988b project

Hi all
Been looking for a decent size loader for a while to use around the farm. Not wanting to spend a fortune because it simply won't get used a lot. Tilly's in Toowoomba have been advertising a 988b for a fair while now for 25k. It's an as is where is deal and listed as having a knock in the engine. Just after a few thoughts on this and wondering if anyone thinks this would be a viable machine to look into. Im a mechanic by trade so the work is no problem but have no experience with a 3408, personal experience would suggest than a engine with a 'knock' would most likely require at least a crank and a rod or two to get it running again. Any thoughts or advice would be great thanks Neil.
Ps if anyone is interested they can see it at Tilly's crawler parts under machines for sale.

An engine knock might require anything from a few shells and a crank to a replacement crank and a block to fix. That's when it could get a bit pricey. The3408 is a simple lump though and there ought to be plenty of parts available for it. The machine dates from April 1978.

Edit: that should read April 1988, not 78.

Nige said:

Edit: that should read April 1988, not 78.

Click to expand...

Nige, I think you had it right 1st time....1978 build 50W2402.

There are 2 machines on that website. One is 50W2402, the other is 50W8961. It's the higher S/N 1988-built machine that is advertised as having the engine knock.

Nige said:

There are 2 machines on that website. One is 50W2402, the other is 50W8961. It's the higher S/N 1988-built machine that is advertised as having the engine knock.

Click to expand...

Yep, my apologies, I only looked at the first one.

Given the choice (sight unseen) I'd spring for the older unit. Unless someone can show maintenance records for the newer one, it's got what, 42,000 hours on it?

Hi
Yeah it's listed as having those hours but there is no real way of knowing what the other one has actually done either I guess, one would assume they have both done a power of work. I'm still thinking about them both, I might be dreaming to lol. Think I will give them a ring and see what I can find out, a visual inspection is the best bet I suppose. Any body have any advise about inspecting them, Is there any common problems with these loaders? Any suggestions would be appreciated as I have no experience with these loaders. I suppose the main reason I was leaning towards the newer one is because its engine problem sorta suggest that is the reason it's been parked where the other could have unknown issues as well, trans for example that I realy would not know till I got it home and tried to work it. It's a gamble either way I think. The biggest fun killer at this point would be the price of floating it home, I'd say it will Make it unviable.

Before you go digging too far find out the price of the float to get it from the seller to your place. If the quoted price works within your budget then I'd think of looking at both machines. Logic dictates that if you can get a machine that's 10 years newer (88 vs 78) at the same price it's got to be good, the unknown is the engine issue. But what if the engine knock is a fuel knock..? That could be fixed relatively simply and you'd be quids in.

TBH I think the hours on the older machine have to be wrong. IIRC correctly from when I looked yesterday they were 17,000, to me that's 17k on the current hour meter and I'd bet money that their were other hour meters in the machine before that. If the 17k is correct the machine should almost look like new unless it was operated by a bunch of drongos all its life, the newer machine with 42k hours on it would look like a sh1tter in comparison, but you'd have to see both in the flesh to see the difference - it wouldn't show up in photos.

Hi nige, yeah I'd definitely be leaning towards the newer machine at this stage. I have actually had a look at the loader at the start of the year when I was there last but never considered the thought of buying it at the time, in saying that it was only quick walk around the machine, I wish now I had a better look about. In the process of getting a quote to shift it so I'll soon know what the next step is or if this is the end of the line. Spoke to a few mates which guessed it would be $5 to 7,50 a km so that's gonna add up quick for almost 1000kms.

Hey nige your location says Granville, that in Syd or elsewhere?

Nah mate, bit of a pun. You obviously don't recognize the fella in the photo. I'm on the other side of the world to you - currently waiting for your cricket team to rock up to play in the Ashes series.

Nope lol, ah rito.

Neily said:

Hi all
Been looking for a decent size loader for a while to use around the farm.....

Click to expand...

Not sure how big your FARM is but isn't a 988 "a little on the large side" for farm use? Being a farmer myself I wouldn't know what to do with it on my farm. Plus I probably would spend half or more of my time being stuck in the mud with it...

We have a 988B with quick attach bucket,forks and a stiff boom, used it to unload rail cars for a project. Nicest loader I have ever run. Power to spare. Where it is a real beast is feul up time. 700liter tank. Needed 2 new tires for the front $20+K for two installed.
For a farm it would be a little large and very costly unless you have deep pockets and want a "big" toy. If you have a specific earth moving job and want to use it and sell it it may be the way to go. We however need to now sell ours and I think it will take awhile.

Cheers LD

Hi there. Well it's looking like it's just going to cost to much to get one of these loaders home, went to a farm clearing sale 200k from home a couple of weeks ago to have a go at one and it made $40k coolant and oil had traded places and chuffed out black smoke just idling. Bet that bloke that bought it is kicking himself now lol. I could get one delivered to my door for less than that! Anyway turns out my neighbours are going to sell there old loader now cause they have just bought a newish Komatsu. Gonna go have a good hard look over it next weekend. It's an old 72 51b pretty rough but he's only asking $8k needs a good tidy up and the engine is completely worn out. Figure if I can replace a few ram seals, fix the brakes and freshen the engine up and get out of it for about 15k it should be ok. Not as big as I wanted but big enough to do what I need. Anyone got any advice as to what to look for when I go over it, common problems etc? Trans/ converter seems a bit sluggish but it will spin the wheels so I'm assuming it's ok, what's the best way to test the trans?