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Simplest older track hoes?

Jedstivers

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
24
Location
EC Ar
Which brands have the least amount of electronics/computers in the mid 90's range years? Size doesn't matter as we can use the bigger ones because once it gets here we can move without permits within 50 miles but it won't hardly ever see a hwy. anyway. The perfect size is a Cat 322 but a 36,000# to a 65,000# machine will work. As the bigger overweight ones are cheaper as they get older compared to the lighter ones thinking of going bigger. Anyway I don't have anything against Cat, Komatsu, Kelbco or Deere/Hitachi. Any others to consider or any of those to stay away from? I want something that is not as electrical as today's stuff. I have to deal with enough of that on the tractors,combines and pickers. Also anything against the Cats in the first 3 series without the letter? Is a 10-12K hour machine that's had a lot put in it as good or better than a 6,7,8K hour machine that hasn't? Also when did they start putting a lot of the electronics in? Thanks.
 

Willis Bushogin

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2007
Messages
855
Location
NC
Occupation
owner
I guess my favorite of all the machines was 9?? Komatsu 300, it had 12,000 hrs on it when I bought it and I used it for 2 years clearing lots/digging ponds/demolition, then I traded for a 98 Cat320L. I loved bought of these machines. The 300 was a little big for small lot clearing, but we got it done
I owned these 2004-2008
I like the Cat 315, Komatsu 150 they are about 32,000 lb, I rented them and they were great, depends on what you are doing
Just remember, the bbbbbbbig machines LOVE fuel
good luck
 

ddigger

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
567
Location
Northern California
Occupation
contractor,owner operater
I had a 84 JD 792 that I took well past 20,000hrs with minimal problems. Had very litlle if any electronics on it, it was great machine. Throtlle cable broke, ran a string line to the cab, worked fine till the new one came. And thats just one of the many bandaid fixes that allowed us to finish a shift with little or no down time in the yrs that I owned it.
 

jdp8402

Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2013
Messages
5
Location
Nebraska
What are you looking to spend? I recently bought a 2004 JCB JS160 sight unseen (I know crazy/stupid), when I got it I thought I made a huge mistake. But after talking to a JCB dealer the problems that it has aren't really that big of a deal, and I think I got it at a really good price.
 

Jedstivers

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
24
Location
EC Ar
I'm in the 20-40,000 range. I looked at Deere 790D LC with 10,500 hours on it today that is in pretty good shape. I'm thinking of buying it.
 

trackjoe

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2011
Messages
16
Location
southern illinois
Simplest would be old case 880 series and drott series, old stuff like that can be a pain to find parts for, especially sprockets
 

Colorado Digger

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2008
Messages
1,169
Location
Carbondale,co
I would think for 30 to 40k you can get a good machine. I paid 45k for an 05 210 with 4000 hours. It is computerized but not emissionized. I would imagine you can pick up a 5-7000 hour hoe within your price range. Anything over 8000 hours you need to be aware of the u/c, pumps and pins.

Good Luck, CD
 

qball

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2007
Messages
1,072
Location
il
Occupation
local 150 operator
i would go for a cat 225. no electronic bs and very good parts availability.
 

Jedstivers

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
24
Location
EC Ar
I bought the 790 today, everything real good but sprockets and they are putting them on and a new mec thumb. A good bit under 30K.
 

denver m farms

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
226
Location
Ava missouri
Occupation
Farmer/cattle buyer/ construction/excavating
Well stranger, sounds like you did fine to me, we are big deere and hitachi hoe fans, we have had a 490, 690, 200clc, 230c, and several hitachis, and liked all of them better than the cats or komatsu's we have owned.
 

Jedstivers

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
24
Location
EC Ar
Well stranger, sounds like you did fine to me, we are big deere and hitachi hoe fans, we have had a 490, 690, 200clc, 230c, and several hitachis, and liked all of them better than the cats or komatsu's we have owned.

Hey Denver, I'm not a stranger. I'm over on the cattle today website with you.
I think the price on the hoe is good and I think the hoe is real good. The dealer that has it would send it out of the country if he knew of something for sure wrong. I'm only 12 miles from him so he will be close. That being said there is nothing that says it won't blow apart when I get it but that's the chance I take with one that's 10% of a new one. It prol won't get but around 200 hours a year on it too.
Speaking of the Hitachi's I have a friend that has one that was wore out when he bought it and it has been nothing but abused since then, it still runs anytime to want it to and has almost to trouble. It's amazing how good that machine is.
 

denver m farms

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
226
Location
Ava missouri
Occupation
Farmer/cattle buyer/ construction/excavating
I know that's why I called you a stranger, you don't know of any older cheaper 6 way dozers down there do you?
 

Dalej

New Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2013
Messages
3
Location
Nebraska
I'm in the 20-40,000 range. I looked at Deere 790D LC with 10,500 hours on it today that is in pretty good shape. I'm thinking of buying it.

Let me know if you get it, we can trade notes. Just got one yesterday and the swing motor is ready to be pulled today.
 
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