How much is too much hours?

hondarider · Aug 15, 2009

I'm looking at a used MF 650B skip loader with about 3500 hours. I don't see any leaks anywhere and it starts quickly.

It seems the owner really took great care of it.

How many more hours can this thing go?

radman1 · Aug 15, 2009

Never heard of one. Had to look up a picture on the net. An industrial appearing machine. Those kind of machines are hard to predict how hard they were used. 3500 hours does not seem high but I am sure it was not babied if used for constuction. The auction prices seemed surprising low for the units I saw on the net.

hondarider · Aug 15, 2009

Where did you see it? It is the same as a Fermec 650b

sandman2234 · Aug 15, 2009

The question for how many hours can ___________ machine go is almost an impossible one to answer. There are too many variables that the owner of a used piece of equipment can't imagine, much less control. My thoughts on this pretty much is to look it over and check what your able to check, and if possible have someone with experience (with particular machine) check it out with you.
An old saying.... "You pays your money and you takes your chances!" covers pretty much the whole aspect of buying used equipment. (heck, it even covers new stuff) or the one "buyer beware" might come into play.
The average member on this board would tend to say that my JD2555 is at the end of it's lifespan, with in excess of 7,000 hours on it. However, after listening to it run, and work, almost everyone that has seen the hours meter changes their mind. I knew the guy who maintained this tractor and was given a clean bill of health for the tractor, dispite the hours. Good luck with it,
David from jax

Builder · Aug 15, 2009

I just bought a New Holland backhoe in March '09 with 5,500 hours on it. It is in mechanically and cosmetically better condition than most backhoes with 2,000 hours.

The difference is it was over-maintained and stored inside.

3500 hours is nothing for a MF skip loader. That thing could go 10,000 hours with only minor repairs. The older MF, JD, NH machines were very durable.

whistlepig · Aug 15, 2009

Builder said:
I just bought a New Holland backhoe in March '09 with 5,500 hours on it. It is in mechanically and cosmetically better condition than most backhoes with 2,000 hours.

The difference is it was over-maintained and stored inside.

3500 hours is nothing for a MF skip loader. That thing could go 10,000 hours with only minor repairs. The older MF, JD, NH machines were very durable.

I have done a lot of reading about this. For those that take minimal care of the tractor 6,500 hours is a reasonable number before major repairs. For those that take excellent care of the tractor 10,000 + hours is possible. I haven't proven this out. The most hours I have ever put on a tractor is 4,000. But I have seen many a hard worked farm tractor with 8,000 to 9,000 hours that purr like a kitten because they were well taken care of.

powergod · Aug 16, 2009

would have to agree its all about the maintenance

Soundguy · Aug 18, 2009

I agree.. usage and maintenance are more of a life indicator than hours... a rent-a-laborer can ruin a 50k$ machine in 1 hr.. while a concerned owner can put 10khrs on a machine with good storage habits, maintenance, and not using it like it was rented.. and still have a good working well used machine.

soundguy

kwswan · Aug 18, 2009

i have a 71 model john deere 4020 that had a few over 10k hours on it when a liner started leaking coolant into the oil.took it to the dealer & had a inframe overhaul done. i am the second owner & have had the tractor since 1985. it is all about the maintenance.that was a little over 2 years ago & it now has about 11k hours on it.