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450 JD or similar size question
- Thread starter milkie62
- Start date
milkie62
Well-Known Member
Yes this is true. My property is fairly flat so no need for a canopy. My ideal machine would be a Cat D3 or JD 450 with a 75-80% undercarriage clutches in great shape,steamcleaned & repainted, nice seat and a winch on the back. Also maybe no more than 3500 hrs and a $17k max price tag. Am I wishful thinking ???????
Welder Dave
Senior Member
You want a ROPS canopy unless you're looking at 50 year old machine. 3500 hours on an original undercarriage would likely be ready for replacement. If was already replaced I think what you described is a premium used machine that would be over 20K.
milkie62
Well-Known Member
A couple of local farmers have JD & Case machines that are older but seem to be in great shape. Just under lean-to type sheds. Well I guess $20k is in the range if my kids re going to get a machine that will last. Like I said basically property maintenance WHEN we want to do it here and there. Not waiting for somebody to show up for a bunch of nickel and dime jobs. Plus I figure with driveway work, yard leveling,septic backfilling,foundation backfilling log road maintenance in one or two years alone I figure we would be spending about $10k easily on having somebody do it.
Ronsii
Senior Member
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- s/e Heavy equipment operator
You might want to figure 4-5 grand in maintenance costs per year with all the work you're listing.... there is a reason older machines are cheaper than new ones to buy outright 
and it's not just because of the shiny new paint.
and it's not just because of the shiny new paint.milkie62
Well-Known Member
I doubt there is 4-5K in maintenance per year unless the machine is pushed hard and parts are breaking.
Ronsii
Senior Member
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Well... parts break wear out without being pushed hard... one minute the machine works and the next it doesn't it's just how things are. I work on lots of different machines, some parts like tracks are easy to see wear and gauge how much is left... gears and clutch packs inside of housings are a different story however same with engines...
Just saying it's best to be prepared for the worst and hopefully you won't experience it.
it's just how things are. I work on lots of different machines, some parts like tracks are easy to see wear and gauge how much is left... gears and clutch packs inside of housings are a different story however same with engines... Just saying it's best to be prepared for the worst and hopefully you won't experience it.
milkie62
Well-Known Member
Well... parts break wear out without being pushed hard... one minute the machine works and the next it doesn't
Just saying it's best to be prepared for the worst and hopefully you won't experience it.
I hear you on stuff breaking when you least expect it. My outdoor wood boiler has been trouble free for basically 24 yrs. Well zone valves are getting hung up, calcium built up in the heat exchanger, tempering valve not working,outdoor piping leaking a little,etc,etc. Hot water heater started leaking so I replaced it after 19 yrs and found all these other little problems. Fixing them all to the tune of about $1800.00. So little things add up on everything. LOL
chroniekon
Senior Member
You mention in your original post that you want to get a backhoe too. I was in the same situation 6-7 years ago. I bought a backhoe with the idea of using it for a year or so and then selling it. It is so handing to have around, I still have it. I also have the use of a friends JD450G. While it has it's place to be sure. There's not much I can't do with the backhoe instead. You talked about getting both. If it was me, I'd get a backhoe first and see if it didn't fit the bill for all your projects. It might be slower for some things, but hey, your retired.
Labparamour
Senior Member
You mention logging/ wood heat.
If you’re working trees, you need a ROPS...it’s not just for roll-over. It’ll keep limbs off your head!
I chose my track loader for a little clearing, when my little New Holland wheel tractor would have worked (it only has roll at type ROPS), because there were a couple snags nearby and my luck would be bumping one and winding up wearing it as a hat!
Tinkerer
Senior Member
A bigger danger than something falling on the ROPS is a tree branch or a sapling getting wedged in a track pad and then it can kill you when it comes around quicker than you can say oh sh##.
Ronsii
Senior Member
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- Jun 26, 2011
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- 3,464
- Location
- Western Washington
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- s/e Heavy equipment operator
Yep, I've been wacked a few times just on wheeled machines from this sort of thing once got knocked right outta the seat!!!
once got knocked right outta the seat!!!milkie62
Well-Known Member
The backhoe is definitely first on the list unless some sort of super deal comes along but I doubt that. Yes looking at all the little nickel & dime jobs I could do with a 'hoe.