What's this worth: Prentice 120 unmounted

[NebClimber]

What is the market value of an old Prentice 120 grapple, 20', unmounted? It is in "good" condition.

What about an old Prentice 110, same description?

Steven

 

[Kimber]

Hi! I'm new here but I can help you with this. (I'm lurking mainly to learn more about what YOU all do but this is something I do )

I can give you a ballpark figure if you can tell me approximately
- what age it is (if it still has a tag with a serial number, I can find out how old it is)
- does it have extendaboom (you say 20' so I'm assuming this is a 'no')?
- does it have a grapple (bucket) attached? if so, is it bypass or clamshell type?
- is it joystick operated or 4-lever?

Buying a used one is kind of a complicated deal unless you're looking at log loaders every day... there are several things I can tell you to look for.

Anyway... if you're still looking at these two units, I'd be glad to throw my 2 cents in.

 

[NebClimber]

Thanks for offering to help. I also found a Barko 80, built sometime in the 1990s. Onwer claims it has never been used. I know from the pictures he sent it is newer b/c it has telescoping outriggers instead of the old fold-out type. As to the specs on some of this stuff, the guys who own them really don't know much about them. The prentice 120 does not telecope, and it does not have joystick controls or extendable boom. It has a by-pass grapple. Assuming the 120 is sound, what is the ballpart on price (if you can guess, given the very limited facts).

Steven

 

[Kimber]

OK Steven... this is what I have for ya.

1) Be careful on the Barko - limited parts availability... Barko 80's are good machines but EXPENSIVE to fix

2) On the Prentice - I am assuming now that it is a Prentice 120 (instead of 120C or 120E) - due to the fact that it is not joystick controlled - it's a four-lever, yes?

OK. What you have is a non-continuous rotation loader and (probably) non-continuous rotation grapple with no extendaboom. Check for any indication of wet, dirty looking surfaces. I would be astonished if it didn't have at least a few leaks but a lot of grime in a specific area is a red flag. (including the rotator/head on the grapple - grapples can get expensive to rebush/reseal as well)

All of that said, I wouldn't give more than $2500 - $3500 (maybe $4000 if it's a gem and I'm thinking retail WITH a pump and tank) for it in good, operable condition. (The Prentice 110 is worth even less because it's an obsolete model)

BUT... keep in mind... I deal mainly with loggers and commercial tree services. Loggers here will not tolerate a loader without extendaboom (though in NH & ME this differs somewhat) and non-continuous rotation went OUT a long time ago. Most of my customers would laugh at me if I tried to sell them a non-continuous rotation machine. Basically, it is a non-saleable piece in MY neck of the woods.

3) I guess the main question is how frequently you plan to use the loader - that is, how significant a part of your business would it be?

I would say that your decision should be based more on the significance of the equipment to you rather than $. The 120 (or even the Barko) you're talking about would be a perfectly acceptable loader to someone who is not planning to use it every day and speed is not a factor.

If, however, you plan to handle a large volume and speed is a factor, I would suggest 'upgrading' your search to a Prentice 120C (or another brand of joystick controlled, continuous rotation loader with continuous rotation on the grapple also).

HTH.

I'd be happy to answer more questions so ask away!

 

[Jack Russell]

Steven

Come on Man ask some more questions. I enjoy reading the Q/A.Very good

 

[NebClimber]

Thanks for the input. I am looking for a loader to mount behind the cab of a dump truck. I will use it for residential removals. I am sure I need a twin-screw (double-axle) rear-end to carry a reasonable size payload. What I am learning is that the cost for a $45,000 to $55,000 truck like this is mostly in the cost of the truck, the cost to mount, and the cost to fabricate the box. The loader is the least expensive item.

I know the Prentice 110 was discontinued in about 1982, but there are still some in operation. If I found one that was in good condition, would I have trouble getting parts, etc?

Thanks,

Steven

 

[Kimber]

Hey there... OK... I can answer these but please don't be insulted if I am telling you stuff you already know. I will just give answers assuming you have a limited knowledge of Class 8 trucks. I don't want to assume anything but I don't want to throw around a bunch of terminology that is useless to you either.

I am looking for a loader to mount behind the cab of a dump truck. I will use it for residential removals. I am sure I need a twin-screw (double-axle) rear-end to carry a reasonable size payload.

Assuming you have a CDL, the optimal set up here is 18 - 20,000 lb front axle and 40, 44 or 46,000 lb rears (the drive axles, ie. 'tandems'). Most of the time, we also add a 20,000 lb air axle to bring the Gross Weight Rating up - increasing your payload... this is standard in NY/VT - we call it a "tri-axle <a href="log%20truck" onmouseover="window.status='log truck'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">log truck</a>".

Of course, if you don't have a commercial license, then the options become more limited because you're working with a limited Gross Weight (GVW) - the weight of every component: empty weight of truck, weight of loader, weight of body, etc. decreases the amount of payload you're able to legally carry.

What I am learning is that the cost for a $45,000 to $55,000 truck like this is mostly in the cost of the truck, the cost to mount, and the cost to fabricate the box. The loader is the least expensive item.

For the most part. However, sometimes it is easier to find a good, cheap, dependable truck and put a later model loader in better condition on it.

Our 'yard truck', for example, is a 1987 Mack MR (cab forward, big windowed thing - you see a lot of MR <a href="garbage%20trucks" onmouseover="window.status='garbage trucks'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">garbage trucks</a>) - she's not very pretty but it'll probably run forever and has the structural components we need - heavy front and rears, double frame, etc... bought it for $7,500 and put a Prentice Telstik on it to do our loading and unloading in the yard.

New boxes are tricky right now thanks to the price of steel. Anything fabricated using steel is going to cost.

I know the Prentice 110 was discontinued in about 1982, but there are still some in operation. If I found one that was in good condition, would I have trouble getting parts, etc?

Seal kits and things like that should be easy enough to locate (but they're pricey - I have a few customers who still have 110's in operation) but the larger items (for example a swing motor or a gear) would be difficult and costly, at best.

 

[Kimber]

continued.

Your quote should look something like this, yes?:

Cab/chassis: $ xxx

Loader: $ xxx (we include hyd pump/tank in loader pricing)

PTO: $ xxx

Installation: $ xxx (hydraulic pipes/fittings/labor)

Body: $ xxx

This is our most used set up:

(edited - the photo came out HUGE) - here is the link: log truck


Of course, this is set up for logs / pulp and we mount loaders on the rear because they also use pup trailers here.

I have to say that IMHO, you *should* be able to set up a decent truck that fits your requirements *without* going as far back as a Prentice 110 or Prentice 4-lever.

 

[Kimber]

Hope all of that helped.

Let me know if you have more! And good luck!

 

[ulk77more]

need a small used loader like a majaco m-90 or m-115 or a hakmet hk3861 or hk4066