Looking for opinions on a 555 TLB I looked at today. Over the phone the seller kept telling me how great the machine is. I realize it's a 30 year old machine but because the seller bragged it up so much my expectations were pretty high.
The good:
Price...in the $8K range. I think he'd come off that a tad.
Overall good condition considering it's age.
Cab.
Working heater.
New rear tires.
Extra-vator (extendahoe).
New cutting edge on loader.
Extra hydraulic pump. He says its new but I didn't see it. A neighbor gave the pump to him after selling his 555.
Several new hoses.
Shuttle trans.
Didn't appear to have any blow by.
Comes with factory shop manual.
Comes with a set of forks that attach to brackets on top of the bucket.
The not so good:
Back glass is gone and has a piece of Plexiglas bolted in its place.
Cab door is bent and glass is broken....needs new door.
Loose pins at bucket/loader arm pivot. Not terrible, but certainly noticeable.
Loose pin where the arms attach to the hoe bucket. Again, not terrible but very noticeable.
Right front wheel bearing has allot of play. Probably needs to be replaced.
RF tie rod end needs to be replaced.
Transport lock on hoe is inoperable.
Ex-hoe extends VERY slowly. Retracted a little quicker but still slow.
Seller had outriggers chained up. He says they drop if left up.
Leaks hydraulic/trans fluid. Doesn't appear to be a major leak....yet.
Boom on extendable dipper is cracked on both sides next to the factory welds at the top where the bracket for the cylinder attaches.
All the controls are stiff because it only gets used rarely. I suspect they'll loosen up with use and some lube.
I see TLB's advertised for much more money, but most TLB's this size and age sell in the 7000-8500 range in my area. If the seller hadn't told me what great shape it was in I'd probably jump on it. It has several minor problems. None of them by themselves would turn me off, but lump them all together and I'm less than excited about the machine.
My biggest concern is the Ex-hoe working so slowly. Any ideas on what would cause this?
Any idea what a cab door would cost at a bone yard?
I passed up a Case 580C with a third fewer hours, no cab, and in excellent condition at an auction for 7300 last week. If I hadn't already made the appointment to see the Ford I would have bought the Case.
There's another 555 close by for about a grand more. Similar hours, 6X4 trans, no ex-hoe. Haven't looked at it yet so I don't know about condition.
I don't mind making a few repairs but I don't want a "project" either. I'm thinking the new rubber outweighs some of the minor faults. Your thoughts?
The good:
Price...in the $8K range. I think he'd come off that a tad.
Overall good condition considering it's age.
Cab.
Working heater.
New rear tires.
Extra-vator (extendahoe).
New cutting edge on loader.
Extra hydraulic pump. He says its new but I didn't see it. A neighbor gave the pump to him after selling his 555.
Several new hoses.
Shuttle trans.
Didn't appear to have any blow by.
Comes with factory shop manual.
Comes with a set of forks that attach to brackets on top of the bucket.
The not so good:
Back glass is gone and has a piece of Plexiglas bolted in its place.
Cab door is bent and glass is broken....needs new door.
Loose pins at bucket/loader arm pivot. Not terrible, but certainly noticeable.
Loose pin where the arms attach to the hoe bucket. Again, not terrible but very noticeable.
Right front wheel bearing has allot of play. Probably needs to be replaced.
RF tie rod end needs to be replaced.
Transport lock on hoe is inoperable.
Ex-hoe extends VERY slowly. Retracted a little quicker but still slow.
Seller had outriggers chained up. He says they drop if left up.
Leaks hydraulic/trans fluid. Doesn't appear to be a major leak....yet.
Boom on extendable dipper is cracked on both sides next to the factory welds at the top where the bracket for the cylinder attaches.
All the controls are stiff because it only gets used rarely. I suspect they'll loosen up with use and some lube.
I see TLB's advertised for much more money, but most TLB's this size and age sell in the 7000-8500 range in my area. If the seller hadn't told me what great shape it was in I'd probably jump on it. It has several minor problems. None of them by themselves would turn me off, but lump them all together and I'm less than excited about the machine.
My biggest concern is the Ex-hoe working so slowly. Any ideas on what would cause this?
Any idea what a cab door would cost at a bone yard?
I passed up a Case 580C with a third fewer hours, no cab, and in excellent condition at an auction for 7300 last week. If I hadn't already made the appointment to see the Ford I would have bought the Case.
There's another 555 close by for about a grand more. Similar hours, 6X4 trans, no ex-hoe. Haven't looked at it yet so I don't know about condition.
I don't mind making a few repairs but I don't want a "project" either. I'm thinking the new rubber outweighs some of the minor faults. Your thoughts?