how good of a machine is a Deere 892???

workshoprat92 · Aug 5, 2017

I am also looking at a John Deere 892 for purchase. I have never run a Deere excavator and wonder how good of a machine is it? what are the failures and common problems with this series of machine? the one I am looking at is made in 1989.

Thanks

John C. · Aug 5, 2017

Engines are crap. They develop a lot of blow by around 6,000 hours from new or rebuilt. All that I inspected over the years were covered in slobber from the breather tube and oil leaks on all the gaskets. All the pins and bushings were soft and the joints got sloppy pretty quick, especially if your operator didn't feel like using the grease gun. The undercarriage was a little under sized for the weight of the machine. The track links would spread on the track pins long before the rails would be worn out.

But then again you are also talking about a machine that is twenty eight years old. You can't expect much other than it being worn out.

workshoprat92 · Aug 6, 2017

Hmm that not encouraging. Seems to be the case with all deere equipment i look at they have impediments that make them junk. I was looking at a 710 deere backhoes and could not find a one with a strong hydraulic system. Finally found an old mechanic that told me those 710 go about 1800 hrs and then there are 5 different things that can lay that system down. When it hits this point you replace all 5 to the tune of $5000 and then you will get another1800 hrs. What a piece of crap. Plus they guy a deere told me they only have product support for 10 years. I told him i guess thats the risk you run buying off brand equipment and he just laughed. I said laigh all ya want but with Cat i can get parts for 50 year old plus machines. That shut him up pretty freaken quick.

lantraxco · Aug 6, 2017

Well, that used to be true about CAT.... they're still pretty good but in many instances that support is not nearly what it was, especially for machines built jointly with Japanese suppliers. Deere is what it is, they've had their weaknesses, but they've also had some real winners. In this part of the world, the PNW, the 892 was a huge seller for them back in the day, despite it's flaws.

workshoprat92 · Aug 6, 2017

Given the choice of an 892 or a cat 225 in the same price range which machine would you preffer? I do understand the horse power and size difference. Just trying to look at it from a standpoint of which would be more durable and cheaper/esier to work on?

John C. · Aug 6, 2017

None of them are cheap or easy to work on. That's why good mechanics make so much money

workshoprat92 · Aug 6, 2017

I hate to say it but there are no good mechanics. Thats why i work on my own stuff.

workshoprat92 · Aug 7, 2017

Does anyone know how long the pumps usually go on these machines before they need overhaul?

John C. · Aug 7, 2017

That depends on the maintenance program.

Welder Dave · Aug 7, 2017

The 892 was basically a modified 300 Hitachi. In Canada anyways, there was an agreement that Hitachi wouldn't sell the 300 so Deere could sell the 892. They were very popular so I think you'd be best to hire a mechanic to check one out. I don't know if they're as bad as John C makes them out to be.

joeblow · Aug 7, 2017

If it is an 892D ,they used to be bullet proof.They are the first excavator Hitachi matched with Deere .Good thing because the excavators Deere made up to that point were POC.The 466 deere engines had head gasket problems that were finally repaired by using special bolts and a higher torque.The hyd pumps could be refreshed with new end caps and swash plates .They had a few other small problems but a lot of them are still working with very high hours.The problem with old iron is that it gets brittle with age like bending a copper wire many times.But for a low cost starter machine they could not be beat.

old-iron-habit · Aug 7, 2017

workshoprat92 said:
I hate to say it but there are no good mechanics. Thats why i work on my own stuff.

Using the advice from the no good mechanics on this forum? Maybe you better read the struck a nerve post.

GregsHD · Aug 7, 2017

If it's a 892D I've got full set of operation/test and repair manuals so you won't need to buy them. The 892D was a very popular road builder on Vancouver Island where I grew up, once they were too worn to be productive they mostly held back spar duty.

The 300-1 Hitachi had a POS Hino engine, nothing like the famous Isuzus they put in most other models. I consider the 466 Deere more reliable then the Hino, plus Deere put them in everything so engine parts are readily available and inexpensive.

Wilson892 · Aug 8, 2017

My 882D has likely near 20K hours on it. I bought it with a bad 466. Repaired a few minor issues like hoses and such. Only thing I can advise is if the dipper bushings are bad get them fixed. Mine where gone beyond repair and ended up eventually blowing the bucket linkage and cylinder off of it. Repaired dipper, new h-link, cylinder and side links. Bunch of money later and still have a working farm machine doing 100 to 500 hours a year.

John

Wilson892 · Aug 8, 2017

GregsHD, you want to part with those manuals. If you do I might be interested.

Thanks, John

tbone1471 · Aug 8, 2017

We have an elc and it has made us a lot of money. Costs are pretty low but we do most repair work in house. I think it has around 16k hours. At this point it spends 90% of its time on our concrete pile getting abused. But she keeps on going. There has been some talk of replacing it with a 345 but nothing has developed yet... between the 225 and 892 I would take an 892 any day. Way more comfortable than the 225.

GregsHD · Aug 8, 2017

Wilson892 said:
GregsHD, you want to part with those manuals. If you do I might be interested.

Thanks, John

I use the manuals for my 790D, if you need any info or certain sections let me know and I'll take pics.

Greg

Wilson892 · Aug 8, 2017

K thanks Greg. Will keep you in mind next repair.

John

workshoprat92 · Aug 16, 2017

old-iron-habit said:
Using the advice from the no good mechanics on this forum? Maybe you better read the struck a nerve post.

I think you guys know what I mean!! i know not all mechanics suck and there are lots of good experianced ones here. As an owner operator I have had my fill of overpriced shops filled with kids that dont know thier ass from a hole in the ground and wont listen to a thing ya say. Case in point paid $250 to have a wheel seal replaced on a kenworth and got it back and found all they did was pull old seal and install new one. no cleaning involved and brakes were still dripping with oil. With this kind of crap out there its not hard to get a bad opinion of the new generation of workers. I never would have done something like that in my time turning wrenches. I would be flat embarrased to let something like that get out of my shop!!!

workshoprat92 · Aug 16, 2017

Anyhow looked at the machine and what a piece of junk. It had water in the fuel and hydraulics and was severely worn. This machine was severely neglected on maintenance and abused. Someone on here mentioned the 892 to be more comfortable than the 225 and i sure didn't find that to be the case. the 225 had a much wider seating area for a wide body fellow like myself. i had to wedge myself in the deere. Definatly not worth the 22k he wants for it!!! I dont know maybee a 892 that has been better taken care of would be ok but all in all I was not impressed at all by the machine. One thing I thought odd is it did have cat excavator controll positions. I thought all the deere excavators were like the deere 2 stick back hoe controlls.

how good of a machine is a Deere 892???

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