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New guy no clue

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
18,156
Location
Canada
Might be able to use the bucket teeth as a rake to clear away the bigger rocks. Be extra careful not to dig in where the machine has to push hard and don't dump the bucket all the way down. You can also put the lift arms in float position and back blade with the teeth. I'd try with the bucket at different angles to see what works best.
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
16,098
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
At 8k hours components start to wear out on this size hoes. Something to think about.

My 321DL has 8k and we are spending money on it now as small items come to the end of their life. So far cheaper than a payment and no def.
 

HarleyHappy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2020
Messages
3,469
Location
So NH
Occupation
Welder/Mechanic
Nice looking machine for the money.
Looks like a reasonable job to convert to a hydraulic thumb.
As long as certain hardware is already in.
Any machine in that size and condition, is going to have a degree of uncertainty, along with what could be huge gambke.
i certainly like it, from behind my keyboard.
 

smifwal

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2024
Messages
470
Location
kansas city
I would want to know what they were doing with it, if they were digging in the rock that thing will be wobbly but for the homeowner that may not be a deal breaker.
 

crane operator

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
10,252
Location
sw missouri
I would want to know what they were doing with it, if they were digging in the rock that thing will be wobbly but for the homeowner that may not be a deal breaker.
It's a small independent equipment guy, who has it listed for sale. So there's likely not a lot of back history, and whatever back history there is, should probably be taken with a grain or two of salt.

It's a old excavator, none of them were only used by little old ladies to get to church on Sunday morning. :)
 

smifwal

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2024
Messages
470
Location
kansas city
It's a small independent equipment guy, who has it listed for sale. So there's likely not a lot of back history, and whatever back history there is, should probably be taken with a grain or two of salt.

It's a old excavator, none of them were only used by little old ladies to get to church on Sunday morning. :)
I am not on Facebook so I am limited on what I can see when trying to check out a link from there.

This is forum is a social media as I get ;-)
 

Buffallobull

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2025
Messages
120
Location
Pennsylvania
Thanks for taking a look at it. I may try and get by to check it out. It’s amazing how many people post stuff but then never reply to inquiries. Just an update on the CAT 955L she running strong, needs some rehab on the grease fittings and like many of you pointed out will need some undercarriage work… which I’ll get after this winter…probably,
 

Dan Watrous

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2023
Messages
71
Location
Fresno, CA
Also a newbie with a mountain property.
An OEM thumb and bucket will come very close, but not hit the cab. be careful adding and changing
Changing buckets/attachments expands what an excavator can do like tools in a man's hand. A ripper has really helped me and a quick attach makes it feasible. Now I want a grading bucket... Will I need a hammer?
I gave up looking for an ex with a blade, spent a lot of time waiting for one
There were great deals from far away, but local allows you to examine the machine
I watched the market for 3 years, some dealers kept old exs on the lot all that time sitting, can't be good for them, but the dealer doesn't need the dirt for something else so no motivation to sell.
With your mechanic skills to separate out the junk, you might want to start going to auctions if you want newer and/or more features included, but knowing junk and fixing junk are 2 different skillsets
An owner's manual drilled and cabled to the machine probably means it was auctioned in the past
Don't bust your budget as you will need more money down the road
Live your dream, but wife maintenance is more valuable
 
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