Should I buy this truck?

[Hay Dude]

My 2-year search for a hay truck might have finally ended.
At the outset, I wanted a long tandem, 6x6, automatic.
Budget was only $30,000, so as you can imagine, it greatly limited my choices.
Looked all over the country and found many of them, but most were over $50,000. They would also need the auger or bucket body removed and a 24’ flatbed installed. That adds another ~ $10,000.
Also most were grossly underpowered (DT-466, CAT C-7, etc), because they only needed enough ass to pull the truck with a auger or man lift.

So I gave up on 6x6 traction and decided that a 6x4 with full locking tandems would give me the traction I need most of the time.
That opened me up to a lot more choices since so few trucks are 6x6.

Then the battle turned to finding a long tandem 6x4, full lockers, automatic, but now I had more choices in bigger power.

So anyway, I found a 2006 Sterling with a CAT C-13 @ 415/1400 and as a bonus, it has a Allison 4000 series. Most smaller displacement trucks have a Allison 3000 series.

I can buy this for way under my 30K budget. Even with shipping (1,000 miles from me)

The only downside is it will need painted. 310,000 miles on it, but seller showed me a video of engine running. No blowby. He also drove it while face timing me. It seemed to run & shift fine. AC works, has trailer brakes, jake brakes, locking diffs and a PTO. Bed has sliding ratchet straps and tool bin/box. Also has air to rear and pintle hitch for PUP trailer (which I am going to try to find the one that went with this truck).
There’s nothing by some minor surface rust as it has been a southern (Tennessee) truck most its’ life.

I know it ain’t pretty. I will paint cab white or dark green. It will be tagged as a Farm Truck.

 

[2manyrocks]

Why not paint the passenger door to match the rest of the body? Makes me wonder why the main body has camo paint when the passenger door is delivery truck white?

Thought about hiring a mechanic to check it over before proceeding?

 

[JJT]

How is the frame? Tennessee uses road salt.

Can you fly out, checkout the truck in person and drive it home? I've done that in the past.

 

[Joel/ak]

Surprised it has a 4k tranny in it. 3k is a solid transmission if maintained. I've built many of both.

 

[EddieWalker]

Back in the late 80's, my first job out of the Marines was driving a water truck. They all had the second locking rear axle that really made a huge difference when out in the dirt. Even with an empty tank, it was pretty easy to get stuck with just the one rear axle driving it. Lock in the second axle and it was night and day different!!!! You might be fine with the front axle, but if this is a long-term commitment, I think your original goal of a 6x6 is the way to go.

 

[mrmikey]

Why not paint the passenger door to match the rest of the body?

Not a bad looking rig, looks to be in good shape. Paint the wheels, I don't know why people let them get so gross.
I agree with the question on the white door, I presume the door was damaged at one point, I sorta like the camo look.

 

[Hay Dude]

Surprised it has a 4k tranny in it. 3k is a solid transmission if maintained. I've built many of both.

I have a 3000RDS in my International 7500. I was under the impression the 4000 series went behind larger displacement, higher torque diesels.

 

[Hay Dude]

Not a bad looking rig, looks to be in good shape. Paint the wheels, I don't know why people let them get so gross.

Front wheels are aluminum. Back wheels steel. Could replace outer rims. Would really like to put super singles on back axles if I can accumulate additional sheckles. That would give even more traction. I know there’s downside to SS, too.

I agree with the question on the white door, I presume the door was damaged at one point, I sorta like the camo look.

Yes, the door was damaged and they put one on from another truck. I was going to paint it dark green, like the 7500

 

[Hay Dude]

Why not paint the passenger door to match the rest of the body? Makes me wonder why the main body has camo paint when the passenger door is delivery truck white?

At first, I thought it was a “wrap”, but the company that owned it previously painted all their deliver trucks camo.

Thought about hiring a mechanic to check it over before proceeding?

Yes, but owner did a face time video with me and I was satisfied. He drove it out over the road while videoing, too.

 

[ultrarunner]

A lot of heavy equipment left California for a time because of tightening emission requirements… made for some great buys for out of state guys.

Some loggers I know had to get rid of their rigs or repower… most just retired.