Help Support SkidSteer Forum:
wright const
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2010
- Messages
- 33
I have 3 now and all were bought used.All 3 have less than 1200 hrs and there 2004 models and tonight after the football games I'm going to look at a t-220 with 700 hrs on it for $ 10,000 .So i go for hours but trust your instinct and your eye also stay away from freshly painted machines I found there trying to hide something
nobull1
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2007
- Messages
- 196
IMO hours win most times, so long as you can believe the hour meter or the guy selling the machine. Older machines with low hours have an added benefit of being easier to work on and parts usually less expensive. But if the machine looks abused or neglected the above really doesn't mean much and higher hours might make a better deal, assuming not neglected or abused.
thanks That is what i thought... Doug
soutthpaw
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2009
- Messages
- 78
I would say the source and use/condition take priority over hours. Buying a rental machine is generally not a great idea as the operators could care less about how they beat the crap oraulicut of the machine.
One owner/operator machines are usually the best bet... My 753 I bought from a dealer and it was a trade in on a newer machine from an owner/operator who had been buying from the same dealer for 20+ years.... based on the hour service records it had been used as a backup machine for the last several years... It also had a lot of nicks in the top of the lift arms by the backhoe mounts which indicate it was used extensively with a backhoe attachment... Backhoes are real easy on the machine... as there is no use of the drivetrain or lift or tilt hydraulics or assemblies. its basically acting as a hydraulic pump... I did not get the backhoe with my machine, bought one seperately later.
On the opposite end of the spectrum Breakers are hell on the lift and tilt hydraulics and assemblies... lots of high impact torque and vibration transfered into the machine.... so if you can find out the history of the machine and think how it was used, that will help you decide on what to buy.
My 825 (late seventies, early eighties vintage,) shows over 5000 hours. It's a diesel, and it runs great. Another guy had looked at it before I bought it, and he wouldn't touch it because of the hours. I looked it over, and figured that a former owner must have pulled the throttle back to shut off the fuel, and left the key on more than once. The hour meter will happily click away with the key on and the engine off. With regular oil changes, I'm sure that I'll never wear this machine out. The general condition of the engine bay, hydraulic hoses, tires, etc. mean more to me than the age or hours. Good Luck, Jerry
I don't think the good advice above is exclusive to skid steers, either. I have only bought 2 skid steers, but well over 20 vehicles. Abuse is the name of the game. A strong engine, no leaks, no bent arms, no bailing wire/duct tape, etc is what I'd sure look for. Yes, on the "be careful w/ rentals". I think we've all seen people operating rented anything, and some folks just don't give a fat rat's about equipment, let alone rentals. I bought my present skid steer when it was 4 yrs old, w/ 9 hours on it; didn't hesitate, as it was $18K below what a BAN one was. I don't think there is much on most machinery that can rot in a few years, though I am on expert. I know a guy who trades his trucks in every 3 yrs, and will NEVER put anything in the beds; changes oil every 45 minutes, washes and waxes, etc. Whistle clean when he sells them. I'd buy a 10 yr old truck w/ 150K miles on it from him. Good luck. Anything used is a small guess, obviously. j
