JD telehandler

[Petebog]

Hi all
I looked at a used jd 3400 telehandler thats for sale last week. 52reg 6300hours. Was a builders machine. Its in tidy condition, steering and ball joints tight. Everything works except boom wont extend, it does pump to retract but nothing happens when you try to extend. Whats your thoughts on there machines?
Been offered a Merlo 28.7 similar age, hours and money
Regards

 

[Shropshire Farmer]

Electrical side getting difficult to get bits for and expensive. Safe load monitor is £700 at the cab end and the same at the axle end to repair. Great machine and ahead of its time. But I’d go for a JCB TM300 or TM310.

 

[solo]

The boom out issue is probably a broken wire at the base of the joy stick as they are prone to wearing there. Joystick can be refurbished at sensible price or dealer may have a remanufactured one on the shelf. Parts are getting more expensive but most are still available. Good machine with few parts required in similar hours here on jD 3200 loader.

 

[Planttech]

The merlo is fairly bomb proof parts widely available. But it will depend on what you are wanting to do with it. Also the area you are in and local dealer make a difference

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Good machines. Some parts are dear (load sensor, valve slices, radiator, etc) and some surprisingly cheap (combined headlight/side lamp under £50!). Nice to operate, nimble, good reach and load. Watch out for cracked engine mounts (which let the engine fall into the load sensor wrecking it).

 

[Robt]

Electrical side getting difficult to get bits for and expensive. Safe load monitor is £700 at the cab end and the same at the axle end to repair. Great machine and ahead of its time. But I’d go for a JCB TM300 or TM310.

JD 3400 is a side mounted boom machine. I think you are thinking of the 3800

 

[Petebog]

The merlo is fairly bomb proof parts widely available. But it will depend on what you are wanting to do with it. Also the area you are in and local dealer make a difference

Only need handler for bit of pallet and bucket work for building works, wont be used to do farm work. The JD is a tidy machine but I'm a bit put off by parts availability though. Tidy dealers for JD and Merlo in the area

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Only need handler for bit of pallet and bucket work for building works, wont be used to do farm work. The JD is a tidy machine but I'm a bit put off by parts availability though. Tidy dealers for JD and Merlo in the area

Personally I've never had issues with parts availability from JD. It certainly didn't stop me buying a JD handler myself recently.

I have no experience of Merlo so can't compare.

 

[marshfarmer]

Do the relays click?

 

[Petebog]

Dont know, I had the engine running, there were no sounds when tried to extend, hydraulic's didnt pump etc. They did pump when pressed retract though