Skip Loaders & Cats falling from Trees

[Punk]

I'm looking to buy a good used backhoe. I've been watching as prices fall, but I may pull the trigger within a month. I've noticed that even the Cats are starting to come down, but I'm probably going with a Case.

I recently began looking at skip loaders, which could really come in handy, but I could also use a backhoe pretty bad. That said, I know where there's a few old backhoes from days long past. They were taken off, and set aside, to let the weeds and elements finish them off. I think I could get one of these really cheap. I know Case use to make their backhoes separate from the frame, and they could be taken off. That's where the old backhoes, I've mentioned, had their origin. Then they started building them into the frame itself. This brings me to my question.

Is it possible to attach one of these old relics to a Case 570M, or Lxt? I know they have a 3 point hitch, but I was wondering if I can take the 3 point off - and attach one of these old backhoes? That way I can use the backhoe, when needed, and otherwise I'll have a powerful landscaper.

One more question. Does anyone know what year, or model it was, that Case started building their backhoe into the frame itself? This information may also come in handy somewhere along the way. Thanks for your help.

 

[westcliffe01]

I bought my small loader backhoe in April. At that time, I could get a JCB 210S for $12k or a Earthforce EF4 for $13k, both machines with close to 3000 hours on them.

I have noticed now that the government stimulus money is being spent on infrastructure projects, supply of this type of equipment has dried up and the prices are quite a bit higher.

You may get lucky, but I would say the bottom happened late last year and what is out there has been well picked over at this point. There are still forclosures and business failures going on today, but competition in buying up equipment is going to be much worse than last year. Thats good for whoever is being liquidated, but not good for you if you are looking for a bargain.

 

[Punk]

I have noticed now that the government stimulus money is being spent on infrastructure projects, supply of this type of equipment has dried up and the prices are quite a bit higher.

Man! You must live in a different world than the one I'm living in. The government throwed huge incentives to the construction companies - as in huge tax breaks to buy new equipment. 50% write offs. These companies are not buying used equipment. Thus, the only thing going up is used inventory.

I've had my eye on a Case backhoe that's fell over 20%, in asking price, in just the last month. The Cat920D's, with about 2 to 3000 hours are now within my reach. Used inventory has been growing, so it's not just picked over junk that I'm looking at. Supply has not dried up, it's gaining momentum at an outstanding rate. But thanks for your help, anyway.