Thomas 245 HDS

dsnAK

This is a continuation of the earlier thread. Any one have experience with one of these machines?

Heres the deal:

* 1990 - w/800 hrs of residential landscaping and blowing out a driveway (snow)
* approx 6500#
* comes with forks, bucket, snow blower, 8" & 12" Augers
* one set of foam filled tires, one set of regular tires - 2 sets of chains
* comes with the 'winter package' - engine heater, enclosed cab w/ heter
* it as an inline 4 cylinder German deisel

I am meeting the owner tomorrow with a mechanic friend of mine - any one have any thoughts?

Again I appreciate your thoughts and thank those who have helped out so far in this search.

The price is 20 K for all and there is no trailer.

Excalibur

I just put a post on your old thread. It sounds like an interesting package, tho I am not familliar with the Thomas machines. Maybe some of the other guys have a better knowledge of them. The attachments are worth a bunch of benjamins if nothing else. Would that have a Deutz engine in it? If it does it will be very cheap on fuel!!Good Luck!!

Bob

dsnAK

Hey thanks Bob - I'll be checking it out TUes. From what I have learned so far Thomas is a Canadian machine - I was hoping you'd have the some experience with these....

We'll see what we have...

dsnAK

I found their website - they are out of New Brunswick and it lloks like the use Kabota engines now - I also found a local dealer here so will be there in the AM.

http://www.thomasloaders.com/Default.asp

Excalibur

The only knowlege I have on these is that the guy down the street from where I used to live has one. I dont know what model it is but he has had his Thomas for quite a few years and he seems to like it. There arent many of these loaders around this area, am not sure why that is. Maybe its just a issue of a dealer who isnt trying to sell the product with much effort. Around here I would have to rate the most popular as bobcat followed by case, deere, cat and then everybody else in no particular order.

Bob

dsnAK

Thanks again Bob - yes I believe he said an inline 4 nd it is a Deutz. Fuel efficient? Are most other skid steers diesel? I do not know much about turnig wrenches but in my small fishing community all boats engines are diesel and they are easier to work on.....?????

Anyways I have alot to do in the AM - and yes the attachments happen to be all of the ones I need and will use - works out pretty well - I just do not want to be too eager and buy it w/o learning all I can....

Thanks again...

Excalibur

You are very welcome!! I would say that that the Deutz would be as efficient as a Kubota. Did they say if it was a liquid cooled engine or is it a air cooled engine? Yes most are diesel, actually IMO I wouldnt buy a gasoline powered one unless it was basicly FREE ( $0 or very close to ). As far as easier to work on, there is less things to play with and get out of adjustment, am not sure if the term easy really applies to these. They arent too complicated, U can do it! By the way, are the attachments all industry standard quick change? I will talk to you later, happy huntin eh!

Bob

Glasshousebltr

dsn, 20 grand is kinda high for a 1990. The attachments and low hours make up for some of this but not to 20 grand.

The skid steer alone would be a good buy at around 10K
The forks and bucket aint much, maybe 1200, but the augers and snow blower could fetch near 5K.
The winter package, chains and extra tires and yes, your closing at 20 but I'd barter him down, after all, it is a '90.

Bob

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Bob

dsnAK

THanks again - you can tell I am new at looking at these machines - I believe it is liquid cooled - it also has a block heater.

I talked to many today and heard alot - am going to look at this thing in the AM w/my mechanic friend. We'll see...

Yep the attachments are all uni-quick change. I have checked on yearly maintaince costs / and insurance. I am trying to decided what I have not checked into - hopefully when we get up there the thing is not burning oil. I am going to have my mechanic look at the engine and we will also look at the bushings and joints of all moving parts for wear ect...

Anything else we should focus our attention on when we are checking it out?

Thanks again - you can tell I am excited - you know tomorrow is my 31st birthday - we'll see what I get.....

dsnAK

Yeah I thought that as well - but we have the AK factor here as far as price goes. I once paid $12 for 4 oranges about 8 years ago?!?! Last year I was in Utah bought a 8 X 14 trailer from the factory - hauled a bunch of stuff up here - cleaned it up - sold it and made about $1500. It is expensive up here as I bet Bob would agree being in N. Sask. - maybe I am trying to justify buying it..... i always try the price negotiation,,,

I spoke with a few people who buy these machines at auction in the lower 48 load up a semi and haul them up here and recondition them and sell him - they both told me they could not touch the deal.. The attachments make the price doable IMO.

I am expecting b/t 40 - 100 hours a year only on this machine and hope with some TLC it will last - were checking it out in the AM.

Will keep you posted...

Excalibur

I have a cousin who still lives up there and from what he had told me about the prices up there I figured that the price you were given wasn't too much out of line, especially with the low hours. Happy Birthday tomorrow!!! I wonder if one of the presents will be orange?

Bob

dsnAK

Well we ended up buying it - or at least we are in the AM. It is a good machine and we took a close look at everything and tested it. Ran like a champ and everything looked real clean - I guess it was a pretty good birthday present for me - except that I will have to pay for it.

Thanks again Bob for your insoght during this search and everyone else - I'll post some photos in the next day or so. Thanks again - I spent the entire last 2 days researching this thing and learning quite alot about skid-steers and Thomas as well - I am pretty sure I got a good deal as I spoke to other dealers who had only an interest in trying to dissuade me and they said they could ot beat the deal - one actually asked me who was selling it - I told him I would tell him only if I decided not to buy it. The seller said he had over a dozen calls and I suspect that he is being truthful.

PIctures soon.. Thanks again...

jmic

Dsn,
Congrats on the purchase of the Thomas, I' glad you went that route and didn't end up buying that rental Bobcat, you just saved yourself lots of grief Good Luck with it and happy skidding!

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___"Remember You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression"______________________
Joe

Excalibur

Congrats!!! I am glad to have been of assistance. You are very welcome!!

Bob

denick

Congratulations! Let us know how the Thomas holds up.


Nick

dsnAK

Thanks - Unfortunately I do not realy get to use it until May. I have to get it to my house which is about 230 miles from where I bought it. I'll keep you posted when I really get some use out of it. Attached is a photo of the new rig...

The rental places set the price bar here - I found 2000's with around 1500 hours for sale for 12,500 - 15,000 with a bucket only. This is older but has 800 hours and all the attachments I think I would need for a while - I am glad I found it - I happen to see it first and he had over a dozen calls.

Thanks again - dave

Attached Thumbnails

 

jmic

Dave,
Nice looking rig. alittle pin striping around that baby and you'll be the talk of the neighborhood. Not till May, shoot, drive it home take care.

__________________
___"Remember You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression"______________________
Joe

Glasshousebltr

It looks kick a$$ Dave.

Pin stripes would be cool as well, however, I put freakin flames on my 753 Bobcat.

Bob

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Bob

jmic

I'd sure like to know how far that blower will throw the snow.

__________________
___"Remember You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression"______________________
Joe

Excalibur

Dave
Nice looking unit!!! Good question jmic, how far does it blow the snow? Gotta wait till may huh? That sucks.