Cat Th407 opinions

[marshfarmer]

Looking for opinions on this machine. Looking to upgrade from JD handlers. Cat seem sensibly priced used. Would ideally like a used 531-70 but can't really find anything at present. Seen a couple of 12 plate 407s with pin and cone head. Are they cheaper for a reason. Thanks.

 

[solo]

I went from a cat RT50 telescopic in 2002 to a jd3200..
Excellent machine when working. At 5000 hours you could leave the boom up for days and it wouldn’t drop. No oil marks left behind when parked up. Tear out force in muck was superior to the jD. Downsides were proportional electronics didn’t like very hot or very cold days so boom functions would require resetting of potentiometers. It ate two sets of planetary drives in the hub during my ownership. Cat could source parts quickly but the prices made ag parts seem cheap. Overall cheap to buy but expensive to run if you need dealer service and parts. JD much better place to spend the day in so keeping mine for now.

 

[marshfarmer]

Thanks for the reply. I have a 3220 and 3200. Never been that keen on the 3200 compared but it's been so reliable, that I'm keeping it and moving the 3220 on. I'll have to go have a try of a cat, but it's probably a non starter because they're so thin on the ground.

 

[Full of bull(s)]

Thanks for the reply. I have a 3220 and 3200. Never been that keen on the 3200 compared but it's been so reliable, that I'm keeping it and moving the 3220 on. I'll have to go have a try of a cat, but it's probably a non starter because they're so thin on the ground.

Haven’t owned a 407, but we had a local cat dealer in the late 90’s early 2000’s and they sold a few th62’s. Went well and many replaced with newer models. Everyone I know said none of them were a patch on the TH62. Electrical faults mainly, parts are ridiculously priced and mostly CAT only.I still have two 62’s now, one only bought this year!

 

[Breckland Boy]

An apt thread as I too am looking to change my 3420. I have absolutely love it but electrical gremlins are causing headaches.
Everytime I borrow my neighbours jcb it feels like a backward step compared to the jd.
I too have seen a cat with pin and cone headstock but know very little about them.
I would happily have another jd.

 

[marshfarmer]

Can't find them tho. There was one fairly local in an online auction recently but with broken hour clock so I lost interest. Clean old thing tho.

 

[Sparkplug]

Not very popular in the UK in Ag or Construction - there is a reason for that - reliability /resale value (main market when used for high lift was Middle East - but Polish used to buy a lot of Cat Compact Products )-- were they built in the Belgium JLG Factory ?> it shut down 1 or 2 years ago when JLG pulled out of European TH Manufacture - retreated to USA where they make TH for USA Market plus all their Access Platform are probably made their. Cat prices for parts were always an issue although all TH manufactures have there moment - Over the last 40 years Cat have bought lots of companies around the world and repainted the products in Cat Livery, but they do not have the DNA that Cat built its reputation on historically. Plenty of TH choice out there depending on your requirements from leading brands.

 

[ewald]

They always feel reassuringly solid to drive, but vision tends to be restricted - lowish seating position and highish engine cover

Are there any ag dealers left, or is it just Finnings?

 

[James 6920]

We run a 2013 TH407, in short, it’s a numb tool, while it’s very stable with a 3.6cube grain bucket son, and 4 bags of seed at full reach filling a drill, it’s awful on the road being very rough with poor boom suspension, and horrendous visibility. Ours has had numerous electrical issues, the air con is absolutely diabolical!! We also had a major engine issue where the “phonic wheel sensor” failed rendering the the machine dead in the middle of the grain store in mid August!!! Not helpful at all.

 

[sledgeit]

Had a Cat 330b was the most unreliable machine I’ve ever owned
they are cheap for a reason and the reason is they are crap.
I would certainly never buy an other one.

 

[marshfarmer]

Thanks for all the replies. Think I'll look for a Jake or another Johnner

 

[nick...]

They are ok but the parts are ridiculously priced and in my opinion finnings are not the best either
nick...