743 B or 853

[oldgoat]

Hello every one new to the bobcat side of this forum,been on case n mustang side for a while had a lot of help this place is great I have had and old 520 bobcat before and I have kicked my BUTT so much for selling it.So now i am looking to buy either a 1994 743 b or 1995 853 both are at a well know company around here in the mid west,both look to be in pretty good shape[from pic] I am going to physically look at them today.I know this is kind of a loaded question, since I have been out of the bobcat scene,What are the pro and cons on these. I just have a small acreage I move snow and some landscaping. What would be a fair price for either machine Thanks for all the help

 

[Bobcatdan]

Neither, both are scrap iron.

 

[Tazza]

Neither, both are scrap iron.

The 853 will be a bit newer, has more HP and a larger over all machine. I think you would be find with the 743B, cheaper to run and less damage to the ground. If you want to move lots, lean towards the 853
Bobcat Dan doesn't really like the older machines. For farm use they are fine, for commericial use, forget it, you have too much potential down time with an older machine.
I had a 731 that was about a 78 model, worked great for me, cost me nothing to repair. I then went to a 743, same deal, nothing broke after i did the inital repair work.
I now have an S150 that i really like, loads of power, yet it has fancy electronics that i hope to never have fail on me.

 

[doger5]

The 853 will be a bit newer, has more HP and a larger over all machine. I think you would be find with the 743B, cheaper to run and less damage to the ground. If you want to move lots, lean towards the 853
Bobcat Dan doesn't really like the older machines. For farm use they are fine, for commericial use, forget it, you have too much potential down time with an older machine.
I had a 731 that was about a 78 model, worked great for me, cost me nothing to repair. I then went to a 743, same deal, nothing broke after i did the inital repair work.
I now have an S150 that i really like, loads of power, yet it has fancy electronics that i hope to never have fail on me.

Go with the 743 B , cheap , simple to fix , parts are still available at the dealer and extremely frugal on sipping diesel fuel . Their lots of new and used spare parts on line as being one of the most popular model bobcat ever built .

 

[oldgoat]

Go with the 743 B , cheap , simple to fix , parts are still available at the dealer and extremely frugal on sipping diesel fuel . Their lots of new and used spare parts on line as being one of the most popular model bobcat ever built .

Thanks everyone I am leaning toward the 743b it is a clean machine low hrs and 1 onwner so I will let you all know what happens thanks again

 

[oldgoat]

Thanks everyone I am leaning toward the 743b it is a clean machine low hrs and 1 onwner so I will let you all know what happens thanks again

just an up date I got the 743 b and have used it it for a week or more and it works fine. I service it all the grease fitting took grease with know trouble. I have one small leak as soon as I fine it that will get fixed. Thank every one who had some in put

 

[billrbg]

just an up date I got the 743 b and have used it it for a week or more and it works fine. I service it all the grease fitting took grease with know trouble. I have one small leak as soon as I fine it that will get fixed. Thank every one who had some in put

I don't know what the "B" means, but my 743 has been a real work-horse, I don't think you will regret your choice. Some leaks can be a real bitch to get to, so be sure to post here for tips when you go after one!

 

[[email protected]]

I don't know what the "B" means, but my 743 has been a real work-horse, I don't think you will regret your choice. Some leaks can be a real bitch to get to, so be sure to post here for tips when you go after one!

743b was the last model before the 753. the first 753 was C series so i assume the B meant B series.

 

[billrbg]

743b was the last model before the 753. the first 753 was C series so i assume the B meant B series.

Do you know what year (or S/N) the "B" started? Is there any significant changes, or are the 743s all pretty much the same? I have heard of the different axle design, where one is easier to change the seals on, did that start with the "B"?

 

[doger5]

Do you know what year (or S/N) the "B" started? Is there any significant changes, or are the 743s all pretty much the same? I have heard of the different axle design, where one is easier to change the seals on, did that start with the "B"?

Yes

 

[ljbshop]

743b was the last model before the 753. the first 753 was C series so i assume the B meant B series.

All B series are the same as the regular 40 series. What happened is they started making the 50 series and they cost more, so they stripped the extras off the 40 series, called it a B series, and sold it as a cheaper alternative. You will find no insulation behind the cab, no auxillary hydraulics, no headlights. Some machines have this, but those are optional add-ons, not standard on the B like they were on other machines. I believe the B was produced from 1990 to 1994. The differences are the hydrostatic drive pump has a splined input shaft instead of a keyed tapered shaft. Halfway through production at sn ****18000 they went from a vane type hydraulic pump to a gear type hydraulic pump, and the chaincase, drive motors, and axles went to the 50 series design. These late Bs use 50 series drive motors, axles, seals, and bearings. Also has a 50 series quick attach on it.

 

[Bobcatdan]

All B series are the same as the regular 40 series. What happened is they started making the 50 series and they cost more, so they stripped the extras off the 40 series, called it a B series, and sold it as a cheaper alternative. You will find no insulation behind the cab, no auxillary hydraulics, no headlights. Some machines have this, but those are optional add-ons, not standard on the B like they were on other machines. I believe the B was produced from 1990 to 1994. The differences are the hydrostatic drive pump has a splined input shaft instead of a keyed tapered shaft. Halfway through production at sn ****18000 they went from a vane type hydraulic pump to a gear type hydraulic pump, and the chaincase, drive motors, and axles went to the 50 series design. These late Bs use 50 series drive motors, axles, seals, and bearings. Also has a 50 series quick attach on it.

I don't know that the B were a cheapen up model. There where several updated made to the original machines. 742 went from using a Ford engine to a Mitsubishi engine. Axle shaft designs were changed from one piece design to two.