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My current task list is widening on the driveway and general snow removal and maintence, making an offroad buggy wash down, replacing a 10' x 30' x 14"deep area of top soil with rock and fill dirt at one end of the shop, making Quads trails in the woods, possible small barn build in the future, and maybe a pond. I realize it is a large machine however based on my research its hard to pass up for $8,000,00 with Bucket , forks and a snow plow.
skidsteer.ca
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- Jan 20, 2006
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I typically stick to the 700 class of machines but there is nothing wrong with a 873 at the right price.
The main reasons to stay smaller would be won't fit into you job site or your truck or trailer is too small to haul it.
Otherwise go for it.
These fall into the class of large frame loader but there are many of these in service and a good selection of used attachment and parts are readily available.
If it was a 963 for home use I'd say think twice because few were made, parts are more, attachments may be 1 off. But not with a 873.
Do however make sure the timing belt gets replaced at the correct hours, otherwise look it over like any other machine you would consider buying.
skidsteer.ca
Well, I went and looked at the machine. As it turns out it was made 11/99 not 04. The guy did not even know he was supposed to change the timing belt so that needs to be done. The machine is in decent shape. It definatly needs tires and the bucket tilt ram bushing replaced. All the other pins etc have grease in them and seem to be ok. I checked the front wheel bearing and they are also fine. Could not lift the rear to check those. The engine fired right up without any smoke and purred like a kitten. No leaks anywere that I could see. The guy will deliver it to my door for $7500.00
Forgot to add all gauges work and it has 3352 hours on it.
That's a pretty good deal. Good point, the first thing i would do is the belt too. When they let go, you will have S shaped push rods.
Still debating on this machine being on the large size so i have been looking at smaller ones like the Mustang 940e, Bobcat 632, 753 etc. My problem is I have ZERO experience with owning and/or operating Skidsteers and do not want to be dissapointed in buying a smaller machine even if the use is home only! decisions decisions lol. I do have experience running backhoe's and tractor style loaders. Help please!
The only machines i really know are the Bobcat ones, the 632 is a little small and old. Out of the list, the 753 should be a good place to start. It will be newer and have a larger engine. The 753 is the basis of how all the current bobcat machines are now made. There are differences, but for the most part, they are very close.
bobbie-g
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- Mar 15, 2004
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I always hate it when I learn so much about machines after I buy them! I'm getting smarter, though. I have an 863 that I just bought. Love it. Fairly simple machine, 1999. This time, I had the machine taken to a Bobcat dealer for evaluation before I bought it. Cost me about $400 to have them go through all the hoops, including checking the turbo, doing a compression check, checking slack in chains, leaks in axle seals, aux hydro pressure and flow, glow plug circuitry, etc. They also pulled the stored error codes in the computer, which the Unwashed Masses can't do. Well worth the money since it was 3 states away. You can also call Bobcat in SD with the serial number and find out what options were on the machine when manufactured. I have a 751, T180, and the 863. For digging, the 863 is far better than the 751, unless you are digging in dirt. The 751 rides like being on a cork in a washing machine, the 863 is much more stable. With 3300 hrs on the machine, I'd want to do a compression check. Might start fine in the summer, but with low compression, it could give trouble in the winter (some of us know these things, don't ask). Spec is I think around 400psi. The 753 is a nice machine, I'd stay away from the 751 with Peugeot engine, just because parts are so hard to get and so expensive at Bobcat. Having said all that, I'd snap it up at $7500 if the above stuff pans out.
---RCOdyknuck, I own an 873 C, I have had it for 10 years, I thought it would be too much machine. I use it for home owner projects. It is not it runs well, I move lots of rocks around my property with it. I am glad that I bought the 873 over an 753. The 873 needed a head gasket and the boom needed welding. It came with a Bobcat sweeper tooth bucket and forks, all for 10,000. It had 1900 hours, it currently has 2900 hours. I would jump all over that deal for 7500 dollars. Keep in mind that it weighs about 6700 lbs so if you are going to move it you need at least a 3/4 ton truck and 5 ton trailer. Rich Szklany
Odyknuck, I own an 873 C, I have had it for 10 years, I thought it would be too much machine. I use it for home owner projects. It is not it runs well, I move lots of rocks around my property with it. I am glad that I bought the 873 over an 753. The 873 needed a head gasket and the boom needed welding. It came with a Bobcat sweeper tooth bucket and forks, all for 10,000. It had 1900 hours, it currently has 2900 hours. I would jump all over that deal for 7500 dollars. Keep in mind that it weighs about 6700 lbs so if you are going to move it you need at least a 3/4 ton truck and 5 ton trailer. Rich M-37
