Help with komatsu 140-2 Backhoe.

[JD PLOWER]

We are considering a machine for our snow removal work we came across this Komatsu 140-2 (http://adcache.equipmenttraderonline.com/9/2/2/77740722.htm)

I would like any personal opinions on this machine. Keep in mind that it will be used primarily as a snow mover, so we're talking about 200-300 hrs per year on anything we buy. Reliabilty is really important to us since snow is treated as an emergency service. Any thoughts on this machine in terms of reliabilty, easy to use and maintainance? Is 90 hp enough? Does anyone think that this machine will be able to carry a 10' pusher without any trouble?

[Nac]

Dont no much about Komatsu backhoe's but in my area only one company has them because all they buy is Komatsu. You do not see to many around and often see them for sale. That price sound high to me for a machine with that amount of hours. Dont get me wrong I have a Komatsu mini excavtor and I love it but the only backhoe I would buy is a latr modle John Deere.

[erthmover]

I'm with NAC the only backhoe I would buy is a John Deere. IMO They have great hydraulics and comfortable cab and they are all around great machines. :thumbsup

[Cat420]

I don't think that price is that high. It looks to be in pretty good condition. It also has ride control, which would probably be a good thing for moving between plowing jobs. I have never run a Komatsu backhoe, but I have always thought that the loader geometry looked very well suited to loading trucks, this may not matter if you have a big loader. I also noticed in the picture that it has flip-over stabilizer pads, which are good if you decide to take it in the dirt, we have those on our Cat 420 and I can say that in the dirt they really do make a big difference. I would say try and find a Komatsu dealer and run one to see what it is like for power and to get a feel for how the dealer will treat you in the future if you need service or parts. Sometimes it is more important to have good dealer support, rather than just a good machine. Now that I have written a small book, I'll stop. I am personally biased towards Cat, but that because its a great machine and I have dealer 10 minutes away.

[cat320]

I would have to agree with you cat420 all except being biased for cat lol My case dealer is 45 min and it's a pain if you need parts or info to get the right part. So far from different people i have been hearing hot and cold stories one says it's great then others say it's ok.I have run your cat420 with the IT and it was great air ride seat,ride control and excavator rear controls .I have a 580L and I would love to have gotten bigger or more HP works great good for tight spots visability great. I have run deere 310's and they are ok maybe the newer series are better . But hear case and cat are at min 45-60 min away deere satilite store is about25 -35 min away komatsu 5-10min. same with volvo 5-10.

[Tigerotor77W]

Komatsu machines have been all right but nothing spectacular. I think they seem a bit unwieldy compared to their counterparks (long loader arm and rather small front wheels), but they may have updated that. While I don't think you'll go wrong with a 140, you might want to try it out first and compare it to a "steady" company that you know has some experience. See how the Komatsu compares.

[glsahl]

For my two cents,stick with Deere.We have 2 "D" models,a 410,and a 310,with three 310Es.The Ds have over 10K hours each,and last year we spent less than 5 bucks an hour running them.That excludes tires,if we had more skilled operators,to choose from,I could've done better,bent rims,and cyls,seem to be the "hot" trend this year.I have yet to see a Cat,New Holland,or Case push as well,pound for pound,than a Deere.I wouldn't advise putting hammers on the E model extendahoe.We've found a weak spot at the stick to boom pin boss.Of coarse,you would think hoeramming,with the stick extended,might be a bad idea.But,I think I already mentioned the "primary factor" to choosing a machine.
Cat's may have better product support,parts availabilty,mainly,Case might be cheaper to buy,and New Holland may be more "comfy",I think Deere's cost per hour worked,has them all beat.

[Bearmtnmartin]

I have a New Holland LB110. My last machine was a cat. I work regularly with a couple of John Deere's (a 410 & 310) and my machine will out lift and generally out perform them. I find the JD's similar in performance to my old 416 cat. I would say the JD has the edge in hydraulic smoothness, but other than that they don't compare well. New Hollands best features are(I think) the front end, which is far and away the best out there, and the amazing stick lift. I can comfortably place lock blocks and concrete septic tanks. (1200g 2pce) I think only case has a lift that might compare. My only complaint about my machine is quality control. The air conditioning has been fixed 5 times now(by 2 different AC companys and 2 dealers) and still doesn't work. By the way, Case is owned by New Holland, and they are made side by side.

[glsahl]

bearmntmartin,
How is your NH treating you?
We've got a LB90,and a 110 on RPO.The 110 has a clamshell in front,that has had problems,cyl glands are easily cracked by inattentive operation,we gone through 3.Both machines were new,less than 40 hrs,now have over 400 hrs.The engine covers,and cab glass latches are JUNK.These are the first machines we had with enclosed cabs,haven't had any a/c problems,but that's an interesting concern.Have you found any other "bugs"?

[Bearmtnmartin]

I have to say overall I really like my New holland. My quality control issues are actually hard to separate from the dismal abilities of the dealership mechanics. It seems like the few problems I have had have been repaired over and over with the same bad result. Like the A/C being fixed 5 times. Not sure I can blame all that on New Holland. I had the bucket curl problem that I mentioned in an erlier post, which was finally traced to a missing modulator or some such thing. I had a starting problem that I was sure was a bad ground or a bad cable, but they insisted on replacing the battery, the alternator and the starter, (on different occasions) before a different dealership replaced the ground cable and fixed the problem. I am amused at New Hollands claims of 40 hrs between greasings! I thought with the sealed pins and bushings it would fly, but I have to grease every day, just like my old cat. I love all that power, but I was shocked to find that it burns about 1/2 as much fuel again as my old machine. Haven't had your problems with hood covers, window latches or cylinder glands.
Iv'e had my hoe for 2.5 years now, and I will probably buy another one, but perhaps from a different dealership.

Martin

[Cat420]

I guess New Holland has made some upgrades to the quality of its machines. A year or two ago, I ran a NH 575 and swore that I would never buy a NH. It had 600 hours and a lot of little things that bugged me. The backhoe bucket didn't have enough rotation. When swinging to the side facing uphill, the hydraulics would "let go" and then I would have no control to stop the boom from swinging. The rear bucket was not shaped well for digging. The boom lock wouldn't engage unless you got out and pushed on it. It had 16.9 x 28 tires on the rear, these were terrible for working on uneven ground. The front tires would hit the loader arm if you turned them all the way. The front hydraulics weak and slow, it was a pain to load a single axle dump. The overall hydraulics did not seem properly matched to the machine, the front was too weak and the rear was too strong for the weight of the machine. I also had problems with the window latches not keeping the windows open. The throttle lever would not stay in its place unless you put it up to 1500rpm, I tried to adjust it but it never worked right. That's all I can think of for now. It sounds like the LB series are pretty nice, but you can understand why I tend to shy away from NH.