This machine got a little toasty. Would you buy it for $4,000? Assuming the engine didn't need extensive work, could this machine be operating after throwing $30K at it? $40K? https://www.dropbox.com/sh/81qyndsvbmvywvu/AADeDSHsMsFYuJpvsbD0zlsSa?dl=0
The short answer no. There was someone about a year ago that bought a similar burned out Cat. He thought he could have a like new machine and save $20K or more over the cost of a good used machine. He was extremely arrogant and somehow figured it was the people on this forum to blame because after spending over 40K and countless hours repairing 98% of the machine, he couldn't get the aux. hyd's to work. He was banned from the forum. He was so full of himself he wouldn't listen to the experienced mechanics telling him it's not worth it trying to fix it. He was pizzed off at members here, Cat and anyone else who didn't agree with him. Look under user name Quantum and 299D2 XHP in the search forum. HeavyEquipmentForums
Can't see the link behind my firewall. Do you have a S/N.? Honestly the first thing I think I would do is invest $90 in a Parts Manual. Take it with you, go look at the machine, figure out what it needs and start pricing parts based on the numbers listed in the manual. That will give you an IDEA of what you might have to drop into it. Budget 25% more than that just to be on the safe side. If the numbers don't stack up put the Parts Manual up for sale on eBay for the same price you paid for it. All you've lost then is a bit of your time.
Woah, his Aux thread was a roller coaster. Dude spent some time and money on that.
CAT0299DVJST01219 Appreciate it. That's actually what I did earlier today, I had the downloaded parts manual (900 pages!) and took a look. It would definitely not be cheap. But i wouldn't be opposed to spending $40k to get this thing operating again, but I sure would hate to turn into a Quantum situation where i drop $40K and it's alot of these little mysteries that I can't solve. He also had the issue of being in a disagreement with the local Cat dealer, so it'd be interesting to know if he had taken his unit in, what they could have done for him.
He was in disagreement with everyone on the planet. If Cat beat him with a stick would have been the worlds biggest standing ovation! I think there's too many unknowns to spend tens of thousands hoping everything will work properly in the end. It also looks like fires in 299's aren't uncommon.
If I was doing it, the first thing I would do would be strip everything right down to the frame, shot-blast & paint, then start building up from there. One of Quantum's main issues was that he wouldn't take a telling on something as basic as that, plus having no lifting equipment didn't do him any favours either. Also it's worth keeping the local Cat dealer onside because at some point it would require their input to flash replacement ECM's (which are supplied blank). He seemed to take pride in alienating everybody.
Be careful... That machine has more damage than what's visible. Pic # 5 shows paint inside a hose. Fresh paint on a burned machine for sale is camouflage for damage. Something that looks okay, is likely not under the paint. Even the motor on the attachment lock is suspect. (exposed wires)
Oh God......don’t do it. That rarely works like you think it will. The unseen damage it what’s put it over the edge and makes you crazy. Before you know it......your broke, your machine still don’t work, you wife leaves you, your pet dies, and you become recluse to society.
Yeah, I noticed this several places and definitely sent my flags flying. The “unburnt” appearance in some original pics is what drew me to it. I was thinking, this doesn’t look too bad. But upon closer inspection it looks like someone basically tried to strip as much fire evidence as possible and repainted with Cat yellow and wash their hands of this thing.
Sounds like a country song or two
At the end of the day it's all bolt-on **** on a chassis........so long as the chassis is good, crack on. Whatever needs fixing on it can be done - the $64,000-question is can it be done economically/within budget.? That is the question you have to ask yourself.
I'm another vote for the run away option. Clearly it has been stripped of all the burnt parts and been given a quick painting. This has removed any clues as to where to install new hoses, wiring, clamps, clips, kibbles and snouts and also robbed you of the multitude of bolts, washers and screws needed to reassemble it - especially the cab trim. If it was "virgin" burnt then maybe. As-is, no way.
It used to be a rule that frame up rebuilds ran about dollar for dollar in labor and the cost of parts. Forty K in parts used to mean close to forty K in labor. Now days the cost of labor has tripled or more from the seventies and eighties when I was using that formula for a check. So what is your labor time worth to you?
I would pass on it to many unkowns