742, want to buy but not sure how to unload. Worth buying?

[dirtyb115]

Hi all, looking for a few ideas/advice. I have been without a machine for about a year, and have really been looking to get another 743. I came across a 742 and while i would rather have a diesel, the price is too good. I can pick it up for 1200. Not much rust, looks to be clean for the age. He said that the starter is dead, and there is a bushing that needs replaced in the distributer. Will also need at least 2 new tires, but he claims the hydraulics are good, and the motor is okay. He can get it loaded onto my buddies trailer with a boom truck, but i am not sure how i can get it off the trailer when i get it home. any ideas? Is there a valve i can open on these so they will roll when off? I figure for 1200 its worth a shot trying to get it going, am i crazy? thanks in advance for any help.

 

[antfarmer2]

I am with you on the diesel I just bought a 743 but for that price why not you could part it out and be ahead Getting it off the trailer put some plywood pieces under the wheels wax the bottom with paraffin wax and pull it off might need a floor jack to get over high spots

 

[antfarmer2]

I am with you on the diesel I just bought a 743 but for that price why not you could part it out and be ahead Getting it off the trailer put some plywood pieces under the wheels wax the bottom with paraffin wax and pull it off might need a floor jack to get over high spots

Also water down the trailer worked good for me on my smooth steel trailer

 

[idwoodhauler]

Also water down the trailer worked good for me on my smooth steel trailer

I've been able to pull mine with someone in the machine hoding the steering levers in the direction you're pulling. Cranking the engine helped too. Good luck!

 

[frogfarmer]

Just assume its dead weight. How would you move a 5000 pound rock. We push pull or drag the dead machines around the shop but we always have something larger/heavier to assist. Just keep everything slow because the shock loads can be very high if you get in a hurry. A bypass valve can be installed but a waste of time and money in my opinion. 1200 is a good price Ive paid twice that for dead machines that could not be verified and some were good some weren't.

 

[Hotrod1830]

Just assume its dead weight. How would you move a 5000 pound rock. We push pull or drag the dead machines around the shop but we always have something larger/heavier to assist. Just keep everything slow because the shock loads can be very high if you get in a hurry. A bypass valve can be installed but a waste of time and money in my opinion. 1200 is a good price Ive paid twice that for dead machines that could not be verified and some were good some weren't.

Jack up the front of the trailer with the tounge jack, release the binders and go to lunch. Dont expect it to go fast, but it will roll off.

 

[revdup]

Sounds like a good buy especially if you have some mechanical abilities yourself. The distributer can be a problem. Bob Cat no longer sells that one and the replacement is pricey. I had to take my highly rusted distributer all apart. I sanded, wd40'd and clean untill every thing moved again. The vacum advance was shot so I eliminated it and plugged the hose. Put in new points and condensor and five years later it is still running great. There is a chance that the 1972 Ford Pinto is the same and the distributer may be available in a rebuild. If the engine is original it may have thicker main bearings. Keep that in mind if you do a rebuild. I sold mine just last month and bought an 863. The 863 is great but I really miss the old 742.

 

[revdup]

If the distributer bushing is brass I have made bushings using a brass fitting and my drill press for a lathe.