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what loader would be best

dgouty14

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2008
Messages
9
Location
colorado
i am trying to decide what type of loader i should get. I am looking for something to load top soil into my tandem dump. I dont have a whole lot to spend and dont care how old it is i was just wondering what would be the cheapest kind i could get that would still get the job done. i just want to hear everyones opinions
 

mikef87

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Joined
Aug 22, 2007
Messages
433
Location
waltham
Occupation
owner/operator/mechanic/laborer/truck driver
An old Terex 72-31 B would be good, you could pick one up for under $20,000. They have a Detroit Motor which is loud, but bullet proof. The Allison tranny is also bullet proof. Machine is pretty simple to work on.
 

tdozer

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2006
Messages
74
Location
In the PINES! NJ
Michigan wheel loaders were also bulletproof and parts are fairly common too. They were also very simple, No frills,just a hard working machine.
 

mikef87

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Aug 22, 2007
Messages
433
Location
waltham
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owner/operator/mechanic/laborer/truck driver
Michigan wheel loaders were also bulletproof and parts are fairly common too. They were also very simple, No frills,just a hard working machine.

The companies should of stuck to the designs of the 70's and 80's, no electronic jazz, simple to fix. Back then if your alternator died, you just had no lights. Now if your alternator dies, your on a sinking ship with no life vest. My 966G went down during a snow storm because of a sensor. My Trojans and Terex kept on pushing.
 

tdozer

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Joined
Feb 23, 2006
Messages
74
Location
In the PINES! NJ
We have two 175IIIA michigans that are just as reliable as our 980G's, if not a little more. One was factory w/318 detroit, one cummins. now they both have 318"s. We just beat on them and they wont quit. we will probably trade in our G series cats before we even have the thought of gettin rid of our screamin demons. Sure there ugly and uncomfortabe, but they do what there asked of and nothing less.
 

southernman13

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Joined
May 13, 2008
Messages
1,114
Location
Florida,Ga,Tn
Occupation
Retired
An old Terex 72-31 B would be good, you could pick one up for under $20,000. They have a Detroit Motor which is loud, but bullet proof. The Allison tranny is also bullet proof. Machine is pretty simple to work on.

i have a terex 72-31 mp2-u its a 1984 low hr machine (1500) that runs great, it has a detroit, its a military issue, is this like the 72-31B?
 

PETE379

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Joined
Jan 10, 2008
Messages
138
Location
Long Island, New York
Occupation
Manage and oversee daily operations, also process
We bought a '67 950 in '85 with about 15,000 hours on it and in need of a motor job. Ran it screening and loading materials in the yard for seven years, never did the motor. Sold it to a friend in '92 who was going to load one or two trailers a day with it, he still has it...And, still no motor job. Cant go wrong with an old 950, plus parts wont be to hard to get. Good Luck
 

mikef87

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Joined
Aug 22, 2007
Messages
433
Location
waltham
Occupation
owner/operator/mechanic/laborer/truck driver
i have a terex 72-31 mp2-u its a 1984 low hr machine (1500) that runs great, it has a detroit, its a military issue, is this like the 72-31B?

I can't tell by the model name, but if you can post a picture I can tell you. I love the Terex loaders, those were the first loaders I had.
 

murray83

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2006
Messages
260
Location
new brunswick canada
Occupation
jack of all trades....master of none
I gotta agree with the old Michigan/Clark loaders say a 75 B or C,parts are cheap unlike Cat's,and best bang for your buck since most are under $20,000 in decent shape.
 

elirock83

Active Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2008
Messages
31
Location
w illinois
cheap loaders: there is no such thing as cheap cat, but cat will get you any part you need, might have to pay through the nose but, you'll get the part. We ran michigan's for years i started on a 75b, although we repowered it with a 5.9 b cummins had a 555 v-8, damn nice little machine. you can get some parts through non oem's but any thing still held on to by volvo good luck. That's why we have 0 michigan/ volvo's now. old terex's can't tell you on parts but they seem to not wanna stop. I also wouldn't be afraid of an old kawasaki or komatsu
 

john1066

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Messages
211
Location
attleboro ma
get your self an old 950A or 950B we still have one 950B and its still a good loader. I miss hte 950A we used to have it was a nice little loader for road work. the 950G's are too big you can't really turn them around in the street. you could also look for a 936 or 938F my uncle has a 938F with 15000 hours and hasn't done anything to it. i ran it a few weeks ago and its still a nice little loader
 

swampdog

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2008
Messages
393
Location
Canada
I went through this decision a few months ago. Based on the advice from numerous people, an older Cat seemed like a good choice. A Cat salesman with about forty years of experience told me that the 950 and 966C models are both in the top five machines ever made by Cat. I passed on a few badly neglected 950s and 966s that needed lots of work. In the end I bought a one-owner, low hours 966C in good condition.

You can buy an older Volvo or other brand for half the money of a Cat, but you should also get a lot more back for the Cat when you go to sell it.
 

Clayton M

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Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
69
Location
USA
I am a big fan of the Volvo Mini Loaders. The little 35's and 45's they will load a truck all day long, fast, and versatile. Good for anything from yard work to stock piles.
 

mcc92

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Messages
6
Location
nh
probably a CAT, easy to get parts. I have a Fiat Allis and it is hard to find parts for.
 

30 dirty years

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Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Messages
84
Location
il
Occupation
Jak of all trades
Clark /Michigan was the loader to have BITD :)




These old 950 cat loaders without the z bar linkage could only fill the bucket with loose material in a pile. I couldn't wait til we sold this one.
 

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swampdog

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2008
Messages
393
Location
Canada
These old 950 cat loaders without the z bar linkage could only fill the bucket with loose material in a pile. I couldn't wait til we sold this one.

What was wrong with the 950? Weak hydraulic pump, worn out cutting edge, or ?? I have owned three loaders, both tracked and on rubber, with the same linkage as that 950 in your picture, and they had/have incredible breakout force. A 955K that I had could dig basements in the hardest soil and even break in to frozen piles of clay to backfill basements in the winter. Aggressive, sharp teeth certainly help penetrate difficult soils.
 
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