Looking at backhoe's anyone know pricing?

[FeltzE]

I picked up a CAT 316C 4wd with 4n1 bucket and welded on flip forks for 31k about 4 yrs ago 1200 hrs from the cat dealer. I wanted a machine that didn't need to be repaired to run every day. 4WD is mandatory handling logs IMHO because when you grab that monster log which happens occasionally around here you can end up teetering on your front wheels with little or no traction on the rears. 4-n-1 bucket makes grabbing those stragglers much easier. The hoe with a chain and tongs gets used to pull those logs out of the back of peoples trucks that foolishly put too big to handle logs in out of reach of other implements...

But better than that. It's just cool to be able to do what you want with such a versatile machine! 8)

Eric

[LeeB]

You're most likely right about not selling it Tom. Sorry, but it was the only one they had. It's a two wheel drive. Got it from the local rental yard. They keep up thier stuff pretty well. Ya'll are right about the wife having plenty of work for it. AS a matter of fact it was her idea to buy it. I wernt even looking for one. I'll have to say I didn't argue with her any. Of course aguing with the wife is a waste of time anyway :D. Good looking logs there DanG. I wish I could get a little pine around here. LeeB

[johncinquo]

" I found that the prices at this dealership are right in tune with the market. As a matter of fact. It's scary how similar all of the prices are. These guys must have a big club where they all get together and drink beer and come up with prices for used backhoes."

Your darn tootin they do this.  Rascals really tick me off, and I told a few of em one day too.  I have been to several equipment auctions and have spotted the dealers from one place bidding on the other places pieces.  I can recognize some of these guys and have chatted back and forth throughout the day with them.  I wouldnt have a problem with it if they were going to really buy something and haul it to their place and resell it at a profit, thats business.  But they sometimes just run up the price of stuff to keep it "in line" with what they think it should sell for.  They just help each other out by getting higher prices for each other and running the bids up.   I really let one set of em have it when a guy kept bidding on a loader I was trying to buy and I knew what was going on and called him out.  He had forgotten we had been to that rodeo before.  It was the same loader, at the same place, that he had bid up on so high I finally said no way, it was just 6 months later!  They had not even moved the loader since the first auction.  Same place, same exact spot!  They did not call a "no sale" because when they do that they come tell you what the will sell if for and see if you'll take it.  An auction should be just that, it goes to the highest bidder and shouldnt be rigged or shell bidded up.   I told em out loud what I thought of their practices and walked off, and about 8 of the "buying public" were getting into their trucks right behind me.  I won't be going to any more of their sales I guess! 

[Doc]

They do that everywhere on everything from used equipment to antique furniture. It is just how the game is played.

Now when I see an auction that says..." NO DEALERS" I go and take a look around. I know alot of these guys from various things around here (Huntsville is not that large). If I see one I point him out to whoever is doing the handling. If they won't remove him I remove myself....you know what is goign to happen next.

Doc

[DanG]

I like ta go ta auctions in the rain. ;D

[Furby]

Rainy auctions around here have more people then other auctions.
I guess everyone figures no one else will show. :

[Gipper]

Rex,

Approximately 8 years ago, I bought an older model 40 Massey Ferguson, that had just had a complete overhaul.  Paid 5 grand for it, and based on what I was looking at on the market at that time, I thought wasn't bad.  I'm still using it, matter of fact used it some today.  Wasn't as good a deal as LeeB got on his Case 580, but it will still pick up some pretty big logs.  I've had to replace a few hoses and rebuild the water pump - probably 300 to 400 dollars total in the time I have had it.  It sounds like your needs would require something a little more modern, however. ;D

I read some where once, maybe someone said it on this site, that a 1000 hours on a piece of equipment was equal to 25,000 miles on a car or truck.  If it has been well maintained, 2 to 3000 hours is not all than much on a backhoe.  In October, 1982, I bought a Case 350 Dozer that had an hour meter showing a little over 5000 hours and the meter wasn't working, so I don't know for sure how many it had.  I'm still using the dozer today.  Actually, I did use it today - took the wife up in the mountain looking for elk antlers,  :D :D without any success of course >:(

4 wheel drive is nice, especially if your log yard is muddy a lot, but it is not an absolute necessity.  My neighbor has a 97 Case 580 Super L 4x4 and has helped me in some situations where my little Massey couldn't cut it, but of course you are talking about a lot more cash involved.  It is a super nice machine.  Looks like that second JCB 214 you found is certainly worth taking a serious look at.  Good luck, and by the way, like Tom and others said, you'll never get rid of it and won't know how you managed without it so long. 

Gipper

[RacinRex]

Where would one little rookie like myself find out about an auction, so that I could take off a day of work and go. Used to go to farm equipment auctions with my dad back when I was a kid and we had the dairy farm. It was alot of fun, eatin hot dogs and drinkin pop, didn't get that much when I was a kid. If'n we wuz thursty dad told us there was lotsa milk in the bulk tank.

I'd like to find an auction listing locally and see if I couldn't get a good deal.

[DanG]

Easiest way might be to ask your local tractor dealer.  Around here, they take a lot of their trade-ins to the auction.  Once you go to one auction, you can ask around there about others.

[Furby]

RacinRex,
What's your location?

Google searches for auction companies in your area might give ya a lead or two.
Or check your phonebook for auctioneers.