sk750

burtonbc1400 · Mar 7, 2021

I have the opportunity to purchase a used sk750. I was considering the normal ride in skid steers, or new mini skids, but this has come available. They have it listed for $17500 CAD. I was quoted $35000 CAD for a new sk800. I live in rural BC and have found next to no used machines so I am pretty eager.
I always try to haggle, and would prefer something a bit bigger, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot and miss a good opportunity. The machine is 6hrs drive away.
Things to look out for?

marne · Mar 8, 2021

Despite the fact, that a beloved and tidy high hour machine can be a better deal than a mistreaded low hour unit, we need to know the hours

.
Anyway: leaks, play in the bushings, track and sprocket wear and so on. In the end you can still replace most stuff and get a reasonable price for a unit that is great for Material hauling and a little weak for heavy attachment use.

Jehinten · Mar 8, 2021

Ask for maintenance records if they kept them or had a dealer do it. I asked when I bought mine but was in a hurry (had a hungry wife and daughter with me after a 6 hr drive) so I bought it before they got the paperwork together.

Ended up getting it mailed to me and found that every couple of hours my mini was blowing an o-ring and needing serviced. And it happened to me after 2 hrs of use, before the paperwork got to me, so I had no idea what happened when the machine quit working. Root cause of the o-rings ended up being bad hydraulic fluid, the mini was at 950hrs and due for a hydraulic change at 1000hrs, so I changed it and haven't had a problem since, in the last 900 hrs of use.

Serf Life · Mar 8, 2021

Pretty sure @treeandland has a 750. I have learned (a few times) that buying new and financing makes more fiscal and aggravation/stress sense, but some feel the opposite.
pros:
Generally no money down and these days very good terms,
Less breakage and downtime woes
You have more money in the bank vs paying outright or financing used(usually need down payment)

DW minis are awesome and most parts are pretty cheap with great customer support. Share the year and hours and I can send the recommended maintenance stuff they should have completed so you can ask/see.

burtonbc1400 · Mar 9, 2021

Serf Life said:
Pretty sure @treeandland has a 750. I have learned (a few times) that buying new and financing makes more fiscal and aggravation/stress sense, but some feel the opposite.
pros:
Generally no money down and these days very good terms,
Less breakage and downtime woes
You have more money in the bank vs paying outright or financing used(usually need down payment)

DW minis are awesome and most parts are pretty cheap with great customer support. Share the year and hours and I can send the recommended maintenance stuff they should have completed so you can ask/see.

marne said:

Despite the fact, that a beloved and tidy high hour machine can be a better deal than a mistreaded low hour unit, we need to know the hours .
Anyway: leaks, play in the bushings, track and sprocket wear and so on. In the end you can still replace most stuff and get a reasonable price for a unit that is great for Material hauling and a little weak for heavy attachment use.

Click to expand...

2013 1050hrs

burtonbc1400 · Mar 9, 2021

Jehinten said:
Ask for maintenance records if they kept them or had a dealer do it. I asked when I bought mine but was in a hurry (had a hungry wife and daughter with me after a 6 hr drive) so I bought it before they got the paperwork together.

Ended up getting it mailed to me and found that every couple of hours my mini was blowing an o-ring and needing serviced. And it happened to me after 2 hrs if use, before the paperwork got to me, so I had no idea what happened when the machine quit working. Root cause of the o-rings ended up being bad hydraulic fluid, the mini was at 950hrs and due for a hydraulic change at 1000hrs, so I changed it and haven't had a problem since, in the last 900 hrs of use

Jehinten said:
Ask for maintenance records if they kept them or had a dealer do it. I asked when I bought mine but was in a hurry (had a hungry wife and daughter with me after a 6 hr drive) so I bought it before they got the paperwork together.

Ended up getting it mailed to me and found that every couple of hours my mini was blowing an o-ring and needing serviced. And it happened to me after 2 hrs if use, before the paperwork got to me, so I had no idea what happened when the machine quit working. Root cause of the o-rings ended up being bad hydraulic fluid, the mini was at 950hrs and due for a hydraulic change at 1000hrs, so I changed it and haven't had a problem since, in the last 900 hrs of use.

Were the problem o rings hard to locate and swap out? which ones?

burtonbc1400 · Mar 9, 2021

marne said:
Despite the fact, that a beloved and tidy high hour machine can be a better deal than a mistreaded low hour unit, we need to know the hours .
Anyway: leaks, play in the bushings, track and sprocket wear and so on. In the end you can still replace most stuff and get a reasonable price for a unit that is great for Material hauling and a little weak for heavy attachment use.

2013 1050 hrs.
I am concerned That it is in the small side. I have been looking at the typical ride in style skid steers also, but at the 20 000 CAD price these all 20+ years and 5000 hrs. Also, this is basically the price of a larger down payment on a new unit. So far everything I have is paid for that feels pretty safe when work is slower.
Basically in not against Walking away if it's not worth it but I'm eager to get my foot in the door of some more machinery.

Jehinten · Mar 9, 2021

burtonbc1400 said:
Were the problem o rings hard to locate and swap out? which ones?

Oddly enough it was always the same o-ring. I replaced it probably a dozen times before completing the fluid change PM. The first time it broke, it was quite an ordeal, I removed and disassembled the entire valve bank for the hydraulic controls. Opened and cleaned each valve until I found it. After reassembly I found that it was accessible under the hood with a ratchet and extension. So each time after that was less than 5 mins to replace.

marne · Mar 9, 2021

burtonbc1400 said:
2013 1050 hrs.

Buy it now!

NJTree · Mar 9, 2021

Agree with Marne. I have an SK755 and love it. The 2013 should have the pre-emissions engine, 1050 hours is nothing for that machine. What kind of company owns it? If a landscaper or mason ok. I would never buy a used Mini from a tree company. Get a new BMG to go with it and you will never regret.

burtonbc1400 · Mar 9, 2021

NJTree said:
Agree with Marne. I have an SK755 and love it. The 2013 should have the pre-emissions engine, 1050 hours is nothing for that machine. What kind of company owns it? If a landscaper or mason ok. I would never buy a used Mini from a tree company. Get a new BMG to go with it and you will never regret.

As far as I know a builder owned it and now a homeowner has it, I'm going down to check it out Saturday.

southsoundtree · Mar 9, 2021

Take cash!

Treetopflyer · Mar 9, 2021

Preemssion 755s are bad ass man bad ass. I'm buying another if the deal comes through . Emailed them last night , waiting........ the suspense is killin me..

colb · Mar 10, 2021

Sk750 is not a great sk, but they are fine. The used 755 is the best. Next best is the 650. An 850 is mostly awesome with the tier 4 caveat. The 1050 is probably the best unit of that type that money can buy.

The best mini is the one you have.

treeandland · Mar 14, 2021

burtonbc1400 said:
2013 1050 hrs.
I am concerned That it is in the small side. I have been looking at the typical ride in style skid steers also, but at the 20 000 CAD price these all 20+ years and 5000 hrs. Also, this is basically the price of a larger down payment on a new unit. So far everything I have is paid for that feels pretty safe when work is slower.
Basically in not against Walking away if it's not worth it but I'm eager to get my foot in the door of some more machinery.

I've had my SK750 for five years and have about 1,200 hours on it. It has been mostly trouble free. I've just had to replace wheel bearings, tracks just last year, and drive sprockets which should be done with new tracks. I'm pretty confident I can get another five years or more out of this machine (knock on wood). It's still as strong as ever. Serflife is right, the parts are affordable.
The size is adaquate. I can lift about 1,000lbs ...decent diameter oak and pine logs 8' long. But, If you have enough work, I would buy new. I haven't regretted the $28,000 I paid for mine one bit. I couldn't have made half as much money each year without running this machine. If you buy the used one, it's probably a good machine as long as the regular maintenance has been done.

Serf Life · Mar 24, 2021

Did you get it @burtonbc1400 ?

hseII · Mar 24, 2021

burtonbc1400 said:
2013 1050 hrs.
I am concerned That it is in the small side. I have been looking at the typical ride in style skid steers also, but at the 20 000 CAD price these all 20+ years and 5000 hrs. Also, this is basically the price of a larger down payment on a new unit. So far everything I have is paid for that feels pretty safe when work is slower.
Basically in not against Walking away if it's not worth it but I'm eager to get my foot in the door of some more machinery.

DW 750/752/755 was the machine to have before the 850/1000.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

burtonbc1400 · Mar 26, 2021

Serf Life said:
Did you get it @burtonbc1400 ?

Thanks yes, I did get it.
Sorry for the delayed reply , it's just that time of year right now.
I will post a pic When I get my setup dialled in. Leaning toward bmg, but also heard about tna.
It's not in mint shape or anything but at least I dont have payments. I'm also getting better at wrenching.
It runs and drive great.
The filters had 853 in them and the machine was at 1048 so I changed the the oil/filter hydraulic fluid/filter and fuel filter. I'm happy because I'm right at the 200hr mark for service.
Oil said 10w40 which I can't find locally, so i used synthetic 5w40. Would 15w40 be better?
There is a hydraulic leak at the final drive sprocket.possibly from having been driven with the park brake on.
The bucket tilt was working, but now all of a sudden seems it won't "unempty" . Didnt have time to look into this yet.
My main concern is the attachment drive control (yellow lever) seems seized. Or does it just need an attachment on there to function???
I'm confident I'll get it going strong.
Best grapple?