems to be blowing hydraulic hoses, which were 4 of the 5 problems you've had. What did the dealer do to fix the hose problem (other than replacing the hose) and what was the electrical problem?

Hey Tazza and Skidroe, I see that you guys are on now, what do you think?

 

[Tazza]

Hey Tazza and Skidroe, I see that you guys are on now, what do you think?

It sure sounds like a lemon... If it keeps blowing hoses, something is wrong. Possibly the relief is set too high causing them to burst. The thing is, a hose is rated for say 2,000 PSI it is meant to burst at more than twice that.
I know that it it was my machine, i would be as upset as you are. I really hope you can work out a deal with the manufacturer or the dealer to get a reliable machine

 

[SkidRoe]

Hey Tazza and Skidroe, I see that you guys are on now, what do you think?

I don't know. Those are some pretty fundamental problems with this machine.
I am all about second chances (Lord knows, I have been given plenty), but my Dad taught me that you always take the first loss. Trying to ride this thing out until the issues settle down is likely going to mean that you are heading out to the right of the warranty period. You know what that means - $$$$$$. I am going to stick with my first opinion - If an oppurtunity to deal this machine arises, do it.
BTW - Hydraulics is a topic near and dear to my heart. Quality hoses (i.e. SAE 100R1 / 100R2) are rated a minimum of 4 to 1 burst over working pressure (i.e. 4000 psi hose should not blow before 16000 psi). So unless there are some real wacky regenerative spikes coming throught the system (the reason you have port reliefs), this should never be a problem. In my line of work, I have often put hoses on the test bench and blown them up - this is no small feat. I have seen a lot more hoses blow the ends off due to crappy crimping than flat out burst failures (unless of course they were old enough to collect a pension!!).
I don't even want to get started on the electrical issues....

....need i say more??
My $0.02

 

[Mikefromcny]

I don't know. Those are some pretty fundamental problems with this machine.
I am all about second chances (Lord knows, I have been given plenty), but my Dad taught me that you always take the first loss. Trying to ride this thing out until the issues settle down is likely going to mean that you are heading out to the right of the warranty period. You know what that means - $$$$$$. I am going to stick with my first opinion - If an oppurtunity to deal this machine arises, do it.
BTW - Hydraulics is a topic near and dear to my heart. Quality hoses (i.e. SAE 100R1 / 100R2) are rated a minimum of 4 to 1 burst over working pressure (i.e. 4000 psi hose should not blow before 16000 psi). So unless there are some real wacky regenerative spikes coming throught the system (the reason you have port reliefs), this should never be a problem. In my line of work, I have often put hoses on the test bench and blown them up - this is no small feat. I have seen a lot more hoses blow the ends off due to crappy crimping than flat out burst failures (unless of course they were old enough to collect a pension!!).
I don't even want to get started on the electrical issues....

....need i say more??
My $0.02

I was referring to jcb being kinda new in the skid steer world. Not sure if it applies to skid steers or just the backhoes, But I heard they use some sorts of metric english fitting on hoses they not many hose makers stock as far as fittings go, something to keep in mind with a jcb.

 

[mahans7]

I was referring to jcb being kinda new in the skid steer world. Not sure if it applies to skid steers or just the backhoes, But I heard they use some sorts of metric english fitting on hoses they not many hose makers stock as far as fittings go, something to keep in mind with a jcb.

OK guys, I'm kind of getting a strong feeling that you favor dumping this 1 year old "lemon" machine, yet we spend hours and hours fixing 30 and 40 years old BCs with a mountain of problems.

If it was out of warranty, would fixing port reliefs or replacing hoses be that onerus? Are JCBs just junk English skidsteers that aren't worth fixing? JBailey, what did the dealer do to fix the hoses besides just replacing them?

 

[SkidRoe]

OK guys, I'm kind of getting a strong feeling that you favor dumping this 1 year old "lemon" machine, yet we spend hours and hours fixing 30 and 40 years old BCs with a mountain of problems.

If it was out of warranty, would fixing port reliefs or replacing hoses be that onerus? Are JCBs just junk English skidsteers that aren't worth fixing? JBailey, what did the dealer do to fix the hoses besides just replacing them?

Hey mahans, I see a few differences in this situation. I paid $2500 for a 20 year old machine that gave years of unfailing service under less than ideal conditions. And it was still worth fixing. It had some serious engine issues, but in my opinion, it had earned that right. Had I paid north of $40,000 for a new machine, my expectations would be very different. I could accept a few teething problems, like maybe a leak or two, but not the kind of crap this poor guy has experienced. And Mike, JCB has been in the skidsteer business since 1995. 17 years in, Bobcat was well into the 30 series machines, which were pretty refined and sorted. JCB has been designing hydraulics since the 1940's. Yes, british fluid connectors are different, but I have worked with them before, and they do work well if assembled properly. Just sayin'......

 

[Bobcatdan]

Hey mahans, I see a few differences in this situation. I paid $2500 for a 20 year old machine that gave years of unfailing service under less than ideal conditions. And it was still worth fixing. It had some serious engine issues, but in my opinion, it had earned that right. Had I paid north of $40,000 for a new machine, my expectations would be very different. I could accept a few teething problems, like maybe a leak or two, but not the kind of crap this poor guy has experienced. And Mike, JCB has been in the skidsteer business since 1995. 17 years in, Bobcat was well into the 30 series machines, which were pretty refined and sorted. JCB has been designing hydraulics since the 1940's. Yes, british fluid connectors are different, but I have worked with them before, and they do work well if assembled properly. Just sayin'......

JCB's look good on paper, that is about it. Jcb skidsteers are the biggest piles of junk out there. A paper mill that is a customer of mine bought a new JCB a year ago. Three months in they were trying to get jcb to take it back. From what I have been told by my conact there, the JCB serviceman is there at least three times a week. It has had over $25,000 in warranty work. They have since parked it and are using the bobcat the jcb was bought to replace. I personally have never worked on it, but I have worked on my share of jcb telehandlers and those things can be shoved up the engineer's you know what.

 

[Mikefromcny]

JCB's look good on paper, that is about it. Jcb skidsteers are the biggest piles of junk out there. A paper mill that is a customer of mine bought a new JCB a year ago. Three months in they were trying to get jcb to take it back. From what I have been told by my conact there, the JCB serviceman is there at least three times a week. It has had over $25,000 in warranty work. They have since parked it and are using the bobcat the jcb was bought to replace. I personally have never worked on it, but I have worked on my share of jcb telehandlers and those things can be shoved up the engineer's you know what.

Just to clarify, I've only seen like a 2008 or 2009 model, I assumed thats when they started making them, since I've never seen one older then that. I was talking to a farmer down the road a few days ago, they have a 751 with the kubota they bought new. I asked how many hours it had, he said it just rolled over (10K hours). Only thing thats been done is belts, water pumps tires etc.

 

[mahans7]

Just to clarify, I've only seen like a 2008 or 2009 model, I assumed thats when they started making them, since I've never seen one older then that. I was talking to a farmer down the road a few days ago, they have a 751 with the kubota they bought new. I asked how many hours it had, he said it just rolled over (10K hours). Only thing thats been done is belts, water pumps tires etc.

OK guys, I guess even though JCBs are sharp looking machines I won't be buying one anytime soon. SR, I absolutley get your point about our old BCs earning their right for repair. Good to hear from you again Dan.

 

[SkidRoe]

OK guys, I guess even though JCBs are sharp looking machines I won't be buying one anytime soon. SR, I absolutley get your point about our old BCs earning their right for repair. Good to hear from you again Dan.

Yup, another BC with 10k on it. I wish I knew how many hours were on the 440b, it was such a stripped down model when we bought it new, it didn't even have an hour meter!! It has to be getting close. It has had the chain case done once, a set of rims, 3 sets of tires, and of course, the repower, but that's about it. The bobtach is going to need some attention before too long, but all of the other pins and controls are still tight. Not bad for a machine that was less than $8k brand new!!

 

[[email protected]]

Yup, another BC with 10k on it. I wish I knew how many hours were on the 440b, it was such a stripped down model when we bought it new, it didn't even have an hour meter!! It has to be getting close. It has had the chain case done once, a set of rims, 3 sets of tires, and of course, the repower, but that's about it. The bobtach is going to need some attention before too long, but all of the other pins and controls are still tight. Not bad for a machine that was less than $8k brand new!!

JCB makes good machines, that is surprising to hear. i really want a 208s or 1cx....same thing, depending on where you live. what a machine. skid and backhoe in one. brilliant.

 

[Aliaziz1457]

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[jerry]

The latest product news, specifications and information on skid steer loaders for the building construction professional offered by the online construction equipment industry leader

I dont think that side entrance would be much fun with steel tracks on that machine when they are covered with muck or manure.