Hi, I have been looking to purchase a backhoe and I have come across a 2004 Cat 420D-IT that I am interested in. This will be my first backhoe so I really don't know too much about them. It will only be used for work around my home and cabin. I have been corresponding with the owner but haven't as of yet seen the hoe as it is located approx 5 hrs from me. He tells me the hoe is in great shape and ready to work. He did send me pics and I must say it do look decent. There is a little over 6300 hrs on it and I'm concerned if that is a lot or I shouldn't have to worry about it as such. Any feedback that I receive would be surely appreciated. Thanks for looking..
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2004 Cat 420D-IT
- Thread starter dcRed1953
- Start date
John C.
Senior Member
Typical issues with those machines is the amount of slop in the implement joints. The loader quick coupler connections can get sloppy real quick if doing a lot of impact work with the bucket. Boom and tilt linkages can get pretty sloppy as well. The turret joint on the backhoe boom is a weak point to go along with where the boom connects to the bottom of the turret. If it is an extendahoe run the stick extension all the way out and check the plate there. That can be shimmed up without too much bother. Drive trains on those machines are for the most part bullet proof. Is this machine four wheel drive?
Yes it's a 4x4. The machine in my avatar is the actual machine. I did ask if there were any leaks and if the pins were all good and he confirmed all was good. I explained to him that I couldn't afford to buy a machine and start spending money on it right away.
Nige
Senior Member
+1.
All machines are black holes that suck money one way or another. You cannot do like you do in your car and simply keep filling the tank up with fuel.
John C.
Senior Member
Most people start by changing fluids and filters unless the current owner has already done that. Next items are usually comfort type things. Fixing switches, cleaning out heater cores, getting air conditioning to work and cleaning cabs. Grease even costs money and you will have to grease it at least every eight hours.
Nige
Senior Member
Also (unless you are already a heavy equipment mechanic with a well-stocked tool box) factor in all the tools you'll have to buy because what you have right now isn't large enough.
CM1995
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I have a 2003 420DIT very much like the one in your avatar.
Bought it new and it has just shy of 4K hours. It has been a good machine without too many problems. The A/C never really worked well just too much glass and the air filter is under the seat so it gets full of dust quick.
The fuel pump on the perkapillar will have a cold leak the same as our 533 compactor with the same engine. Servicing is pretty straight forward with a few of the filters that will make you use a couple of words like $%^*& and $%^# but doable.
Does the machine come with a front bucket and forks? What sets an IT apart obviously is being able to switch from bucket to forks from the cab and keep rolling - makes it a great tender for a pipe crew.
Check the machine over well. If you aren't sure of what you are looking at find a local mechanic and pay him to go over it - could be the cheapest money you spend.
Bought it new and it has just shy of 4K hours. It has been a good machine without too many problems. The A/C never really worked well just too much glass and the air filter is under the seat so it gets full of dust quick.
The fuel pump on the perkapillar will have a cold leak the same as our 533 compactor with the same engine. Servicing is pretty straight forward with a few of the filters that will make you use a couple of words like $%^*& and $%^# but doable.
Does the machine come with a front bucket and forks? What sets an IT apart obviously is being able to switch from bucket to forks from the cab and keep rolling - makes it a great tender for a pipe crew.
Check the machine over well. If you aren't sure of what you are looking at find a local mechanic and pay him to go over it - could be the cheapest money you spend.
I really appreciate all the good advice as I don't have any experience with backhoes and prob will have to pay for any service that needs to be done. On another note is $22,000 Cad. too much to invest into a 15 yr old machine with 6300 hrs ?
Nige
Senior Member
Regarding whether the price is good or not - no idea
Don't be put off. If you're halfway handy with tools a lot of the work you can easily do yourself.
Bear in mind though, as Dirty Harry would say "a man's gotta know his limitations". Know when to get a professional in to do work that you're not capable of doing.
An Operation & Maintenance Manual (downloadable from the web for US$45) would be a very good investment.
Don't be put off. If you're halfway handy with tools a lot of the work you can easily do yourself.
Bear in mind though, as Dirty Harry would say "a man's gotta know his limitations". Know when to get a professional in to do work that you're not capable of doing.
An Operation & Maintenance Manual (downloadable from the web for US$45) would be a very good investment.
Last edited:
Nige
Senior Member
Maybe the inside of the cab needs a deep clean and a good go with the Armor All but on the face of it that looks like a pretty tidy machine.
Did you find out if the equipment includes a set of forks..?
Did you find out if the equipment includes a set of forks..?
CM1995
Administrator
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That is the same as my 420's configuration - cab A/C, 4x4 and extendaho. Cab looks like its been taken care of which is usually an indication of the condition of the rest of the machine.
X2 on the forks question. Forks can run $2-4K used so if they are included that really sweetens the deal.
Also you may want to have some oil samples sent to the local Cat dealer. At least one on engine oil and one on hydraulic oil. The oil samples are cheap.
My Cat dealer charges $16.50 for the sample bottle and $16.50 for analysis, so $33 per sample plus tax. Very cheap insurance.
X2 on the forks question. Forks can run $2-4K used so if they are included that really sweetens the deal.
Also you may want to have some oil samples sent to the local Cat dealer. At least one on engine oil and one on hydraulic oil. The oil samples are cheap.
My Cat dealer charges $16.50 for the sample bottle and $16.50 for analysis, so $33 per sample plus tax. Very cheap insurance.
Thanks guys for all the input but I found out this morning he has it sold , I guess I let that one slip thru my fingers. It did have a set of forks as well as a ditching bucket included in the sale. It is true what they say, you snooze you lose.
The Parts Guy
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That's a shame the backhoe sold. That looked like a real clean machine. I hope you come across another one that looks like that.