• 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!

Newbie looking for input / advice on purchasing a new to me 1840/1845c

Bloody Knuckles

Active Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2021
Messages
43
Location
Blair Ne
HI everyone,
I'm looking into buying a 1840 or 1845c for dirt work on a acreage. I've been reading posts on issues and overall reliability and both have their pros and cons.
Which do you think is the overall better machine?

Thanks
John
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,319
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
The 1845C had a 1750 ROC with 56 hp, the 1840 was 1500 ROC with 50 hp. The 1845C had 12X16.5 tires and the 1840 was 10X16.5's. I had 6 1840's over the years, never bought an 1845C. Aside from the specs advantage, the 1845C brings more money used it seems like. Mechanically they are very similar. I suspect that a bigger factor may be the condition your able to find one in, that may be a bigger indication of which one you buy.
 

Bloody Knuckles

Active Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2021
Messages
43
Location
Blair Ne
Thanks KSSS, I've looked at 2 1845c's and 1 1840. The 45's do bring better $. The 2 45's I looked at had 1600-2000hrs but no service records. Looked at a 40 today which was a original owner 1997 3025hrs machine. He had all the service records since new. All seamed to be in good, not great condition.

Thanks
 

Ed ke6bnl

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
62
Location
Agua Dulce, 91390
The 1845C had a 1750 ROC with 56 hp, the 1840 was 1500 ROC with 50 hp. The 1845C had 12X16.5 tires and the 1840 was 10X16.5's. I had 6 1840's over the years, never bought an 1845C. Aside from the specs advantage, the 1845C brings more money used it seems like. Mechanically they are very similar. I suspect that a bigger factor may be the condition your able to find one in, that may be a bigger indication of which one you buy.
I have and 1840 with 12x16.5 tires on it. I think I will change to 10x15 when I need new tires. I believe in keeps the bucket from being flat on the ground when lowered. thanks for the information.
 

jacobd

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Messages
147
Location
North carolina
Depends on what you mean by "better?" The 1845c is a bigger, stronger unit but the 1840 is slightly better designed with a simpler boom, single reduction final drive instead of double, and easier access to the battery. That being said I would probably go with an 1845c for the extra capacity. But both are great.
 

kenworth

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
108
Location
Central Washington State, USA
Occupation
Jack of a Few Trades, Master of None
I have an 1845c and absolutely love it.
I was originally going to purchase and 1840 after having run one for a long time but I am glad that I bought the bigger machine.
The 1845c is a bigger and stronger machine that will outperform the 1840.
I would recommend purchasing an 1845c.
 

Bloody Knuckles

Active Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2021
Messages
43
Location
Blair Ne
Thanks guys, I was leaning towards the 1845c mainly because of the capacity and more ground clearance. The ones in this area are few and far between. Seems most are in Eastern Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin which makes since, made in Racine Wis. Missed one by 2 hr. Had 1600hr, good rubber went for 19k. Saw one on eBay that went for 20K in Ill. It had 545hrs and a backhoe att. that went with it. Still looking or might have to go to a older S185....

Thanks
John
 

1693TA

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
2,687
Location
Farmington IL
Occupation
FAA Radar Engineer, (Retired)
You're on the right track with an 1845C. Very robust machine for contractor or homeowner alike. Lot of pins to wear and keep greased but very reliable. I've worked and beat on mine hard in days gone by, but have no plans to let it go as it's so dependable.
 

ThreeCW

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2019
Messages
227
Location
near Calgary, Alberta
The 2 45's I looked at had 1600-2000hrs but no service records. Looked at a 40 today which was a original owner 1997 3025hrs machine. He had all the service records since new. Thanks

The general consensus on skid steers seem to be buy one with the lowest hours possible. Machines above 3000 hours tend to be more prone to requiring repairs than those with lesser hours. You also want to consider the kind of service the machine has been subjected to ... heavy dirt work is going to put a lot more wear and tear on a machine compare to loader work or snow plowing.
 

Bloody Knuckles

Active Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2021
Messages
43
Location
Blair Ne
I don't mind doing repairs, been a service tech most of my life other than tending block and flat work after HS. I checked with Titian and they said they can still get a lot of the parts for them. I'm mainly looking at machines under 2500hrs for the reasons ThreeCW mentioned but they're tuff to find. A couple of guys I know said to stay away from the ones that spent they're life on concrete, They said it was hard on the drivetrains. I don't know where all they're plants are I was just going off the legend plates I've seen. I'm not in a big hurry to find one so I'll just keep looking.

Thanks
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,319
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
Yea I would try and find the best machine you can, but... machines this old have seen a lot of different uses, not that you would ever likely know what all they have done in the service life anyway (running exclusively on concrete is what I am referring to). I think the last 1845C rolled off the factory in 2002. These things in exceptional shape are unicorns. I posted the auction sale on here of a "barn find" 1845C with like 500 hours that went for over 40K. If you wait for the "perfect machine" with a service history, low hours for the year, you may never find it, and if you do, you will likely pay dearly for it. These things will run for a very long time, and if you have to work on it, you can be assured that someone, somewhere on here will have seen it and done it. Especially being a service tech, find one that is in decent shape mechanically and put it to work. If you need to put some effort into it to make it exactly what you want may payoff better than waiting for the "unicorn" to show itself. These are my thoughts, your mileage may differ.
 

gwhammy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2013
Messages
602
Location
missouri
I've never had one but watch the axle bearings, they are grease instead of oil bath and heard of not being greased proper and having problems. Other than that they seem to be a tough machine.
 
Top