need some help,answers on backhoes

Nat · Sep 19, 2004

I posted this on another forum and I hoped ya'll could help.
I'm going to build a new house and want a backhoe around during construction. I bought a 7 ac tract and it will require a good bit of grading, ditches, water lines, footings, and will need a loader to put plywood/ stuff up to roof level. I have looked at several,ie ford 555A-case 580C-JD310A- Ford 3400-Ford 4500. I have also found a big Dyna-hoe. The Case,Fords,JD all were fairly rough, The 555 and the 310 ran and worked good,tires good.
The Dyna-Hoe is in much better condition, paint,tires, overall apperance. I will be selling whichever machine, after the house is complete.
My question is how much money difference would you folks think is reasonable, since the Dyna-Hoe is a " offbrand"?
I have bought and sold several hoes/loaders/dozers/skidsteers ect. over the years, but have never owned a Dyna-Hoe, so don't know the price difference. I do know the if you compared the ford 555 to a ford 555 that is in the condition of the Dyna-Hoe, it would be worth 1500-2000 more than the rougher one. I also know a comparable 555 would be worth more than a Dyna-Hoe in the same condition. If I were going to keep it it woildn't make any difference, sense the old Dyna-Hoe are tough, slow machines but knowing I want to sell after the job is done how much will being "offbrand" hurt the sale of the Dyna-Hoe? Anyone have any ideas, or opinions?
Thanks, Nat

ScottAR · Sep 19, 2004

Your profile doesn't say where you are, but Dynahoes were pretty popular up in the Northeast. Typically, they are very strong and a little slow compared to the newer tractors. Originally built by Bucyrus Erie... They pretty much use off the shelf components so parts shouldn't be a major issue. The older ones were detroit powered, later models got JD engines. The JD powered machines typically bring a higher price. You might check Equipment trader for machines near your area for price. There are usually several for sale. HTH

Nat · Sep 20, 2004

Scott, I'm in central NC. Very few Dynahoes around,mostly Ford, Case, JD, beginning to see some Terex.
This is a 180,I think.2 WD with a detroit. It weighs 5000 lbs more than the 555, so I'm sure it will do the job, it seems to be in very good shape. All I'll do with it is clear a few thickets, water lines, footings, ect. Biggest concern is how hard will it be to resale when I finish the house, I never tried to sell a Dynahoe

ScottAR · Sep 20, 2004

The 180 is the "little" one... The dynahoe's were built to take up the space between regular hoes and excavators.

I'd imagine it will take some longer to sell with less value than a more mainstream machine. Detroit ain't doin it any favors either... Decent engines but really loud...

Nat · Sep 20, 2004

I looked at it today, it's a 160. Man that thing is heavy, and slow. Did I mention slow? It ran and worked good and is in good overall shape. Only problem, no brakes, 1 wheel cyl leaks, and no individual wheel brakes. The seller has a lot of southern yellow pine and was going to try to push 1 over that was 16" at the stump. It broke clean off 2'high and the hoe didn't even grunt. I dug the stump out and it would lift the front end off the ground just crowding the bucket in. Did I mention slow? the steering is slow and makes it seem even bulkier when I filled the stump hole. I felt like I was on a locomotive, it seemed to be 2 times the size of the 555, and moving dirt I expect that the 555 will move more in an hour, but not in a bucketfull. If that is the little one the big ones must be something. I think I'll go with the 555, unless something different comes up in the next day or so

ScottAR · Sep 20, 2004

Just looked up Dynahoe in my earthmover encyclopedia...

Think that one was tough? Try a 200-4. (4 means 4x4, they were equal sized tires and 4wheel steer too)

The 200-4 had 160hp and weighed 38,490 lbs! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

You look at this one?

Here's a 200-4

This must be a later model after Northwest bought dynahoe in the 80's. 490-4

Probably more than you wanted to know about Dynahoe.... What can I say? I'm a junkie...

dummy · Sep 21, 2004

What a beast that 490 looks like. Thanks for the link. The biggest problem we've encountered with Detroit's engines is the starter current draw.

Tigerotor77W · Sep 21, 2004

Crap those things are huge!

Nat · Sep 22, 2004

Yep, Scott, that is the one I looked at, He's about35 miles from me, seems like a nice guy, I sort of hate not to buy from him, but that thing is to big and slow. I bought the 555, will be delivered on friday. I'm going to paint it and decal it up before I take it to the land.

JayC · Sep 27, 2004

There is an old 1975 Dynahoe 200-4 on Machinery Trader. It has been listed there for a few years, at least. When it was first listed, it was for $11k. Since they figured it wasn't selling, they must have thought to clean it up and paint it and charge $4k more. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Looks like a tank, though. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

1975 Dynahoe 200-4