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High hour used machine?? Deere

Black71gp

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Messages
82
Location
Michigan
I am looking to upgrade machines. I sold my 450e, and I was planning on looking at a 450-650g, hoped for an H,

I did find at the local John Deere dealer a 2000 550h, however it has 10k hrs on it. I am a one man operation, and dozer wise less than 500 hrs a year. Probably closer to 200 honestly. Finish grades, driveway cuts back fills septic grading. Nothing huge. I went and operated the machine for about 45 min on there test pile. Ran great, no noticeable issues or odd noises. It was cold when started, fired right up small puff of black smoke no blue. Everything seemed to run great on it. Track pads were a little wore down, about 1.25" grouser height. Bottom rollers and chain are good sprockets are at least 50% maybe a tad more. Blade was tight at the ball joint. Pins were showing some looseness. Nothing excessive at all. Blade wasn't skinned or beat up, grill was not beat up either which I have been seeing a lot of. Machine overal was clean. Original paint.

I was going to have them get me oil samples,

What else should I look out for,? Reason I'm leaning towards something like this is price, and I can buy for cash and not have a payment. I'm small time but it is my main line of work. Other things are needed as well as jobs get completed.

I know 10k hrs is getting up there on a dozer, but I know it has some good life left for not a full time dozer.

Any thoughts are or would be great
 

Dickjr.

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
1,484
Location
Kentucky
Is it hydro or clutch brake machine. I know the smaller Deere are excellent dozers.
 

Tractorguy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2015
Messages
174
Location
NC
Most dealers can use serial number to look up history, that would potentially help out too. They should be able to give you some undercarriage evaluation as well. Sounds like it'd be a good match if that's all you'll use it
 

Black71gp

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Messages
82
Location
Michigan
It is at a John Deere dealer. So I will have them do all the searching to see if they have any records.
 

Dickjr.

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
1,484
Location
Kentucky
Since its at the dealer see if they will let you use it one day. Most of them will you'll know after a couple hours if its ok. There are some Deere guys on here that would know more things to look at.
 

Black71gp

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Messages
82
Location
Michigan
They are a little distance away, but I did a lot of pushing and working with it in the dealer yard. Put some good loads and tried to stall it down. Seems good.
 

roddyo

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
788
Location
Arkansas
Occupation
Manipulator of the Planet
I have a 450J with almost 10,000 and I'm happy with it. You might be far enough north that a big part of those hours are running all night. My checker won't touch the antifreeze and in my service records one trip was for having trouble starting when cold -30:) no parts btw so I'm guessing a cable cleaning.
 

Black71gp

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Messages
82
Location
Michigan
Oil samples came back very good on all, had them do a full service and inspection on everything. Blade pins are a little worn but easy to fix. Put a deposit down ImageUploadedByTapatalk1452135556.616557.jpg
 
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