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Grader Shopping

20/80

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2013
Messages
872
Location
nova scotia canada
Occupation
operator
I finally got an update from the Dealer, Finning CAT. Its been in around Prince George BC most of its life, maintaining roads. Comes with new chains, Snow tires are 70%, Full inspection repairs and service completed. Full differential and finals were rebuilt, Strong runner, work ready. Comes with a ripper, mastless wing and a front lift group and 4 way dozer plow.

This is the kind of feedback Im looking for. I really want a solid machine that doesnt have issues. I already have five of them in my yard. I hear you about the H series machines. I have been hunting a lower time H series 143/163. They are super hard to find. I'm putting a newer balderson wing and rigging a front plow on my remaining 12G now for a backup machine until I get my champion problems sorted out.
When you say "gremlins" in the M series, what sort of issues are you having? I heard there's some ECM issues, etc.
Yeah some have ECM issues, well as for gremlins on our M series, I Am not a big Fan of the Huie pump engines, ex, C7 Acert engines, we have replaced the pump 3 times now at 5 grand a pop, plus Cat has to clean the head so your looking at 9 grand per pump, so common rail are better, we are on our third engine in our 140M and so are the other older 140Ms at our sister shops and a 12M 2 lost a engine also, our last engine From Cat was a new reman and burns about 14liters of oil on a 12hr shift, was burning oil right from day one which Cat said was normal, but has got worst now, wiring harnesses on the Ms are a working part also so if you get a broken wire good luck finding it, the harness is about 6" round and we had to replace it, not cheap, I could go on and on, I have a older thread called 140M down, you may find it interesting, Find a H series, they are out there, all depends on what you want to pay, best of luck to you
 

Blue-Fox

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
152
Location
99611
Occupation
Oilfield Owner/Operator
Yeah some have ECM issues, well as for gremlins on our M series, I Am not a big Fan of the Huie pump engines, ex, C7 Acert engines, we have replaced the pump 3 times now at 5 grand a pop, plus Cat has to clean the head so your looking at 9 grand per pump, so common rail are better, we are on our third engine in our 140M and so are the other older 140Ms at our sister shops and a 12M 2 lost a engine also, our last engine From Cat was a new reman and burns about 14liters of oil on a 12hr shift, was burning oil right from day one which Cat said was normal, but has got worst now, wiring harnesses on the Ms are a working part also so if you get a broken wire good luck finding it, the harness is about 6" round and we had to replace it, not cheap, I could go on and on, I have a older thread called 140M down, you may find it interesting, Find a H series, they are out there, all depends on what you want to pay, best of luck to you
I’ll def agree that doesn’t sound like a good time or track record.
 

Blue-Fox

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
152
Location
99611
Occupation
Oilfield Owner/Operator
52ECFBF6-5DB3-48BD-B1E0-E2B532B5FA9D.jpeg
Talked to the operator of this 16M today. 45080 hrs on the clock. Since day 1 in the arctic. No major repairs just a few electronic issues and maintenance since 2010. So they are out there.
 

20/80

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2013
Messages
872
Location
nova scotia canada
Occupation
operator
View attachment 278881
Talked to the operator of this 16M today. 45080 hrs on the clock. Since day 1 in the arctic. No major repairs just a few electronic issues and maintenance since 2010. So they are out there.
Wow, over 45000 hrs on original engine, sorry, I would be suspicious, he may not be telling you everything, I could be wrong though.
 

Blue-Fox

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Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
152
Location
99611
Occupation
Oilfield Owner/Operator
Wow, over 45000 hrs on original engine, sorry, I would be suspicious, he may not be telling you everything, I could be wrong though.
I work for the same company, (my real job) and I'm not surprised at all. I'll have to chat with the heavy shop supervisor. But From September to May these machines rarely ever shut off unless they are in for maintenance. Every day and night shift of the year theres 3 of these 16M's manned around the clock. He said they still have a 16H for backup.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,260
Location
Canada
They must have done some work on the engine in the off season. It would have to be a magical engine to go that long in a grader application.
 

Blue-Fox

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
152
Location
99611
Occupation
Oilfield Owner/Operator
They must have done some work on the engine in the off season. It would have to be a magical engine to go that long in a grader application.
I totally understand the disbelief. I was shocked when I saw the hour meter reading.
For perspective, my new work pickup 2500HD, was bought in August /21 and it has 3100 hrs on the engine already. 25k miles.
The 16M is a 2012 model was showing 35k miles traveled in reverse. So I’m betting over 100k in forward gears.
There’s a lot of truth that the hardest thing on an engine is the cold start and I’m not going to be surprised when they say nothing has been replaced except maybe injectors or pump. We’ll see. ‍♂️
 

20/80

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2013
Messages
872
Location
nova scotia canada
Occupation
operator
I totally understand the disbelief. I was shocked when I saw the hour meter reading.
For perspective, my new work pickup 2500HD, was bought in August /21 and it has 3100 hrs on the engine already. 25k miles.
The 16M is a 2012 model was showing 35k miles traveled in reverse. So I’m betting over 100k in forward gears.
There’s a lot of truth that the hardest thing on an engine is the cold start and I’m not going to be surprised when they say nothing has been replaced except maybe injectors or pump. We’ll see. ‍♂️
Thinking its the C13 Acert engine in that 16M, they had a few issues, some had timing chain problems, pumps, injectors, Cat had a law suit against them from Log trucks owners with the C15 and C13s engines in them, as a result Cat does not build truck engines anymore, a local business in this area bought 20 new Western Stars for hauling wood with the C13 engine, he ended up suing Cat, had major problems with the engines and with Cats regen system, The new trucks were in for repairs all the time or sitting on the side of the road, 45080 hrs on original C13 engine would be a great promotion for reliability for Cats C13 for sure.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,260
Location
Canada
I don't think it's inconceivable there's a problem with the hour meter. I've had hour meters run on after the machine was shut off. Reading above about major problems with C13's it would appear the engine is magical if the hours are correct.
 

Blue-Fox

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
152
Location
99611
Occupation
Oilfield Owner/Operator
Well folks, I got a chance to get up with a drag racing buddy that works for the Deere dealers here in AK, and they had a machine they were supposed to have out on contract for a year with Alaska Railroad that was released early. After talking almost an hour with a mother guy that has operated the machine on several occasions since it was brand new I got an offer to buy it that I could not refuse. So I’m proud new owner of a 2007 872D. 14’ mb and combo ripper scar like I wanted. Front and rear aux hydraulics. They are going over the whole machine to make sure the service intervals were up to date and delivering it to my shop 250 mile round trip. I have to say, after I got in the cab and made some laps around their property pushing snow in rows and circles, even without snow tires on it, I have to say it’s light years ahead of anything in my fleet. It’s not new but super clean and tight for 12k hours and comes with full copies of all the records and dealership service intervals are good for peace of mind. I think I found a wing already and have a line on a front plow.
 

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20/80

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2013
Messages
872
Location
nova scotia canada
Occupation
operator
Well folks, I got a chance to get up with a drag racing buddy that works for the Deere dealers here in AK, and they had a machine they were supposed to have out on contract for a year with Alaska Railroad that was released early. After talking almost an hour with a mother guy that has operated the machine on several occasions since it was brand new I got an offer to buy it that I could not refuse. So I’m proud new owner of a 2007 872D. 14’ mb and combo ripper scar like I wanted. Front and rear aux hydraulics. They are going over the whole machine to make sure the service intervals were up to date and delivering it to my shop 250 mile round trip. I have to say, after I got in the cab and made some laps around their property pushing snow in rows and circles, even without snow tires on it, I have to say it’s light years ahead of anything in my fleet. It’s not new but super clean and tight for 12k hours and comes with full copies of all the records and dealership service intervals are good for peace of mind. I think I found a wing already and have a line on a front plow.
Congrates on your purchase, looks to be in great shape, Deere is a good machine, best of luck, keep us posted on how it works for you, thanks for sharing.
 
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