looking at a 1830 to buy not running

[Iallwork]

I am looking at a 1830 to buy. It is not running. I am not familiar with this machine. what are some things to consider. It says it needs motor work and the radiator is gone. I can have a radiator built for it. I can rig up something temporary to see if the motor will run. besides the motor are there many other problems with this machine? can i get repair parts for everything except the motor? Are there any repower engines that I can get used from a salvage yard? Any input is welcome. I am very mechanical with many tools.

 

[Hotrod1830]

I used to have a 1830. Although it served me well, they are known for being underpowered, and I can verify that. With that said, If the engine cannot be fixed for a reasonable amount of money, and your willing to put the work in to do a swap, I would swap a diesel into it. Somewhere around 45 hp would be better suited to that machine(kubota 2203) Swapping any motor other than the original will require fab and machine work. Don't cut yourself short. Put a good engine in it.
AS for the rest of the machine, they are decent machine's. Very simple and easy to work on. Part's are still available for the hydro's, although be aware that if it needs a hydro pump or drive motor, they are very pricey. The drive pump,s are simple to rebuild if your able, but still a chunk of change. The problems I had on mine where the hydro pumps(bought it that way) and the wheel bearing(all day job) The wheel bearing's are lubed with grease fittings, and NOBODY greases them.
With that said, I have a rule of thumb. Pay no more for a Non-running machine than the amount you can get for parting it out. Somewhere in the $1500(max) range is what you should be offering for that machine. If it ran, and you could verify hydro operation and it would be worth more. But you cannot verify ANYTHING work's. Keep that in mind when making a offer.