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MeAnthony 07-24-2012 15:19:55 204.106.253.41 Report to Moderator	I saw an ad for a Big Mo 500 loader/backhoe, clutch is out, $2000. I've never been around a Minnie, don't know anything about them. Was this a common model? Parts readily available? Price of parts reasonable? Known points of failure? Easy or difficult to work on? And anything else I may not have thought of... I have to do some cleanup work for my mom, big 1880's barn that has fallen down, some recent storm debris, and a couple other small projects. I need a functional, reasonably dependable machine, not looking for a beauty queen. Other problem is the financial side of it. She can't afford to hire the work done. I can only get over there on weekends, can't afford to rent a hoe several time to complete the work. Heck, I've got to sell or trade my Lo-Boy 154 to buy a hoe. But it's for my mom, so I'm good with that part, and I'll still have a useful piece of equipment at the end. Suggestions and opinions are appreciated. Thank you, Anthony [Reply]   [No Email]
t.r.k. 07-25-2012 08:51:20 70.61.106.182 Report to Moderator	If you weren'nt in a hurry to use the loader, I would say get it. but replacing the clutch in a loader tractor is a much bigger job than a regular wheel tractor, due to the loader on/around the front. Also, since you say it has a hoe, you can't just block up the front and roll the rear away from it without considering the add'l weight of the hoe. As far as parts, the basic drivetrain of a 500 is about like a jetstar or jetstar2 tractor, with the exception that a backhoe probably has a reverse shuttle in it instead of a torque amplifier.   [Reply]  [No Email]