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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tazza" data-source="post: 3787" data-attributes="member: 82">As no one else has pitched in on this one i will throw my 2c in.I have always been a Bobcat person, they have great service and parts availability is never a problem. Their service department is happy to help you with advice on repairs, no information is held as being top secret (unlike others).Its really hard to say how many hours are too many, as long as you keep up to date on service the machine would easily do 5,000+ hours, after that  you may need an engine re-condition. The pumps/motors are pretty strong and last quite a long time. I have an old 731 that i would suspect has done alot more than 5,000 hours. It has a new engine and the hydrostatics run really strong still.If you are willing to spend in the order of $10,500 you will get a nice machine for that price.If you wanted to pay less, you could go for a 743 machine. These were very simple in design before they started intergrating electro-hydraulic controls into the newer machines. It really goes on what you want. I always wanted a nice newer machine with all the electro-hydraulic controls but after i got my 743 i am happy with the control i have with mechanical controls, its not just open or close.Power wise, i have found my 743 to have more than enough power for anything i do. I can have the bucket loaded so full that i am tipping up on my front wheels and still have the power to drive up hills.If it was me, i would go for a 743, they are cheap, easier to repair, parts are easy to get. Bobcat made this machine for around 10 years so they obviously got it rite.</blockquote>

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