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Message: <blockquote data-quote="bobbie-g" data-source="post: 107694" data-attributes="member: 26"><p>I have had a used 863 for about six years now, 1900 hrs on it now. Love it! It does have the computer control, so when that quits, back to the dealer. Otherwise, I do all the maint myself. 1000 hr service is straightforward. Timing belt on the Deutz needs to be changed ever 5 yrs or 3000 hrs, whichever is first. Pretty simple, will take about 3 or 4 hrs at most, if you rent the install kit (you really have to rent a kit to get the tension correct, $250). If you look at the 863, the immediate things to look for are this: - does it start from cold without ether? - does it drive and turn OK? - Do the bucket/arms run up and down smoothly? - are there any red lights or codes indicated? - Lift the arms up about halfway, tilt the bucket down so it's mostly hanging, then grab the cutting edge of the bucket and rock it back and forth, looking for looseness in the lower bucket pivot points, and looseness in the bucket cylinder pins. There's bound to be some, but any klunking back and forth, or half an inch of slop is a red flag for excessive wear. - Drive forward and push the bucket into a tree, or dirt, etc and see if the wheels spin. If you're on the flat with hard dirt, I think the wheels should spin before the engine lugs way down. You also should be able to lift the bucket so hard (too much load) that the back wheels will come off the ground if you lift slowly. - One other thing: the 863 has a "bucket float" position which makes grading and smoothing oh-so-sweet: lower the arms clear down, and tilt the bucket so it's flat on the ground. Then push the upper end of the left pedal forward until you feel it snap past a detent. Push on it like you mean it. It should snap forward an inch or two and stay there. Now your arms have only gravity holding them down, not hydraulics. Tilt the bucket down several inches then back the machine up; the arms should float up and down as the bucket slides over irregular surfaces. Most folks on this forum say the 863 is a wonderful machine, and I agree. 75hp and more than adequate for what you described as your need. Keep us posted. If you want to call me when you are at the machine, feel free to try my cell and leave a msg (robocall screening) and I'll call you right back. 545-917-1813, but replace the 545 with 505 (more robo harvesting protection, I hope!). <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> ---Bobbie-G</p></blockquote><p></p>

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