considering an M600

[rjardo]

I'm looking at an old M600 that has a blown wisconsin v4 motor. The old farmer bought it when it was a couple of years old and used it up until 2-3 years ago. it's rough and will need a lot of TLC, but he's got a ripper bar on the back, a backhoe that mounts to the front lugs, standard bucket, and forks for the machine. I'm looking to use this around my farm for general digging and road maintenance. Am I just buying a headache? I'm worried that I should just buy a newer small machine and add the attachments as I go. Any ideas what this would be worth considering some seal kits, and a few hoses that will surely be leaking? He's at 3800, but I'm pretty sure he'd come down as his other option is probably doing a lot of work to haul it to a scrapyard for the 4 tons of scrap weight. He mentioned doing the heads twice on the engine, but thinks the problem was worse the last time it died. I'm guessing a complete teardown and possibly a broken rod. If it weren't for all the useful attachments he's got, I'd probably pass on this and spend the money on a 520 i've also been looking at that is running, but only 19 HP kohler gas motor. thanks for any opinions!! Bob

 

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3800 with a blown motor? no way. i think you can do better with a newer machine.

 

[rjardo]

3800 with a blown motor? no way. i think you can do better with a newer machine.

I was thinking around 2000, but i know that's a pretty lowball number.. the original backhoe attachment has to be worth 1000, it has both 12 and 24" buckets, also includes loader bucket, forks, and what i'd call a ripper rake hanging off the back.. he also has a second wisconsin v4 motor for parts.. If it weren't for all the attachments, i would walk away..

 

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I was thinking around 2000, but i know that's a pretty lowball number.. the original backhoe attachment has to be worth 1000, it has both 12 and 24" buckets, also includes loader bucket, forks, and what i'd call a ripper rake hanging off the back.. he also has a second wisconsin v4 motor for parts.. If it weren't for all the attachments, i would walk away..

Those old style backhoes are terrifying. The bucket is above your head haha

 

[HanSolo]

I was thinking around 2000, but i know that's a pretty lowball number.. the original backhoe attachment has to be worth 1000, it has both 12 and 24" buckets, also includes loader bucket, forks, and what i'd call a ripper rake hanging off the back.. he also has a second wisconsin v4 motor for parts.. If it weren't for all the attachments, i would walk away..

I'd offer $2000 or $2500 max. including all the attachments. The original backhoe attachment is hard to find and probably has good value. Is the ripping bar hydraulic? If so, the machine has the second rear aux. hydraulic circuit which is rare for a M600.

 

[rjardo]

I'd offer $2000 or $2500 max. including all the attachments. The original backhoe attachment is hard to find and probably has good value. Is the ripping bar hydraulic? If so, the machine has the second rear aux. hydraulic circuit which is rare for a M600.

The ripping bar is mounted on the back, and is driven by hydraulics.. i thought it was neat that there were both front and rear aux hydraulics... Thanks for confirming my 'seat of the pants' feel for the $2000-$2500 range.. I don't want to offend the guy, but I'm gambling that I can fix the motor for less than $1000.. If i miss that mark and have to start replacing seal kits and hoses, I'm going to be beating myself up for buying a sinkhole... Bob

 

[6brnorma]

The ripping bar is mounted on the back, and is driven by hydraulics.. i thought it was neat that there were both front and rear aux hydraulics... Thanks for confirming my 'seat of the pants' feel for the $2000-$2500 range.. I don't want to offend the guy, but I'm gambling that I can fix the motor for less than $1000.. If i miss that mark and have to start replacing seal kits and hoses, I'm going to be beating myself up for buying a sinkhole... Bob

Well......here's my 2 cents. You're kind of asking two different questions....is it a 'sink hole' and is it worth $3800.00. If he decides to 'piece' the thing out, he'd probably get the $3800.00, but who the heck wants to spend all that time doing it? I would do like Han suggested and make an offer but I'd probably only offer about $1500.00 because, (in response to the other part of your question) yes it is a sink hole. The value of the machine is the attachments and if you plan to use them for a while you'll need a good engine. Rebuilding that engine (correctly) will cost more than $1000.00. I wouldn't use that engine anyway......I'd put the more powerful VH4D engine in it for the same or slightly more money. Figure 3K for a good rebuild, another thousand in misc. when you R&R the engine (clutch linings, bushings in jackshaft sheaves, rebuild variable speed sheave, new belt, hydro filter, electronic dist. and electric fuel pump etc.) JMHO

 

[rjardo]

Well......here's my 2 cents. You're kind of asking two different questions....is it a 'sink hole' and is it worth $3800.00. If he decides to 'piece' the thing out, he'd probably get the $3800.00, but who the heck wants to spend all that time doing it? I would do like Han suggested and make an offer but I'd probably only offer about $1500.00 because, (in response to the other part of your question) yes it is a sink hole. The value of the machine is the attachments and if you plan to use them for a while you'll need a good engine. Rebuilding that engine (correctly) will cost more than $1000.00. I wouldn't use that engine anyway......I'd put the more powerful VH4D engine in it for the same or slightly more money. Figure 3K for a good rebuild, another thousand in misc. when you R&R the engine (clutch linings, bushings in jackshaft sheaves, rebuild variable speed sheave, new belt, hydro filter, electronic dist. and electric fuel pump etc.) JMHO

Thank you all for the feedback. I'll certainly give it a shot and see if I can convince him that I can save him the work of hauling it to the scrapyard or selling it in parts...If I end up with it, I'll get some pictures uploaded and begin asking more questions! Thanks again for all the input. - Bob