Need some advice!!

[Dman1989]

Hey, this is my first time posting and I'm currently shopping for a skid loader. I have ran skids before but this is my first purchase. I will be digging floating slab de-tatched garages and moving some snow in the winter with it. I live in South Dakota and if you know anything about SD winters it can get DANG COLD. I would like to know the pros and cons of Gas and Diesel. So here is a few I am looking at. I have my eye on a Bobcat 742B at a local dealership down here and they want $9,500 for it. From what I understand they were made in the early 90's. It has under 2000 hrs on it (I'll check tomorrow for sure when i go test drive it) and it has the mitsubishi gas engine. I would like to know what everyone thinks about his machine. How does it run, can it do my digging, and how long should a gas skid steer last? Another one I have my eye on is a 2001 Bobcat 763 G series. It has 1,279 hrs on its Kubota Diesel. It's from a private seller so I will be alone on this one to check it out and see what i thnk. Can you tell me about this machine as well? Life span, Pros, Cons etc. Any advice would be great!!! Either about looking over a USED skid loader on my own (not taking it to the dealer) or just about the Gas VS. Diesel debate. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

 

[Dman1989]

Also Here is a 01 John Deere 240 w/ approx. 1500 hrs. I talked to the guy, its a little over my price range but I would enjoy your input on this as well. It was a repo and the guy says he bought it to sell it. the hour meter has been replaced as well. http://siouxfalls.craigslist.org/grd/1767692497.html

 

[Dman1989]

I'm just forgetting all kinds of things. The 763 the guy wants $10,700 does that sound reasonable?

 

[OldMachinist]

I'm just forgetting all kinds of things. The 763 the guy wants $10,700 does that sound reasonable?

In my opinion the 742B is way overpriced. I've seen them go for less $6000 with 2000 hrs. The 763 is priced about at what I've seen some for but it is still a little high.
A diesel engine should last over 5000 hours if well mantained.

 

[Tazza]

In my opinion the 742B is way overpriced. I've seen them go for less $6000 with 2000 hrs. The 763 is priced about at what I've seen some for but it is still a little high.
A diesel engine should last over 5000 hours if well mantained.

As you mentioned it gets really cold, get your self a block heater. Plug it in over night, it will start much easier the next day. It also helps the engine from a hard start, the oil will be thick, the glow plugs will need to be run for a long time to get it up and running. The newer machines start much easier than the old 743/b ones, but put a heater in both for easier starting.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

As you mentioned it gets really cold, get your self a block heater. Plug it in over night, it will start much easier the next day. It also helps the engine from a hard start, the oil will be thick, the glow plugs will need to be run for a long time to get it up and running. The newer machines start much easier than the old 743/b ones, but put a heater in both for easier starting.

Go diesel if it is in the budget.It gets dang cold in Canada too, but with a block heater, it will start. So imo the only reason to go gas is if diesel is not in the budget.
Ken

 

[catapeed]

I'm just forgetting all kinds of things. The 763 the guy wants $10,700 does that sound reasonable?

Not sure if this will help you as I just bought my first machine last month, I did alot of searching ,research on different models and price checking and finally found a 97 751C with the diesel,700 hours with full documentation of all service provided by Bobcat aux hydro's, block heater, enclosed heated cab, weight kit, grapple attachment, smooth bucket, tooth bucket, fork attachment and grader attachment with the 6 ton trailer for $8500.00. Found it on Craiglist. Had to travel 250 miles to get it but the deal was just right. I like the size of the machine and it works just right for what I plan on using it for. The price on that 743 seems way out of range for what I have seen. Go Diesel as it seemed alot of the gas machines I saw for sale had rebuilt engines in them and they all were under 2500 hours. Lots of luck on finding the right machine for you

 

[Dman1989]

Not sure if this will help you as I just bought my first machine last month, I did alot of searching ,research on different models and price checking and finally found a 97 751C with the diesel,700 hours with full documentation of all service provided by Bobcat aux hydro's, block heater, enclosed heated cab, weight kit, grapple attachment, smooth bucket, tooth bucket, fork attachment and grader attachment with the 6 ton trailer for $8500.00. Found it on Craiglist. Had to travel 250 miles to get it but the deal was just right. I like the size of the machine and it works just right for what I plan on using it for. The price on that 743 seems way out of range for what I have seen. Go Diesel as it seemed alot of the gas machines I saw for sale had rebuilt engines in them and they all were under 2500 hours. Lots of luck on finding the right machine for you

Thanks everyone for your response. I'm going to look at the 763 tomorrow...any advice what to look for?

 

[catapeed]

Thanks everyone for your response. I'm going to look at the 763 tomorrow...any advice what to look for?

I would go to this post from oldmachinist http://www.skidsteerforum.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=54&frmView=ShowPost&PostID=31190 Download the service manual for the machine read the maintanance section and check to see if it has all be done, It will give you a starting point. Check dates and hours on the filters, check fluids, I even used a Combustion Leak Detector to verify that the headgasket was in good shape. I also checked Hydro fluid to make sure it was clean and not cloudy, other then that make sure all your bushing points are tight and check the diesel motor for blowby and no heavy smoking under load and No white smoke after warm up.

 

[fiddlearound]

I've had a763 G for three years and love it. Used only on the old estate, it is a very reliable and useful tool

 

[Dman1989]

I've had a763 G for three years and love it. Used only on the old estate, it is a very reliable and useful tool

Thanks again everyone for the advice! Catapeed you got one heck of a deal, I wish i could run across something like that!! Bad news, the 763 I was going to go look at SOLD right as I was getting ready to head out and look at it.... The 742B that I am trying out from the dealership runs great but the HOUR METER had not moved a bit!!! So needless to say i'll be taking that back tomorrow! So i'm at a loss!! Although that John Deere I posted has dropped to $11k from his original price of $12,500.

 

[TheMEGAbobcatman]

Thanks again everyone for the advice! Catapeed you got one heck of a deal, I wish i could run across something like that!! Bad news, the 763 I was going to go look at SOLD right as I was getting ready to head out and look at it.... The 742B that I am trying out from the dealership runs great but the HOUR METER had not moved a bit!!! So needless to say i'll be taking that back tomorrow! So i'm at a loss!! Although that John Deere I posted has dropped to $11k from his original price of $12,500.

Hi. i'm want to buy a bobcat to move dit/soil/mulch piles, snowplow, rip up average sized lawns, move pallets, move stone and small boulders, build small retaining walls and small additions to my house, and dig trenches, so I'm woundering what sized bobcat I should get, the only problem is though, is that the path way into my back yard is only 4 feet wide, so I need a bobcat that is less than 4 feet wide but tuff, I am looking at a 2005 bobcat 463 with 22.5hp, 3 feet wide, 3 cylinders, 700 pund lift capasity that has everything i want but is $16500 (to pricey) I am also looking at this 2007 bobcat s100 which also has almost everythig i want with 35hp, 4 feet wide, 4cylinders and a 1000 pound lift capasity, thats only $15000 so i'm woundering WHICH BOBCAT SHOULD I GET!?, 463 OR S100? or should I look at a different sized bobcat or a smaller model? thanks

 

[Tazza]

Hi. i'm want to buy a bobcat to move dit/soil/mulch piles, snowplow, rip up average sized lawns, move pallets, move stone and small boulders, build small retaining walls and small additions to my house, and dig trenches, so I'm woundering what sized bobcat I should get, the only problem is though, is that the path way into my back yard is only 4 feet wide, so I need a bobcat that is less than 4 feet wide but tuff, I am looking at a 2005 bobcat 463 with 22.5hp, 3 feet wide, 3 cylinders, 700 pund lift capasity that has everything i want but is $16500 (to pricey) I am also looking at this 2007 bobcat s100 which also has almost everythig i want with 35hp, 4 feet wide, 4cylinders and a 1000 pound lift capasity, thats only $15000 so i'm woundering WHICH BOBCAT SHOULD I GET!?, 463 OR S100? or should I look at a different sized bobcat or a smaller model? thanks

Thats a lot to me.... You could get a larger machine like a 753, 763 for less than that, its larger but has more HP and lifting abilities. It may be so much more because the fact its not as common?

 

[catapeed]

Hi. i'm want to buy a bobcat to move dit/soil/mulch piles, snowplow, rip up average sized lawns, move pallets, move stone and small boulders, build small retaining walls and small additions to my house, and dig trenches, so I'm woundering what sized bobcat I should get, the only problem is though, is that the path way into my back yard is only 4 feet wide, so I need a bobcat that is less than 4 feet wide but tuff, I am looking at a 2005 bobcat 463 with 22.5hp, 3 feet wide, 3 cylinders, 700 pund lift capasity that has everything i want but is $16500 (to pricey) I am also looking at this 2007 bobcat s100 which also has almost everythig i want with 35hp, 4 feet wide, 4cylinders and a 1000 pound lift capasity, thats only $15000 so i'm woundering WHICH BOBCAT SHOULD I GET!?, 463 OR S100? or should I look at a different sized bobcat or a smaller model? thanks

I would go with a bigger machine like mentioned above 751, 753 with 1250# lifting capacity because the 700 pound of the 463 is a little light and I think you would regret getting it, as far as the 4 foot path to the back yard well you will have a bobcat so the path will now be the size of the machine