bobcat 743 or case 1845c ?

[brian0828]

I asked about a bobcat 763 awhile ago but the deal fell through on the owners side. Had an issue he couldnt fix and stopped contacting me. So I been looking and decided to try again. I have ran alot of skid steers over the years but never owned or did much maintenance to one ( we sent it away for that). First I came across a bobcat 743 with new tires. good paint. comes with smooth bucket. Hours are unknown but it runs and drives nice. the unknown hours is my issue. I can pick it up for 4000. Second is a case 1845c. I like the hand controls better but wont keep from getting the 743. It has the cummins diesel which i really like. It has a grapple bucket with it which is another plus. the bad is bad tires. 3 bad rims. and on 3 of the wheels at least 2 studs are broken off on each. The owner said it ran great this winter. However one of his employees let it slip it hasnt ran in 3 years. We couldnt get it started. He said he can get it running. It has 3000 hours which is good for that engine but how good if its been sitting for 3 years? Cost would be 4500 RUNNING not sputtering or dieing. So for you experienced guys out there should I run from the case with its issues or is the risk worth the reward with the decent hours and grapple bucket which I was going to buy for the 743 if I get it. Or cross my fingers the 743 's engine doesnt need replaced soon? Lastly I will be doing most of the work on it myself. I never did work on one but I fix my truck when something happens so I think with some friends help and time I can do it and save money.

 

[SkidRoe]

No brainer - 743. Grapple buckets can be bought for $1500-$2000. You are going to be spending about $1000 on tires and rims for the Sad Case.
Besides, if the seller was lying about the machine not running for 3 years, what else was he lying to you about?

 

[Tazza]

No brainer - 743. Grapple buckets can be bought for $1500-$2000. You are going to be spending about $1000 on tires and rims for the Sad Case.
Besides, if the seller was lying about the machine not running for 3 years, what else was he lying to you about?

All i can comment on is the 743. They are simple to work on, all mechanical, no electronics. They were made for 10 years, they were their best machine.
My best advise is to check the engine out for your self. Go look at it and start it from stone cold. Put your hand on the engine before starting to ensure it is indeed ice cold. Start it up, they do need more glowing than newer engines though. I give mine 15 - 30 seconds, that's on a re-built engine too, its always loved a good glow. It will smoke as it starts, but should clear up pretty much straight away.

 

[frogfarmer]

All i can comment on is the 743. They are simple to work on, all mechanical, no electronics. They were made for 10 years, they were their best machine.
My best advise is to check the engine out for your self. Go look at it and start it from stone cold. Put your hand on the engine before starting to ensure it is indeed ice cold. Start it up, they do need more glowing than newer engines though. I give mine 15 - 30 seconds, that's on a re-built engine too, its always loved a good glow. It will smoke as it starts, but should clear up pretty much straight away.

Im a big fan of the 1845Cs but the older Bobcats were reliable as well. Given the condition of the Case the immediate answer would be buy the 743. Pumps and engines in the 743 are easily available and run with proper maintenance the life of the chassis. If the chassis of the 743 is rough the machine has alot of hours and hard use. If they are willing to work with you on the Case it could prove to be a good deal as well. I would not buy the machine without a test drive.

 

[brian0828]

Im a big fan of the 1845Cs but the older Bobcats were reliable as well. Given the condition of the Case the immediate answer would be buy the 743. Pumps and engines in the 743 are easily available and run with proper maintenance the life of the chassis. If the chassis of the 743 is rough the machine has alot of hours and hard use. If they are willing to work with you on the Case it could prove to be a good deal as well. I would not buy the machine without a test drive.

Well I went to look at the 743 today. It was in worse condition then told. It was repainted to cover all the welds. Both arms had ALOT of welds in the center of the arm. I dont know whats it called but cross member piece that holds the bucket on had alot of welds. I said 3000 is the best I would do since it had new tires. They said no and I left. My biggest concern with the case is how bad is it for it to sit that long. I see draining all fluids and changing all filters as a must. The case has the cracks on the crossmember piece that attaches to the bucket as well but the arms look great. In these kind of times I thought I would find more deals out there. Seems like more deals with higher priced machines. Under 6000 it seems they want more then its worth. I am mostly just using it for around the home so I dont need a 10,000 + machine. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[BobCat]

Well I went to look at the 743 today. It was in worse condition then told. It was repainted to cover all the welds. Both arms had ALOT of welds in the center of the arm. I dont know whats it called but cross member piece that holds the bucket on had alot of welds. I said 3000 is the best I would do since it had new tires. They said no and I left. My biggest concern with the case is how bad is it for it to sit that long. I see draining all fluids and changing all filters as a must. The case has the cracks on the crossmember piece that attaches to the bucket as well but the arms look great. In these kind of times I thought I would find more deals out there. Seems like more deals with higher priced machines. Under 6000 it seems they want more then its worth. I am mostly just using it for around the home so I dont need a 10,000 + machine. Thanks for the help everyone.

The one thing that annoys me big time is a machine that leaks engine oil and most annoying, hydraulic oil. A machine that's tight hydraulically no leaks would be a must for me and probably an overall report card of it's condition. Check it all out though and remember a good sound Bobcat will retain it's value for a very long time. So if they aren't asking much then you ain't getting much. If your mechanical inclined and would like a fixer upper then go with cheap. IMHO.

 

[Jyuma]

The one thing that annoys me big time is a machine that leaks engine oil and most annoying, hydraulic oil. A machine that's tight hydraulically no leaks would be a must for me and probably an overall report card of it's condition. Check it all out though and remember a good sound Bobcat will retain it's value for a very long time. So if they aren't asking much then you ain't getting much. If your mechanical inclined and would like a fixer upper then go with cheap. IMHO.

I know nothing about either machine, but I do know this... it is never good to let a machine sit for three years without running. Just about everything that can dry out, will dry out and leaks there will be. I'm in the process of restoring an old Thomas T133 that sat for about the same length of time and I no sooner get one leak plugged when I find another, ditto other mechanical issues as well.
I'll take the machine that's running well and has been doing work over the one sitting under a tarp for three years (unless it was properly prepped for long term storage).
bTw... I wouldn't worry about the welds too much (although I don't like the paint job that might have been a cover-up attempt), a lot of machines develop cracks that need welding, especially in the areas you indicated. If the repairs look decent it may be an indication that someone was at least taking proper care of maintenance issues.