newdesertfox
Well-Known Member
I've been passively shopping for a backhoe for about 8 months now, I have several hundred hours on a JD-310J but for personal ownership I'm leaning heavily in favor of case. I was looking at 2 580s, ones a SK with 7k hours on it, open ROPS, and another is an SM series 2 with 4800 hours on it single owner with closed cab AC and a hydro quick coupler. Both are 4x4, 4-1, and extenda hoe. My main uses are farm/occasional construction work, deforesting/land clearing, and log/lumber moving (operating a sawmill and lumber, was considering forks for the front and thumb or grapple for the rear) Im semi familiar with the K and SK and but im not overly familiar with the M series. What are people's thoughts who are much more used to 580 then I am? Ive heard the K and SK's are basically bullet proof and have a solid engine but I don't know much on the hear say for SM,s or what the different series means, the AC is a nice thought as I live in the south and it can be miserable working in the sun with 90+ weather but not a deal breaker