Do older diggers still have a place?

[Thomas7740]

Looking to add a second 13t machine to the fleet, won’t be a full on front line machine, maybe do 2-500 hours a year, had set myself a budget of no more than £25k, maybe £30k at a push. That seemed to be getting a machine around 10-15 years old with anywhere from 8000 hours to 14000 hours.

Then I came across this, a Cat 312B with 6920 hours. Seems to be a very original genuine machine. Question is, is it too old for a contractor and more suited to a farmer/self build or does it still have a place as a simple, back up machine?

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Looks a real nice machine - I’d personally get the counterweight painted and keep it tidy, definitely wouldn’t look out of place then imo.

 

[V8Druid]

been some one's pride and joy

 

[pettsy]

If you’re not doing site work where there’s silly rules where a machine less than “x” years old is required, then something older thats been well maintained would be ideal. Can you still get plenty of parts for them from CAT if needed?

 

[Smiffy]

If you’re not doing site work where there’s silly rules where a machine less than “x” years old is required, then something older thats been well maintained would be ideal. Can you still get plenty of parts for them from CAT if needed?

Cat have an unbelievably good parts supply. Though you will pay for it. I think they work on a shelf storage rent. So the longer and item sits in the warehouse the higher it's price.

 

[JD450A]

As long as your top of your game the machines age won't matter.

 

[Regy53]

To be fair I think for 25 k your get a reasonable machine at the moment . Years ago that would of been a 20 year old 10000 plus machine but bottoms on 13s was 22-25 k so it was bottom of pile

Bottoms on 13s seems to be around 15 k at auction from what I have seen. A js131 is a good example, they sip fuel no ad blue and well in budget from the last few auctions . That cat looks brilliant btw ,

 

[Thomas7740]

As long as your top of your game the machines age won't matter.

Totally agree, could put me in an 805bt and I would outperform a lot of these modern tiltrotator social media heroes, I was meaning it more from an owning it and running cost perspective.

Just worry about the age after a few days hard work would it pish oil everywhere

 

[Grahams]

Totally agree, could put me in an 805bt and I would outperform a lot of these modern tiltrotator social media heroes, I was meaning it more from an owning it and running cost perspective.

Just worry about the age after a few days hard work would it pish oil everywhere

You are always going to have bits wear out and hoses will go, but if the machine has been looked after 7000 hours on a 13t machine is not a lot. I would snap it up. Tidy it up and keep it clean and it should do you well.
Some of the bigger players only allow machines up to a certain age on site, but do you really want to be working for people like that?

 

[Marko]

Older machines are good as a backup should newer ones kick the bucket. As far as I am concerned the flashy tech is just there to drive up the cost of the machine and make it a service nightmare. Many contractors I know use older gear as they can’t afford the downtime that newer stuff creates when it goes bad.

 

[doobin]

All depends how much they are asking?

Personally I'd want a slightly more modern machine, and 13t prices are usually the best value secondhand. Soon to be even cheaper as we enter recession.

 

[Marko]

All depends how much they are asking?

Personally I'd want a slightly more modern machine, and 13t prices are usually the best value secondhand. Soon to be even cheaper as we enter recession.

Depends on what you consider modern, for me it’s everything that needs a laptop to get it running again. I’ve got one 2011 forklift that is giving me a massive headache because of safety measures that can’t be overridden. It’s probably gonna end up in the Danube river by weeks end.

 

[Danny]

That must be more like 20 years old? With that sort of age i would expect hoses to start going after a few hard days digging.

I think you can pick up alot newer machine (with hopefully) less hassle for within your budget.

Never been on a site yet, that has asked about the age of the machine as long as its kept clean and tidy.

Some of mine look clean until you get up close, paint roller and some paint hides alot

 

[Regy53]

That must be more like 20 years old? With that sort of age i would expect hoses to start going after a few hard days digging.

I think you can pick up alot newer machine (with hopefully) less hassle for within your budget.

Never been on a site yet, that has asked about the age of the machine as long as its kept clean and tidy.

Some of mine look clean until you get up close, paint roller and some paint hides alot

I tend to aggree with this btw... The age can be a big issue it looks imaculate but that doesnt mean it isnt old.... Hoses, seals, oils, etc all aging.

 

[Thomas7740]

I like thought of it being simple, no emissions etc just the age of the components is a worry to me.

My CX80c is starting to feck about with emissions stuff which is putting me off a modern machine. Mate has a zx135-5 and was using it on steep ground, had plenty diesel in on the level but onto a steep bit and she run out, needed 4 injectors at £400 each

 

[Bri963]

Looking to add a second 13t machine to the fleet, won’t be a full on front line machine, maybe do 2-500 hours a year, had set myself a budget of no more than £25k, maybe £30k at a push. That seemed to be getting a machine around 10-15 years old with anywhere from 8000 hours to 14000 hours.

Then I came across this, a Cat 312B with 6920 hours. Seems to be a very original genuine machine. Question is, is it too old for a contractor and more suited to a farmer/self build or does it still have a place as a simple, back up machine?

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These were a good machine. Operated a few. You can get anything for them and the parts aren’t out of the way expensive. Main thing for me, run it, preferably dig with it, check for leaks from the engine, pump, valve block etc. re hoses, the ones round the boom foot and the boom/stick pivot are the ones most likely to go, but check everything for cracks down to the reinforcement. Also check the slew ring.

If that machine went for export it would run another 20 years.

 

[JD450A]

The reality is, hoses can be replaced.... Seals don't tend to go wrong if the machine isn't abused and hasn't just been parked forever.

Best advice is buy it, replace all the hoses that are out in the sun, and the Undercarriage hoses that will be a pita on site. Let's face it hoses are a lot cheaper than electrics and it would appear even a new machine can have the reliability of a 17 year old media student.

 

[Stroppymonkey]

I like thought of it being simple, no emissions etc just the age of the components is a worry to me.

My CX80c is starting to feck about with emissions stuff which is putting me off a modern machine. Mate has a zx135-5 and was using it on steep ground, had plenty diesel in on the level but onto a steep bit and she run out, needed 4 injectors at £400 each

Friend of mine has just bought a 69plate transporter and for less than £500 he’s had it re mapped and ad blue delete , DPF delete and EGR delete.
I assume all this can be done on plant as well?

 

[Thomas7740]

Friend of mine has just bought a 69plate transporter and for less than £500 he’s had it re mapped and ad blue delete , DPF delete and EGR delete.
I assume all this can be done on plant as well?

That’s the plan for my 80 once it’s home

 

[doobin]

Friend of mine has just bought a 69plate transporter and for less than £500 he’s had it re mapped and ad blue delete , DPF delete and EGR delete.
I assume all this can be done on plant as well?

Yes, there are a couple of companies that specialise in it.