Posted by Dave Jensen on Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 0:14AM :
In Reply to: Re: Need advice on buying a PW posted by Carl on Friday, May 09, 2003 at 6:45PM :
Sounds like you're set up to do some work. But if the terrain is too rough for a 4wd backhoe, that's scary. I'm assuming you mean a 2wd backhoe, but in any case if it's that steep and rough you're going to want the works: lockers, winch, and great tires. A PW is just a truck. They're stable but they will roll and heaven help you if you do more than just lay it on it's side. Those doors will pop open with a little pressure and twisting on the cab. There's more than one guy that's been squished, just like there's been more than a couple arms and hands removed by winches.
Hate to be the one to be suggesting non-PW stuff again, but have you checked out Unimogs? The 404 gas rigs start at about the same price as a real clean ff PW ($7,000 or so). They have lockers front and rear, tons of clearance, tall rubber, and coil suspension. Little under-powered like the PWs and parts are expensive. I had a chance to buy a nice one few years ago, test drove it and decided I could live with my V-8 '53 M-37. I like having enough power to get out of my own way, and parts aren't too expensive. But for really bad terrain every day, I think I'd rather have a mog.