Would you buy a JCB 1550B?

[FreshRouteFarm]

I am considering purchasing a JCB 1550B, 2wd, cab with heat and around 7000hrs. This will be my first backhoe purchase and would like any opinions on this particular model or any advice on what to look out for when searching.
Looking for a decent farm machine to help clear some stumps, move snow and have around while building some infrastructure over the next few years.

 

[Richard]

I have one. Not 100% sure of my hours as somewhere along the line, I think my cable broke. Since I'm a homeowner and use it around the house (and farm), I don't care about some things as long as the machine itself does what I want it to do.

Mine has some good & bad.

I've owned it now for maybe 15 years. It was built around 1986/87.

It runs like a Swiss watch. VERY smooth Perkins engine. Over my tenure of ownership, I have (with the last one out for fixing now) repacked virtually ALL of the cylinders but for the steering cylinder. Replaced the throttle cable and kill cable, all 4 tires, fixing seat cover right now.

I've had the radiator out to be fixed as well as the hydraulic cooler. In fact, if memory serves me, I think I replaced the cooler.

Mine has a history of the battery dying. I've always felt it was because the alternator was bad. Last TWO times I've taken the alternator out to be fixed, it comes back at no charge "working fine". It might simply be that I don't use it enough to keep the battery charged.

With a full battery charge, this thing starts "NOW". I mean it sounds like the machine is doing a 1/4 to 1/2 rotation and BAM, it's idling. Starts very easy and runs very smoooooooooooooooooooooooth. Lots of power.

Not inexpensive to fix as I'm guessing you might know.

Mine has a 2' bucket. When I first got (rented) a tractor, I rented a Kubota L-35. My first stump took 3-4 hours to dig out because I had no idea how to attack the stump. I might still get a stump that might take me a long time with this machine because I might be working near the house and not want to dig away from the stump very far. Otherwise, if I can feel free to rip away, I LOVE the reach it has. It allows me sometimes to dig on the far side of the stump by simply reaching over verses moving the entire machine.

Mine isn't pretty but, I try to make sure that it's mechanically sound so that it will do what it needs to do. Wife & I have both agreed that I could literally GIVE it away for free and be "money ahead" for all we've done with it. As much of an eyesore that she thinks it is, I don't think she'd want me to get rid of it because of what we've done.

I guess you can tell that I've enjoyed mine. To think that I work in a bank and come home to get dirty playing on something like this.

:drink:

 

[Industrial Toys]

JCBS are NICE machines but have always had quality control issues in my opinion. One rental house that is also a dealer just said "they come broken".

Recently I spoke with a sales manager at VOLVO because I was excited to see a Robot style SS loader under the VOLVO name. It seems that these are built by JCB but the sales manager couldn't stress enough that they had a different more ridgid QC process. So I guess JCB still has their problems. Too bad, because they have built some very innovative machines. The good news is that these used machines always seem cheaper to buy then the other big brands.

 

[skyhook]

I've owned MF, Kubota's and my JCB, love it.
I've heard many stories here where "New" machines have come "broken", just read in the "Kubota" thread's, too bad, it also seems their lacking in quality control....
If I were looking at buying another, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another JCB, but it would have to be another 4 wheel drive.

 

[Richard]

Yeah, I gotta admit.... 4 wheel drive would be a plus. Then again, you can probably get a 4 wheel drive.....for more money so it boils down to choices & budget.

 

[FreshRouteFarm]

Unfortunately 4x4 is out of my price range. Here is the machine I hope to view this coming weekend, round 7400 hrs and has aux hydraulic lines on the loader now.
JCB 1515B Backhoe | farming equipment | Fredericton | Kijiji

 

[Richard]

I'm kind of wondering if the price isn't a bit high? Looks like it's coming from a dealer of some sort so perhaps that is to be expected.

If memory serves me, I paid around $11,000 for mine and that was 12/15 years ago. I think when I bought it (if the meter is correct) it had something like 2,500 or maybe 3,500 hours on it.

I am by no means any expert or reference person for the price of these things. I might have made out like a bandit when I bought mine.

 

[skyhook]

Ya, that does sound a little high to me also, for that price you should be able to get a 4x4.
Heres a sample of another, in Ontario...gives you an idea of the prices.

1989 JCB Turbo Diesel 4x4 | heavy equipment | Cambridge | Kijiji

 

[FreshRouteFarm]

The price is on the higher side, but there simply are very few backhoes forsale. 70's CASE machines are selling around $7000-$8000 at the moment. I have been looking at some in Quebec/Ontario but buying sight unseen and having it shipped is not what I want to consider, but may have to, at some point.

 

[FreshRouteFarm]

Well I finally got to look at it. It is in fair shape for its age. Front axle needs a few bushings I would say but the loader and hoe have almost no play in them at all. However it seems to have more residual sentimental value than I can afford. The search continues.