Bobcat 873 Good or bad?

[Mikefromcny]

Hi guys, On my never ending searches for good deals and more equipment, I found a 873 a few hours away from me. Guy says its a 95-99 model, has been used for light projects in the past few years, stored inside during winter and it goes to the dealer annually for service. He's asking $8000 and it looks decent. Anything to watch on these? I've heard the controls can and do fail as well as the security system, a friend had one at his work, all sorts of electrical problems. Had to have the dealer punch the master code in at one point because they got locked out. That part makes me nervous, as my 743 is very simple and reliable. My 743 is actually apart getting painted right now. The only reason I'm considering it is, its a deal and 743's still bring $6000 around here so I could upgrade for not much $$. Any thoughts? Whats the "G" and "F" models? If its key start and foot controls I'll probably grab it. Thanks guys.

 

[mahans7]

Pros: good deal, 1 decade newer, twice the horsepower, 1100 lbs. or almost double the lifting weight, a kind of lower hi flow system and well maintained.

Cons: more money, weighs 3700 lbs. more, 2 feet longer and 1 foot wider with electronics.

If you need the extra capacity it sounds like a go but if its just a good deal, well like you say, "On my never ending search.."

 

[Mikefromcny]

Pros: good deal, 1 decade newer, twice the horsepower, 1100 lbs. or almost double the lifting weight, a kind of lower hi flow system and well maintained.

Cons: more money, weighs 3700 lbs. more, 2 feet longer and 1 foot wider with electronics.

If you need the extra capacity it sounds like a go but if its just a good deal, well like you say, "On my never ending search.."

Well...Went to go look at it, and ended up buying it. Its an "873F" key start, regular gauges, foot controls. Starts right up, runs good. Has 4100 hours. Few smaller cracks in boom, nothing real ugly. Appearence isnt the best, will clean and paint down the road. It did make trips to the bobcat dealer and everything is supposed to be up to snuff, Hasnt been used a whole lot in the past 6 years. Bobcatdan and 7lbsmallie, What should I look for as far as preventive maintainence stuff goes? Ever see any high hour 853, 863, 873 machines? Trying to get a feel for what I just bought, hopefully more good than bad. I love the kubotas, the few I've owned have served me very well, not sure what to think of the deutz though.

 

[Tazza]

Well...Went to go look at it, and ended up buying it. Its an "873F" key start, regular gauges, foot controls. Starts right up, runs good. Has 4100 hours. Few smaller cracks in boom, nothing real ugly. Appearence isnt the best, will clean and paint down the road. It did make trips to the bobcat dealer and everything is supposed to be up to snuff, Hasnt been used a whole lot in the past 6 years. Bobcatdan and 7lbsmallie, What should I look for as far as preventive maintainence stuff goes? Ever see any high hour 853, 863, 873 machines? Trying to get a feel for what I just bought, hopefully more good than bad. I love the kubotas, the few I've owned have served me very well, not sure what to think of the deutz though.

4,000 hours is nowhere near high hours, heaps of life left in it.
I'd start by doing the timing belt and fluid change and all filters, you then have a good starting point. If the timing belt goes, you will bend push rods.
Look at fixing the cracks in the arms sooner than later, the longer you use it, the further they will grow.