Looking to buy a used 1840 - a few quick questions

[scoutkid]

All, Firstly, greetings! I found your forum searching for answers to a few 1840 questions i have. I live in Colorado up in the foothills and have need (now more than ever) for a skid steer. I found one that is very inexpensive, but has a few issues. One main issue i was hoping for feedback on was this: The owner says that after a few hours the machine starts to have issues with the hydrostatic pump, mostly in regards to turning the unit. He thinks that maybe once the oil is hot and thin that the pump loses pressure? I am very mechanically inclined, but this little beast is new to me. From my experience, once a pump goes bad it goes quickly, not over time. I would think if the main pump was bad, the unit would have issues all the time, not just after a few hours of use. Does this sound like a major concern - or could it perhaps be a control valve somewhere leaking, which wouldn't be a major problem down the road. I will be using it for 1) flood clean up 2) light property grading and 3) snow removal. He says that currently it does all those things just fine, but if he works it hard for a few hours, the turning problem seems to turn up. Entire unit is $5k, has lots of power, the usual small seal leaks here and there, overall seems to be a good unit for the price, just not if i have to put a $5k pump into it! Thanks much for your comments, i'd like to get it today or tomorrow if you all think its worth it! Best, Tom

 

[SimS]

Here's a link for a reman pump/drive unit. It's $2300 so you could factor that cost into your negotiations with the current owner if you think the drive is toast. I don't have any connection with LPS other than I find them to be a great parts resource. Good luck. SimS

 

[DRTURBO69]

Here's a link for a reman pump/drive unit. It's $2300 so you could factor that cost into your negotiations with the current owner if you think the drive is toast. I don't have any connection with LPS other than I find them to be a great parts resource. Good luck. SimS

Have had two 1840 machines.Bought with bad pumps $1800 for one mach. $2000 for other.Local guy overhauled pumps $650 after I pulled.Same problem as yours. Doc