Are the later models without the planetary gears a better drive system, or does it make that much difference? If so what year did they do away with the planetary gears? Thanks Mark
I don't remember the 1845C having any planetary gears . my 90XT's do have them.
planetary On 1845c units before JAF0067438, the hydrostatic drive is of a piston design with virtually the same internal rotating components as the pump. To provide increased drive torque to the chain drive system, a planetary gear drive assembly is positioned between the motor and the chain system. On JAF0067438 and after, the piston motor and planetary gear reducer were replaced with a gerotor motor only. So more of a S/N than year to find a newer style unit. The 1845 and 1845B ran the planetary unit also and as long as the lube was changed I don't really remember a lot of issues with them.
Thanks. Kind of looking at one with the brown cab. Should I look for a newer one or are the brown cab models just as good?
The first thing to check is if it has the 4-390 cummins engine. All the C's had the 4-390 and the paint was power tan and the brown cab. I have seen a lot of 1845/1845B machines repainted to the new paint from power orange/black cabs. The older two units used the 188D and 159G case engines in them. I like the 1845C machines, they handle good and can do a lot of work, newer is not always better, as some will claim and that machine was as simple as you can get and get the work done, but it is pushing 20 + yrs old also. I would pay a little more and find one with the extra valve on the floor and the quick connects on the boom, high flow if that is a option that you may need or want in the future. The newest will have the best coupler system for the bucket, there were several upgrades to the C couplers over the years. I have seen some low hour machines out there, a true diamond in the ruff. If you do pick one up be sure to get a operator manual and service/ parts. Do your service and adjust your chains, grease your outer wheel bearings. Use the most current correct chains if they need replacing, all drive chains are not alike, this goes for other machines also with drive chains. I like the high tech world but all these newer machines work well when they work, but to many bells and whistles to go a muck. The days of a band aid fix is long gone. Run the machine for15-30 min if you can, note if it drives straight, seems weak on one side or other, also in reverse. See if there is any dates of service on filters and if it was a dealer doing the services, hours on machine, note if the tire are foam filled or been running tracks. All skidsteers if there is drive problems you need to ask yourself if you have a extra 4 to 8 thousand to throw at it if it goes south in a hurry. This is just my thoughts with many years dealing with equipment, carry a tech or have a third party mechanic look it over before the offer unless you have really been around this stuff.
Thanks very much for all the info Sheepfoot
I know this is a 0ld post but so is my 1845 gasser. Anyone know if I could remove the planetaries and the drive motors and switch it over to the new style motor that bolts directly to the chain housing? the shaft in the motor and the splines in the planetary are both stripped and it would cost more to fix the motor and the planetary than the whole machine is worth but two newer style 1845c motors would be affordable?