A quick update: My machine arrived at the shop 2 days prior to Christmas. For 7200 hours on the clock, the machine shows virtually no wear at all. Even the side fiberglass panels have nothing more than a few chips/nicks and no holes or major cracks. Most all of the bushings are very tight and only those with broken grease lines have any concern at this time. The tires are worn, it did have a winch installed previously and the rock claws show limited use. Looking at the filters, my guess is that it ran a drill or hammer attachment most of the time. Digging should have made the machine much looser that it is. Seems to me like it was only used primarily as a tool carrier. It has been well cared for, evidently.
The engine does not run at full rpm. I did find an emissions solvent container (Satacen 3) that was disconnected and it came with an old, extra exhaust filter. Maybe it is clogged or running on limp mode? The solvent container is now connected again. I'm still doing inspections to find all problems prior to putting it to work. The primary steering switch did not work but that has already been repaired at my shop - I now have 5 different steering modes. I have yet to test the engine again since fixing the emissions container and repairing a somewhat loose fan belt.
The machine did blow a hydraulic hose while loading on the ship. That was repaired prior to offload at the Charleston port. Panolin Hyd Synth biodegradable hydraulic oil is nearly $300 per 5 gallon pail! Fortunately, I only needed 1 pail to bring it back up to full. So that little episode ran me a little over a grand. It is a technologically complex machine that is not cheap to repair.
With any luck, the engine issue will be minor. If it is major, it will be pulled and rebuilt. A machine is such good condition has many thousands of hours left in it and will be worthy of major repairs. Also, from what I have seen on the machine, it is the 4x4+ Sensor model - top of the line for year of manufacture. I am well satisfied with the machine and what I currently have into it.
