Has anyone had any experience with the transmissions on an L45G wheel loader? There is one up for sale that they claim lost a bearing and the transmission is a total loss. Asking 25k for the machine, and the transmission and cooler from volvo come out to 31,000.00. Im trying to decide if its worth getting too invested in a machine like this.
I have no personal experience with a L45G but one thing I would keep in mind with a transmission failure is where else the oil for it flows. By this I mean hoses and oil coolers. So besides the cost of replacing or repairing the transmission keep in mind those other places the oil flows would also need to be cleaned or replaced. Also on this machine is the converter part of the transmission or a separate component? Just did a quick search on L45G and see that at least some are hydrostatic drive so my comment on converter might not apply.
Is the machine the one from Saugerties,NY, advertised on Tractor House? If that's the one and it shows 5200 hours one has to think why has the tranny failed at such a low hours?
yes thats the one!
Personally, if you're up for the challenge, it might not be a bad investment if it's an otherwise clean machine. The hydrostat was/is electronically controlled by a TECU. Several updates throughout early production. We replaced 1 of those units, most of the time it was the 2 little PWM valves on top that would crap out. The hydrostat is a bear to change, it's an upside down triangular body. Think back half of the Mack quadraplex. If it were me, I'd look no smaller than the L60 or all the way down to the L25/L30 .
We have an L45G. Only real issue was with the DPF. Most of the G series have similar problems. It is great for use with hydraulic attachments. You can adjust the flow, and speed with a couple knobs. We use our's a lot for sweeping on milling an paving jobs. It's kind of a jerky thing. Almost a hydrostatic drive. When you let off the fuel, it stops almost without using the brakes. No forward or reverse shuttle, just buttons on the joystick.