What to look for when buying a skidsteer?

[farmered3]

What should I look for in particular when buying a skidsteer? Does anyone have any tips/tricks/hints when looking and testing them?

 

[Tazza]

Check the engine is cold, this is a good indication of tompression and wear. Starting a warm engine tells you very little. Check the smoke, if it pours it out, you have low compression or blocked injectors.
Check pivot points for slop when operating the hydraulics. Move up to an object that is unmoveable like a large tree. Push and see if you can get all four wheels to spin. This is a good way to test the drive power. All skid steers shoudl be able to do this on dirt. On sticky surfaces like bitumen, it probably won't do it.

 

[jwfarm]

Check the engine is cold, this is a good indication of tompression and wear. Starting a warm engine tells you very little. Check the smoke, if it pours it out, you have low compression or blocked injectors.
Check pivot points for slop when operating the hydraulics. Move up to an object that is unmoveable like a large tree. Push and see if you can get all four wheels to spin. This is a good way to test the drive power. All skid steers shoudl be able to do this on dirt. On sticky surfaces like bitumen, it probably won't do it.

i like to check axle bearings. you can get a good idea of how they are by raising the machine off the ground a little and checking end play at the wheel. if you can find any kind of servic history that would be good too. make sure to consider lift capacity, lift height and reach.

 

[Rich M-37]

i like to check axle bearings. you can get a good idea of how they are by raising the machine off the ground a little and checking end play at the wheel. if you can find any kind of servic history that would be good too. make sure to consider lift capacity, lift height and reach.

It always helps to let it warm up fully and run the machine. Check the boom for cracks you might have to look close especially at the lift and tilt pin bosses. Don't forget to get in and drive it dig with it lift with it. And remember to bring some one with you, because it is easy to get caught up in the moment. If in doubt get some one qualified to check it out. Rich M-37

 

[Des]

One of the first thins I do when inspecting any machine is to remove the air cleaner and shine a torch down the intake looking for any dust , if you see dust engine is probably dusted and will need a rebuild in the near future. I have had to do many engine rebuilds because of this.Look at the seals on the hyd pump if seals leaking possable to much internal leakage which could lead to a pump rebuild.

 

[BobCat]

What about hours run? What's to high?

 

[Tazza]

What about hours run? What's to high?

Generally speaking, you will get about 6,000 hours out of a diesel engine. The hydraulics and hydrostats should do more than that if kept clean and maintained.
Some die faster, some will last longer. A cold start is a good test for engine condition.

 

[Des]

Generally speaking, you will get about 6,000 hours out of a diesel engine. The hydraulics and hydrostats should do more than that if kept clean and maintained.
Some die faster, some will last longer. A cold start is a good test for engine condition.

Most of my customers trade in there skidsteers at 3000hrs, after that to unreliable for full time work.But customers that only use them on small farms 4000hrs to 10000hrs but they spend a bit keeping them running . Not uncommon to see them buy a skidsteer for $4000 and spend $5000 to $10000 on repairs in the first 12 months. Try to buy with the lowest Hrs you can afford.