Somerville, Indiana | It most likely is a good machine until you need parts. Shortline parts aren't as available for these machines because there aren't a big market for parts. Before you buy, check on the price of undercarriage sprocket segments, bottom rollers, front idlers, rails, shoes, bolts. Then price for a 322 Cat same parts at an independent supplier for each machine.
These parts are used a lot and are easy to find. Another deal, price the shop manual for the JCB versus the Cat, same size machine probably won't matter there, check at JCB local store and call a Cat store. At Cat the manuals are made as needed, usually only one man at the store takes orders for them, he will usually need to call you back.
So, do not buy the off brand machine unless your daughter has half interest in the JCB store. They have a captured market on parts and supplies. Chris had to deal with one for a while and hated it all that time. If you are only going to use it 300 hours a year, cost is 30,000 less, and you plan on trading for 'another' JCB in less than 5 years you will be fairly ok moneywise.
They are priced lower than most because dealers are few and far between, in case you need something that not all dealers stock, their backup isn't all there-and that is getting to be much worse as computer boys are instructed by management to only stock parts that sell fast.
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Jcb js220 excavator-any good?
