Looking for some informed feedback an a machine I'm looking at: Its a late 70's bobcat 722. The hour meter is broke, so I have no idea of hours, It has been worked hard w/alot of welds on arms, some that will have to be redone. A major concern is the original 30 hp engine was just replaced w/a new Linamar 24hp aircooled engine. Do you guys have any feedback on this specific engine or an aircooled 2 cylinder used in a skid loader. The unit starts good, runs strong and the hydrolics seem strong and leak free. Their asking $4500. I hoping to get it for $4000. ($4000-4500 is the max end of my budget) I intend to use on my small farm doing general lite duty. I have decent mechanical skills to keep an older machine going. Thanks for feedback George
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I had a 731 that ran an air cooled Deutz, was an EXCELLENT engine, started first time every time. The only problem it had was it vibrated a lot, as all 2 cylinder Deutz engines did.
Don't be concerned that its air cooled, its less things to worry about.
The cracks, as long as you can fix them, and do a proper job it would make for a good machine. Even with MANY hours that style machine will keep going and going. My 731 i think had clicked over once, so thats more than 10,000 hours. It had the engine replaces just before i got it too. The hours are only an indication as if you leave the key on the hour meter will keep clicking over.
Don't be concerned that its air cooled, its less things to worry about.
The cracks, as long as you can fix them, and do a proper job it would make for a good machine. Even with MANY hours that style machine will keep going and going. My 731 i think had clicked over once, so thats more than 10,000 hours. It had the engine replaces just before i got it too. The hours are only an indication as if you leave the key on the hour meter will keep clicking over.
Thanks for the reply Tazza. I am going to take another look at it maybe tomorrow, I let you know what I do.I had a 731 that ran an air cooled Deutz, was an EXCELLENT engine, started first time every time. The only problem it had was it vibrated a lot, as all 2 cylinder Deutz engines did.
Don't be concerned that its air cooled, its less things to worry about.
The cracks, as long as you can fix them, and do a proper job it would make for a good machine. Even with MANY hours that style machine will keep going and going. My 731 i think had clicked over once, so thats more than 10,000 hours. It had the engine replaces just before i got it too. The hours are only an indication as if you leave the key on the hour meter will keep clicking over.
GL, I hate to be a pestimist all the time , but I have learned my lesson over the years , sometimes an old machine can be more trouble than it's worth if it was even given to you free , turs into a money and chit pit , you are always knee deep digging out the chit that just keeps caving in on you and you are constantly throwing money in to the slop to stand on, frustrating to say the least , I would think that machine is not worth $4,500 if it were mint condition , and a smaller than original gas engine is going to be less than desireable on power , if your going to invest that much money to start , you could probally find a 753 or 763 , diesel which I think were probally the most reliable , most manuverable and easiest to work on Bobcat ever built , good luckThanks for the reply Tazza. I am going to take another look at it maybe tomorrow, I let you know what I do.
I tend to agree there to an extent. I personally have had great success with older machines but only if you are able to do the work yourself. If you need to take it to the dealer every time you burst a hose or have a leaky cylinder you should look for something more modern that shouldn't have too many bugs. BUT if you are handy with a spanner you can save a lot with an older machine, my 731 was cheap but i did put a heap of time into it, not so much money and it was an excellent machine.GL, I hate to be a pestimist all the time , but I have learned my lesson over the years , sometimes an old machine can be more trouble than it's worth if it was even given to you free , turs into a money and chit pit , you are always knee deep digging out the chit that just keeps caving in on you and you are constantly throwing money in to the slop to stand on, frustrating to say the least , I would think that machine is not worth $4,500 if it were mint condition , and a smaller than original gas engine is going to be less than desireable on power , if your going to invest that much money to start , you could probally find a 753 or 763 , diesel which I think were probally the most reliable , most manuverable and easiest to work on Bobcat ever built , good luck
Thanks for the feedback fish.. I am still abit iffy on this machine, I probably will pass unless he drops the price significantly. I am definitely going w/an older machine, I only have $4-5,000 in my budget. I currently keep a 30 y.o. and a 50 y.o. tractor going so I am an OK mechanic, just not very knowledgeable on skid steers. My neighbor has a 743 and loves it, that is about the size I need, I will just try to be patient and find something w/less hours and abuse.GL, I hate to be a pestimist all the time , but I have learned my lesson over the years , sometimes an old machine can be more trouble than it's worth if it was even given to you free , turs into a money and chit pit , you are always knee deep digging out the chit that just keeps caving in on you and you are constantly throwing money in to the slop to stand on, frustrating to say the least , I would think that machine is not worth $4,500 if it were mint condition , and a smaller than original gas engine is going to be less than desireable on power , if your going to invest that much money to start , you could probally find a 753 or 763 , diesel which I think were probally the most reliable , most manuverable and easiest to work on Bobcat ever built , good luck
On the 722 is the hydraulic oil separate from the chain case? I kind of think that model did not have a separate tank and so any crud in the chain case may find its way to the pumps. Old machinery is not bad if you can work on it yourself. I sold our old tractor and kept the newer one which is 49 years old. If you can find one in the early or mid 80's for what you can afford they are easier to work on. Our 1980 632 you can't tip the cab to get at anything and that's some thing to avoid as a couple years later they changed so you could tip it.Thanks for the feedback fish.. I am still abit iffy on this machine, I probably will pass unless he drops the price significantly. I am definitely going w/an older machine, I only have $4-5,000 in my budget. I currently keep a 30 y.o. and a 50 y.o. tractor going so I am an OK mechanic, just not very knowledgeable on skid steers. My neighbor has a 743 and loves it, that is about the size I need, I will just try to be patient and find something w/less hours and abuse.
I don't know about the oil reserve, but if thats the case you will need to ensure its all sealed as chain cases are prone to getting water in them when it rains or you wash it down.On the 722 is the hydraulic oil separate from the chain case? I kind of think that model did not have a separate tank and so any crud in the chain case may find its way to the pumps. Old machinery is not bad if you can work on it yourself. I sold our old tractor and kept the newer one which is 49 years old. If you can find one in the early or mid 80's for what you can afford they are easier to work on. Our 1980 632 you can't tip the cab to get at anything and that's some thing to avoid as a couple years later they changed so you could tip it.
My 731 which was a late 70's machine didn't have a flip up cab either, you had to remove 4 bolts and lift a rather heavy ROPS off!!! The 74x series had tip up cabs that are a great asset. For the price you are looking at you should be able to pick up a 743 that will be in the 80's vintage. There are THOUSANDS of them around, the best machine bobcat ever made. Anyone can work on them, no electronics, all mechanical. The only down fall is the engines, Kubotas are an excellent engine and with proper care will last but if you burst a coolant hose or over heat the engine you will crack the head. The crack can allow coolant into the cylinder, you go to start it, hydraulic lock and BAM you just punched a hole through the block when the con rod broke in half.
If you can get that machine cheap, as in only a few thousand its worth it but i honestly wouldn't pay 5k for a machine that old.
Well this is the kind of feed back I was looking for. I have been looking on e-bay and it seems I can get alot better machine with if I show more patients. Do you Tazza or or anyone else have experience or an opnion on buying a skid loader from e-bay? I have been tempted to bid but I'm not sure about buying a machine that I haven't inspected and test driven.I don't know about the oil reserve, but if thats the case you will need to ensure its all sealed as chain cases are prone to getting water in them when it rains or you wash it down.
My 731 which was a late 70's machine didn't have a flip up cab either, you had to remove 4 bolts and lift a rather heavy ROPS off!!! The 74x series had tip up cabs that are a great asset. For the price you are looking at you should be able to pick up a 743 that will be in the 80's vintage. There are THOUSANDS of them around, the best machine bobcat ever made. Anyone can work on them, no electronics, all mechanical. The only down fall is the engines, Kubotas are an excellent engine and with proper care will last but if you burst a coolant hose or over heat the engine you will crack the head. The crack can allow coolant into the cylinder, you go to start it, hydraulic lock and BAM you just punched a hole through the block when the con rod broke in half.
If you can get that machine cheap, as in only a few thousand its worth it but i honestly wouldn't pay 5k for a machine that old.
I have never bought a machine off e-bay but i have bought parts.Well this is the kind of feed back I was looking for. I have been looking on e-bay and it seems I can get alot better machine with if I show more patients. Do you Tazza or or anyone else have experience or an opnion on buying a skid loader from e-bay? I have been tempted to bid but I'm not sure about buying a machine that I haven't inspected and test driven.
When you find a machine thats close enough, arrange to inspect it. If the seller won't allow that move on as he is obviously hiding something. All reputable sellers will be happy for you to go and put the machine through its paces. When you go to test it, ensure the engine is stone cold, see how it starts. The engines will generally give you 6,000 hours but the hydrostatics will do at least double that if cared for. Hours are always only a guide, look for wear, listen for engine knocks and smoke. Minor oil leaks are to be expected, axle seals can be a big job if its a 743 or earlier, but the later models are easy to replace.
