Buying Advice 1986 Bobcat 540, yes or no

[cavedweller29]

Hi everyone, I am considering buying a 1986 540 skid steer with approximately 1700 hours. It comes with a 6 foot snow bucket that is brand new, a Bobcat backhoe attachment and the standard 4 foot bucket. I tested it today and the only things I could see wrong were that it is burning a little bit of oil (almost unnoticeable blueish smoke) and the parking brake doesn't work. I can get it for around $5000. Is this a good deal and is there anything I should be looking for that may be an expensive fix?

 

[RPW]

Are you mechanically adept? If so then repairing can be for the cost of parts. I've picked up an OLD 742 that was basically stripped of every useable part. It did run and had the basics but I'm fabricating an instrument cluster, wiring, lights etc. but I only paid $1500. I'm not in a construction business or into landscaping just want to use it around the ranch. So for me it was worth it. If you need to rely on Dealer support then........

Good luck.

 

[cavedweller29]

Hi and thanks for the reply. I am fairly mechanical and I have most of the bigger shop tools ie:drill press, welder, etc.. I am fairly sure that I can make any repairs that are necessary if I can find the parts. I am more worried about major part failures that are common on this machine or the other machines in the 500 series. Are there any problems inherent with this model series or age range that I should be looking for? Also, in your opinion, is $5000 for the machine and its accessories a fair price? Thanks again for your help.

 

[RPW]

I'm probably the last person to evaluate whether it's worth the $5k or not. It depends on what accessories are included. If everything works and feels right "gut feeling" then it's probably right for you. The two major expenses will be having to replace an engine or a hydrostatic drive "pump". Both will be available for reasonable prices based on that you are buying a construction piece of equipment. All your routine maintainance can be performed DIY. Some hydraulic checks/repairs will require special tools that probably only the dealers will have. And with that being said I've decided that for the next part of my SS ressurection I'm taking mine to the dealer basically becase I'm at that stage where I need some expertise on the hydrostatic drive. I expect to walk out with a repair bill of not less than $1000. I'll expect the worst and hope for the best. So bottom line is evaluate your purchase carefully and make some phone calls to a dealer and ask the important question "What if?".

Good luck.

 

[cavedweller29]

Hi and thanks again for the reply. I still am not sure I made the right decision but I bought the 540 today. This is my first purchase of a large (to me) piece of equipment and being unfamiliar with things always makes me a little nervous. I figure if worse comes to worse and it has multiple major system issues then I can part it out and not get hurt too bad. I have been out playing with it this afternoon and the only problem I can find is the inoperable parking brake. All of the controls seem to operate as they should and it has plenty of power. The best way to learn is to do, so, I will begin tearing the brake apart and exploring the rest of the machine as soon as I make room in the garage. Thanks again for your input.