Alright, we currently have a New Holland L785, can't remember year, but I want to say late 80's. It has a Perkins diesel (I believe).
We operate my wife's grandparents farm, and either need to fix this machine, or purchase another used machine that runs/operates 100%. The L785 we have now currently does not run. It did run, but had sat for a few months, and now even after charging the battery, will not crank. It's kept under shelter, but outside. Last it was running, it was smoking pretty bad. All of the axle seals leak and it's in pretty rough shape overall. The front loader/attachment is also tweaked or something too. When you go to lock in a bucket or bale spear, you can latch one side, but not the other. It's never been well maintained, atleast as long as her grandpa has had it.
I'm at a crossroads of either having this one fixed/maintained/etc up to good running condition, which I would expect to be atleast $2000+, probably more and still have an old machine, or, find another used, well running machine.
It is primarily used for transporting big bales (5x6), cleaning out small feedlots, moving equipment around, burying dead animals, general farm use, etc. What do you guys have that has been reliable, fairly simple to maintain, etc. or what should I stay away from? Guy across the road has a Bobcat T300 or something and has had quite a few issues with it. I'd be looking for something used.
We operate my wife's grandparents farm, and either need to fix this machine, or purchase another used machine that runs/operates 100%. The L785 we have now currently does not run. It did run, but had sat for a few months, and now even after charging the battery, will not crank. It's kept under shelter, but outside. Last it was running, it was smoking pretty bad. All of the axle seals leak and it's in pretty rough shape overall. The front loader/attachment is also tweaked or something too. When you go to lock in a bucket or bale spear, you can latch one side, but not the other. It's never been well maintained, atleast as long as her grandpa has had it.
I'm at a crossroads of either having this one fixed/maintained/etc up to good running condition, which I would expect to be atleast $2000+, probably more and still have an old machine, or, find another used, well running machine.
It is primarily used for transporting big bales (5x6), cleaning out small feedlots, moving equipment around, burying dead animals, general farm use, etc. What do you guys have that has been reliable, fairly simple to maintain, etc. or what should I stay away from? Guy across the road has a Bobcat T300 or something and has had quite a few issues with it. I'd be looking for something used.