NHB
Member
Hi Folks,
I'm Bill and am brand new to the forum. Have found it a great source of information by searching, and now I have some specific questions.
After coveting a BH for years, I’m finally ready to pull the trigger, because I’ve justified it, at least in my head. I need to dig some pretty large holes (e.g. putting in a 26 x 16 greenhouse at the [constant] request of my Better Half, and plan to use a geothermal earth battery for heating, so the entire footprint needs to be excavated down to about 8 feet), clear some land, dig stumps, move snow in the winter, etc. The last one is really the long-term justification, since winters are long and hard in NH, and the snow comes off the roofs of my house and garage and stacks up like an ice sculpture against the walls. Have shoveled it by hand up to now, but, at 61, I want to find a more heart-friendly solution. Pulling it away with a hoe bucket struck me as a perfect solution.
Anyway, I have an opportunity to pick up a 2002 JCB 214S. It is in really good condition – only 2100 (legit) hours, little rust, the interior is immaculate, both buckets are in great shape, engine purrs, tires have almost full tread, etc. It’s only had two private owners. The first, a very wealthy guy, bought it as a toy for his property, and the current owner bought it, because, as he told me, he likes heavy equipment. But, he hardly uses it except for the odd job and snow removal, lives in the city, and it just sits around most of the time. It’s a 4 x 4 x 4, extended hoe, has a 4x1 FEL, and the current owner even had a custom-designed mechanical thumb built and mounted for the rear bucket. He also has all the manuals and serviced it regularly. There are two issues, both pointed out by the owner. The first is that the front wheel u-joints clank, when steering. He said he got it that way, believes it is because it doesn’t get used enough and that, on the rare occasions that he has used it for more than a day, it goes away with use, but that they should eventually be replaced. The second is that there is a very small amount of seepage from the rear bucket piston. Honestly, it looked like dirt to me (no fluid), but he noticed it, when I looked at the BH yesterday, and he pointed it out to me, telling me the seal will eventually need to be replaced. He didn’t recommend I try either repair myself. All the other pistons looked very clean. He strikes me as a very straight-shooter, and I don’t think there are any hidden issues with it. He actually is experiencing seller's remorse, and really doesn’t want to part with it, but feels it needs to be used more. After we met and talked yesterday, he said he would hold it for me and even took down the ad on CL, so he won’t get any more calls, which I thought was really nice. Unless, of course, his seller's remorse wins out, and he decides not to sell it.
He’s asking 28k. So, my questions:
1) Is that a reasonable price, given the age and condition of the BH and the extras it has? I've seen older machines with more hours and wear listed for more.
2) If I buy it, should I address the two known issues immediately – the clanking joints and the seepage on the piston? He guesstimated $300 and $300 respectively to have them repaired. Sound about right?
3) Am I getting in over my head? This will be my first BH. I’ve had a Kubota B7800 30hp tractor for many years, so am comfortable with operating and maintaining medium-sized diesel equipment, but this is a whole ‘nother world for me. I guess, only I can really answer that question, but would appreciate the opinions and advice of others, who have ‘been there, done that.’ I have 60 acres, so plenty of space and plenty of projects.
I’ve looked at 580’s, 310’s, 555’s, etc. But, this machine is so clean and has never seen commercial work, that I was immediately drawn to it. I guess I am looking for a reality check to make sure I don’t have stars in my eyes.
Here are a few pics from the listing, that I grabbed before he pulled it.
Full on:
Cab:
Thumb:
Tires:
Sorry for the long-winded post, but wanted to provide as much info as possible for folks.
Thanks, in advance!
Bill
New Hampshire
I'm Bill and am brand new to the forum. Have found it a great source of information by searching, and now I have some specific questions.
After coveting a BH for years, I’m finally ready to pull the trigger, because I’ve justified it, at least in my head. I need to dig some pretty large holes (e.g. putting in a 26 x 16 greenhouse at the [constant] request of my Better Half, and plan to use a geothermal earth battery for heating, so the entire footprint needs to be excavated down to about 8 feet), clear some land, dig stumps, move snow in the winter, etc. The last one is really the long-term justification, since winters are long and hard in NH, and the snow comes off the roofs of my house and garage and stacks up like an ice sculpture against the walls. Have shoveled it by hand up to now, but, at 61, I want to find a more heart-friendly solution. Pulling it away with a hoe bucket struck me as a perfect solution.
Anyway, I have an opportunity to pick up a 2002 JCB 214S. It is in really good condition – only 2100 (legit) hours, little rust, the interior is immaculate, both buckets are in great shape, engine purrs, tires have almost full tread, etc. It’s only had two private owners. The first, a very wealthy guy, bought it as a toy for his property, and the current owner bought it, because, as he told me, he likes heavy equipment. But, he hardly uses it except for the odd job and snow removal, lives in the city, and it just sits around most of the time. It’s a 4 x 4 x 4, extended hoe, has a 4x1 FEL, and the current owner even had a custom-designed mechanical thumb built and mounted for the rear bucket. He also has all the manuals and serviced it regularly. There are two issues, both pointed out by the owner. The first is that the front wheel u-joints clank, when steering. He said he got it that way, believes it is because it doesn’t get used enough and that, on the rare occasions that he has used it for more than a day, it goes away with use, but that they should eventually be replaced. The second is that there is a very small amount of seepage from the rear bucket piston. Honestly, it looked like dirt to me (no fluid), but he noticed it, when I looked at the BH yesterday, and he pointed it out to me, telling me the seal will eventually need to be replaced. He didn’t recommend I try either repair myself. All the other pistons looked very clean. He strikes me as a very straight-shooter, and I don’t think there are any hidden issues with it. He actually is experiencing seller's remorse, and really doesn’t want to part with it, but feels it needs to be used more. After we met and talked yesterday, he said he would hold it for me and even took down the ad on CL, so he won’t get any more calls, which I thought was really nice. Unless, of course, his seller's remorse wins out, and he decides not to sell it.
He’s asking 28k. So, my questions:
1) Is that a reasonable price, given the age and condition of the BH and the extras it has? I've seen older machines with more hours and wear listed for more.
2) If I buy it, should I address the two known issues immediately – the clanking joints and the seepage on the piston? He guesstimated $300 and $300 respectively to have them repaired. Sound about right?
3) Am I getting in over my head? This will be my first BH. I’ve had a Kubota B7800 30hp tractor for many years, so am comfortable with operating and maintaining medium-sized diesel equipment, but this is a whole ‘nother world for me. I guess, only I can really answer that question, but would appreciate the opinions and advice of others, who have ‘been there, done that.’ I have 60 acres, so plenty of space and plenty of projects.
I’ve looked at 580’s, 310’s, 555’s, etc. But, this machine is so clean and has never seen commercial work, that I was immediately drawn to it. I guess I am looking for a reality check to make sure I don’t have stars in my eyes.
Here are a few pics from the listing, that I grabbed before he pulled it.
Full on:
Cab:
Thumb:
Tires:
Sorry for the long-winded post, but wanted to provide as much info as possible for folks.
Thanks, in advance!
Bill
New Hampshire
