743b for home use/pt business

[weidjd]

Looking to get my first SS and 743 might be it. Usual dirt work/dumping and tree/brush removal to start. Want to use most attachments if I can. Would this be a good option? I have operated (3) SS all with foot/controls but they were on small size for hog farm help.

 

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they are tough little machines. i ran my 643 over 100 hours of snow this winter, worked great. just be prepared because machines of that age inevitably have issues, but they are simple to work on.

 

[bobkat843]

There are people with 743s and simply love them .That said they are getting old and harder to find parts. If you can't turn a wrench you better get used to it! really comes down to budget though lol

 

[Bobcatdan]

There are people with 743s and simply love them .That said they are getting old and harder to find parts. If you can't turn a wrench you better get used to it! really comes down to budget though lol

I'm probably a little famous on this site for my utter dislike of 743 or any 40 series. You might as well get an 8n for a loader tractor and a '46 power wagon for a 4x4 truck for comparison. If this was 1990, my tune would be different as they were good machines when new. Today they are terribly outdated, often worn out and simple not worth the money to stick a ton in. Running and working $3500 is top dollar, paying more for one is stupid. I've said before, if you have owned one for 20 years and it has been go to you, then they are an OK machine. But dear god don't buy one, especially if you want to make money with one. Also who ever says they are easy to work on is nuts. A 753, 763 and so on are night and day easier to work. 753 or newer and find a G series if you really want attachment capabilities.

 

[Tazza]

I'm probably a little famous on this site for my utter dislike of 743 or any 40 series. You might as well get an 8n for a loader tractor and a '46 power wagon for a 4x4 truck for comparison. If this was 1990, my tune would be different as they were good machines when new. Today they are terribly outdated, often worn out and simple not worth the money to stick a ton in. Running and working $3500 is top dollar, paying more for one is stupid. I've said before, if you have owned one for 20 years and it has been go to you, then they are an OK machine. But dear god don't buy one, especially if you want to make money with one. Also who ever says they are easy to work on is nuts. A 753, 763 and so on are night and day easier to work. 753 or newer and find a G series if you really want attachment capabilities.

You have made that clear Dan to an extent i do believe they have had their day, but for home use, they are just fine, they save a lot of back breaking work.
I like my 743 machines, they are easy to repair, no electronics and parts are still available and pretty cheap.
With that said, i really do love my S150, yes it has electronics but it has so much more power than the 743 does, smoother to operate and a little more hydraulic flow.
The way i see it, if you are handy and want to do the repairs your self, go for an earlier machine as you can do the lot. The newer ones sometimes need the dealer to plug their computer into it.
I have never worked on a machine with hand controls, with what i have heard, i don't want to ever have to.

 

[reaperman]

I'm probably a little famous on this site for my utter dislike of 743 or any 40 series. You might as well get an 8n for a loader tractor and a '46 power wagon for a 4x4 truck for comparison. If this was 1990, my tune would be different as they were good machines when new. Today they are terribly outdated, often worn out and simple not worth the money to stick a ton in. Running and working $3500 is top dollar, paying more for one is stupid. I've said before, if you have owned one for 20 years and it has been go to you, then they are an OK machine. But dear god don't buy one, especially if you want to make money with one. Also who ever says they are easy to work on is nuts. A 753, 763 and so on are night and day easier to work. 753 or newer and find a G series if you really want attachment capabilities.

Dan makes a great point putting a value on a machine of that era. I see many Craigslist machines from that same era with totally ridiculous prices attached. Just yesterday, a 642 (gasser), 3500 hrs, new paint, $9000! I don't have to say anymore.

 

[weidjd]

Dan makes a great point putting a value on a machine of that era. I see many Craigslist machines from that same era with totally ridiculous prices attached. Just yesterday, a 642 (gasser), 3500 hrs, new paint, $9000! I don't have to say anymore.

Thanks for all the info. I will look at some other machines. When I search CL it seems the prices are all over the place. Don't really want to spend 8-10k on junk. Glad I found this site.

 

[billrbg]

Thanks for all the info. I will look at some other machines. When I search CL it seems the prices are all over the place. Don't really want to spend 8-10k on junk. Glad I found this site.

I'm in the group that likes the 743. It is a fairly tough and simple machine. My only experience with newer B'cats is having to do some trouble-shooting of an 863(?) that had the BICS interlock and control system; that was a real pain, Iwould never want one with the BICS if I had to work on it. Keep in mind that the 743 is actually kind of small and light. If you use it with a back-hoe you will wish for more weight. On the other hand, if you are breaking up the concrete down in an old swimming pool, you will wish the B'cat was smaller! Access to things for maintenance or repair is very poor in some places, notably down in the Control Valve area, but I don't remember the 863 being any better.