Upgrading thoughts… and input

I’m seriously starting to consider upgrading my terex compact track loader (CTL). When I decided I wanted/needed one this was what I could afford (almost). Now I’m tired of being cold while moving snow and think I need one with an enclosed cab.
(This might get a little long winded) so here my dilemma, it’s almost paid off, about 5 payments left I think. I pretty much have enough in that account to pay off sooner, if not right away. Given today’s market I would think it should be worth pretty much what I paid for it, IF i was to put new tracks on it and rebuild the drive sprockets plus a few other lesser repairs. Probably in the neighborhood of $7k for repairs. If I was to try and trade it at a dealer for another used but higher priced machine I’m sure the dealer would hammer me pretty hard about the tracks and sprockets. Or I could sell it on an online auction as it sits (big iron, purple wave, etc) and take my chances that it would bring a fair price and the just put that $ on a different machine. Or repair and sell on auction. I’m thinking $35k or so above what I paid for this one to get into a more suitable machine.
I don’t put a lot of time on it and don’t use it to earn my living. Just kinda a side hustle but the guy I’ve been working with says he can definitely get me more work.
Let’s hear some thoughts about equipment trading.

 

Don’t forget the idler wheels and rollers too.

enclosed cab is only way to go for snow removal

 

How many hours on it? Original tracks and drive train? I would think you might be better off selling on your own but see what a dealer would give you on trade?

 

Unless there’s a specific need for a CTL, I’d just trade it in and get a wheeled skid loader.

between October and January, I agonized over what to purchase between a tractor, skid steer and a CTL. The service cost and life span of the actual track systems on a CTL quickly killed those ideas.

it can cost you all your benefit to service and get those systems back to what they need to be for a sale. Granted a set of tires is no more money than a set of tracks dang near, but final drives, sprockets, rollers etc just hammer you harder for them.

 

Can you do a DIY cab...some plexi on the sides n back, and fab up a door for the front...or maybe there are aftermarket kits for it?
For heat, maybe one of those aftermarket heaters with a lil 12v fan against a heater core all wrapped in a lil steel box deals?

 

I’m thinking you missed market; as interest rates are up.. but what does it cost to throw it in an auction with a reserve?

 

How many hours on the motor? Over five thousand usually brings a pretty low price. Bobcat drive motors are very spendy. Last time I had to have it done it was over 5,000.00. I'm on the hunt for one myself again. Problem is finding that doesn't have DEF or any EPA stuff at all with low hours. I called around and 75,000 to 100,00 is the ball park. Skid steers are really pricey right now.

 

Buy low, sell high...I personally never have luck with auctions...my stuff sells low, and what I want goes high. I have better luck with private sales in general (both buying and selling)

 

A few years ago I went from a Bobcat S250 to a T590 and although it's a slightly smaller machine the 590 is so much more capable than my S250 was. The maintenance on tracks is worth it to me.

 

My neighbor has a track loader and he has lexan over the mesh and for windows. He has a 12v heater fan and core in the cab and it will cook you out.
No point buying another machine when you can fix it up the way you want for under $1000.

 

This answer If you decide to trade in, I’d take it down there before doing anything to it and see how bad they wanted to screw you on the trade in. Better than sinking 7k into repairs and finding out the trade in price was about the same! Dealers count on emotional people. Don’t be that emotional person Sandhillbilly

 

At least 2 great minds!!