Homeowners buying old giant excavators?

[Welder Dave]

There was someone on here that bought a couple compact machines from China not too long ago. Little bigger than a lawn mower engine but pretty low price in comparison.

 

[cfherrman]

Link or pics? Sounds awesome!

 

[wlhequipment]

There was someone on here that bought a couple compact machines from China not too long ago. Little bigger than a lawn mower engine but pretty low price in comparison.

I think I know which thread you're talking about. I guess they're not too terrible, as long as you don't set your expectations too high. I just think they're funny to look at and funny to watch someone operate some no-rop tiny little thing.

 

[rmllarue91]

They would be blown away by a 992

I once was when I needed a stick cylinder rod for one 15 years ago.....

 

[skyking1]

Here is a great example of what you can get. This was the biggest piece I have operated and the particular one was very special. You had to go out the door, down the side walk, through the engine compartment doorway and pull a parachute cord to shut it down.
https://www.ritchielist.com//1/1-3-...F8ULE0-jLdjZSgZxYtSS7iivQt83fPLRoCVH0QAvD_BwE

Only 50K!
It loads it's own counterweight, woo hoo!
This one went for 25K

https://www.ironplanet.com/for-sale/Excavators-1994-Cat-375-Tracked-Excavator-California/6152717

Not a bad garden spade

you can see down in that walkway in this video.

 

[Nige]

Here is a great example of what you can get. This was the biggest piece I have operated and the particular one was very special. You had to go out the door, down the side walk, through the engine compartment doorway and pull a parachute cord to shut it down.
https://www.ritchielist.com//1/1-3-...F8ULE0-jLdjZSgZxYtSS7iivQt83fPLRoCVH0QAvD_BwE

Only 50K!
It loads it's own counterweight, woo hoo!
This one went for 25K

https://www.ironplanet.com/for-sale/Excavators-1994-Cat-375-Tracked-Excavator-California/6152717

Not a bad garden spade

you can see down in that walkway in this video.

Damn right. A proper digger, not something that belongs in the Lawns & Gardens catalogue. You’d shift some dirt with one of them.

 

[CM1995]

This one went for 25K

https://www.ironplanet.com/for-sale/Excavators-1994-Cat-375-Tracked-Excavator-California/6152717

12 watchers and 1 bidder tells a tale. So there were 12 star eyed DIY'ers that had big dreams and only 1 dumb enough to bite. Or it went for parts.

 

[skyking1]

75 metric tons for 25K. That's quite a bit over scrap price, so some of the parts went somewhere.
If I had a 2000+ yard job close by it would be worth a look. Even all cobbled up it can move some yards.
The one time I ran one I was loading trucks off a pile on a Saturday. She was boom slow so I worked the stick circles.

 

[rmllarue91]

In my experience parts second hand are super cheap for them now. every dismantler has 2. Quarry i work for replaced theres with 385b. Parts are not as affordable but still cheaper than 45 ton Deere or komastu.... I really like them 375s when i hit lottery I'll get one for the back yard.

 

[Truck Shop]

The average homeowners old excavator, can buy replacement handle too.

 

[Tyler d4c]

Or just wait until an ambitious 16 year old comes across it and wants to resurrect it to start his own business.

I was that 16 year old I was successful at the repairing also

 

[Welder Dave]

I was referring to the kid who wanted to start a business with a 1266 Koehring that had been sitting for over 17 years.

 

[Tyler d4c]

I was referring to the kid who wanted to start a business with a 1266 Koehring that had been sitting for over 17 years.

I must have missed that one howd it end up?

 

[Welder Dave]

He finally decided it wasn't worth pursuing. Some good pics. of it though.

 

[Spud_Monkey]

The average homeowners old excavator, can buy replacement handle too.
View attachment 287831

Good for one foot here, 2 feet if you are lucky with a mattocks.

 

[Welder Dave]

That's the extended reach version. There's also the D handle variety and don't forget the hoe for those long trenching jobs.

 

[skyking1]

I must have missed that one howd it end up?

Here is the first post where it got started. He had iron fever!!
https://www.heavyequipmentforums.co...avators-well-1-or-2.17495/page-2#post-1050055

 

[Nige]

12 watchers and 1 bidder tells a tale. So there were 12 star eyed DIY'ers that had big dreams and only 1 dumb enough to bite. Or it went for parts.

For anyone who owns a business it’s a risk that probably isn’t worth taking. However for a private individual if they can get something delivered to their property for scrap value or not much more the decision process is somewhat different. And it’s a cool toy…..

 

[CM1995]

For anyone who owns a business it’s a risk that probably isn’t worth taking. However for a private individual if they can get something delivered to their property for scrap value or not much more the decision process is somewhat different. And it’s a cool toy…..

Until the old lady wants the "yard art" that hasn't ran in months off the property. Scrap value vs divorce.. Yikes - wasn't planning on spending that much.

 

[old-iron-habit]

If I had 15 or 20 less pieces of yard art my wife may be happier. I just fire them up and move them around once in a while to confuse her. I sold my DW-21 Cat scraper and took a D6C on part trade last fall. She rolled her eyes when I told her I downsized.