Question about low hour machines.

[Jim D]

Looking at machines for sale, there are a few with very low operating hours compared to the age of the machine; a hundred or fewer operating hours per year of machine age. It's very attractive to see a machine with only a little obvious wear.

So my question is; are there any common problems that can happen to a Deere or Caterpillar wheel loader from sitting unused. (I know that rubber hoses and tires decay) But are there any hidden and expensive problems caused from a machine sitting unused that buyer should be looking for, when considering a very low hour machine? (1995 to 2000 model years with one to two thousand hours)

 

[John C.]

Biggest problem in a machine like that is for some reason the hour meter seems to look a lot newer than the rest of the machine.

Nobody spends that kind of money just to let it sit.

 

[Oxbow]

I agree with John C. for the most part. Possible exceptions are military use and municipality/state/government use. There are sometimes government returns that are very low hour in relation to age.

I suppose leaking seals, and perhaps cracked belts would be among the problems likely to show themselves for a machine that has been sitting. Condensation in the fluids could happen as well.

 

[Jim D]

Biggest problem in a machine like that is for some reason the hour meter seems to look a lot newer than the rest of the machine.

Nobody spends that kind of money just to let it sit.

Point well made...