OMC Mustang 1700, input please

I posted an ad on Craigslist, looking for a skidsteer and recieved a reply from someone who has the above skidsteer for sale ($3500). he sent me pictures and it appears in real nice condition. below is the basic content of his email; I have for sale a good running OMC Mustang 1700 skidsteer, it has a 40hp Ford V4 gas engine that I have not had any problem getting parts for, it has a torque convertor drive (similar to an automatic transmisson in a vehicle) NOT A BELT DRIVE, it has chains and wet clutches, a 24 gpm hyd pump, 2 sets of aux hyd remotes, (2 lines in front and 2 lines in back). A full cab with glass and homemade door, I also fabricated a quick attach from a Bobcat 763. i use this on my farm for barnyard cleaning and moving my 1000# round bales, it moves this size with no problem. The machine is rated at 1700# lift capacity and weighs about 5000#. I have replaced drive shaft seals, hyd tank inner seals, torque drive bearings and seals, I had the distributor shaft rebuilt, new cap, rotor, condensor, newer alternator, newer mufflers, lights on top, I have the owners manual for it as well. any input is appreciated

I think if you ever had problems with the drive system, you'd have a hard time getting parts and/or service for it. You might want to check with a current Mustang dealer to see if parts are available for the old OMC (Mustang)machines. Not sure what your budget is but I'd look for something like a Bobcat 742/743 or maybe a bigger 843. I just think buying an older machine with an odd drive set up could end up being a giant paper weight if something mechanical were to go wrong. That could happen on anything but at least with a popular machine like a Bobcat, parts could probably be found new and maybe used too.

I agree with stick welding. What is your purpose in owning a skid steer? Really big toy? a few projects? or Something to feed cows with everyday? Off brand older equipment can really be a crap shoot, heck with all if the consolidation even some of the mainline stuff is difficult to get parts for. The other questions are how good of a mechanic/engineer/ fabricator are you? How big/well equipped is your shop? Do you have access to a machine shop at some kind of deal? Answer these questions, let the answers be your guide. Heck I'm mowed my yard today with a 50 year old Cub Cadet, it works fine for what I need it for, if it dies I have other alternatives to keep the lawn mowed. I enjoy tinkering with it and although it's been pretty good lately I enjoyed the challenge to make it reliable, it's really 1/2 toy 1/2 lawn tractor.

That unit is about 40 years old. I sold OMC for many years that is not the best loader OMC ever made. OMC was gought out by Gehl CO which was bought by Manitou Americas Inc. a French Co they bill both brands at Madison S. D.

What gets me is the Ford V4 engine. If it is a V4 I think it to be a Wisconsin engine, I don't remember Ford ever making a V4. If it is a Wisconsin, keep your money.

I learned to drive one of those in the late Seventies in Dallas,Texas I had previously driven the Bobcat skid steer,with the belt drive,but this Mustang 1700 was a first for me,it had the "twist grip throttle on the right hand steering lever n the torque converter with the Ford V-4 gasoline engine.

Once I learned to operate it correctly to me it was the neatest skid loader ever! one could "ease" the forward control levers in till they were engaged then slightly engage the twist grip throttle till the torque converter obtained the speed to drive the wheels, it sure was smooth to operate as one did not have to run it at full throttle all the time, I sure liked it.

I also have a Case 1845 an older model it is not even a B or a C.. just older, n it came with axulliery hydraulics front n rear n that machine I like too, also I still have my Mustang hydrostatic model 330, n used that for years on small jobs (swimming pools) cleaning up along with my One Ton Dump truck, but I miss the days with the Mustang 1700.. I sure wish I had one, I even drove the one with the belt drive, n the Diesel too with the belt drive, but my favorite was the Mustang 1700 with the twist grip throttle n torque converter.

Good fortune to you if you decide to purchase it,after you learn to drive it well you will love it.

Regards,

Will.