Which one to buy 18xx or 430?

[crystallattice]

Hi,

I have two options to buy a skidsteer:

Option one looks to be an old Case 18xx, not sure of the exact model as the identification plates are missing and it has seen several coats of paint. Was apparently running and parked outside but wiring has been stolen as well as the radiator, wheels are also missing otherwise seems complete with some bad rust on ROPS. It has also had a weld job to the rear pin bushings on the frame. It seems simple enough to rewire and get going, if it indeed is a runner.

The other option is two 430's, one is a series 2, wiring seems intact but missing all the relays and a few switches, and the engine has as a hole through the block and also the radiator missing as well as the wheels and one wheel hub, the other has no engine and both coolers are missing as well as the wheels and two wheel hubs and the two lift cylinders.

The first option is going for roughly $1000 (converted currency, non USA) and the other two combined for about the same (maybe a bit cheaper as one is missing an engine).

I have two rims with new tires I can make fit and can get two more rims with old tires for pocket change. I also have a genset with a running Cummins 4BT engine. Having done some more research it seems the 430's don't use the Cummins 4bt engine, will it fit though? Mountings the same? Hydraulic pump mounting?

I'm leaning towards the 430's and use them to make one working one however I have read that the 18xx's were very good machines. I don't know if the 430's will have EPA crap added, either way, I don't see that as an issue as I can just remove it. I'm thinking the 430 will have better resale value if I ever do decide to sell. I'm planning on selling my now non runner forklift and another to fund this "upgrade" as a skidsteer is more useful to me than a forklift.

What do you guys suggest as I'm new to the skidsteer market and don't have any experience with these things.

 

[Gearclash]

Non series 3 430 should have a NA 4 cylinder, I think they were of Iveco origin and may have some Cummins genetics in there somewhere. Seems the Iveco 4 and 6s of that era had the very same displacement as the 4 and 6 cylinder B series Cummins of the 6.7 generation.

Series 3 has emissions garbage, non series 3 does not.

18XX were mostly really good machines but I've been thinking for a while that the XT and early 400s are better values. I can't see any reason to be scared of any of the XTs and early 400s, beside that the 410 and 420 had some head gasket problems with the Shibura 2.2.