I think I want to buy an older backhoe, any advice?

[fastfredracing]

I have rented a mini at least once every season for the last 6-7 years. I have a big project at home that I almost have to do this season. It is the kind of project that will take me a few wees to do , and then some dress up a month or two later. I also have some other digging I'd like to do at my shop. I figure I'll use the thing for a few years, finish up all the projects that I have been wanting to get done, and sell if off when I'm finished
I'm sort of a geek, and I like projects. I'll probably buy something broken, or needing some love, fix it up, and more likely than not, in two years, it will be way nicer than when I bought it ( might even make a buck on re-sale, )
My budget is 5k. I see them in this range frequently, running, maybe with a leak or two or small issues . I have been watching, and you can find one for 3 or less needing a hydraulic pump, head gasket or something like that. I am thinking JD 310, or Case 580 they must be real common, cause I see tons of these for sale when I shop.
I know to look for play in the pins, and hydraulic leaks, noisy pumps, and things like that. Any thing else I should know? I'd prefer diesel, but have no qualms about gas.
I'd love to grab a little Kubota, or compact , but man can you throw some money in them. By the time you have a deck, loader, and hoe, you have 25 k in one.
I'm not trying to make money with it, just the occasional home project, once or twice a year.

[RWebb]

small, like on a Bobcat? or...

[Gordo2]

I bought a 1985 Case 480D about 6 years ago for $6k with the same idea - use it for a few projects, then sell it.

I still have it - if you own much property, and the thing is reliable, you will find projects that tend to make you want to hold onto it. The rentals are toys compared to a decent sized machine.

Mine has only needed a new hydraulic line and one of the cylinders needed repacking - easy stuff. Starts like a champ and runs like a champ.

My brother buys and sells machinery - he says I could sell it for ~ $8k and replace it with a similar priced skid loader. While the skid loader would be much more handy now - I just can't bring myself to sell such a reliable machine.

Backhoe just can't be beat for clearing property - not so good for detailed work and good for chewing up an existing lawn.

Look for something with a solid running engine (preferably diesel) and a solid hydraulic pump. Reasonably good tires are a plus (rears are pricy). Leaks are standard but fortunately most of the big leaks like my hydraulic cylinder and the line that broke are easy and cheap (~$25 for me to repack, ~ $40 for the line) to fix. Backhoe bucket should be in workable condition (check if it's been re-welded / torn up) - replacements are pricy as well.

If you want to see how good the cylinders are - park it for an hour or so with the attachments held up; if they sag that fast the cylinders are pretty worn.

Also helps if you can buy relatively local - driving to pick up or shipping can add up, plus you can find yourself driving all over the place checking out junk...

Good luck.

Gordo

[tctnd]

I can only suggest that you buy a "name brand" (Kubota, Deere etc.) despite the inevitable price premium. There are a lot of oddball grey market machines out there for less money, but when they need unobtainable parts they become worthless.

regards,
Phil

[intakexhaust]

Dial 800-xxx-xxxx for a young one.

[porsche4life]

Buy stock in gates rubber hose before you do! You'll need a lot on an old one!

[Evans, Marv]

Good advice here as usual. In my opinion the JD 310 or Case 580 would be good choices for used machines for occasional use around your home or shop. Like anything else, take your time and look around for one in good shape. Older ones can be good buys lots of times. I wouldn't consider the smaller tractors like the Kubota if you have room to store a larger machine. You can get a larger one in good shape for less money and get more work done in less time. I have two Kubotas (L frame & 710) and love them, but some times I have to ask my neighbor across the road to bring his big machine over to help out when my smaller ones aren't up to the task.

[BK911]

I picked up a used Massey Ferguson GC2410 TLB (Tractor loader backhoe) for $8k with 110 hours on it. All the big names have similar sub-compact tractors. Mid and rear PTO, plus front and rear hydraulics. The beauty with this beast is that I can add pretty much anything to it; belly mower, yard box, tiller, etc... Its small enough to get around my yard and big enough to do anything I have needed it for so far.

[Mark Henry]

Drooling.........

I could use one as well, I have a septic line to add, I'd love to dig a pond or two, improve a few paths, have a greenhouse pad to clear........etc.

[red-beard]

Buy it here.

http://www.machinerytrader.com/

Backhoe loaders:

http://www.machinerytrader.com/drilldown/manufacturers.aspx?catid=1046

[VincentVega]

Love these threads. I'm on a smaller scale and would love to find a good deal on a Dingo.

Good luck Fred.

[johnco]

you might want to check city, county and state auctions.. friend of mine made a mail in offer for a retired city backhoe and drove it home for $100

[1990C4S]

I had a JD310. I never should have sold it....

[onewhippedpuppy]

Nothing to add here, other than the fact that they are FUN. When I worked maintenance for a mobile home park, I used to love renting backhoes for digging up broken water and sewer lines. Go full sized or don't bother if you want to do much real work, the compact ones aren't even close.

[Seahawk]

Subscribed.

I will start looking in the Spring.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by BK911

I picked up a used Massey Ferguson GC2410 TLB (Tractor loader backhoe) for $8k with 110 hours on it. All the big names have similar sub-compact tractors. Mid and rear PTO, plus front and rear hydraulics. The beauty with this beast is that I can add pretty much anything to it; belly mower, yard box, tiller, etc... Its small enough to get around my yard and big enough to do anything I have needed it for so far.

I have two old MF 2300's, which I love.

What type of work are you doing? I am amazed at the work I have been able to do with this class of tractor, front end loader and mowers. They are both ten years old, over 1200 hours each.

[pete3799]

Did the same thing when I built my garage..... except it was an old Allis -Chalmers HD21A dozer.
Not much flat ground around these parts to build on. There is now. Dug a small pond with it also.
Paid 6K for it.
It sat around for several years while I tried to sell it but it's WAY to big to sell easily.
Ended up scraping it and more then got my money back. It weighed 52K lbs.

[BK911]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I have two old MF 2300's, which I love.

What type of work are you doing? I am amazed at the work I have been able to do with this class of tractor, front end loader and mowers. They are both ten years old, over 1200 hours each.

Mostly making/maintaining the dirt track and trails.
BUt also digging up trees, backfilling the holes, spreading gravel on the driveway, excavating for the new garage, digging footers, tilling the garden, trenching for the power and water to the new garage, etc..
Also have a hitch attachment on the back for moving stuff around.
This thing pulled my Nissan Titan uphill in the rain when it got stuck.

A bigger tractor would be nice sometimes, but this one works fine. Just takes a little longer.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by BK911

A bigger tractor would be nice sometimes, but this one works fine. Just takes a little longer.

As I said, I love my older CG2300's. They have been great. They are great if you are patient.

This is a view I am all to familiar with:



I think they are too old for putting a back hoe on. I also have an old MF 240, a much larger tractor, but again, I don't know if I can find a separate back hoe that would fit.

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by pete3799

Did the same thing when I built my garage..... except it was an old Allis -Chalmers HD21A dozer.
Not much flat ground around these parts to build on. There is now. Dug a small pond with it also.
Paid 6K for it.
It sat around for several years while I tried to sell it but it's WAY to big to sell easily.
Ended up scraping it and more then got my money back. It weighed 52K lbs.

Simple does'er say's Alice. Did that one have a pony motor for starting?

Much of this topic is all over the map. Some of you have different needs and purpose so no one can expect what is the best. The compacts like a Kubota with a loader, mid-mount mower are fine for the gent's small farm, etc. but far too light to handle daily commercial work. (BTW: Parts prices and service is worse than taking your Porsche to a dealer... seriously.) The tin like gauge buckets need reinforcement mods welded from new. Been there, done that. One might getaway with the lightweights for a short while but for long term daily use... forget it. The metallurgy and chassis fabrication / castings are not of industrial strength. I've seen more than a few compacts (not necessarily Kubota but them as well) cracked housings - directly in the middle of a trans to busted rear-ends.

If one has the room and means, a dedicated track-hoe type machine can make efficient time and the job safer and easier. Spend the money and add to the fleet bobcat type wheel loader.