CAT 550 Harvester with a C-7 Engine Opinions!!

[Smith2627]

Hi everyone, my name is Chris. I joined up in 2014 but this will be my first post. I am in the process of finding a cheap harvester to process cedar fencing and saw logs. I found a 2005 CAT 550 with a C-7 engine with 11,200 hours and he is asking $45,000 CAD. I am completely new to the harvester world so I would appreciate any input I can get. I look forward to chatting! Chris

[mike_belben]

C7 as in cat 3126? 

I cant speak to any specifics but 3126 wasnt a very highly regarded engine based on my years trying to sell them in used trucks.  Has it been inframed or still on original build?

[chevytaHOE5674]

IIRC the C7 was the next newer generation than the 3126.

[mike_belben]

Right.. A not so great engine with an extra emissions tier. 

They might be great .. I dunno.. Ive never had one nor worked on one.  All i can say with first hand experience is that they werent of high repute when i was exporting equipment or around the diesel shop i worked at.  So maybe its worth looking into the serviceability, parts availability and dealer diagnostic fees.  Keep in mind if it goes down you need a dealer willing to haul his scantool jive out to the woods.  Cat prices are bad enough at the counter, i cant imagine at the landing will be any less painfull.

[snowstorm]

Was. That the cat ec0.log machine? If so parts could be a problem. Or the cat fan tek?

[wannaergo]

If that’s the type I’m thinking, they’re huge. I don’t know anything about the engine on those ones. Does it have the four roller fixed head?

[Riwaka]

Cat 550

http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/Caterpillar/C431627

The Cat C7 is still better than some cummins models that have a higher failure rate.
2005 is likely to be the HEUI injection system.
C7 is sleeveless but can be bored.
Do you know any really skilled diesel engine shop techs? They are likely to have the secrets to keep the C7 going - extra quality engine oil filtration, reduced engine oil service intervals, engine map mods etc. correct Diesel additives etc.


http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2012/09/understanding-and-profiting-from-the-caterpillar-c7/

http://capitalremanexchange.com/cat-c7-specs-and-engine-history/

YouTube - How To Troubleshoot HEUI Systems and IAP faults. 164 Faults. 3126, C7, and C9 Cat Engines.

John Deere 1270G review etc

[Smith2627]

Wow! Thanks to everyone that took the time to reply! Some amazing advice floating around here. I should be okay with maintenance on the engine as we also run a New Holland dealership out our way. Have a couple C-7 engines in some of our trucks and never had a beat of trouble with them (knock on wood). My main concern is whether the 550 harvester was a good machine or not? I cannot for the life of me find a similar machine for sale on the interweb?? Was there not many 2005's built back in the day? I can only find CATs new 550 on the forestry sites. Is this machine worth $45000? Machine is working in the bush as of right now. Seller says that the main piviot bearing at the back will need replacing soon (CAT quoted around $6000). Also some bushings on the forestry head will need replacing. Thoughts??

[snowstorm]

450k.wow. Milton cat had a new one with a 6000 Log max... It was there for years. I saw a new tiger cat with a 7000 xt.....for 525k... They all cost to much

[wannaergo]

I think I would be leary... for one, I personally will never buy another piece of cat logging equipment. Their dirt stuff is nice, but cat forestry doesn’t show the same quality. Also, that machine was quite rare and might be a real pain to get parts for. I’m guessing that if you will be cutting a lot of cedar that’s a lot of soft l/wet ground?  That harvester is going to be quite a tank.