280 Prentice

[Firewood dealer]

I am looking at a 07 280. It is trailer mounted with a pull through and a buck saw. Anyone have any experience with one? What are their weak points?

[BargeMonkey]

 Thats a nice loader. I looked at buying one before I stole my Barko loader. Depends what it has for power, is it still a true "prentice" or a 2280 after Cat took them over ? I called Ozark machinery about one and they really couldnt tell me much bad about them, the 280 swing gear was designed for a pull thru delimber, and they came factory set up with saw plumbing. I would buy that before I bought a 530-535 Jack / Deere loader. The parts are pretty pricey, biggest thing is how sloppy the main cylinder bushings and pins are, and the swing bearing.

[Firewood dealer]

The pins are all tight, but what I find strange is that they are putting a new pedestal bearing on it @ 7500 hours. DO you think that may have come from limbing? Maybe they didn't know about the grease fittings! .

[BargeMonkey]

 Thats a good size job doing a swing bearing, be glad your getting it freshly done. 7500hrs doesnt sound to bad for that, loaders are run rough, especially if its been running a pull thru.