• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

Buying a used 953, B or C, anything special to watch out for?

Sparffo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2008
Messages
223
Location
Finland
Occupation
Demolition contractor
Hi!

I'm looking on buying a used 953, C-series or older. Is there anything special to look after? What are the typical problems and what is expensive to replace (besides UC).
I saw a 953C that is really cheap, but with UC quite totally toasted and almost 20000hours on the meter. Otherwise the machine looks really good, stock painting and stickers etc, cab in nice shape, soo I could assume someone took care of it. But hard to tell if transmission is OK and how many hours do you make on a normal hydrostat, if maintained like it should? Is there any way of testing this, in a short term, without heavy use?
I also saw some B-models, with around 11000h on the meter, but hard to tell if these have been tweaked?
The machine will be used only a few houndred hours/year, soo making any big investements are not maybe the best sollution.
Any advises and opinions guys :)
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,579
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
First series 953 had weak rail adjustment mechanism, usually a run to failure component and would do so, B's are better as to overall machine where still mechanical, C's went to electronic controls and a ECM for systems functions where operates faster/somewhat easier but has the fallout of high expense electronics. If you notice the price tags on nationwide sales B's actually sell for near to what C's are listed for due to better reliability and less electronics. A machine that sits a lot is rodent bait for electrical faults from nests& urine moisture, turds and dead babies causing rot, nibbling on the wires.
 
Top