What should I offer for this loader?

[Serv]

I've been keeping my eyes open for a front end loader for chores around the yard and found this machine while driving around today. It's a Komatsu WA200 with 17.5-25 tires on it and I don't know the year model. The owner wasn't around so I don't even know if it's for sale yet or not. Two tires are down on it, a bunch of broken glass and I have no clue as to the mechanical condition of it. There were a couple of guys there that said it had been sitting for around half a year. Can anyone give me an idea as to what it might be worth or what I should begin to offer? (assuming there are no huge motor or tranny issues)

I tried to resize and upload the pic here, but the forum pic limits are too small for this picture. please click the link below to see the loader. :thumbsup

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsuloader.jpg


thanks,

serv

[digger242j]

Here ya go...

[Serv]

thanks man. :Cowboy

[Serv]

That bad? Should I even offer anything at all? I guess I could go over there with my torch and ask him if he wants some scrap steel money for it. :naughty

I havent had time to even get to that side of town since I saw it. I was thinking to start at $5,000 and not go over $10,000. I checked machinerytrader and a few others, but there aren't that many of them for sale for comparison's sake.

[Squizzy246B]

What should I offer for this loader?

Matches???:rolleyes:

[Serv]

Matches???:rolleyes:


I know, it's hard to say without even having talked to the guy yet. It may have a trashed engine for all we know. But I live in a town where EVERYTHING is for sale. But lately there's just something about abandoned looking equipment that attracts me. :yup The uglier, the better!

[Squizzy246B]

I apologise for the humour...two things...I don't think that machine is very old but I think its the model that had a habit of blowing diffs. If the the diff and trans is OK then it might just be a steal. Don't forget cost of rubber these days..could be some big bucks...but I think you know that already:wink2

[Serv]

I apologise for the humour...two things...I don't think that machine is very old but I think its the model that had a habit of blowing diffs. If the the diff and trans is OK then it might just be a steal. Don't forget cost of rubber these days..could be some big bucks.

No need to apologize. :crying

Thanks for the heads up on the diff's. :thumbsup

A couple of things worth mentioning though. If the diff's and trans is Ok, I won't be loading dirt with it, just using it around the yard. Second thing is, I'm in the tire business! I have no less than twenty 17.5-25's in stock at all times. :Cowboy High tread, vulcanized, and ready to go. I was thinking a worn out set of Michelin radial 20.5-25's would be the way to go If I could fit them under those fenders. :yup

Now, what if it does have a blow diff or tranny? Is it totally scrap or should I buy it for scrap money and fix it?

[digger242j]

I just took a look at IronPlanet's auction results, and they've only had two of those in the last couple years, a WA-200, and a WA200-1. The 200 was in pretty decent shape and went for $25,000, and the 200-1 was said to run ok, but it had a really long list of TLC type stuff needed. It went for $12,000.

I think you might be on to something with offering to cut it up. If it's been sitting like that, chances are it does have a major problem...

[Wulf]

Other than the tires which you say can deal with, the machine looks in nice shape, panels look straight and solid with not much rust. I think that is a WA200-1 and I think all of these were made in Japan (check the SN plate).

It should have a Komatsu 105 engine which was a solid performer with great durability and also used in the -3 excavators.

Its hard to give advice from one photo but unless someone can tell you exactly why its been parked for so long you need to have the loader running with good batteries and charging at 24V to ensure that the electrical dashboard monitor is functional and the electric shift transmission is working. It has a countershaft transmission, no real vices there either.

Brakes are inboard within the differential housing and work of a booster system using transmission pressure to apply brakes (no air system :) )and in my experience were pretty trouble-free... I would also say the same about the axles but Squizzy heard of problems in Australia.

Hydraulics are pretty simple, but you would need to ensure everything is fully functional and make sure the boom and linkage are not bent.

You could end up with a really nice loader there Serv especially if you pick it up at the right price.

[Wolf]

What are you going to use it for?

[Serv]

I just took a look at IronPlanet's auction results, and they've only had two of those in the last couple years, a WA-200, and a WA200-1. The 200 was in pretty decent shape and went for $25,000, and the 200-1 was said to run ok, but it had a really long list of TLC type stuff needed. It went for $12,000.

I think you might be on to something with offering to cut it up. If it's been sitting like that, chances are it does have a major problem...



thanks for looking that up for me. I had forgotten about ironplanet in my search. :bash :rolleyes:

[Serv]

What are you going to use it for?


No dirt digging or loading. I need something to help with putting up a metal shed/building at a bare piece property I bought about a year ago among many other yard duties. I'll be moving my operation there soon to eliminate rent on my current place. I need the most versatile machine I can find that will help us work through that. Also, I like to find cheap anything's that I can fix and acquire for a fraction of the cost of new or ready to go used. :Cowboy The heavy equipment stuff is relatively new to me though.

[Serv]

Other than the tires which you say can deal with, the machine looks in nice shape, panels look straight and solid with not much rust. I think that is a WA200-1 and I think all of these were made in Japan (check the SN plate).

It should have a Komatsu 105 engine which was a solid performer with great durability and also used in the -3 excavators.

Its hard to give advice from one photo but unless someone can tell you exactly why its been parked for so long you need to have the loader running with good batteries and charging at 24V to ensure that the electrical dashboard monitor is functional and the electric shift transmission is working. It has a countershaft transmission, no real vices there either.

Brakes are inboard within the differential housing and work of a booster system using transmission pressure to apply brakes (no air system :) )and in my experience were pretty trouble-free... I would also say the same about the axles but Squizzy heard of problems in Australia.

Hydraulics are pretty simple, but you would need to ensure everything is fully functional and make sure the boom and linkage are not bent.

You could end up with a really nice loader there Serv especially if you pick it up at the right price.


:notworthy

dang, You da man!

I just drove down there and bothered the land owner about the machine. He said "It doesn't belong to me, you may know the owner". I told him I'd call the owner at home and he said "Tell him to call me too. I need this thing out of here!"

Well, it turns out I do in fact know the owner. I called the owner, which is a friend of mine (I know, Sunday) and he told me all about it. The machines starts and runs great, lifts and dumps. But he said it doesn't move at all forward or back. The last time he ran it, he said it stopped moving. He said it needs the transmission clutches. Could be anything I guess though.

It is a WA200-1 and I took about 7 more photos of it. let me resize them and attempt to post them here in a bit.

As for price, he said he paid 12k for it about 5 years ago and he said he'll start the price at half that and likely even do better than that when we get together tomorrow on this. He doesn't feel like fixing the tires and hauling it off and would rather me do it. It does have the digital dash and I managed to get a serial number from it.


Where should I look for a tranny rebuild kit? Or, if I buy it, should we start by tearing it down to see what's REALLY going on here? I would really like to own this machine and it will live an easy life in our hands. :yup Is the tranny such a big deal?

[Serv]

here's a slideshow of it to keep things simple until I figure out how to post them better. :bash


http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/?action=view&slideshow=true

[Steve Frazier]

Sounds like a good deal to me! I read Rock and Dirt regularly and machines that size in good working order sell for about $25K to $30K.

[Wulf]

Serv,

Steve is right and you could really luck-out because it could be an electrical fault that would prevent it moving forward or reverse as its pretty unlikely that both forward and reverse clutches would fail at the same time. The electrical system is quite complex, it has relays and switches to neutralize the tranny if you try and start it in gear and to prevent driving off with the parking brake on. You would think this was already checked out but unless you know the machine and have a schematic you could get confused with troubleshooting.

Darn... It's a real pity about the cab being neglected and in such shape with the broken windows isn't it.

[cat320]

Well looks like tha cab is rough but the engine looks good. If it is not moving it could be a very simple relay ,that happebed to my 580 if you could get it to your yard it probably be a great machin after you clean it up.

[Jeff D.]

But lately there's just something about abandoned looking equipment that attracts me.I'm not alone?:wink2

I think it sound like it might be a good deal too, Serv.

Especially if it's something simple like Wulf was mentioning. How cool would that be?!

Good Luck.

[Countryboy]

I apologise for the humour...

:eek: Don't just let that slide by Serv.......thats a first. You can tell it don't happen much cause he can't even spell it right. :rolleyes:


Sounds like a good deal with the loader. If not then you picked up a new hobby which is still a good thing. :yup

[Lashlander]

So, uhh, umm, whats his phone number? :bouncegri

[Squizzy246B]

:eek: Don't just let that slide by Serv.......thats a first.

What should I offer for this loader?

Prayers!!!

:naughty :naughty :naughty

[Serv]

Sounds like a good deal to me! I read Rock and Dirt regularly and machines that size in good working order sell for about $25K to $30K.

I agree with that. This particular machine however would realistically be worth around half that IMO. Needs alot of sanding and painting little stuff here and there to really look good though.


Serv,

Steve is right and you could really luck-out because it could be an electrical fault that would prevent it moving forward or reverse as its pretty unlikely that both forward and reverse clutches would fail at the same time. The electrical system is quite complex, it has relays and switches to neutralize the tranny if you try and start it in gear and to prevent driving off with the parking brake on. You would think this was already checked out but unless you know the machine and have a schematic you could get confused with troubleshooting.

Darn... It's a real pity about the cab being neglected and in such shape with the broken windows isn't it.


You make some great points. I spoke with my nearest dealer (150 miles from me) today and the service man said the same thing you did about the unlikelyhood of both sets of clutches failing at the same time.

I spoke with the owner of the machine today though and he said the loader had somewhat of a tranny leak and that he believes his last operator ran the tranny dangerously low on oil when it stopped moving under it's own power 5 or 6 months ago. I opened a small side panel on the left side of the machine where I believe the tranny oil fill is. I saw a rag shoved into what I think was the tranny fill neck. :rolleyes:

I also agree with the pity on the cab neglect. the only things that were most affected in the cab were the throttle pedal and the blinker/light switch assembly. both were kind of stuck and need some TLC. The brake pedal setup, hydraulic levers and shift levers all had great freedom of movement.

Well looks like tha cab is rough but the engine looks good. If it is not moving it could be a very simple relay ,that happebed to my 580 if you could get it to your yard it probably be a great machin after you clean it up.

thanks. I hope so. :thumbsup


I'm not alone?

I think it sound like it might be a good deal too, Serv.

Especially if it's something simple like Wulf was mentioning. How cool would that be?!

Good Luck.


You're not alone! I know where there's a loader exactly like the one in your avatar. The guy said it needs a front or rear diff or diff work. I might try to do something with that one later if everything permits. :yup

:eek: Don't just let that slide by Serv.......thats a first. You can tell it don't happen much cause he can't even spell it right. :rolleyes:

Sounds like a good deal with the loader. If not then you picked up a new hobby which is still a good thing. :yup

Oh, I have a good sense of humor. I lol'd when I read it. :)


So, uhh, umm, whats his phone number?


867-5309 :bouncegri


What should I offer for this loader?

Prayers!!!





I prayed that he wouldn't change his mind on selling her and bought it today for 6 grand. :Cowboy

I decided not to try and beat him down on the price since he's a pretty cool guy. Now I can only pray I can move it to my shop in one piece. The tire service man I use is putting two tires on it Thursday. :wink2

[Jeff D.]

:thumbsup Glad to here you were able to make it happen.

Keep us informed about what was involved once you get it back on it's feet, and working.

[Lashlander]

Lotta good it does me now! :wink2

[Serv]

Well, no real progress other than I checked fluids and had to add 4 gallons of tranny fluid to top that off :eek: stuck two batteries on it and she fired right up with no starting fluid whatsoever. The temp was 35f at the time today. The engine blew some bluish smoke all over for about 20 seconds then cleared up and purred beautifully. Everything seems to work besides forward and reverse. I had a heavy equipment mechanic with me and we were very limited on tools since we didn't really plan to do anything to it today to begin with.


Just a small step forward I though I'd report to you guys. :thumbsup

Tires are scheduled for thursday. I have a parts manual, service manual, tranny cap, and a rod end for a steering thing on the way as of today also. If we're lucky, we might get this thing going sooner than later. The tranny isn't doing ANYTHING. No shifting sounds or clicks whatsoever.

here's some pics

[Lashlander]

Alright, your on your way. Just a little TLC is all she needs. :yup

[dayexco]

i don't know about komatsu, i do know it cost me 14k to go through the zf transmission on my deere loader

[Squizzy246B]

With an electrical schematic for the drive system you should be able to find a bunch of control relays. Basically what you do is sit there with the engine running and hot wiring until you find out if its a dodgey relay or a dodgey box...just make sure you are either on blocks or that you are parked in an open space:bouncegri .

[Serv]

i don't know about komatsu, i do know it cost me 14k to go through the zf transmission on my deere loader



Thanks for the heads up. :eek: I have my eyes on an abandoned deere loader as well. If that one has a messed up tranny, I stay far away. :thumbsup


http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/John%20Deere%20644E/

[Serv]

With an electrical schematic for the drive system you should be able to find a bunch of control relays. Basically what you do is sit there with the engine running and hot wiring until you find out if its a dodgey relay or a dodgey box...just make sure you are either on blocks or that you are parked in an open space:bouncegri .

I had the dealer on the phone yesterday and ordered that. He said you have to ground the coils on the side of the tranny under the access cover in order to actuate them individually. We are just waiting for the cold front to get out of here before we can more comfortably troubleshoot this. The service and parts manuals I ordered will be here in 4 more days. I too expressed concern about standing in front of the rear tire and poking it into different gears. :bouncegri

[cat320]

Well when you start your restoration don't forget to take pics of your progress for us .

[dayexco]

serv, let me know what you do on that 644E, if you're not interested in it or not. that looks like a great winter project for us. we're looking for a 2nd loader and love them deeres!

[digger242j]

We are just waiting for the cold front to get out of here before we can more comfortably troubleshoot this.

What?? Cold front? :rolleyes:

We can have the King of Obsolete strip down to his jockey shorts and come down there to tell you how to troubleshoot things in the cold... :bouncegri

:wink2

[Dusty]

now i want a toy tooooooooo

[Wulf]

I had the dealer on the phone yesterday and ordered that. He said you have to ground the coils on the side of the tranny under the access cover in order to actuate them individually. We are just waiting for the cold front to get out of here before we can more comfortably troubleshoot this. The service and parts manuals I ordered will be here in 4 more days. I too expressed concern about standing in front of the rear tire and poking it into different gears. :bouncegri

Serv, This is a great story so far so lets hope it continues!... you are right to be careful working in the articulation area when the engine is running... make sure you have the steering lock bar in place too in case the steering is a bit sticky. You have the right idea that if you and your mechanic can get one speed and direction clutch activated you will see if the transmission will drive or not. There are a couple of things that will interrupt the circuit, like the brake switch or the neutralizer relay so its good that you have a service manual to study its function and to figure out how it is supposed to work.
Looking forward to your next instalment...

[Serv]

Well when you start your restoration don't forget to take pics of your progress for us .

I sure will. I plan to somewhat paint it and fix a few things. :thumbsup

serv, let me know what you do on that 644E, if you're not interested in it or not. that looks like a great winter project for us. we're looking for a 2nd loader and love them deeres!

I'll let you know. I have not contacted the owner yet, but I did find out who the registered owner is by the license plate. He is a friend of a good friend of mine and my friend says he is a very nice guy. The license plate check shows that he bought it at Richie Bros. Auction in 1999. I do plan on approaching that one more slowly compared to this one though.

What?? Cold front? :rolleyes:

We can have the King of Obsolete strip down to his jockey shorts and come down there to tell you how to troubleshoot things in the cold... :bouncegri

:wink2

Dang, my hands were going numb out there the day we took those above pics. It was 35f out there. That's cold to us :eek:

Serv, This is a great story so far so lets hope it continues!... you are right to be careful working in the articulation area when the engine is running... make sure you have the steering lock bar in place too in case the steering is a bit sticky. You have the right idea that if you and your mechanic can get one speed and direction clutch activated you will see if the transmission will drive or not. There are a couple of things that will interrupt the circuit, like the brake switch or the neutralizer relay so its good that you have a service manual to study its function and to figure out how it is supposed to work.
Looking forward to your next instalment...


Hey thanks Wulf. I haven't received the service manual yet, but the dealer faxed me 8 troubleshooting pages to get started. The pages didn't help much but we removed the access cover to the coils and went after it with a 12v test light (that's all we had for a tester). We drew up a diagram of what was hot and what was ground. One set of coils that was supposed to be hot wasn't getting anything at all. So we then converted the test light into a voltage probe by pulling out the bulb and stretching the spring inside. As soon as we hit the dead wire with power, the machine nudged forward as I had left it in gear on purpose. So, bingo, we had a functioning tranny again as long as we held the homemade voltage probe against the correct dead wire. :yup

So right after that, things started to fall into place. Two tires showed up from my shop. The tire service man showed up. We mounted the tires. In the meantime, me and my friend/mechanic traced the dead wire in the tranny all the way to the fusebox which was a pain because the wire started as a "red" wire in the transmission and ended up changing colors a couple of times before reaching the inside of the cab. :bash We ended up at a lineup of 5 identical 24v relays. We swapped one of the other four relays to what we guessed was the trans shift relay and would you believe the transmission was shifting and driving again just like it was supposed to. :Cowboy

After that, I contacted a friend of mine that had an equipment trailer with rear folding ramps and drove it right up there, chained it up and moved it to my yard at around midnight last night. long day, yes, but it's safe and sound at my place now and starts and runs like a champ! :notworthy

below are some phone pics I took before we loaded it but during and after fixing it.

[Serv]

one more pic

[Steve Frazier]

Good for you!! Sounds like you got the steal of the century!! It's great to hear things are going so well, sometimes you just get a feeling that things aren't as bad as they look and play a hunch. I'm glad yours is paying off!

[cat320]

Glad everything is working out. like Steve said you got the deal of the century. it starts and runs that's half the battle. I bet when you get done the guy you bought it from will wounder why he gave it away lol. can't wait to see the restoration on her. :thumbsup

[cat d9]

That kind of a hard luck story is easy to listen to, I just wish I had one that good, most of mine are the kind where ya spent a bazzillion bucks and still have nothing!!

[alan627b]

Good story Serv, always like a good treasure hunt...
I have an unrelated question, since you are in the tire business.....what are the odds of finding a pair of 21.00-25, E3? 24 Ply earthmover tires? I have a 1947 Cat DW10 rubber tired tractor, with back tires as bald as a cue ball and weather cracked.
Eventually I am going to need to replace them. A tire place in Pheonix had a pair of 30-40% Michelin X's in this size, they are still used on personell carriers...just thought I'd ask if you had any sources. I'd like to get something with 40-50% or better tread if possible. No rush.
Thanks and good luck with the loader!
alan627b@hotmail.com
Omaha, Nebraska

[Serv]

Good story Serv, always like a good treasure hunt...
I have an unrelated question, since you are in the tire business.....what are the odds of finding a pair of 21.00-25, E3? 24 Ply earthmover tires? I have a 1947 Cat DW10 rubber tired tractor, with back tires as bald as a cue ball and weather cracked.
Eventually I am going to need to replace them. A tire place in Pheonix had a pair of 30-40% Michelin X's in this size, they are still used on personell carriers...just thought I'd ask if you had any sources. I'd like to get something with 40-50% or better tread if possible. No rush.
Thanks and good luck with the loader!
alan627b@hotmail.com
Omaha, Nebraska

Hey thanks.

21.00-25 sounds like a haul tire for a smaller dump truck. As many tires that have passed through my shop, we haven't generated any of that size. My main business focus is the semitruck tire business. I do however deal in a limited amount of smaller earthmover up to around 29.5-29 but no haul tires.

Are these personell carriers a military application? If so, you might try http://www.govliquidation.com great prices on military high tread tires and that's probably where the Phoenix tire place gets them.

95 percent of the earthmover tires that I receive (23.5-25 and up) is sold to a place called McDonald Tire Co. in San Antonio TX. www.mcdonaldtire.com Jimmy McDonald is the owner and a good friend of mine. They ship nationwide and will treat you right. His prices are not out of line and they do expert tire repair (custom vulcanizing) and now retreading.

I can think of three more sources. 2 being in Texas and one in New Mexico. I haven't done any business with these except for the one in New Mexico but I have talked to them or been to their facilities at one point or another and I know they've been around for a long time.

Yearwood Tire Co. in Port Lavaca, TX phone number (361) 552-0001

Crawford Tire Recycling in Ennis TX phone number (800) 657-3129 http://www.crawfordtirerecycling.com/

The Tire Welder in Albuquerque, NM phone number (505) 884-3550

hope that helps you!



serv

[Wulf]

What should I offer for this loader?

Prayers!!!

:naughty :naughty :naughty

How cool is it Serv that you got that apparently sad old loader running and drove it onto a lowbed under its own power within a week :cool:

[Squizzy246B]

There ya go Serv...all that praying worked:rolleyes:

Well done, keep the pics coming. I imagine you will be up for a truck load of oil and filters now. Did you find where the supposed oil leak was??

[alan627b]

Thanks for the tips, Serv, I'll file them away for future reference...It seems odd, that there is that much equipment, just lying around where it did it's last days work, especially when it (your loader, for example) is a pretty modern machine. Apparently with part of it's last load still in the bucket...
what kind of story did the seller tell, just to satisfy my coriousity?
Again, good score!
alan627b

[Serv]

Thanks for the tips, Serv, I'll file them away for future reference...It seems odd, that there is that much equipment, just lying around where it did it's last days work, especially when it (your loader, for example) is a pretty modern machine. Apparently with part of it's last load still in the bucket...
what kind of story did the seller tell, just to satisfy my coriousity?
Again, good score!
alan627b



I don't know how much more is really laying around. :confused: But I'm sure going to keep my eyes open for more. I finally spoke with owner of the John Deere yesterday. The story on that one was that he bought it in 1999 when he and his dad own a small construction company they had formed. They have since desolved the company and the 644E and a 7 yard older dump truck is all they have left. He said the loader runs and operated perfectly but leaks some oil here and there. Also says he replaced a hydraulic pump and some hoses in the time he owned it. He is somewhat motivated to sell it and wants to go out there together to see it Thursday. I told him I had needed to find a loader for my operation but I had already bought one. BUT, if the price is right, I could try and swing this one too. If not, I could pass it on to someone else like the guy that posted about it the other day here in this thread. He also told me that the machine has sat a few years and here recently he tried to fire it up and no diesel is getting up to the injectors so he just quit while he was ahead. He narrowed it down to the cut off valve that goes into the injection pump. He said he would take $12,500.00 right now, as is. You think it's worth that? It's a 1989 model and I have no idea how many hours on it and has no major problems. Seems pretty damn cheap to me even though it's alot of money.


The story on mine (the komatsu) is just another owner that trusted his operators word and didn't follow up or verify the true problem in the machine. The operator ran the tranny out of oil due to a leaky hose. The tractor stopped moving forward or back. The operator convinced the owner that the tranny was toast so they dragged the machine across the street and abandoned it at a friend of their's property, which is where I found it. So then I got on heavyequipment forums dot com and asked you guys. I tracked down the owner which it turns out I personally knew anyway. He said "Serv, I've been in this business all my life and we aren't in the selling business. That machine has a burnt up transmission and unless you know what your getting yourself into, I wouldn't buy it. But if you have to have it anyway, I'll take 6000.00 for it" I went straight to the bank and made a cashiers check to his dads name and bought it before ever even starting the machine. Wulf really got me to thinking is had to be an electronic glitch. I started making phone calls to different Komatsu dealerships asking questions. Then we got it going and I moved it to my warehouse and I'm well on my way to making it a presentable machine now. Yesterday I dropped of the seat and armrests at my favorite upholstery shop. I took the one bent ladder and bent fender to another shop that is straightening them out for me. I had the leaky hose made up. We spent hours on Saturday cleaning up all the broken glass particles out of the cab of this thing. I bought 2 gallons of the old cat yellow, thinner and a gallon of semi gloss black. Had all the glass measured. I want to use this machine for a little while then try to sell it for as much money as possible for extra income. Maybe in a few months I can put it on the internet somewhere and see what it does?

[cat320]

That is nice to have an area like that big enough to work on it under cover.

As far as the paint i would try to keep it as close to the original colors I think that is a deep blue and not black , Just that if you want to get alot for it i think original cloor make a big difference even though the machanics are what you should be looking at. .

[alan627b]

http://www.machinerytrader.com/
Serv, whenever I go (window) shopping for machinery, I look at this site.
You can see what all is for sale and what it goes for.
I don't think a slight change in yellow will hurt it's resale, it will still look better than it does now! I don't think the "restoration" crowd is looking at machinery that new yet....but who knows?
I have to wonder, what kind of business owner just assumes his machine is toast and abandons it? I'd like to have that much money, to just abandon an investment like that. That loader had to cost a lot of money when he bought it, since it still sold for $6K now to you, in the shape it's in. Unless anything major shows up in it, I think you stole it....!
Makes you wonder how much machinery gets stuck in the back of the yard, when something minor goes wrong and nobody checks it out. Hope I can find some deals like that eventually.
"We just put brand new tires on that DW10, when the tranny let go and we retired it"...don't I just wish!
And thanks again for the tire sources..let's see the restoration pics when it's done!


alan627b

[Serv]

Seat and armrests are like new now. Glass is cut and waiting for paint to be done. Here's yesterday and last night's pics.



Removing decals

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00731.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00734.jpg


Some fiberglass bondo work to fix chips and dents.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00736.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00737.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00738.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00741.jpg






start spraying again.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00746.jpg



Some photos after the yellow was shot. Blue striping and interior gets shot today.


http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00750.jpg


http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00751.jpg


http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00752.jpg


http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00756.jpg

[Serv]

That is nice to have an area like that big enough to work on it under cover.

As far as the paint i would try to keep it as close to the original colors I think that is a deep blue and not black , Just that if you want to get alot for it i think original cloor make a big difference even though the machanics are what you should be looking at. .


Yeah, I got some industrial dark blue for it. That part get's painted today. Also sent the alternator to be rebuilt since it wasn't charging.

[Serv]

http://www.machinerytrader.com/
Serv, whenever I go (window) shopping for machinery, I look at this site.
You can see what all is for sale and what it goes for.
I don't think a slight change in yellow will hurt it's resale, it will still look better than it does now! I don't think the "restoration" crowd is looking at machinery that new yet....but who knows?
I have to wonder, what kind of business owner just assumes his machine is toast and abandons it? I'd like to have that much money, to just abandon an investment like that. That loader had to cost a lot of money when he bought it, since it still sold for $6K now to you, in the shape it's in. Unless anything major shows up in it, I think you stole it....!
Makes you wonder how much machinery gets stuck in the back of the yard, when something minor goes wrong and nobody checks it out. Hope I can find some deals like that eventually.
"We just put brand new tires on that DW10, when the tranny let go and we retired it"...don't I just wish!
And thanks again for the tire sources..let's see the restoration pics when it's done!


alan627b


I agree with you on the owner thing. Same thing happened with the Deere 644 loader. I went ahead and bought that one also. I followed a 544e a week ago on ebay that convinced me I have a good deal on the 644e. I also use machinery trader as a source of info and to study the market on machines. In fact, my Komatsu is already listed on there. :Cowboy

[Dusty]

looks good i would have shot it metel flake

[cat320]

It's looking pretty good so far.once you put the blue and decals back on it will look original .

[alan627b]

Wow, Serv, you do nice work. And fast, too! I take it you are going to "flip" the Komatsu and keep the John Deere? If that's the plan, how did you decide which one to keep. and why?
You ought to invite the previous owner over to have a look at it now....
Let us see it when it's done!
alan627b

[Serv]

looks good i would have shot it metel flake

:roll

It's looking pretty good so far.once you put the blue and decals back on it will look original .

Thanks. I need to see about some decals.

Wow, Serv, you do nice work. And fast, too! I take it you are going to "flip" the Komatsu and keep the John Deere? If that's the plan, how did you decide which one to keep. and why?
You ought to invite the previous owner over to have a look at it now....
Let us see it when it's done!
alan627b


Really, I'm trying to see if I can sell one to pay for both. Maybe that's not realistic, but you never know unless you try. I'm leaning towards keeping the John Deere because it's newer, larger and maybe worth more money. But after using the Komatsu around the yard for the last couple of days, I'm convinced it would make an excellent machine to own. It works and runs perfectly. It needs some attention in the electrical bells and whistles dept., but that's another day.


I couldn't do the blue the other day because the paint was too soft to stick the tape to. We masked this thing for hours last night. My painter friend can't make it today, so I might try shooting it myself. It also looks like the interior has to be dealt with as a third operation after this blue is done. Then I can put the new seat, armrests and glass back in. I also have to paint all the accessories I removed including the ladders and catwalk things.

This is more work than I thought it would be, but that's just the way these things go. :yup



http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00756.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00757.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00758.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00760.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00765.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00771.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00772.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00764.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/DSC00775.jpg




here's the entire album in case anyone wants to see it. It's three pages BTW.


http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o22/sy733/komatsu%20WA200-1%20loader/

[Serv]

There ya go Serv...all that praying worked:rolleyes:

Well done, keep the pics coming. I imagine you will be up for a truck load of oil and filters now. Did you find where the supposed oil leak was??

Sorry Squizzy, I must have missed this post. The leak was one of two hoses that go to a remote transmission filter housing. If they weren't metric hydraulic fittings, I'd guess they were #12 size and two feet of hose. One of the hoses was leaking at the crimp so I had a new one made for 87 dollars. The only two little leaks left are two of the three lift and dump cylinders are seeping a little.

[Serv]

Just an update, I sold this Komatsu and it more than payed for itself and the Deere 644E. :D

A guy from Singapore of all places bought it.


Here's the Deere hard at work now making my new warehouse.
:cool:

[Lashlander]

Nice to see someone win one once in a while!:thumbsup

[Serv]

Nice to see someone win one once in a while!:thumbsup



Thanks for the props man! I can't say this was easy. In fact, it was very hard work. But it was my crazy goal and I was able to realize it. I can't wait to find the time to get out there and hunt down some more equipment. There are alot of deals out there to be had. :D

[alan627b]

Hello again Serv! Haven't been on for awhile, good to hear you made out well with the Komatsu. If you head on up to Madera, CA, there's this Cat 650 scraper cheap.....!
On a personal note, last weekend I got my 1947 DW10 Cat to run for the first time since 1990 or so. Pulled it about 300 yards and once it got fuel it lit off, ran for about 2 minutes, then blew a hose and oiled my right leg. At least my boots waterproof now.
Looking forward to getting it to run longer, and see what else will break!
Take care,
Alan627B

[imfixinmopars]

not to steal the post,but im looking a komatsu wa380,and was wondering the value?it has 15k hrs,3-4k on new engine and trans,and very well maintained.any ideas? everything works properly,thanks

[Serv]

Hello again Serv! Haven't been on for awhile, good to hear you made out well with the Komatsu. If you head on up to Madera, CA, there's this Cat 650 scraper cheap.....!
On a personal note, last weekend I got my 1947 DW10 Cat to run for the first time since 1990 or so. Pulled it about 300 yards and once it got fuel it lit off, ran for about 2 minutes, then blew a hose and oiled my right leg. At least my boots waterproof now.
Looking forward to getting it to run longer, and see what else will break!
Take care,
Alan627B


Hey Alan, how's it going? That scraper sounds interesting. Too bad you guys are so far away. Distance seems to be everyone's main limiting factor. :D

I hear you on the hydraulic oil. We removed all three of my dozer's cylinders for packing last saturday and one of them gave my mechanic a bath though it's upper fitting when he unhooked it from the tractor and attempted to collapse it. :Pointhead

[Serv]

not to steal the post,but im looking a komatsu wa380,and was wondering the value?it has 15k hrs,3-4k on new engine and trans,and very well maintained.any ideas? everything works properly,thanks



mopar,

I probably would shop around to do better that this but here's what they're going for (asking prices)

http://www.machinerytrader.com/listings/forsale/list.asp?man=KOMATSU&mdlgrp=WA380&guid=0854E8E07DCE4ADABF3B081813F5D543




And here's what they went for

http://www.machinerytrader.com/listings/priceinfo.asp?man=KOMATSU&mdlgrp=WA380&guid=0854E8E07DCE4ADABF3B081813F5D543

[Serv]

She finally left for singapore the other day. Loading it was fun. here's some pics :D I flipped both tires in on the left side, in order to get it to squeeze in there.

[Harvuskong]

Looking at the pictures, I thought of a few questions.

1. It does not look like you chained or strapped the machine down. At least, I can not see anything like that in the photos. I am assuming that the close fit in the trailer and the park lock will hold the machine in one spot.

2. Will the machine be traveling in the same trailer all the way to Singapore??

3. I figure that you disconnnected the batteries and also there was very little fuel left in the fuel tank for shipping.

I would have never thought of that machine being shipping inside a closed van body trailer. Learned something today!!

[cat320]

Just being very nosy and don't answer if you do not want to but , after buying it , fixing ,painting new tires etc. what did you end up spending and making on that Komatsu?

[Serv]

Looking at the pictures, I thought of a few questions.

1. It does not look like you chained or strapped the machine down. At least, I can not see anything like that in the photos. I am assuming that the close fit in the trailer and the park lock will hold the machine in one spot.

2. Will the machine be traveling in the same trailer all the way to Singapore??

3. I figure that you disconnnected the batteries and also there was very little fuel left in the fuel tank for shipping.

I would have never thought of that machine being shipping inside a closed van body trailer. Learned something today!!



yea, I had to drain the fluids, etc. The machine and bucket are chained down and the cab has 2 nylon straps and one chain. They ship machines worldwide every day. Pretty soon, all of our used machines will be sent to asia and the middle east. :D The same guy is emailing me wish lists on a daily basis. asking for out of service machines to any condition.


here's a 950 and a 988 packed in containers for reference..

[Serv]

Just being very nosy and don't answer if you do not want to but , after buying it , fixing ,painting new tires etc. what did you end up spending and making on that Komatsu?



I cleared around 15-16k after expenses on it minus my own labor and beer. :cool2



I couldn't even come close to that in my market. :beatsme

[OKYLE]

I cleared around 15-16k after expenses on it minus my own labor and beer. :cool2



I couldn't even come close to that in my market. :beatsme

wow great story.

Makes me want to pick up a couple basket cases at the auctions around here.

really lucky it had nothing wrong with the tranny :) but you probably woulda still made money had the tranny been screwed :) Nice man.

[speer031]

that is a nice loader