Ford 555B Backhoe

[Anonymous-0]

Going to look at a Ford 555B backhoe this weekend. 4X4 Extendahoe. Any trouble spots or issues w/ this machine to look for? Any overall impressions? Guess the owner must have liked it because he bought a newer New Holland to replace it. Thanks for any input.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Jeff The ford id a little bulkier than say a case but i have worked on some and if in good shape there known for extreamly stout hydraulics.Motors are good parts are the drawback high even in equipment standerds.

 

[PeterM]

I bought mine new in 87. Changed the oil every 100 hrs. Motor developed internal oil leak into water at 5000 hrs . Replaced motor. Front loader mounts prone to cracking. Rear swing pivot cylinder mounts ,if worn , you would have to have it removed and bored. A little under powered.

 

[Mike M]

I had one once and liked it. They are kinda slow on the road if you go up a hill though. The front loader is STRONG for lifting. Just check it all over for breaks and leaks like anything else. Hopefully you can run it some and see if it has good digging power. The shuttle shift and converter may be problem areas. Make sure they shift good and the converter holds. In 1st gear you should be able to get good pushing power and drive to the wheels. In the other gears the converter will stall out.
If mine had a 4x4 I may of keep it. As it was 2 wd if you lifted something heavy up you couldn't get enough traction on the rear to back up.