Hough HM Loader

BondoBuilder · Jul 22, 2009

Hello all-

I was helping my uncle clean up his place last weekend and I stumbled upon a payloader (aka wheel loader) in the woods. He got it as a trade for some work he did for another guy.

The motor was blown so he put a chevy 350 on it. It runs good, but is a bear to steer.

He hardly ever uses it, and offered that I take it to my farm. The only thing is that I live in Kentucky and the payloader is in Connecticut.

Its a 1949 Hough HM. What do these weigh? What is it worth?

Thanks in advance.

atgreene · Jul 22, 2009

The Hough was a tough old bird, ran a HO for a few years when I first started out. Could not kill the 6 cyl. gas engine nor the tranny. Never had breaks, so we'd use reverse or forward to stop, depending upon which way we were rolling.

At best, in running and working shape (I'm sure it has no brakes, they all failed early in the loaders life) and the tires probably are bad, so maybe 1-3K depending on where it is and how bad someone wants it.

I doubt it's worth hauling that far, honestly. It probably weighs 10-12K lbs.

BondoBuilder · Jul 22, 2009

That's true-no brakes. But all the lines are 100% no cracks.

I don't know, it's free... If I were to hire someone to do the work I need doen with a dozer or backhoe, I'd be out at least $600. If I spent that on trucking to get it to KY, then use it, then scrap it or sell, I'd still be ahead...

Not familar with the scene, but do they show vintage construction equipment like antique tractors?

atgreene · Jul 22, 2009

Yes, there are a few heavy equipment shows. As for brakes, the Hough couldn't keep master cylinders. You'd be better off putting a stock chevy master cylinder in it and doing away with the IH.

FWIW, the Hough loader is not an overly adpt machine for digging. Does ok in a gravel/sand bank, but I'd hate to think I was going to dig stumps or rocks or do any finish work with it. I suppose you can backdrag with it, we always did around the pit, but the rear-steer and suicide arms make it difficult to manuver very well.

Good luck.

BTW, there is some info over at Heavy Equipment Forums.