Bought a new used skidloader, thought it was a great machine with low hours, turns out its been "dolled" up, hours likely aren't correct, tons of small things wrong and now the engine likely needs a rebuild. I think I'm just going to send it to an auction, likely $10,000+ loss. Haven't slept the past couple nights because I feel so stupid over this thing.

Feel like I'm seeing more and more of these dolled up machines all the time, be careful if your looking

Get it at an auction? Uncle bought a car that was suppose to run but endes up being blowed up. Auction company offered to buy it back.

Now it came from a guy who bought it in February from a dealer. I asked thr dealer before I bought it how many hours it should have and they said the 1,400 it showed should be correct. Idk what the real story on this is, it's either low hours and totally abused or someone manipulated the hours.

Yep

What would've an extra 10 grand bought you ?

I would watch buying former rental equipment . My cousin runs a wedding repair business and some of the things rental company's want him to fix so they can get rid of of and others they tell him about but later say never-ending we painted it an got rid of it. Well its enough for me to pass. He tells them nope not doing that its not a legal manufacturer aproved repair often.

And thats just the structural band aids. Im sure there are many more mechanical he never hears about that their shop guys do. He dose work for several different rental company's and many different locations for each of tham in about 150 mile area.

We all have or will get bit by a lemon at some point. It sucks, can make you gun shy, but it the cost of education. At least its geting close to the end if the year and can be partially written off. But im betting you dont need anymore wright offs between trees and farm.

I feel for you and things like that hurt bad. Making a living is hard enough then a set back like that really hurts. You will just have to weigh your options and do what you feel is best.
Good Luck!

Well that sucks, sorry to hear. I was recently looking for a different skid steer and found this guide.

https://www.skidsteers.com/blog/how-to-buy-the-best-used-skid-steers/

I hate buying used stuff but could never afford new, I just sold my old skid steer, two tractors and a motorcycle to get something “better”. I decided on a Kubota tractor, the jury is still out on how I did.

If you take it to an auction to sell it, make sure you list it as hashed, beat, wore out, or you are no better then the dealer and the one that sold it to you.

Guessing it is not a bobcat, john deere, case, cat, or kubota?

Always beware of the DuPont overhaul.

In the words of Vice Grip Garage, "Craigslist rebuild" as he spray paints everything.

Sucks to hear that. Hope you don't lose too much and can find something good.

If it truly only has 1400 hours it might be worth putting an engine in. Maybe take it to a dealer to just have it checked out, if all the hydraulic components are still good it would be worth an engine. If not for you a do it yourselfer looking for a deal.

Seems like changing out hour meters would be simple as well. Ther is no dmv records going to catch somone rolling back the odometer on them after all.

1400 hours is really not alot. I would go talk with the dealership he bought it from.

If it was me, I would use it, fixing it all along. Wouldnt take too long to get to even then hope for longer. If the motor does eventually go, sell it like that, some do-it-yourselfer will think he's getting a deal.

Bobcat S750 with the Kubota. Was looking for one of these machines, large Bobcat pre emissions Kubota Engine. Just got a Screwball one.

1,400 hours should be a really good machine yet with Thousands of trouble free hours to go, the more we look around this thing the less likely it seems it has 1,400 hours.

What are some of the things wrong

If you do take the loss talk to your tax guy about being able to deduct the loss.

Hydraulic cylinders leak and need rebuilds. Pins in arms are shot. Has a bit of a "grind" when turning, it's been repainted, they did a good job painting it, not just a typical farmer cover-up which makes me more suspicious. Main problem was that it smokes when cold, warmed up its okay. Tracked the problem to cylinder 4, had injectors tested and cleaned, replaced a broken egr, bore scoped cylinder, cylinder looked good, still smoking with injectors replaced so were assuming it broke a ring or damaged a valve. Would have to tear down the motor or atleast remove the head to be sure

Some fairly easy fixes, on that machine I’d fix it, but I wouldn’t be to worried about the smoke unless you’ve noticed something else with the motor.