Mini excavator ?

hunterdan

hunterdan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Location
Morganton,NC
Looking at a 2004 Cat 304CR. It has 3100 hrs. Runs good,operates good, mechanical thumb 18k
Only issue is, if on a steep slope 35-40 degrees, digging below, full bucket,fully extended...it will not swing arm all the way back up. This is something I would not normally do anyway but guy who looked at it before me thought swing motor or gear was weak and passed on it. It is powerfull, digs well and will swing back up if boom and stick are.drawn back up while swinging.
This seems like an extreme test to me but what say y'all?
thanks
 
I'd say no soley because it has a mechanical thumb and not hydraulic.

It does sound a little like a weak swing motor though.
 
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Check the o rings and your valve body first, if the machine has power and there’s no external leak it’s pretty common for trash to get into the valve body or if a valve o ring is leaky it will bypass the circuit. Stuck valves are pretty common on excavators because the oil in the lines just goes back and forth and never makes it back to a filter
 
Thanks for the info. I passed on it. Looks like I may have to pay up.
I'm thinking to get a 40hp mini with 2k+/- hrs and good condition will be 22k. Heat/AC and a hydraulic thumb...27k.
I may try some auctions in person and online. Anyone know of regular equipment auctions between Asheville and Charlotte?
 
Just keep in mind that with most auctions anymore you'll pay a ~12% premium and tax. So a 28k machine will be closer to 33k. Keep an eye out for a kx121, in that size its one of the best machines ever made.
 
braxton357 said:
Just keep in mind that with most auctions anymore you'll pay a ~12% premium and tax. So a 28k machine will be closer to 33k. Keep an eye out for a kx121, in that size its one of the best machines ever made.
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Thanks again for info.
I missed a kx121-3 yesterday. 2100 hrs great condition for 23 with hyd thumb. I was the 2nd caller😬
 
New to me...
2004 BC 334G and have an AC issue.
When owner painted and added decals they didn't have the #4 so he just put the 1
It is a 334.
When previous owner added some refrigerant a hose blew while standing there. It still blows cold but need to fix the leak. Does system need to be evacuated before installing new hose? Does it depend on which hose....high pressure vs low?
Leak is on line with stick touching it.
Thanks for any
 

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Ok, I figured out the AC.
Now I have another question.
The swing ring has a label that says ROBALLO just to side of grease zerk. My manual doesn't show a zerk there. It only shows 3 zerks on front of cab. I called PO and he said he's had it since 800hrs and never changed the slew ring. Anyone here own a BC? Do you have a zerk on turntable or ROBALLO label?
Thanks for any info.
 
I don't know about that machine but just about every mini ex the 3 at the front of the cab are for the slew bearings and gears. You don't want to have to change the bearing.
 
braxton357 said:
I don't know about that machine but just about every mini ex the 3 at the front of the cab are for the slew bearings and gears. You don't want to have to change the bearing.
Click to expand...
Yeah, saw some videos of that repair. Looks like a tough job. Grease is cheap.
 
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