Dominic Frasca
Member
Greetings my new friends, I'm 59 and a city boy at heart. Spent most of my life as "the boss" in retail endeavors. After my business life ended I retired up to northern Maine.
I never thought I would find happiness behind the wheel of a backhoe, but needing some work done on my property, I spent quite a few months looking around the internet and the best, inexpensive unit I could find was a glorified lawnmower with a bucket attached for 3500 bucks, No way I said to my buddy!!
So we kept looking til we found a 1970 ford 4500 backhoe that needed some tlc but all in all, its in good shape and the seller seemed to be an extremely honest man, and after talking we agreed upon a price of $2100 bucks, a good deal I thought. The truth is, one drive around the property and I was in love with my new machine. Absolutely head over heels in love with her.She has the 3 cylinder diesel, 60 hp motor. So far as a pre-heater this unit has a system that starts a fire in the intake manifold, which seems to work too.
So far I've replaced the steering wheel, repaired the seat and a few leaks, serviced her. a new triple chrome plated exhaust....more for looks. lol and a new grill. I'm in the middle of painting her now.
Here are a few pics of before the paint job and present. The paint is not finished yet.
I never thought I would find happiness behind the wheel of a backhoe, but needing some work done on my property, I spent quite a few months looking around the internet and the best, inexpensive unit I could find was a glorified lawnmower with a bucket attached for 3500 bucks, No way I said to my buddy!!
So we kept looking til we found a 1970 ford 4500 backhoe that needed some tlc but all in all, its in good shape and the seller seemed to be an extremely honest man, and after talking we agreed upon a price of $2100 bucks, a good deal I thought. The truth is, one drive around the property and I was in love with my new machine. Absolutely head over heels in love with her.She has the 3 cylinder diesel, 60 hp motor. So far as a pre-heater this unit has a system that starts a fire in the intake manifold, which seems to work too.
So far I've replaced the steering wheel, repaired the seat and a few leaks, serviced her. a new triple chrome plated exhaust....more for looks. lol and a new grill. I'm in the middle of painting her now.
Here are a few pics of before the paint job and present. The paint is not finished yet.